Caleb

Caleb

The dawn was steel and gray
The day Caleb came to his senses,
He could smell the kitchen love,
Of Maxwell House and blintzes.

“It’s been too long – he stretched
Since this home was filled with laughter.
On his face split a crooked smile,
For Caleb’s morning after.

The revival meeting ‘neath the canopy
“All day singin’ and dinner on the grounds,”
Went two noisy whooping days,
Dark and light, out of bounds.

“Wonder if I’d be presumptious,”
Now that it’s done and over,
To court Lucy Bell in broad daylight,
Neath that flopping canopy cover.

The singers are gone home
But that’s all right
Lucy Bell’s voice is like song to me,
With or without white moonlight.

“Brush your teeth” came a throated yell,
From the sweet smell the kitchen way;
It wasn’t a yell from Lucy Bell,
“Git up, time to start your day!”

Caleb started and shook, realized
His Lucy Bell was only a dream,
“Git in here, Caleb, grab your knife and fork,”
Monday waits for no man, good or mean!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Salehi Avatar
May 22, 2018 at 3:52 PM
For a second I thought you are talking about Caleb, the country singer that came up second in American Idel... Nicely done...
Ashley Avatar
May 10, 2018 at 7:29 PM
Oh, Sunlite, I love the twist at the end of your beautiful ballad. The ending is very effective and ingenious. Your poem enthralled me with its content and imagery.. I could smell, (and hear..) the 'love' coming from the kitchen.. too bad the dream had to end.. A fantastic write!
Manassian Avatar
May 6, 2018 at 4:19 AM
HA HA! Oh dear....one does get caught up in daydreaming. A problem common to all...Loved the ending! Great write.
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