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Open Poetry #24
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The Wall of Time
| Open Poetry #24 |
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The Wall of Time |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California 
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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. |
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| © Copyright 2003 Martie Odell Ingebretsen - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Martie, An intuitive write, enjoyed. |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
"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 |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
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! |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
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, |
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Cpat Hair
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793 |
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. |
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Kethry Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082Victoria Australia |
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 |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
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 |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
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! |
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Auguste
since 2000-02-16
Posts 3953By the sea |
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.  |
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ThisDiamond Member Rara Avis
since 2002-02-22
Posts 9353Michigan, USA |
Such admiration for your gift my friend. This was a very beautiful tribute to all that is worthwhile. Thank you. ThisDiamond |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
 (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..." |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
makes me believe in love...yeah...good stuff Martie! |
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Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
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 |
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ShadowRider Senior Member
since 2001-07-14
Posts 1038USA |
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 |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
I enjoyed this a lot - Time does indeed creep up on us, doesn't it?...  |
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vandana
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463USA |
enjoyed |
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regards2you Member Elite
since 2002-10-01
Posts 3940California |
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.. |
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Goodknight Member Elite
since 2002-06-15
Posts 2386Ohio, USA |
you see into the ages of love so well and so carefully - this is so well done - Paul |
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