This week's Big Tent Poetry Prompt followed the theme of "Stranded". I felt ready to write of South Dakota again. These days I am longing to return. Go figure!
Once upon the time
there was a family
two girls and a boy
and a Mom, perpetually
engaging in the optimistic
who wished her children
knew a life that fit like
Cinderella's slipper over
their carefully pedicured
life plan
Instead these three
learned from experience
how to rise up following
disappointment
how to huddle together
when their collective
heart cracked open,
bleeding and mixed
with salty tears
She would have rather been
the glittering fairy godmother than
this real mom, hair needing a shampoo
and stranded on the South
Dakota prairie
Miles from home
Miles from where
they were attempting
to go
Like this poem
which is having a difficult
time finding its ending
This mother looks
out her Bakersfield kitchen
window, facing East
wishing she was
someplace else
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debi
Posted by: debi | March 18, 2011 at 02:38 PM
The grass is always greener on the other side, Julie. Well said.
Posted by: pamelasayers | March 18, 2011 at 02:40 PM
Made me do a double-take... I love it!
Posted by: Laurie Kolp | March 18, 2011 at 03:50 PM
Amazing use of a sense of place to depict the emotions you express in such a subtle, effective manner.Having lived in the Central Valley I can understand looking east, but as they say, wherever you go, there they are. South Dakota has its special beauty, though.
Posted by: Victoria | March 18, 2011 at 05:16 PM
Fairy tales have happy endings, no so reality. Learning from experience, rising up after disappointment and sharing sadness is a better moral than found in any fairy tale.
Posted by: Mike Patrick | March 18, 2011 at 05:24 PM
I can relate to this - to be sure. Nicely written.
Posted by: Tumblewords | March 18, 2011 at 09:30 PM
This is a gem of a poem: definitely one to keep.
I hope you are able to unstick yourself - in the nicest sense of the expression.
Posted by: vivienne blake | March 19, 2011 at 06:09 AM
Julie~
I appreciate that you let the poem go where it needed to go. Made for a good read packed with vibrant images and haunting emotion.
Posted by: Kim Nelson | March 19, 2011 at 11:34 AM
Wonderfully written
Posted by: Cathy | March 19, 2011 at 06:44 PM
follow your sixth sense,
it makes lots of senses,
eloquent words, well penned.
join us today.
Posted by: Jingle Poetry | March 21, 2011 at 08:48 AM