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Open Poetry #19
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The Bible Salesman
| Open Poetry #19 |
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The Bible Salesman |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California 
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The Bible Salesman One summer day, so hot and humid she, with windows open fans going was standing at the window letting the air blow an ice cube up and down her arms around her neck, eyes closed. Thinking a man to run his finger up her arm like this ice cube, making goose bumps as a knock on the door made her jump, feeling guilty somehow for her thoughts. On the porch a man looking with a grin at her feelings, she thought, selling Bibles he said. She watched his face, not listening, the way his lips moved the straight line of his teeth, the crease that appeared, then disappeared from the corner of his eye. She had wished for a man and this one had appeared. He told her about college and selling Bibles door to door to support himself to help his family. He told her about his three young sisters and one brother, how his mom was sick his dad having trouble. She bought a Bible, of course. She bought a Bible, even though she already had one. How could she not buy a Bible from this man? She would have bought anything from him. Usually, words flowed from her like music from an early morning song bird. How to make him stay, after the Bible was in her hand and the dull day was threatening return? The ice melted slowly in her hand making a wet spot on the bodice of her dress as she clutched it to her bosom. She had thought of the heat and this man trudging with his sacred suitcase full of the Word, and the ice slowly melting on her chances. He had stayed drinking ice tea as shadows fell on the day and the afternoon breeze curled the pages of the Bible that lay on the table between them. _________ 11-99 |
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| © Copyright 2002 Martie Odell Ingebretsen - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Lone Wolf Member Ascendant
since 2000-03-16
Posts 5842Lansing, MI USA |
Very intriguing write, Martie. Loved this one!!  All writing comes |
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Rosemary J. Gwaltney Senior Member
since 1999-08-26
Posts 997northern mountains, Idaho |
This is grand! I could almost feel the heat! Excellent ending. I love your endings, I love your poetry. |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
Usually, words flowed from her like music from an early morning song bird. How to make him stay, after the Bible was in her hand and the dull day was threatening return? The ice melted slowly in her hand making a wet spot on the bodice of her dress as she clutched it to her bosom. She had thought of the heat and this man trudging with his sacred suitcase full of the Word, and the ice slowly melting on her chances. He had stayed drinking ice tea as shadows fell on the day and the afternoon breeze curled the pages of the Bible that lay on the table between them. ========================================= reprieve comes in on breezes we dont expect. I love the underlying longing and slow burn in this... very very cool write Martie.  So it seems your saving grace was only saving face, |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Indeed, he remained a man of His word... well done Martie! I don't remember seeing this one, but I'm sure as shooting glad you brought it back! |
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Auguste 
since 2000-02-16
Posts 3953By the sea |
Hi Martie, I remember reading this one a long time ago. I enjoyed it and and enjoy seeing it once again. Nice work, my friend. *hugs* Michael Michael Auguste~ |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Oh Martie, I could just feel the sultry heat as she stood there talking to the salesman...wonderful. Left me wanting more, sure did. ~Hugs, Nancy~ ~Time has cast a spell on you, |
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Madame Chipmunk Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296Michigan |
Very beautifully penned, Martie...but it hungers for a sequel. What happened after they shared that glass of iced tea?  copyright2002 Lyra Nesius |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Hi friends...thank you for your replies! There is an end already written, but it is very sad. It has already been posted..in the archives...called "Red Rain" if you care to read it. |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
This is truly a wonderful write.. Can you give our wonderful poets the URL to the sequel??.. |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Hi Nan...I always appreciate it when you reply to one of my poems..thanks, and here is the link /pip/Forum42/HTML/002907.html |
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strbbux Member Elite
since 2001-12-19
Posts 3859 |
oooooh I got chills, I thought from the ice cubes then I realized from the poem. utterly nice story. floria Floria |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
 (smiles) Oh my gosh, this poem at first gave me chills imagining the icecube touches then it made me feel as though it was summer outside! (big hugggssssss) This is wonderful, sweet friend, your words always touch our hearts, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Martie, thank you for sharing! May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton |
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