Cherry Tomatoes

It is late morning, and a string of washing is waving on the line
Clothes look like colorful flags flapping in the wind.

I'm watching her, as she captures and pokes a stray wisp of grey hair, 
    back into the braid she wears, knotted into a bun on the back of her head...
       She's wearing those sturdy black shoes, those opaque cotton hose
           and a corn-flowered blue dress of calico 
      She has a smile of satisfaction, and her eyes are as clear and blue as the sky

Summer sun is shining
          ...she walks to the garden, and begins to pick vegetables 
Her flowered apron is folded into a hammock
          and is overflowing with cucumbers, tomatoes, and bell peppers...
              Quickly, into her mouth, she pops a warm cherry tomato....
                 straight from the vine,....a juicy, red marble

She picks two or three, along with a weed,
while I sit like a drone in, that old tire throne
that dangles and sways from the old Cottonwood tree...

"Try these, dear"...she says..."They are delicious....sweet as sugar on a Sunday morn"
           She holds one out to me, and I taste this juicy morsel of goodness...

Before she goes inside, she clutches the apron closed ...
   then with one hand reaches down
      and gently pets the old hound, who sleeps in the shade
         and somehow, the vision of her begins to fade,
As hard as I try.....it is fading....and then I hear the sound of an airplane overhead...

Suddenly, I am standing in my garden, 
             and the cherry tomatoes in my pail are shining in the sun
                and juice is lingering in my mouth....sweet as sugar on a Sunday morn....
                    and I feel warm glow of satisfaction under the summer sun



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Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Dietrich Avatar
December 9, 2011 at 10:17 AM
Beautiful, Carrie and much deserving of being in the winners' circle.
Falotico Avatar
December 9, 2011 at 7:46 AM
Congrats on your win in th Dream a little dream contest!!!! Great work Carrie... luv xox Michael
Brown Avatar
December 9, 2011 at 5:55 AM
Congratulations on your great win in Tracie's "Dream" contest Carrie. Love, Carol
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
December 9, 2011 at 2:35 AM
Lovely, congratulations x
Edwards Avatar
December 9, 2011 at 12:24 AM
I agree with Bob Carrie, this felt like a warm hug to me, congrats on your 7th place win xx
Quigley Avatar
December 8, 2011 at 10:41 PM
This one is as comfortable as an soft robe. Really enjoyed reading this Carrie. Congratulations
Brown Avatar
July 12, 2010 at 10:18 AM
Congratulations Carrie on your win in A Rambling Poet's contest "Angels Among Us". Love, Carol
Brown Avatar
July 11, 2010 at 2:25 AM
A well deserved win. Very intriguing write. Congrats.
Thekidster Avatar
July 10, 2010 at 6:24 PM
Congrats on stealing my 1st place spot Carrie...lol..just kidding...an awsome write indeed. I've honored you among many as well. Check it out if ya want to. Best Wishes Always, Kidster - I've Made Love To (?) Here @ the Soup > http://www.poetrysoup.com/poems_poets/poem_detail.aspx?ID=236655
Winter Avatar
July 10, 2010 at 8:12 AM
chills, still two minutes after reading. congrats and so well deserved. too beautiful. incredible poetess you are. hugs, shar xoxo
Sweetheart Avatar
July 10, 2010 at 6:32 AM
Congrats Carrie on your first place wn with this outstanding piece for Angels Among Us contest.. enjoy a well deserved victory ..with luv..
Green Avatar
July 10, 2010 at 1:25 AM
Great write, Carrie and congrats on your win!
La France Avatar
July 9, 2010 at 6:18 PM
Congratulations, Carrie, on first place, in my contest, Angels Among Us, with this beautiful poem. If you could soup mail me, your address, I will forward your Certificate of Achievement... Love Constance
Devonshire Avatar
July 3, 2010 at 1:37 PM
Such a lovely poem, Carrie! Perhaps this "angel" is your mother or grandmother? I really like the way the angel's character comes to life as she goes through the garden, shares some of the tomatoes with you and then pets the hound. Quite a delightful image! Best wishes in the contest. Love, Carolyn
Amah Avatar
July 2, 2010 at 9:45 PM
... at a dexterous height, a sharp, witty, observant intellect, at the service of a descripto-narrative array of nature & her very inmates ... L-a-g-o-s whispers, 'Carry-go'!!! Canny
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