All week she called to me,
but I was too afraid
I'd be intruding if I
stepped across our new street
with my camera in hand to
take her color home with me.
But Saturday morning won, and
I walked over with zoom
and trepidation,
and I captured her.
and I met a new neighbor who knew
stories of our street
once-lined with live oaks -
before Hugo pillaged them
twenty years ago. His shed
used to be in the middle
of his yard; Hugo moved
it to the fence, and his wife
had left him, but
it was amicable. a-MIC-able.
AM-ic-able. He didn't know, but
it was "okay."
The color belonged to
another neighbor, who couldn't
come to her door because she
was diabetic and had
only one leg.
And our other neighbors were quiet - except
the bigger little one, who
asks lots of questions and
scares me a little because
I don't know all the answers, and
I used to think
it didn't hurt to ask
but now I know better, so
I wish him away.
She offered me beauty
and stories
and a spring breeze I would have missed if
I had stayed inside.
My friend Emily at Chatting at the Sky hosts a weekly "noticing" party - giving us a chance to unwrap and share the little gifts (and the big ones!) God gives to us in the midst of our dailiness.
...
Poem written in response by L.L. Barkat's HCB prompt: "Streetwise." Drop your own into her comment box this week for links and a possible feature at High Calling Blogs.
(Image © Informal Moments Photography)
17 comments:
Oh kelly. I love this.
Simply beautiful.
When we visited Charleston for vacation, I remember how many times people would point to a line ona wall and say, "This is where the water rose from Hugo," or "There used to be a small building here, but Hugo took care of that." The comments were about memory, and place, and a time. Like your poem here. Nice one, Kelly.
I love this poem. You've given me lots to think about today.
Gorgeous, both the words and the flowering tree!
Kat :)
What a beautiful story and photo..thank you for sharing them with us!
Beautiful!... the poem and the photo.
So lovely, Kelly--your new address. Sounds like I place that might draw you outside regularly. That's a gift :)
I like the courage it took to show up for the blessing that came after.
I can smell the sweet perfume of both the flowers and your new neighborhood.
Blessings.
Beautiful. Both the image and the words--and most especially, the experience. Thanks for sharing.
Gorgeous image of my favorite bloom.
Beautiful words also. I'm glad you didn't stay inside.
Wow. God's handiwork never ceases to amaze me.
I love it...and I get it. I stay inside too much I think.
This and a poem my 9-year-old daughter just memorized {Robert Frost's, A Time to Talk} remind me that I should get out more. Thanks for sharing with us!
I love that you went.
Getting out the door is always the hardest part.
Oh Kelly, this is so lovely. Glad you didn't stay inside!
Kelly- Um. wow. I am in awe of your ability to write like this. beautiful.
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