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Corinne
Member Ascendant

since 1999-10-28

Posts 5167
state of confusion

0 posted 2002-06-30 08:00 PM

Clam Bake

Six families arrive
on the quiet, north shore,
station wagons
like pre-trendy low riders,
weighed down by bodies
and summer’s trappings.

A huge, old house opens its arms -
we pour ourselves in,
filling every level surface
and staking out bits of territory.

For the next six days,
there is no outside world,
we comprise the whole of it,
and rejoice in the simple tasks
of cooking, eating, swimming
and sleeping
together,

doors and windows thrown open –
the dull lulling pulse of the ocean
making for easy dreams.

The men set out early
on Sunday morning,
first to harvest the lobster traps,
then head out to trawl,
while the women
go into town to purchase
bread, potatoes and wine.

We kids have the duty
of digging for Littlenecks
and searching the rocky reef
for crabs –
our screaming drowned out
by the crush of high tide.

Early afternoon,
a huge pot is placed
atop a red-hot fire ring,
then filled with water
and clam juice.
We start by dropping in
potatoes and onions,
grandma sprinkles
her secret blend of spices.

While sourdough bread
is warmed near the coals,
the lobster, crabs, fish
and clams are tossed
into the pot
with much ceremony.

The neighbors arrive
with an ice bucket
of beer and pop -
and watermelon
for dessert.

We invite everyone
within walking distance
to join us.

We sup
and later
lay like seals
in warm sand.

© 2002 C.M. Bailey

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

1 posted 2002-06-30 08:02 PM

Make sure grandma shares that
secret blend....

a wonderful feel, this poem...

Krishankins

Senior Member

since 2002-06-23

Posts 972
Texas

2 posted 2002-06-30 09:11 PM

Easy feeling in this. Makes me like living by the ocean again.

Krishankins

A bird never flies so high that it can't hit the ground

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

3 posted 2002-07-01 10:49 AM

I like this very much, Corinne... though I lived far from the ocean, it reminds me of community gatherings from my youth. *S* Well written!

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

4 posted 2002-07-01 11:08 AM

Corinne

How lucky you are to have such memories. This was so full of a loving family atmosphere and friendship's kids. I really enjoyed the read!

Dark Stranger
Member Patricius

since 2001-03-19

Posts 13631
West Coast

5 posted 2002-07-01 01:53 PM

cor...
we used to dive for ab' pound em with rocks to make em tender and cook em over the fire on a iron grill..

sip cheap wine to wash em down

and lay like heavy rocks in hawai shirts til dawn...then start over again..

sure was fun and this was a great take back to then too

Sven

Member Laureate

since 1999-11-23

Posts 14937
East Lansing, MI USA

6 posted 2002-07-01 04:21 PM

*sniff* *sniff*

I can smell the wonder of this scene Corinne. . .

excellent. . .

-------------------------------------------------------

To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world.

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

7 posted 2002-07-02 05:00 AM

This sounds like loads of fun and I don't even like clam's...James

Mistletoe Angel

Member Empyrean

since 2000-12-17

Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon

8 posted 2002-07-03 12:38 PM

YAY!!! Oh Corinne, this sounds so exquisite, sweet friend, right now I am at my grandparents house in Cape Giradeau, Missouri and we had some texas hash the other night, that was good! (kiss on cheek) This is beautiful, sweet friend, I love it, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Corinne, thank you for sharing!

May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

"Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..."

Shakira

Marge Tindal

Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-06

Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores

9 posted 2002-07-03 12:53 PM

Corinne~
Sweet poetess ... you wrote me there~

'We sup
and later
lay like seals
in warm sand.'

LOVE the very picture of it~

Have a Happy~
*Hugs*
~*Marge*~

~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com

ethome
Member Patricius

since 2000-05-14

Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada

10 posted 2002-07-03 03:17 PM

A huge, old house opens its arms -
we pour ourselves in,
filling every level surface
and staking out bits of territory.

I've seen this myself.........This is a warm and inviting write Corinne!

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