The rhubarb lays, washed and drying,
in the sink
Butter softening on the counter
A jazz trio on my stereo-- slightly louder than the background
Sky pulling the curtain of clouds higher and higher
until every inner-corner
is wet with spilt sunlight
and the whole kitchen
and the whole me
are summer-laden and lazy
I think this must be what old-age feels like
A process of consuming soundless fragrance
Hours with no purpose
but simple labor and the promise
of a sugared-stalk cobbler.
Later, I am certain,
this week will follow me about
with the counterpart to this day
There will be pots of rags
Victims in wooden barracks
Corrupted, absent lovers.
Maybe jazz music will accompany that day too
but the butter will be hard,
and the rhubarb bitter.
~Jennifer P. 7-20-09
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Do you ever think all good things must come to an end? and...Do you like rhubarb? :)
21 comments:
oh yes'm i love it... can i say your poems rock the casa?
Well thank you so much Miss T--yes, you may say that :).
Actually, this is another one I'm not completely thrilled with, but it SO captured the mood of this day, I just had to post it.
I'm thinking...all good things must come to an end....rhubarb...hmm not the hugest fan but sometimes very delicious as pie!
much love,
carla
Not a fan of rhubarb at all.
And no not all good things must come to an end.....just some of them!!!!
Love the poem!
Not all good things end.
And yes.....with plenty of sugar :-)
I'm of the not all good things end opinion, but who knows. Maybe they end, only to come again.
And I can not tell you the last time I had rhubarb. I used to love it as a kid. My piano teacher would make a rhubarb punch. So good. Honestly, I don't think my poor kids have ever sucked on a stalk. They are deprived.
I've never had rhubarb. You should have saved me some!!!
Love the Poem!!! You Rock!! Will you ever publish your poems?
Never tried Rhubarb but I'm thinking I may need to run out and get me some. That looks soooo yummy! Reminds me of a Picnic.
Rhubarb looks pretty...like pomegranates.....and since I choose which sports team I root for purely on the color of their uniforms....I vote for Rhubarb.
And yes, summer is like a gift given in a bag....unwrapped ALL too quickly!
Love that poem, girl. It's the best that I've read of yours. Love it.
Don't know that I've ever had rhubarb. Do you have a recipe for this cobbler?
The only time I have ever had rubharb(to my knowledge) is at Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restuarant at Knott's Berry Farm and I liked it.
Awesome poem!!
I've never had rhubarb, but it makes pretty-colored things and these days, I'm game for eating anything sugared. Or not sugared. Or buttered. No wonder why I'm working on the Queen Mother of all backsides down here.
I liked that poem. It was a good one. How come we have to have so many of those nasty days?
I have always been an optimist... so I hope all things DON'T come to an end.
And as for Rhubarb, no. Not really a fan of the tartness... even partnered with lots of sugar.
I do think that all things come to an end. But another good thing is always around the corner:-)
I wouldn't say all good things come to an end, per se, but things--especially seasons in life, relationships, ourselves-- change and evolve eventually, it is up to us to decide if we will change in harmony with them or create our own new melody.
I don't agree with you, btw. I think this is one of the best poems of yours I have read to date. And reading the full version as opposed to the "teaser" on fb made it all the more delightful. I loved it!!!
Love rhubarb.
In pie with strawberries.
Victims in wooden barracks?!
Corrupted, absent lovers?!
Let's hope not.
great poem! now i'm hungry :)
I enjoyed your poem. I could picture the day in my head. Can't say I completely understood the last few lines, but still, beautiful nonetheless. :)
Fantastic.
Never had rhubarb. But like the feeling I get from your poem, I miss the good thing that I had and wonder why I didn't cherish it as much when I had it. These days it is the simpler things in my life that comfort me (like listneing to a good album while doing menial tasks around the house). I wonder what the difference in the type of pain felt by the heart in regards to the guilty party is. Does it hurt the same for the woman betrayed as for the man who was the betrayer and realizes what he has done and what he has lost? I dunno, all I know is that on days I still hurt and have serious regrets. Good Thing, where have you gone?!?!? The worst part is I don't know if I will ever be ready for the next Good Thing or if I even deserve her. My bed is hard, lumpy and cold and I am guessing the rhubarb, is indeed, bitter.
Smile, Curl Girl , for your poetry is good and your kids are nearby and your readers adore you!
That made me smile. Can't wait to see your whole book of poetry. And yes, I often think all good things must come to and end. That isn't a fun thought when things are going really well, though;)
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