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Martie
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since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California

0 posted 2003-01-18 07:40 PM



     The Wall of Time

They are sitting on black and white
stairs made of ordinary cold cement,
their faces turned towards each other.  
Her bare legs in shorts are a dancers
and a scarf only partly hides pin-curled hair.
His pompadour turns up as does his mouth.
They are in love and it is 1951.

Fifty years have passed since that day
that hangs with other years in the hall.

The creak of the floorboards calls out the change
in the way they walk in the morning,
changing, changing from nylon stockings to slippers,
work shoes to sensible, eager to tired.
They wear it with pride.  
They wear it with contrition.

The basement echo saddens this listener
knowing time gives and takes,
and holds love accountable for each gruff word,
each wild embrace, every I’m sorry.

The skin grieves, cringes and curls,
and they weave lotion into what might seem harsh
until softness sits with them into the evening,
watching the flickering living room walls
lit by television and the steady rise and fall
of falling asleep early.

On her way to turning down the sheets
she touches his hair and says, “come now”
as he smiles into a dream
and she straightens his black tie on the wall
on their 50th anniversary,
knowing it is more than the walls breathing
that makes a picture crooked,
and much more that straightens it.



© Copyright 2003 Martie Odell Ingebretsen - All Rights Reserved
Seymour Tabin
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since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
1 posted 2003-01-18 07:46 PM


Martie,
An intuitive write, enjoyed.

Elizabeth Santos
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since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
2 posted 2003-01-18 07:47 PM


"The skin grieves, cringes and curls"

Another gem in your crown. Your words mske my skin cringe and curl.
What a fantastic line!
Superb!
Liz

Sunshine
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since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
3 posted 2003-01-18 07:47 PM



Ok, ok ok...tit for tat.  I didn't wave the Kleenex box, and neither did you.  But I could certainly envision my parents just so, had they lived...

Thank you!

Enchantress
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since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
4 posted 2003-01-18 07:49 PM


Oh gee Martie girl!!
You have been missed...as have your words.
Love this...fantastic imagery.
Welcome back!
~Hugs & Smiles, Nancy~

~Time has cast a spell on you,
  So you won't ever forget me~

Cpat Hair
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793

5 posted 2003-01-18 07:59 PM


attended a50th a few uears ago..wasn't my family...but this so captures the things I thought...


you write with love and understanding my friend...and a heart..bigger than most any I have ever known.

Kethry
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082
Victoria Australia
6 posted 2003-01-18 08:07 PM


fabulous images, I could feel the rustle of paper thin skin brushing against another cheek.
Kethry

Here in the midst of my lonely abyss, a single joy I find...your presence in my mind.  Unknown



Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

7 posted 2003-01-18 11:00 PM


The creak of the floorboards calls out the change
in the way they walk in the morning,
changing, changing from nylon stockings to slippers,
work shoes to sensible, eager to tired.
They wear it with pride.  
They wear it with contrition.

The basement echo saddens this listener
knowing time gives and takes,
and holds love accountable for each gruff word,
each wild embrace, every I’m sorry.

The skin grieves, cringes and curls,
and they weave lotion into what might seem harsh
until softness sits with them into the evening,
===============================

knowing it is more than the walls breathing
that makes a picture crooked,
and much more that straightens it.

===============================


this is a prime example of how your "people watching" pays off..and the reason that both POETRY & FICTION needs you!!!
Write girlie...write

I was reborn on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay
Virginia hasn't yet faded away
I keep thinking tomorrow is coming today
So I am endlessly waiting

Denise
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Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

8 posted 2003-01-18 11:12 PM


Have I ever told you that I wished I had a mind like yours, Martie? I'm sure I have. This is exquisite! Another masterpiece to add to your voluminous collection!
Auguste
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since 2000-02-16
Posts 3953
By the sea
9 posted 2003-01-18 11:51 PM


Martie, in this plastic, throw-away, instant gratification world, it gives me much inspiration to know that love can last this long.  Happy anniversary to these two very special people.   
ThisDiamond
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-02-22
Posts 9353
Michigan, USA
10 posted 2003-01-19 12:37 PM


Such admiration for your gift my friend. This was a very beautiful tribute to all that is worthwhile. Thank you. ThisDiamond
Mistletoe Angel
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since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
11 posted 2003-01-19 04:22 AM




(big hugggssssssss) Oh Martie, this is lovely, sweet friend, this is beautiful and made me cry as I know how precious these times are seeing my grandma and grandpa's 50th anniversary last October! (sigh) God Bless You, sweet friend, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Martie, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

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

Shakira

passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
12 posted 2003-01-19 04:23 AM


makes me believe in love...yeah...good stuff Martie!
Severn
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704

13 posted 2003-01-19 05:48 AM


MLP - this is the best I've seen from you for a long time..

As I was reading I said 'oh my god, Martie' to myself...it made a deep impression...

huggles...talk soon eh?

K

ShadowRider
Senior Member
since 2001-07-14
Posts 1038
USA
14 posted 2003-01-19 11:05 AM


Martie, my friend,
all the understated reasons for marriage are enunciated in your glowing tribute to the mundane to the outsiders, but sacred to those who are a part of the duality.

It is SOOOO good to have you back.   Nicely constructed in a natural flow of one-year-into the next type of poetry....
Jeff

Nan
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Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
15 posted 2003-01-20 06:51 PM


I enjoyed this a lot - Time does indeed creep up on us, doesn't it?...
vandana
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Patricius
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463
USA
16 posted 2003-01-20 06:57 PM


enjoyed
regards2you
Member Elite
since 2002-10-01
Posts 3940
California
17 posted 2003-01-20 07:07 PM




Martie,

So very insightful. I loved every line of it, and it tickles me to know there are lasting relationships. And, I'll bet they knew just as many problems as the ones nowadays....amazing how times have changed, but some people never do. Maybe those who succeed to this length really did have that once in a life time romance and love. Precious.

Enjoyed, Pat

..without surrender, be on good terms with all persons..
        "Desiderata"

Goodknight
Member Elite
since 2002-06-15
Posts 2386
Ohio, USA
18 posted 2003-01-21 09:57 AM


you see into the ages of love so well and so carefully - this is so well done - Paul
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