Open Poetry #24 |
Crazy (the twisted sisters chronicle begins) |
serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
We lived in the shadow of a fiberglass cowboy. He stood there right beside the door that granted entrance to the bar-- someone sang "Crazy" every Saturday night, and it damned near drove me there. Yep, we lived in the parking lot. A creole cottage in a sea of white rock-- the gravel made my fingers bleed when I insisted greenery. My sister watered stone until some sparse grass finally grew. I liked to watch the trucks pull in sometimes they even knocked and asked us how much did it cost for them to park-- I told them "five"-- but then the landlord made me stop. But not before I made some bucks. Years ago and I still grin. I had moved there on a whim. My sisters, they had set up house. They figured I was there enough and told me just to grab a bed. So I moved in with the boys-- my nephews, and sometimes a friend straggled in to find some floor. We let folks sleep where they fell. The neighborhood was pretty bad-- the ghetto was in our back door. But it was colorful indeed, black faces sold blackmarket gold at the gateway of our drive and rednecks drove past them in Fords to park thier trucks behind the fence within our "yard" topped with scrolls of wire boasting barb. Sisters three all very white in this harlem part of town that toasted just the very best redneck bar around. And no, we were not welcome there. Not in the bar. Not on the street. Somehow we never thought to ask-- we just paid our rent. The cowboys thought us one of them-- just by virtue of our skin-- the black folk they just laughed-- they knew--we didn't belong anywhere except to one another. We heard "crazy" every Saturday, indeed, it was appropriate. Sunday brought gospel rhythm from churches filled with joyous roar. We never once bolted our door. They were all wary of us. We were "twisted"-- so they said-- they simply kept distance. We never needed locks or keys or even handgun bravery. The dealers looked at us and shrugged. The cowboys winced and sang "Crazy." [This message has been edited by serenity blaze (12-17-2002 04:37 AM).] |
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© Copyright 2002 serenity blaze - All Rights Reserved | |||
passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
"but then the landlord made me stop" hehehe well, there's lots to be said for being 'crazy' I reckon. Ole Willie would love this one, fer shur! |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Ah...a series. Smiling big time here! |
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Nightshade
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962just out of reach |
Serenity - This is a wonderful read. I can't wait for the next addition!! Your writing is simply amazing. Chris "Hope" is the thing with feathers- |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
serenity, You serve poetic caviar once again, enjoyed. |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
BRAVO! I want the sequels asap. I love the way you contrasted the community, and stuck yourselves right in the middle. I do understand. I see a bit of myself in this. |
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garysgirl
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
My, my, Karen....you're at it again, and I'm loving it...... Hurry and give us the next part....... PLEASE!!!!!!!! "Love makes the world go around" |
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RSWells Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533 |
Crazy's a good defense....not giving a damn is liberating. Enjoyed |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
Yay! Oh Karen, this is wonderful, sweet friend, that's some cowboy bebop and honky-tonk action, I LOVE IT, can't wait for the next part, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Karen, 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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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
serenity The roots grow deep...even in rock and asphalt. Loved this picturesque look at a life. |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
I'm with Martie, keep watering dem rocks m'dear. Anything is possible ey? ya ain't crazy.. ya brilliant! Your poem was really moving. luv ya I do. Maree |
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Aenimal Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350the ass-end of space |
Love your storytelling, and I can relate I lived in not one but two ghetto communities and was pretty well left alone by both sides of the coin. Crazy is a fun label though I know i've always enjoyed mine |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
This reminds me a bit of my New Iberia neighborhood... just substitute old people who couldn't afford to move away for the cowboys... and just me instead of three. *S* I enjoyed this very much, serenity... both the story and the wonderful writing of it. *S* |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Ok...this is so cool. But is it REAL? LOL I have a feeling it's closer to the truth than we all can imagine. I love a good series. More please!!! |
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vlraynes Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229Somewhere... out there... |
serenity~ This one touches deep, my friend. It grabbed me and wouldn't let go. Much depth of meaning in this piece. You are such an incredible storyteller and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. I'm looking forward to more. Hugs, ~Vicky "...until you have read the verse on his heart, you have not truly met the poet. ~vlraynes [This message has been edited by vlraynes (12-17-2002 07:34 PM).] |
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Kielo Senior Member
since 2002-02-11
Posts 1109 |
I think I'm crazy... Thank you for making me smile. I needed it today. Kielo I know only one thing, and that thing is that I know nothing. |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
Yep, we lived in the parking lot. A creole cottage in a sea of white rock-- the gravel made my fingers bleed when I insisted greenery. My sister watered stone until some sparse grass finally grew. ================================== had to smile at this one..its so YOU!!! and? I am loving this....very very cool imagery here mw twin....a series? how bout a prelude of poetry leading to a prose portrait??? yeah...Im greedy lol It's so nice |
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Rusty Junior Member
since 2002-12-14
Posts 18 |
Very enjoyable story and well written Rusty |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Ah...I thank you all so much. With this kind of encouragement? How can I NOT continue? hmmmm... Thanks to all... |
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wranx Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689Moved from a shack to a barn |
Ah Jeez! Here they come. Soon, I hope. Ed |
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Duncan Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455 |
Seeing the title, I was anticipating a tale of you and your twin...lmao. Then I read and Wow. Damn, K...You amaze me. And I love the flavor of the South. I only realize how much I miss it, when I read you. |
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1slick_lady Member Ascendant
since 2000-12-22
Posts 6088standing on a shadow's lace |
Sen…this is awesome…helen |
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vandana
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463USA |
enjoyed |
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BluesSerenade Member Patricius
since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549By the Seaside |
Most excellent Ms. Serenity~ |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Oh now this is going to be so enjoyable!! Good stuff here Serenity! ~Hugs~ ~ Season's Greetings to my 'family' at Passions ~ |
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Laney Member
since 2002-12-18
Posts 85Illinois |
I love this poem...I can imagine the scenery as i read the poem...good job!! |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
This could be made into a television series! No kidding! It would be like no other!--and you and your sisters should play yourselves! hugs, Linda |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Yep, I'll say it again! This would make a great television series! Absolutely! ---Now, what kind of royalties could I expect for coming up with this idea? tehe hugs, Linda |
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Connel
since 2002-11-04
Posts 736Florida, USA |
It is a bery long poem/short story... But i read it all the way... Thank you for sharing. I wish to become a great poet some day, but it will only come in time. Til then, I shall write my poems, and wait. |
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EagleScorpion Senior Member
since 2000-03-08
Posts 1644Here, Now, Forever |
you capture the hardships that creoles had to face very well.. i will be following this chronicle as it looks quite interesting |
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Salty Senior Member
since 2002-11-23
Posts 669Texas |
I envy this talent you have....writing stories that makes a person not want it to end. SO captivating serenty.....I absolutely loved it. ~Salty In the Midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you. |
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