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Sweet and Sour Man

He makes a cradle with his arms for the pup to sprawl in and languidly lets his swarthy body sag in the rocking chair. Something about him smacks of black magic; maybe his eyes. Sometimes, like an impenetrable wall of darkness, they could almost physically force you to step back in retreat, or else, they may be smoldering under the heavy lids and you find yourself orbiting in their magnetic field. There’s also a look about him of a mountain brigand maybe in the small suggestion of a welt on his cheek, or is it his mahogany toes that are protruding shamelessly from his torn disreputable sandals? A sharp bite from Sidney on the chin jerks him back to full consciousness and a tender, unnamable rush of understanding fills his face as his fingers gracefully move over the hungry pup. He smiles, and the smile spreads through him like warm wine.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2017




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Date: 10/8/2017 10:59:00 AM
The feeling of understanding is a very personal thing. Though we can never truly feel what another feels, we can sometimes get a glimpse from the expression on their face. A beautifully descriptive write Anne-Marie.
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Date: 4/26/2017 3:46:00 AM
I was puzzled by the name Anne-Marie, and then I saw the image and understood. Beautiful in its imagery and compassion. Not Gujarat, but I was born in Mumbai India, this scene was a norm every day on our way to school. We left and migrated to Australia, but part of my roots will always be there. Love the line mahogany toes.
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Maria Williams
Date: 4/26/2017 7:54:00 AM
A very interesting life, Anne- Marie, also my dad being a professional musician had a very good job in The English Governers Band, and then later played for all the big studios of India. You could say 'Bollywood'? Don't know if you know Zubin Metha? the late Pavoritti's conductor ? He's from India, and his father and mine were the best of friends. No never been back , but my sisters have.
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Anne-Marie Coreggia
Date: 4/26/2017 7:40:00 AM
Maria, you sound like you had an interesting life. I hope the move was a smooth one for you. It is not always easy to leave your country of origin behind, but stepping on foreign soil brings many new perspectives and positive elements to our lives. Did you ever go back?
Date: 4/7/2017 10:35:00 AM
Nice one.
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Anne-Marie Coreggia
Date: 4/10/2017 8:16:00 PM
Thank you so much James:)
Date: 4/3/2017 3:19:00 PM
wow, this is one of the finest character descriptions I have ever seen on Soup. Very good vocabulary! You really SHOWED not TOLD!! SEVEN
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Anne-Marie Coreggia
Date: 4/3/2017 11:22:00 PM
Andrea, thank you so much for you this very generous review and the kind rating :)
Date: 4/3/2017 9:19:00 AM
I was not expecting that your first poem I read is about a broken Indian guy. It is really amazing. Every line is wonderful especially the one "something about him smacks of black magic". Love it to the end...
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Anne-Marie Coreggia
Date: 4/3/2017 11:20:00 PM
So glad to hear it took you a bit by surprise and you liked it, ravi. There was something a bit mysterious about Jerre, or rather something brewing :)
Date: 4/2/2017 7:52:00 PM
Tuve que correr la mesa para tener más espacio.I had to move the table to have more space. Anything written by Corregia has to be moving.
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Anne-Marie Coreggia
Date: 4/2/2017 8:09:00 PM
James, creo que usted va a necesitar mucho más espacio libre. I am very touched by your humorous comment James. Je suis très touchée par votre commentaire humoristique James :) Amitiés
Date: 4/2/2017 5:05:00 PM
I wasn't expecting this from the title, what a beautiful story within this beautiful poem!
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Anne-Marie Coreggia
Date: 4/2/2017 7:59:00 PM
Arthur, I am so glad you could see the story within. Jerre was a multi-faceted man who didn't care about appearances and always tried to be true to himself :)
Date: 4/2/2017 8:09:00 AM
How you describe him, that imagery, so lovingly. More people are needed to fight for the voiceless, and more like you, who write about them :)
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Anne-Marie Coreggia
Date: 4/2/2017 11:28:00 AM
I hear you Darren, and thank you for your kind comment. So many need a voice, and that's what I liked so much about Jerre. He would put all his needs and wants aside, and could devote himself tirelessly to their cause :)
Date: 4/2/2017 7:01:00 AM
- A wonderful poem, Anne-Marie - a 7 - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
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Anne-Marie Coreggia
Date: 4/2/2017 11:22:00 AM
Your kind review and generous rating are very much appreciated Sunshine Smile :)
Date: 4/1/2017 1:15:00 PM
Very heartwarming , he must have been one heck of a man...thanks for sharing
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Anne-Marie Coreggia
Date: 4/2/2017 11:21:00 AM
Thank you for your kind words, Tim. Yes, he was one of a kind, he marched to the beat of his own drum, but he was always willing to pick up the cause of the unfortunate :)
Date: 4/1/2017 9:01:00 AM
Dear Anne-Marie. Good Morning. I love this. I found your words lovable and endearing. How could they not be. This was a wonderful way to place a smile on your readers. The thought and vision are very sweet. Wonderful poetic expression for the sourness will do a complete turn instantly.
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Anne-Marie Coreggia
Date: 4/1/2017 10:25:00 AM
Thank you so much for your very generous review Lisa. It is always greatly appreciated.:)