Open Poetry #23 |
The Trouble with Mrs. Meeks |
Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
The Trouble with Mrs. Meeks I visited Melody and Anne on those rare Saturday afternoons when their mother was having a good day. They lived in a ranch-style house with pealing aqua paint, brown lawn in front and thigh-high weeds in back. We played “Dream Date” or “Operation” in the closed up, musty family room, listening to the radio turned down low or the Monkeys on a red portable record player. My favorite was Davy Jones, an unpopular choice that once caused the sisters to heave me out onto the dusty, hard ground. They were mean like that, but there weren’t many other girls in the neighborhood, so I returned and they took me back. Sometimes I was allowed into their mother's dimly lit bedroom. She would sit up then, piles of pillows behind her back; her daughters bringing soup and crackers on a tray for her lunch. I never saw her out of bed and they didn’t talk about the problem with Mrs. Meeks. Recently, during a particularly bad day in a succession of horrible ones, I decided not to leave the safety of my blankets. I kept the curtains closed, read and napped, until the memory of Mrs. Meeks dropped in and got my ass out of bed. © 2002 Corinne Bailey [This message has been edited by Corinne (10-20-2002 10:05 PM).] |
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© Copyright 2002 Corinne - All Rights Reserved | |||
Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
I really enjoyed this! The surprise ending made me chuckle! Linda |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Nicely done Corrine! Love the imagery used in the story. ~Hugs~ ~ Time has cast a spell on you |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
It's true, isn't it? I remember a neighborhood like that... fortunately, the old lady on the block was very active, and her parrot made our visits so enjoyable! |
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garysgirl
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
Corrine, this was good, but sad. I found myself wondering if Mrs. Meeks was sick or just lazy. I was feeling sorry for the sisters having to wait on her. Then, when I read the ending, I decided she must have just not wanted to help herself. Thanks for sharing. Love To All, Ethel |
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wranx Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689Moved from a shack to a barn |
Liked this, Corinne. a terrific tale witha twist Ed |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
(big hugggsssssss) Oh Corinne, this is such a beautiful but sad story, sweet friend, I'm sorry to hear Mrs. Meek's failed to seek any help or ask for it and she was left alone as you and your sisters were left alone without her guidance! (sigh) My thoughts go out to you, sweet friend, 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..." |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
Thanks everyone!!! Cor |
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RMW Senior Member
since 2001-03-21
Posts 1424 |
Corinne .... Very thoughtful, as always. I hope that the string of bad days, if real, have passed. Bob |
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brian madden Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374ireland |
Corinne, this almost makes me feel guilty for wanting to spend half the day in bed...almost. Enjoyed the read, nice twist at the end. The ladders of life that we scale merrily Move mysteriously around So that when you think you're climbing up, man In fact you're climbing down-Nick ca |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
This is fantastic, Corinne! *S* I enjoyed the snapshot from the past... and absolutely love the ending. *S* |
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Toerag Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622Ala bam a |
Great write sweets... |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
AWESOME... *into the library* and...I wanted to ask...there was a poem you wrote some time ago about a glassblower I think? (I'm more impressed than it appears, just an awful memory) Help me out on that one? |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
Thank you Bob! Still having a rough time of it, but brighter days are coming. I see you're posting again, will go and read your new stuff! Brian - hey, don't feel guilty about that! I didn't feel guilt, just panic - a little voice that said: "dooooonnnn't become like Mrs. Meeeeeeeeeekkkkkks! Thanks Suthern!!! Thanks, sweet toe man! Thanks Serenity. A glassblower poem, gee, I don't think that was mine! Now I'll have to go and look. What a terrible memory I have, huh? Cor |
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Parker Member Elite
since 2000-01-06
Posts 3129ON |
Corinne, sweet poet, great write as always. that Irish won't leet you become Mrs. Meeks.. loved the last line... but I had to add the word sweet to it.. Oh did I say that out loud. parker |
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Temptress
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-06-15
Posts 7136Mobile, AL |
You know, I LOVE your stories and how they always end. Here's hoping you're well, Cor. "two hearts will build the foundation for one point of light |
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Robert Adamson Member
since 2002-10-21
Posts 328PA/USA |
I loved your ending. And your ... "I decided not to leave the safety of my blankets." As I was used to getting up at 4:30am daily to perform manual labour, getting up became a non-decision. Oh, how I hated leaving the safety of my blankets. etoodog |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
Park - still the same sweet, flirty guy - you've always been so good to me! Hope you are well! Temptress - Hi there, friend! Well, I've been better, but I'm trying to write my way through it. Thank you! Robert - nothing harder than when that alarm clock goes off. Thank you! Corinne |
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