Monday, May 21, 2012

the window sill

she touched the end of the window sill, wiping the dust as she did---how many times had she looked out that porthole-

the birds chirped outside, their voiced muffled against the thick glass of reflection-

she knew it was all still there, she could climb the massive oak in her dreams and pick the huge hydrangeas, spilling the water as she filled the crystal vase so carefully she tried-

the faces the hum of the conversation the company the cornbread, the rest-

in her past for sure, but equally as comfy in the shadows of  time---maybe more enjoyable yet delicate--

don't swing too high---

oh how that table would brim with delights, her tongue tingling with anticipation

she closed her eyes as a breeze rushed by----don't go grandmother--don't go uncle........

she ran her finger all the way across the sill now and gently holding  the dust and mildew under her nostril--she breathed in the past--

44 comments:

  1. As a "lover of words," I love your words.

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  2. Nice Story enjoyed reading. You should enter it at http://manuscriptsatmidnight.blogspot.com/ This weeks photo is an old house. If interested just go to the link and enter the link to your blog in the comments. Can't wait to read them this week.

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  3. I liked the last line, she breathed in the past. That is a very neat phrase; vivid memories it brought in my mind; very nicely done!

    betty

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  4. The small things have such power to bring memories. Every once in a while I'll smell a fragrance . . . I don't even know what it is . . . and I'll have a powerful reminder of my childhood and my mother. Thanks for this posting!

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    1. yes that power of smell is very powerful--thanks judy :)

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  5. Nice writing - I can "see" that memory so clearly.
    Happy Monday!

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  6. Wow, what a perfect visual. And I like the way you captured how those memories come when we're doing to least little things- just pop up out of nowhere. We never know what will spark them.

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    1. it's true how they just appear--thank you pam :)

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  7. A nice, evocative retrospective, I enjoyed reading it.
    Thanks Lynn.

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  8. Nicely done. Those memories sure can sneak up on you at the least thing! :)

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  9. Memories are so powerful. I enjoyed this. :)

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    1. they are, thanks dana--you started this again!;)

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  10. Beautifully written. It's the little things that have such power.

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  11. Nice. One wouldn't think dust would trigger such memories, but I guess memories can sneak up on you any time.

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    1. yes if dust does, then i guess that's why i have so many--thanks sherry:)

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  12. "she ran her finger all the way across the sill now and gently holding the dust and mildew under her nostril--she breathed in the past--"

    Love this :)

    Great snippet with great visuals. :)

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  13. I especially loved the line, " "she breathed in the past." Lovely.

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  14. Beautiful imagery. It's like I was right there...

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  15. Incredible writing. I enjoyed it much.

    Teresa

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    1. i am so glad you enjoyed it--thanks so much teresa!

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  16. Very evocative. Wonderful last line - she breathed in the past. Nice way to look at dust!

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    1. thanks susan--yeah, i guess you could say, i am breathing it in everyday;)

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  17. Well done. I loved the imagery, especially the hydrangeas. They're one of my favorite flowers. This piece reminded by a lot of my childhood home. My father would hang swings that seemed to dangle us twenty feet in the air. Terrifying and exhilirating.

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    1. yeah it's funny as a child i hated hydrangeas, for some reason--but i would love to have some in my yard now! those kind of swings are pretty cool--thanks tamara!

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  18. What a beautiful piece of work. It was like I was experiencing it, too.

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    1. oh what a nice thing to hear--thanks jackie:)

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  19. I like the way you bring in all the senses -- just the thought of wiping up the windowsill and smelling the combination of dust and mildew makes me think of very old big farmhouses with closed off rooms...like the one my grandparents lived in during the 40s.

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    1. thank you so much patricia, i am glad it made you recall your grandparent's home :)

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