Hi Readers! Another one from the archives today. This week’s Red Dress Club prompt was: describe a sound or scent that brings you back to your past. I couldn’t resist. Hop on over to The Red Dress Club for more trips down memory lane!
In other news, things may be slowing down here a bit, and I might be scarce for a few weeks, but the good news is that my energies will be spent immersed in good things, not suckage things. New territories. I can’t share with you just yet, but when I can, I will. Thanks for generously bearing with me. You are truly the best.
Serenade
In brown-skinned summers,
You and I, sun-stung
From looking for tomato bugs
Would run to the rickety ice-house
Where Grandpa would teach us
The secret of watermelons.
Dappled-skinned melons were best.
Grandpa would squint, study, pluck
Only the choicest of suspects,
Rap his gnarled knuckles hard–
Knocking.
Knocking for secrets, seeking the sweet.
Crouch-down anxious, we’d wait
As Grandpa clicked his pocketknife,
Cutting hard circle
Into innocent flesh.
His foolproof method only failed twice,
Yielding dry melons
He fails to remember.
Sunset. Drugged with heat and dust,
We bit into crimson–
Let it bleed down our arms, bugs be damned,
Spit seeds into the evening
Shooting at the gray goose that hissed,
Extra points if we plundered backside.
I loved you then.
Sometimes, over your second
Gin and tonic of the evening,
You will throw your head back, laughing
Pearly picket-fence teeth bared,
And for an instant, I see the girl
Of our watermelon summers
Knocking.
~TKW
{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
Through your words, I was there.
I love this, Kitch. It reminds me when my dad would bring watermelon home, my mom would always praise him for picking a sweet one. Those were happy days….
I love the way you wrote,”I see the girl of our watermelon summers Knocking.” I feel it.
I adore you! Thanks for taking us back to such a poignant moment in time. I felt like I was there, too! (Can’t wait to hear the good news. Keep us posted! xoxoxo)
This totally brings me back to summers that I would eat watermelon with my dad. Great descriptions throughout!
Have fun being scarce! I hope your ‘good things’ involves a book deal, and that a literary agent has discovered your blog and given you an advance to write a memoir. =)
Wonderful! And, I love a mystery. Can’t wait to hear more.
Best,
Bonnie
Lovely. Just lovely. Please share more poems with us, chica!
Good luck with your new territories! *intrigued*
This was summer magic in black & white. I loved it. I usually have a hard time engaging in poetry, for me it takes those extra brain cells to focus. But this just grabbed me and I was immediately drawn into the hot sticky summer nights with watermelon and best friends.
My favorite lines are your opening: In brown-skinned summers,
You and I, sun-stung…
Just fantastic yummy words.
Wow. I had some catching up to do!
Love the noodle slut post….of course, I had read someplace that’s what Puttanesca meant…so I got a charge out of the post. It can be taken so many ways. I really don’t prefer a red sauce with my pasta (!!?!) so when I am in a rush and cooking for myself, I almost always take noodles, butter, garlic and cheese of some sort and throw it all together in a frying pan. So naughty of me.
Serenade was lovely, touching and familiar! You are quite a talent! I am officially impressed, esp. since I can barely string two sentences together. :)
Can’t wait to hear your news!
I’m glad you are getting new, fabu opportunities. You deserve them. Even though this poem makes me sad because I can totally relate.
Lovely. And I can’t wait to hear your news. Glad it is not of the suckage variety. So glad.
Is this a memoir of your sister? It’s so direct and poignant. I feel like I know both she and your grandfather now. Happy watermelon memory to you :-).
Sherri,
Bingo.xo
Your descriptions are so very vivid!
The part about him making a mistake twice made him so human, despite the perfect memories :)
this was just magnificent. so many great lines i cant even quote them. but it was a pleasure to read!
Wonderful.
Best to you on the good news as well! :)
Lovely… summer rising through spring. All Good Wishes for New Territories…
This tastes like summer to me.
It’s a beautiful poem, rich in sensory experience. I enjoyed reading it a lot.
Thanks for sharing it!
You get a big herky for heading into new territories. I’m with you.
Yes, I’m replying to my comment.
I take back what I said about new territories after the day you had. I have a bad feeling that someone is gonna have to fill out another form that involves the coordinates to a burial plot. I take back the herky, I clearly underestimated the devil. I am, however, right behind you with the rolling pin. :)
jc,
Come on over and help me dig?
Love this! Hope your new adventures are bringing you lots of smiles. Can’t wait to hear about them!!
Such a beautiful memory – I wish I knew the secrets of watermelons!
Mmmm. Leaving me with a smile. And whatever you’re up to, hope it’s all good!
I sense a bittersweet longing…lovely.
Oh ye of many layers, I am so pleased that you’re heading into Good Things territory. Make Martha jealous.
Ah, watermelon summers. I remember…!
Loved this post :D
Glad you are emersed in fun things and not sucky things! :D
Looking forward to the good news! Hurry-up and share with us.
Lovely. I’m counting the days until the next “watermelon summer.”
Is there any style of writing you can’t bring beauty to?
<3 !!!
Beautiful.
I am always amazed how your stories take me with you down memory lane! You are a fantastic writer! Good luck with whatever you’re up to! I wish nothing but the best for you my friend :)
Well I’m sorry to say that as lovely as the poem is…I was too distracted by your whole “good-stuff-i-can’t-tell-you-all-about-yet” opener to enjoy it!
I do trust all of the ideas you have offered in your post. They’re really convincing and will definitely work. Nonetheless, the posts are very brief for novices. May just you please lengthen them a bit from subsequent time? Thank you for the post.
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8oTehO Very neat post.Really looking forward to read more. Will read on…
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nice page you should write a weekly newsletter :)