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Thursday, April 27, 2006

Birthday post & Where Sharon's From


This is one of my favorite parts of my garden. It's quiet, and shady. When I planted these Columbines, a friend of mine told me they were invasive and that I would be sorry that I put them in the garden. But, I love them because they are SO invasive and hardy. When all the rest of them get their faces out, I'll take a picture of the entire bed of them, but right now, the original natives are the only ones blooming. The others are a light lavender and a dark purple. They'll peek out later. I've tried to keep everything in this section in these colors, so they can shine up from the shadows. It's right by the steps that lead into our backyard deck, and I can sit on the steps and contemplate the world as it goes by:)

And since it's my birthday on Friday, I thought it would be fitting to have a blog entry that says "where I'm from". I truly enjoyed this exercise from Fragments from Floyd. Be sure to read Holly's Where I'm From poem too! Give this a try, and I promise you that you will have pleasant memories floating to the surface in no time at all!

Where Sharon's From

I am from apple dumplings,
from Capezio shoes
and phosphate drinks.
I am from the laundry flapping in the wind
and the penny pinching.
I am from the pink hollyhocks,
the double blossoms perfect
for making a clothespin baby's skirt.

I am from the scrabble dirt farmers
and wide hips and big feet,
from Rollie and Isabel
and all the Unknowns in the genealogy charts.
I am from the stubborn and the strong.
From "work before pleasure" and
"idle hands are the devil's workshop".
I am from vacation bible school
with baptismal blue Bible gifts.

I'm from the Heartland,
tacos and enchiladas,
pot roast on Saturdays
and fried chicken on Sundays.
From my Papa's softly whispered "Bonita Chiquita",
and my Father's arc welded steel,
and my Mother's sudsy hands.
I am from forgotten
black and white pictures,
misplaced names and places.
Faces that look at me from the mirror of my life.

9 comments:

ForestJane said...

Very very nice poem there! And I love the little statue and flowers in your garden. :)

ForestJane said...

I decided to go play and try to make a Where I'm From poem of my own. Thanks for getting me started on this, it's been fun!

Tonya Ricucci said...

Wow.

Katie said...

Oh, me. I want to try too. I love your site.

Ms. Jan said...

I love your poem Sharon, it draws a wonderful picture!

Judy said...

Happy Birthday Sharon! Today, ApPril 28th is also my husbands birthday!

Wonderful poem..it does really make you think!

Holly said...

Happy Birthday, Sharon! Hope you celebrate in style :) I love your "where I am from" poem. It's a great way to find out more about you.

Darcie said...

Happy belated birthday wishes to you, Sharon! Sending you a big, North Dakota hug!

That is one cool poem!

And your Columbines are to die for. What happy faces to be greeted by during your garden visits. And hey! The more the merrier, right?

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh Sharon! I love your Where I'm From poem. I had seen that on Fragments from Floyd from someone's blog just before I left for Paducah and was intrigued. And you did it! Now I'll have to give it a shot! Yours is wonderful!