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Open Poetry #23
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A Wish For.......
| Open Poetry #23 |
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A Wish For....... |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart 
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A Wish for...... Broke is penniless gone hollow, though he scraped together those few dollars it took then to ride the Amtrak from that town to Chitown, to give his new wife some sort of Christmas present. Nothing to hold on to but a promise in the making of memories, he talked of those some days that would bring her great gifts, so be sure, he said, over and over like a chant, be sure to look in the windows and dream for next year. Next year will be better… His gift was a train ride they could ill afford, her gift to him was to smile into a Chitown wind in December, hiding shivers under her too-light-weight transplanted clothing, her bare hands tucked tight into thin pockets, and to not think of the 70 degree Decembers of her west coast. She learned at first slice off Randolph the sharp sting of lakeside winds that treated her as if she stood as bare as any mannequin, surprise catching her breath as they turned the corner of N. LaSalle. Just smile, she whispered to her soul, as they scurried down toward State Street where time chilled her through as they looked in windows of gold and green, at model trains on miniature railroads taking dreamers on rides, and children sat on Santa’s lap, wishing their life away, while haughty women in furs looked askance at a young woman in her cloth coat, as old men cast sideways glances, recalling how warm young love could be. He kept nudging her, making sure she kept her wish alive, though she only had one for that day. They ran into Woolworth, seemingly to finger notions, but more to warm bones, as emotions of family so far away began to seep through her, though she would not let the haunt touch her heart in the warm cup of hot chocolate. He ambled away from her for a moment, assuming the look of disinterested shopper as she fingered a silver star and made her shivering wish, one that could stay alive if only in memories, as slip-silver as any pocketbook could hold. Let’s go, he said, for the day had crept into a gray dusk, the train would not wait for any man, let alone his pretty wife, who smiled her great smile, and they stepped back out onto State Street, into the lights of Christmas, and she looked up. Oh, was all she said, as her wish drifted down, cold and white, sparkling in its trip through the yellows and reds, blues and whites of Christmas shine. |
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| © Copyright 2002 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
"Oh, was all she said, as her wish drifted down, cold and white, sparkling in its trip through the yellows and reds, blues and whites of Christmas shine." ------------------------------------------- OH! How do you do this? How do you reduce me to tears in a single stanza? You are an amazing writer Sis!  ~Hugs, luv and snow~ ~ Life is too short not to believe in Santa Claus ~ |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
I'm putting this into a Christmas stocking for my sister and a friend. Thank you, for such a wonderful reminder to appreciate that white powdery stuff from the skies, warm chocolate, and a warm store to hang out in on a too-chilly-night. I remember hanging out in a grocery once in Alaska when it got so cold even Polartec, Carrharts and military style bunny boots didn't keep me warm. |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Karilea, this is wonderful! Tenderly and beautifully expressed! They had a gift that money can't buy! |
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Ethan Halo Senior Member
since 2000-04-28
Posts 793on the roof again |
delightful! you weave words into beautiful descriptions, and weave them into a magnificent story. thanks for this. it's our struggle for identity that leaves us all unknown |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Karilea You took me there with this life heart song so tenderly. The ending exploded so softly.  |
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Nightshade
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962just out of reach |
as emotions of family so far away began to seep through her, though she would not let the haunt touch her heart in the warm cup of hot chocolate Karilea - oh, my, my, my.....what a beautifully sad and touching write. Thankyou for this to-night. hugs, Chris  "Hope" is the thing with feathers- |
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ThisDiamond Member Rara Avis
since 2002-02-22
Posts 9353Michigan, USA |
What cannot be expressed in words is right here in my smile. ThisDiamond |
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RSWells Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533 |
A moving story of a strong woman. Do they still make 'em that way? I've been to the city with wide shoulders in December, it made me shiver reading this. |
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garysgirl
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
Karilea, what can I say that hasn't already been said, sweet lady? Just absolutely beautiful and how I would love to see some snow.....just don't want the cold that goes with it. "Love makes the world go around" |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
Broke is penniless gone hollow, =================================== that line is a classic.... this whole write is a classic... you do know you just penned a Christmas picture post card dont you? yes..you know. the sun shines even on snowy days  Be he king or peasant, he is happiest when he holds peace in his home and love in his heart. (unknown)  |
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scorpio Member Ascendant
since 2002-10-02
Posts 5178right...there |
I really enjoyed this, Karilea..the texture of the images, the quality of the emotions and the structure of this poem meshed and drew me as a reader into it...very well done... believe in what your heart feels... |
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Sunkissed Senior Member
since 2002-12-03
Posts 610 |
All sunshine and a story teller too! Sunkissed |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
The Ghost of Christmas Past could not have written it any better....Such are the memories....of a time once felt and always remembered... |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
Ahhhh to experience a white Christmas, perhaps one day. This is touchingly beautiful Karilea. adding to library Maree |
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