Saturday, March 8, 2014

Golly Miss Motley


Lynn Greyling



Golly Miss Motley 


Out in the cotton field you trip on an unhoed
row and I seize the moment and catch you
in my arms that seem too skinny for the moment
My legs like jelly – Golly, Miss Motley. I want to celebrate -
to hold this moment on a silver shimmered platter
shining forever in our perfect portion of paired paradise –
I swear, I see you turn and lift your arms around my neck –
but it’s all a half-bake dream, spoiling in the hot sun
as you trip on an unhoed row and I stand stunned in
the flash of your thigh, and like the sixteen-year-old I am,
watch your fall, see you shake off my too-late-offered hand
wait as you walk away, ponytail wagging at me, waving
your contempt stained in acres of cotton forever indelible   


~



26 comments:

  1. Paradise sometimes has a few hazy patches..still..good to remember the good things..i love the airiness and sense of dreaming..and those skinny little arms that will grow in so many ways

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    1. Thank you Jae - I am always loving the "love" ... delighted that you enjoyed, stopped and took the time to comment :)

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  2. You wove a wonderful story with this handful of cotton and dirt teenage dreams Pearl.

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    1. How very sweet of you Laura - your comment is poetry itself :)
      Thank you :)

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  3. ugh...those teenage times and dreams and falling in and out of love...not always easy...

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    1. Yes Claudia - can be a glorious and an agonizing time of heightened awareness and senses - thank you so much for stopping by :)

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  4. Oh, I like this one Pearl. I know cotton fields and unhoed rows. Fun poem.

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    1. Oh Sabra - I am delighted that you enjoyed and took the time to let me know :)

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  5. Sounds of dreaming...feeling good in the airy field..

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    1. Thank you so very much for buzzing over and leaving this lovely comment :)

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  6. Teenage years can be awkward trying to reach for dreams...

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    1. Oh thank you so much for stopping by, reading and leaving a comment - Hope to see you again :)

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  7. "ponytail wagging at me" - LOVE this!

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    1. Awww De - thank you for stopping by and commenting - I'm lovin the LOVE :)

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  8. This is one of the things about living, how these moments can suddenly appear, and we feel all of the burning of things we didnt do right, as intensely as if it just now was happening. Argh. When does that stop, I wonder? I suspect, it doesnt - until everything stops. You took me right there to that moment. Great write.

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    1. Sherry - I greatly admire your work - and deeply appreciate your comment. Thank you :)

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  9. Oh the agony of the missed chance not alleviated by the glimpse of her thigh. A moment to remember all one's life. Utterly delightful

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    1. Awww thank you so very much .... Never quite sure where these come from - I certainly have never had such an experience and yet there it was ... Very much appreciate your stopping and your wonderful comment . I am thrilled that you enjoyed :)

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  10. You capture the details and emotions and they become a clear snapshot of the moment...the longing, the regret. Funny how those teenaged memories seem to be the clearest ones and apt to return more often than others...

    Elizabeth

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    1. Thank you Elizabeth - Yes it is true - although this memory must belong to some other teenager and just came through to me - Deeply appreciate your stopping and your lovely comment :)

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  11. "arms that seem too skinny for the moment" -- oh, I relate to this! thank you.

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    1. Oh thank you for stopping and commenting -I am thrilled that that line reached out to you :)

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  12. your words deeply touched the spirit, whirled me around lifting the heart up to the skies-gifting profound joy drifting me to the happy past -a great joy to read.Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Oh my!! What a lovely comment - Thank you so very much.
      Very deeply appreciated. I am delighted you enjoyed.

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