POEM_CLOTHESPINS AND HOLLYHOCKS

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TEARS IN A BOTTLE COLLECTION
Caryl Ramsdale, American Poet

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he has set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. ECCLESIASTES 3:11 KJV

CLOTHESPINS AND HOLLYHOCKS
to Carol Skidmore
03/18/34-01/22/04

Clusters of thick stemmed, tall, green plants
Bearing showy blossoms and leaves
Decorated our property—
Always grew there thick as thieves.
Rich, black, garden soil fed those plants.
It passed my cool to the touch test,
So, I'd scoop a circle of dirt,
Nestle there like a bird in it's nest.
Grasshoppers, hummingbirds and bees
Filled that wonderful place with noise.
An oversized wheelbarrow hid
My spot from the neighborhood boys.
Beneath their dark shade I'd linger,
Sheltered from the sizzling sun;
Dressing wooden clothespin dolls
In floral gowns one by one.
The drooping, tubular flowers
Became silky, designer gowns;
And floral beauties in full bloom
Were big hats that covered sun frowns.
Little girls love secret places,
That's why I cultivated mine;
In my mother's flower garden
Where I hung out most of the time—
Drawing faces on clothespin heads,
Attaching yellow, corn silk locks;
To beautiful super models
Made of clothespins and hollyhocks.

© Copyright 1999-2007 Caryl Ramsdale. All rights reserved.