Baltimore Sketches: Mama Joe

[Auset]

when she was quick and slender
the boys lined up
and life was young and hungry
pushing up against her
like the hope of a baby
against a mother’s breast

when there were barrettes
and fireflies,
promises counted
for something and did
not make her turn away;
made her see forever in skies
that took you in;
stars had names and
she knew them

many a day her laughter flew
up the street and collapsed
in Sadie’s yard,
where the sprinkler cooled
fastdancing barefoot children
squealing with arms stretched out
at odd angles;
breathless

and Jason and Luisa came out on the porch;
the trees shook the sunlight loose
cool shadows fell like peppermints
across their lawn

Sammy made her act too grown
she got a whipping and didn’t cry;
hunger could be filled with
a popsicle and a kiss

days were bright pennies
to collect like they
could make you rich;
until they made you old

[dwells]

An artfully crafted characterization Auset; with a few snapshots that ring so true from a long ago time. A superb serenade of similes from childhood with the inevitable end that leaves the reader to languish in the fallen sunlight underneath that tree. Cheers! - Dan

[Forestdawn]

Auset:
I really love this. An in depth and surreal poem."cool shadows fell like peppermints across their lawn" was my favorite line. The last verse is another part I liked as well. An overall great re-read.
Blessings

[jsol]

really enjoyed reading this one... last stanza was amazing. going back for another read...

[Josie]

If a poem could be delicious, then this poem is. The images would blend somewhere between my mother and I.The poem brings back vivid memories, but I was on the west coast. far from Baltimore. I turned back my eternal clock and joined the children,
'where the sprinkler cooled
fast dancing barefoot children
squealing with arms stretched out
at odd angles;
breathless./
I was on several porches in my lifetime where your words fit perfectly:
the trees shook the sunlight loose
cool shadows fell like peppermints
across their lawn/

How soothing and true were those times:
hunger could be filled with
a popsicle and a kiss/

Your last stanza was gem. Congratulation on the TPS Spotlight.

[rupertpupkin]

Wow! That's some write! Every line original and clever. Lovely poem. Well done on the spotlight.