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RMW
Senior Member

since 2001-03-21

Posts 1424

0 posted 2002-09-05 02:24 PM

Mail Order

The arrival of the catalogue,
whether Sears or Wards,
suggested something in the order
of ritual.
At thirteen, life was crowded with observance;
baseball in the spring; basketball in winter.
In school, chapel attendance was mandatory;
while at home, the compulsory
included grace at dinner and,
in a bow to the symmetrical,
not only the family Bible
but also, directly opposite
on an identical end table,
a volume containing garden equipment and hose.
Climatically agile,
the seasons still would lose their shape.
Advent fattened into Christmas; Lent
dieted, turning gray with good intent
while Spring Training exploded in a relief
of color and organ music
celebrating opening day
as though it were Easter.
It seemed confusing,
like the scent lingering in classrooms
previously occupied by the college women
with whom we shared our campus,
a translation that neither my Latin text
nor the Old Testament could ever satisfy.
Perhaps it had to do with passion,
the way I felt, not only then
but also on those rare occasions
when choice, attending in the chapel,
eyed the sheer assent
of candles.

RMW

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

1 posted 2002-09-05 02:29 PM

Bob

You do this so well...the way things so different meld and melt into one thing that remains....even after time as moved into a different place. Very much enjoyed!!

Interloper

Member Rara Avis

since 2000-11-06

Posts 8369
Deep in the heart

2 posted 2002-09-05 02:58 PM

Bob,

I certainly have a passion for your work!

Of course, it would not have fit in this wonderful piece ... but the ultimate end for those catalogs was the "little house on the prairie."

RMW
Senior Member

since 2001-03-21

Posts 1424

3 posted 2002-09-05 03:01 PM

Martie...thank you.

Interloper....always faithful....with your welcome backs .... to the prodigal.

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

4 posted 2002-09-05 03:27 PM

It's been a long while since some male
brought order to this place in such a serene, and worthy, writing...

this is a poem to make one humble,
and to silently advise one
to bow their heads with a murmur of
amen.

WhiteRose
Member Elite

since 2002-07-23

Posts 3208
somebody's dungeon

5 posted 2002-09-05 10:25 PM

This is great! Enjoyed. Twas sort of nostalgic. Your muse strolled wonderfully through this.

Cpat Hair

Member Patricius

since 2001-06-05

Posts 11793

6 posted 2002-09-06 09:00 AM

good to see your words again old friend...always a treasure and always enjoyed!

Indigo
Senior Member

since 2001-05-17

Posts 602

7 posted 2002-09-06 12:37 PM

Your words are simple in their sentiment, powerful in their resonance
of things past.

Thoroughly enjoyed this... *s*

Indigo

A. L. Becker
Member

since 2002-09-06

Posts 167
San Francisco, California

8 posted 2002-09-06 12:49 PM

very very nice and worth re-reading a number of times!!! thank you.

Annie :-

[This message has been edited by A. L. Becker (09-06-2002 12:50 PM).]

RMW
Senior Member

since 2001-03-21

Posts 1424

9 posted 2002-09-09 02:17 PM

Sunshine, White Rose, Ron, Indigo, and Annie.....sorry for being slow to express my thanks for your kind words. They are much appreciated. Bob

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