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Upstate

Rows of starched green and yellow paisley feather stalks

Marching in ordered lines along the road to 57 Eldon Way

Hot dogs and char burgers charge the air with yesterday's homecoming

Buds of moxie memories tipping long ears to big blue

Listening to the chickadees vocal pecking at kernels from the past

Morsels fall to the dirt signal life again for those willing to root

Pulled magpies to lines spy intimate joy-scattered seed below

Promising fortunes creased by hourglasses settled sand

White washed porches with rose printed borders

Nestle a "his and her" swing vantage over familiar fields

Imagined better-time scenes from selfie soaked movies

More real than all the forgotten stones ever stepped upon

Sweet tea sugar fills tall glasses of yarn spun dreams

Glory red and navy rippling a windy beat

To the clang of their steal pole clasp

Dance

Swing with them and recall a time of slower horizons

Of richer baskets

Of brighter springs

Of longer summers

Take a dip in the swimming hole

Naked, together, and happy

 

 

© 2019 MJL

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Written by
mjl
Published
Mar 11, 2019
Lines·Words
23·175
Notes

Eldon is the Iowa town brought to life in Grant Wood's American Gothic painting. 57 is my favorite ketchup and everything best about being human... The poem reflects a memory of returning to a simpler time with improved perspective, remembering what we want. Magpies symbolize good luck, optimism and also deception.

Tags
#american#gothic#upstate#memory#aging#dream#youth#love#timeless#beauty
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