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About This Poem

School's Out

Trying to recapture the joy of those winter days is difficult. School cancelled. The sun shining through the sheer white curtains into an all too girlie room, the sound of the tea kettle whistling, the ice cold feeling of oak boards on bare feet between braided rugs, as I ran to the kitchen. The transistor radio still babbling school closings as the snow sifted down.

bright sun
lends a sparkle to snowflakes –
the plow passes

Quick phone calls punctuated with giggles rouse the gaggle of neighborhood girls. White skates in hand, I am out the door and rushing toward the swampy area behind the neighbor’s house. Rubber boots crunching through the crust beneath the powdery fluff. At the edge of the watery wood I stand staring. Boys, I see the boys in there and they have their skates on already. Tommy skates toward me, Tommy Maloney, my crush. 

his black waves
dusted with snow –
whoops of delight

A hummock of snow topped grass serves as my seat. I remove my boots from beneath the zip sides of my snow pants and start to try and lace my new white skates. Once done, I stand wobbling, weak-ankled. Tommy laughs as, knock-kneed, I attempt a glide toward him falling on my butt. Oh, how his eyes sparkled, an Irish rogue at twelve. Kneeling , Tommy began to re-lace my skates. I remember wishing, so much, he would kiss me.


 

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  1. Date: 3/9/2013 7:17:00 PM

    A very nice tale of childhood. The descriptions are all encompassing and easy to visualize! I believe this form of poetry is called a haibun, a blend of prose and haiku. I really enjoy how you use each word to it's full effectiveness to where it's clean and concise. Very well penned, Debbie!

  1. Date: 2/2/2013 10:28:00 AM

    I love this poem of young love. Wonderful!

  1. Date: 2/1/2013 11:43:00 AM

    I love this story and when you got around to the little love story part, so darling, Debs. I especially like how you did your second haiku. Awesome.

  1. Date: 2/1/2013 9:44:00 AM

    What a beautiful picture you posted here. I delight in reading your work. Jancarl

  1. Date: 2/1/2013 9:13:00 AM

    What a charming memory this is.....(I still have a memory of a kiss on the school bus...from my first-grade crush)!! Isn't it amazing how intense love at such a young age can be? Love this charmer.......a delightful trip down memory lane!

  1. Date: 1/31/2013 3:48:00 PM

    A question. So a haibun has no regulated length? I can write as many verses as I want? I could include mulitple haiku? Now THAT, to me, the ever-wordy, is truly cool. We managed to get a lift home! Yeah! And I may have made a new friend :) We are talking of trying to start a book club. My suggestion was a book of short stories published by one of the local authors... easier to find time, small blocks... I'm quite excited. One Sunday every six weeks. I SHOULD be able to swing that. a happy Dee

  1. Date: 1/31/2013 11:12:00 AM

    Oh, made me smile and remember, too! Cause you're a dot the "i" person, as well, in the last stanza, "as" my seat, "lace"(? I think) my new...and (I think), sparkled, "an" irish... I especially liked "wishing he would kiss me" oh, I so remember those first stirrings! So innocent, romantic... the heart pounding, the fear... sent you a soupie and will erace this tomorrow. ;-) xox Dee

    Guzzi Avatar Debbie Guzzi Date: 1/31/2013 2:00:00 PM Block poet from commenting on your poetry

    OK to leave it Dee I appreciate it when I get to make corrections!
  1. Date: 1/31/2013 8:52:00 AM

    ah... Youth! an excellent haibun. Hugs, catie :)

  1. Date: 1/31/2013 7:17:00 AM

    This is so sweet, Debbie. I'm so glad you introduced Haibun to us. It seems to be the perfect poetic form for recalling fond memories. It's sad to think that, nowadays, kids probably spend their "snow days" playing videogames and watching TV! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this :)

  1. Date: 1/30/2013 7:16:00 PM

    No finer example of what you need for your contest is this nostalgic delight Deb. The love poems l wrote came to me, but l would have to put some time into creating one of these and watching my granddaughter doesn't afford me much spare time. This one of your is truly excellent! Thanks for you comment.

  1. Date: 1/30/2013 3:01:00 PM

    Sweet Nostalgia dear ma.TnksGod for those days..and for your Tommy boy :)i.I resd all.your haiku too.Magnificent.

  1. Date: 1/30/2013 9:09:00 AM

    I love reading your poem and thank alot for what you said about my poems but when you said about form what do I need to write down when I said I don't know can you help me I'm new at this kirt my email is jack-kirk@att.net thank you kirt

  1. Date: 1/30/2013 12:29:00 AM

    Well written ...enjoyed reading ...It was really exciting to work for your contest....thanks for the different concept...lots of love, Mehnaz

  1. Date: 1/29/2013 7:32:00 PM

    Oh, I so enjoyed your wonderful memories that you share, Debbie. Awesome verse as if you took us there and we experience the whole thing with you!

  1. Date: 1/29/2013 5:54:00 PM

    Enjoyed your wonderful verse Debbie, love Elizabeth

  1. Date: 1/29/2013 5:18:00 PM

    Beautiful memories Debbie, too bad you can't flash back in time and pucker up for your Irish Lad, I thoroughly enjoyed this verse, and I can imagine you there, all googly eyed and beautiful, such precious memories needed to be shared, love xxx