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Open Poetry #36
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Sunshine
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since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

0 posted 2006-01-06 07:41 AM



White Dress

White on white cotton brushed, silky roses strewn
yards and yards of pretty stuff, laid out in kitchen’s room
paper transfer of a gown from so very long ago
snip, clip, soon we have a gown of Christmas snow

Now take deep red velvet trim, chimed with tinkling bells
wrap it snug around her waist, blushing cheeks do tell
she is young and raptly waiting, for that first real kiss
but a little downcast, in mom’s sweet homemade dress

Soft black slippers clad slender feet, waiting for a dance
see the wonder in her eyes, hope she will have her chance
place warm shawl ‘round her close, she will soon come home
only hope she meets a dream, one to call her own

Hesitant, shy, enters scene of Christmas, pale golden lights
waves to friends she sees, her dress stands out, so white
she blushes at all the looks, from student to the tutor
she knows now, she is sure, the dress just doesn’t suit her

Music from a distance, swims towards her in grand jest
just thirteen, her dreams still real, this is her first real test
she backs up, snugs the wall, this is far too real
her heart it is a’hammering, you know just how she feels

To her amaze, a chaperone, she looks up, in pride
a favored teacher, one with grace, comes up to her side
“Care to dance?” and she nods, then they cheerfully
begin a dance, no romance, but still, they merrily

Join the rest, oh the joy, her dress, the only white!
she stands out before the rest, she is clad in bright!
her cheeks flush, her skirt it flails, full and in a twirl
she is glad, this very night, that she is full-grown girl…

Decades past, in memory, today this thought came back
how I abhorred her implore, my Mom, she had no tact
a homemade dress, so blasé, I figured the night was ruined
now I recall, the simpler times, under this January moon.

Thank you, Mom


Slightly revised.

"There's a reason they call God The Creator - he sides with talent." Julia Cameron

© Copyright 2006 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved
tracie66
Member Elite
since 2000-01-18
Posts 4713
Australia
1 posted 2006-01-06 07:58 AM


Dear Sunshiny girl
this is adorable, loved the imagery and so worth the read, thanks for sharing.

~hugs~
Tracie

Love is the life of the soul...
It is the harmony of the universe



Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
2 posted 2006-01-06 09:12 AM


How very lovely, dear Karilea! Probably the white dress was like Haute Couture, a splendid piece, but done with true Love and combined with your shyness it was simply unique, as unique that you remember it till today.

You made me smile, I used to make dresses for my daughter, but when she became a teenager she didn't want them anymore, it wasn't enough chic in her eyes ... or was in the eyes of the cliché general opinion?

Love and hugs. Enjoyed!

Margherita

LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

3 posted 2006-01-06 09:17 AM


you not only sew words, but insight, beauty, shawls of marvel, and now this, you sew clothing to....your a woman of many elegant caps....

this was spendid

LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

4 posted 2006-01-06 09:37 AM


all dedicated with love from your mom to you....
Martie
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since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
5 posted 2006-01-06 11:45 AM


Sissie....this makes me wish that my mom had been a seemstress.  I sure remember some of those same feelings!  
Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
6 posted 2006-01-06 04:40 PM


I remember this piece..
and I recall how it made me feel the first time I read it.
I feel the same now..just as you did then.
Hugs, Nancy

In the midst of winter,
I found there lives within me..
An invincible summer.

Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989

7 posted 2006-01-06 06:29 PM


this is soooo beautiful.
very well done indeed Karilea...  

Nightshade
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Member Patricius
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962
just out of reach
8 posted 2006-01-06 06:55 PM


Soft and lovely Karilea.
hugs, Chris

Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance.
~Carl Sandburg

Larry C
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Member Patricius
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286
United States
9 posted 2006-01-06 07:08 PM


Sweet. Nicely done.

If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane,
I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again.

iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
10 posted 2006-01-06 07:09 PM


What memories you brought back with this one, Karilea!  All my clothes were homemade (even the hand-em-downs) until I got babysitting jobs at 16.  When I was 13, I was embarassed about it, too.  Later on I began to be quite proud of the fact I wore something unique!  Oh, if I could only sew like my Mom!  Your poem really painted a picture -- I could just see it.   ....jo
Fagin
Member
since 2004-05-07
Posts 126
Ca
11 posted 2006-01-06 09:00 PM


Oh Sis! This was so vivid! I can just see Mom fitting you and you dancing about on air
wonderful!

miscellanea
Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060
OH
12 posted 2006-01-06 10:47 PM


So enjoyed this, remember a few homemade dresses we wore to the dances, too.  I think my mother was excited about us growing into 'young ladies' as we were!  Being a real tomboy, I bet she was!  For sentamental reasons, this must be a keeper!

         misc

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