Arriving in the Country First Time That Summer (alone with kids)
Arriving in the Country First Time That Summer
(alone with kids)
We lay outside
even as night fell
and this was kale
for my whole life–something
nourishing–
the sky turning deep greens
to violet,
the way that summer evenings are
inviolate, an inked imprint of yes,
I voted for this–
I may have even
read aloud a teeny bit, squinting,
as we drank last year’s lemonade–all that was left
in the freezer, and
ate, delightedly, popcorn made from a jar found
in the pantry, a bottle bobbing
at sea–
Not even that dusk’s aura ever
actually leaves–our blanket, a comforter (you know, stitched)–
and big enough (you two knit
to my sides),
to fit the smocking
of stars above,
to shield us
from the blades
below–
which felt so cold
to our bare feet, when, at last,
we ran in through the
long dewed grass,
though we laughed, laughed–
***********************
A poem for my own prompt on Real Toads about something real (expressed with some artifice); the pic is of a sculpture by Picasso from the show currently at MOMA; I do not know the title, photo by me.
Tags: arriing to the country in summer poem, http://withrealtoads.blogspot.com, kale for my whole life poem, manicddaily, night sky with kids poem, Picasso with child attached poem, something real poem
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ManicDDaily 
January 16, 2016 at 8:13 pm
Delightful, k.
January 16, 2016 at 11:14 pm
It’s REAL to me. Now the artifice, or farce. I wouldn’t know.
Will you grade me, please. Artifice? It’s preposterous, that’s for sure, but it might be completely true.
…
..
January 17, 2016 at 2:13 am
You took me there with popcorn and lemonade. I felt the freshness and the way you only see the world as a child. Maybe it’s the way we need to look at art too… Maybe that’s why art I saw when young has stayed in my mind, when it has not been viewed through a veil of analysis..
January 17, 2016 at 8:14 am
This really has that feel of deliberate simplicity that one gets with cummings (and certain of these sculptures) –where the words are purposeful but also playful in the way they fall and the images they choose–which seems to make the images more clearly visible and strong. Here the sense of life extending around one, full of small pleasures that become the weave of happiness in a life makes this satisfyingly real under its ribbons–really a pleasure to read. Perfect pic, too.
January 17, 2016 at 8:25 am
Thanks. k.
On Sun, Jan 17, 2016 at 8:14 AM, ManicDDaily wrote:
>
January 17, 2016 at 9:51 am
which felt so cold
to our bare feet
Artifice for all of its pretences can be just as real. One can feel the realities of the cold bare feet
Hank
January 17, 2016 at 9:53 am
which felt so cold
to our bare feet
Artifice for all of its pretences can be just as real. One can feel the realities of the cold bare feet
Hank
January 17, 2016 at 10:37 am
kale
for my whole life
I just adore that!
January 17, 2016 at 11:34 am
I’m in love with this one. Something about the kale (which I like to devour) and the same colored sky. Last year’s lemonade, something nourishing, the smocked stars, kids knit at your sides. A deep sense of home, even though you were traveling to the country. One of my favorites from you.
January 18, 2016 at 8:32 am
Thank you so much Angie. k.
January 17, 2016 at 12:05 pm
Summer nights as a kid were just like that! Something truly magical. Thanks for all the warm memories this dredged up.
January 17, 2016 at 12:09 pm
Such a finely-wrought poem built on memory. Your authentic voice shines through. I find it to be a tender piece of writing, that moment of true companionship.
January 17, 2016 at 1:01 pm
Thanks for this and for a very interesting challenge to work from.
January 17, 2016 at 1:44 pm
Thank you, Shay.
January 17, 2016 at 6:32 pm
children as kale … beneath the stars bundled in quilts. This just send warmth all through me.
January 17, 2016 at 6:37 pm
Thanks, Margaret. k.
On Sun, Jan 17, 2016 at 6:32 PM, ManicDDaily wrote:
>
January 18, 2016 at 8:47 am
This is so natural. The flow makes me feel like we’re having a conversation!
January 18, 2016 at 8:59 pm
Thanks so much. K.
January 18, 2016 at 9:00 pm
Welcome!
January 19, 2016 at 11:51 am
Your poem filled me up ~ in a most delightful way ~ A great challenge!
January 19, 2016 at 9:09 pm
This poem causes me to be hungry for summer joy and the joy of authentic connection…so beautiful and marvelously paired with the Picasso! Thank you, for this poem and the challenge!!
January 19, 2016 at 11:31 pm
Thank you, Hannah! k.