Hard Work

I let up the shade, as the sun has gone down
watching evening come in at the end of the day
It brings with it colors of umber and rust
while earth swallows dusk, which is fading to grey

From the living room window, I am hoping to see 
geese flying back to their warm winter homes
All nature seems normal, routine, once again
whatever normal we can find after rain

Winter is coming and a new year begins
How will it be now, this journey, untried?
As we travel new miles, fresh grief on our sleeves,
with a tremulous smile, and with anguish and pride

Cold days arrive....There is talk on the hill 
where tall pine trees have whispered 
reminding the creek, and the ash trees are shedding
and katydids will not call out condolences in the dark

Soon enough, when the lark sings,  wet grass will need tending
stacks of shutters will need painting,
and snow will yet need to be pushed aside

How will they cope..?
He's not here to do it...but somehow we hope
they will wade their way through it..

But for now , at a kitchen table
for these brief moments, they are able
to laugh, argue, and have fun...
                       Someone shouts out,  "I won!"..

Joy is hard work...but it needs to be done 




_________________________________________________________
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013


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12
Date: 11/3/2014 7:03:00 PM
Lovely and wonderful piece,Carrie...This is deep...Congrats on your superb win...
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Date: 10/31/2014 5:53:00 PM
This poem is an excellent choice as top winner. Congratulations, Carrie
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Date: 10/30/2014 10:26:00 PM
Very brilliantly expressions Carrie! Joy is hard work yet needs be done, small moments that we cherish r a constant source of immence happiness! congrats on top place win!
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Date: 10/30/2014 7:36:00 PM
fine discription of a loving family, both my sons are in their mid thirties and now I have two grand-daughters to spoil and create a world to have fun in...congratulations on your win...joy does take work and paying attention
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Date: 10/30/2014 9:46:00 AM
Carrie, congratulations to you on your First Place win for your excellent poem. I can feel and identify with the emotions you portrayed through your beautiful words. Sandra
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Date: 10/30/2014 3:58:00 AM
Congratulations for a super win and outstanding write my dear friend Carrie! Hugs and cheers! love lots, Leonora
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Date: 10/30/2014 1:05:00 AM
Carrie, Congrats on this wonderful win in Charlotte's contest. It clearly deserves it. It is such a cool, flowing delight.
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Date: 10/29/2014 11:51:00 PM
Congratulations Carrie on your first place win. Rated 7 and enjoyed as well. Sending you a smile, Verlena
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Date: 10/29/2014 9:23:00 PM
Congratulations Carrie. This is such a wonderful poem. I can feel the deep emotions in your writing as I remember when we started laughing and basically living again. Your words touched me deeply. +Fav. 7
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Date: 10/29/2014 8:42:00 PM
Congratulations on your first place win with this excellent write.
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Date: 10/29/2014 7:23:00 PM
Absolutely amazing Carrie I wish all family life could be as happy and harmonious as this:-) hugs Jan xx
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Date: 10/29/2014 7:06:00 PM
There is nothing that beats happiness in a house, thus turning it into a home. That final line is excellent, but then, so is the rest of this beautiful poem. Congrats on your top placing in Charlotte's contest. // paul
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Date: 10/29/2014 6:02:00 PM
I had a feeling this one might be yours, carrie, it's hard to mistake that unique lyrical free verse 'voice' that belongs to you! you always excel in poetry that deals with nostalgia and poignancy, and this was another lovely one from you - I loved "...bringing umber and rust/as earth swallows dusk..." - congrats on your 1st place win in my contest :)
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Date: 10/29/2013 5:40:00 PM
Congrats on your win! I really enjoyed reading! blessings, Stacey
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Date: 10/23/2013 1:01:00 PM
Hi Carrie, :):):) Enjoyed your free verse win.......... Love ~SKAT~
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Date: 10/23/2013 10:30:00 AM
Congrats on your winning work..Way to go!!!Sara
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Date: 10/22/2013 10:38:00 AM
Congrad's on your win free verse is a favorite form of mine. Light & Love
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Date: 10/22/2013 10:13:00 AM
very well crafted poem Carrie...congrats on your win with this gem :)
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Date: 10/22/2013 7:01:00 AM
excellent Carrie congrats on a fine win Shadow x smile
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Date: 10/21/2013 12:46:00 PM
Wow, such a poignant last line. Thank you for the lovely glimpse into that lively room. Congrats on your win :)
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Date: 10/21/2013 11:56:00 AM
Excellent piece, very creative! big congratulations on your win friend Carrie. Cheers!! hugs
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Date: 10/21/2013 9:51:00 AM
So glad to see happiness and routine entering your household again my friend...LOVE the tone of this with the brief moments of joy cherished in times of grief...Beautifully done and congrats - Tim
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Date: 10/21/2013 9:22:00 AM
Great Entry! Grats on the first place win! CTB
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Date: 10/20/2013 11:08:00 PM
congrats Carrie on your win.
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Date: 10/20/2013 10:34:00 PM
Yes joy does take work but it is there and worth searching for. This is a wonderful poem. I like rhyming poetry but I can read yours without missing the rhyme. Congratulations on a marvelous win. Love, Joyce
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12
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