Sepia Recollections

As I sit upon these old porch steps, that I have always known
A weathered stoop, with gray floorboards, that shake with every wind
These creaks and groans,  the flaws and chips, ... familiar to my hand 
I have come to some conclusion,,,
I've come to understand, 
how well I know each board, each slat, the shape, the size, 
the warps, the cracks, ...each rusty nail, ....
but not the facts of you.  

Oh yes, ...    I've seen a glimpse or two, 
in photographs.     I have a few

I see a robust man, in yellowed hues,  of vintage stock...
By a house, a barn, where land is strewn with stones to move. 
You stand behind a horse and plow, in coveralls,... a mustache. too. 

I do recall, so vaguely gray,  as gray as the paint beneath my hand...
a jolly man, a wrinkled face, 
with a smile, a laugh, a loving way
 
A dream I have, or is it real?  
Is that me when I was two,...  sitting here, beside you then?
Or is it just my wish to know... more than just a trace of you?

I never knew the man you were, your hopes your dreams...  
the thousand schemes that brought you to these rocky slopes 
so far from where your hopes began
Where the steep cliffs rose and seas were blue.  

Today, beyond these furrowed rows,...
tall grasses grow in amber waves
The eyes will wander, and shadows grow

I ponder how it came to be....
that I am me,.... 
   who came from you;        

                a man I never knew. 


_____________________________________________________________



(To watch the youtube video recitation:)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF4GCLqf9_o

Copyright © | Year Posted 2013



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Date: 4/10/2020 3:04:00 PM
Hey , Carrie, Brian had me check out your recording of this on youtube. It's wonderful to hear your voice, so sweet and pleasant. Great poem, and thanks for sharing it on Brian's blog.
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Date: 10/5/2016 7:09:00 AM
awesome Carrie! I realllllyy enjoyed this lady...congratulations on your placement :)-luloo
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Date: 10/4/2016 7:03:00 PM
This is a beautiful one! Congratulations, Carrie!
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Date: 10/4/2016 6:05:00 PM
Dammit Carrie, this is good!!!Beautifully written snapshots of a life revisited ending with the forever question.....Thanks for participating in the contest.
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Date: 11/11/2015 3:53:00 PM
Wow! This is pure art, Carrie! Quietly reflective, it draws the reader in. Congrats on your win! Love, Kim
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Date: 11/10/2015 12:00:00 PM
Carrie, Congrats on your favorite poem win, Love SKAT
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Date: 3/2/2014 9:43:00 AM
Congrats on the feature. I don't know what words to use so I'll just say "WOW". Great and touching write.
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Date: 2/23/2014 12:59:00 PM
Absolutely lovely! Beautifully written Carrie. :)
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Date: 2/4/2014 6:28:00 AM
Wonderful poem, your favorite one. Congrats on the win, Carrie
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Date: 2/3/2014 6:33:00 PM
well, you've produced another winner for me, carrie! you write these sort of free verse poems so well; this is beautifully contemplative and poignant - congrats on your win in my contest :)
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Date: 2/3/2014 5:20:00 PM
He must have been something Grand dad? if you are part of the result! ;)Congrad's on your win. Light & Love
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Date: 3/19/2013 10:30:00 PM
Carrie, I just listened to your fascinating poetry reading on youtube. Wow, this was really a good one to show on youtube. SO NICE!!! (why do you call yourself Alice over there?)well, it's no wonder this garnered a first place. Congratulations.
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Date: 3/4/2013 7:31:00 AM
I loved reading this the first time around and am not at all surprised it won first place! Simply beautiful. Congrats!
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Date: 3/3/2013 11:48:00 AM
Carrie, I like the way U understood my poem. I'm very much with a man that makes my skin crawl everytime he speaks. Sorry for the honesty. Each rusty nail, 2 their own Right! This is a nice winning poem. Deep like the sea, Skat
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Date: 3/1/2013 9:34:00 PM
Hello Carrie, a wonderful winning poem. Congratulations in Craig's lovely and fascinating contest. A good subject on "The Most Fascinating Person I Never Knew." goodnight* LINDA
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Date: 3/1/2013 7:00:00 PM
Well done Carrie .....Seren
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Date: 3/1/2013 1:11:00 PM
Carrie congrats on your big win. Much deserved. Connie
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Date: 3/1/2013 4:13:00 AM
So much emotion,Carrie. Check out Carrie's movie clip ,folks,that goes with this evocative writing.It's a must listen & see .Rgds Brian PS Carrie Soupmail
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Date: 2/26/2013 10:30:00 AM
Yes, those old photos hold so much for us to know, if we but study them with all our senses. For a moment I was home...then I thought you were describing me....and realized then, that somehow people and their experiences are much the same, no matter who or where. I do admire your work. RAY
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Date: 2/22/2013 8:54:00 AM
Yes! I feel this way about both my parents and my wife's parents. Maybe one is simply too young, eh? Good stuff. Love, daver
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Date: 2/22/2013 8:18:00 AM
The man behind the plow, my grandpa. A couple of times he tried to see if I could plow a straight line. I could write the poetry of those days ending. I, a city boy spending summers in the country.
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Date: 2/21/2013 4:50:00 PM
What a unique way of approaching this contest, I loved it. The more I read of your work the more I am captivated. I have added you as a favorite poet.
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Date: 2/21/2013 7:29:00 AM
Oh, Carrie, this is beautiful. As always, your descriptions are stunning, and your yearning to know this person is so raw and so real. Simply loved this poem, and I know Craig will too!
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