Sepia Recollections

As I sit upon these old porch steps, that I have always known
A weathered stoop, with gray floorboards, that shake with every wind
These creaks and groans,  the flaws and chips, ... familiar to my hand 
I have come to some conclusion,,,
I've come to understand, 
how well I know each board, each slat, the shape, the size, 
the warps, the cracks, ...each rusty nail, ....
but not the facts of you.  

Oh yes, ...    I've seen a glimpse or two, 
in photographs.     I have a few

I see a robust man, in yellowed hues,  of vintage stock...
By a house, a barn, where land is strewn with stones to move. 
You stand behind a horse and plow, in coveralls,... a mustache. too. 

I do recall, so vaguely gray,  as gray as the paint beneath my hand...
a jolly man, a wrinkled face, 
with a smile, a laugh, a loving way
 
A dream I have, or is it real?  
Is that me when I was two,...  sitting here, beside you then?
Or is it just my wish to know... more than just a trace of you?

I never knew the man you were, your hopes your dreams...  
the thousand schemes that brought you to these rocky slopes 
so far from where your hopes began
Where the steep cliffs rose and seas were blue.  

Today, beyond these furrowed rows,...
tall grasses grow in amber waves
The eyes will wander, and shadows grow

I ponder how it came to be....
that I am me,.... 
   who came from you;        

                a man I never knew. 


_____________________________________________________________



(To watch the youtube video recitation:)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF4GCLqf9_o
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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Dietrich Avatar
April 10, 2020 at 3:04 PM
Hey , Carrie, Brian had me check out your recording of this on youtube. It's wonderful to hear your voice, so sweet and pleasant. Great poem, and thanks for sharing it on Brian's blog.
Scars Avatar
October 5, 2016 at 7:09 AM
awesome Carrie! I realllllyy enjoyed this lady...congratulations on your placement :)-luloo
Rodrigues Avatar
October 4, 2016 at 7:03 PM
This is a beautiful one! Congratulations, Carrie!
Lawless Avatar
October 4, 2016 at 6:05 PM
Dammit Carrie, this is good!!!Beautifully written snapshots of a life revisited ending with the forever question.....Thanks for participating in the contest.
Merryman Avatar
November 11, 2015 at 3:53 PM
Wow! This is pure art, Carrie! Quietly reflective, it draws the reader in. Congrats on your win! Love, Kim
A  Avatar
November 10, 2015 at 12:00 PM
Carrie, Congrats on your favorite poem win, Love SKAT
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
March 2, 2014 at 9:43 AM
Congrats on the feature. I don't know what words to use so I'll just say "WOW". Great and touching write.
Greaves Avatar
February 23, 2014 at 12:59 PM
Absolutely lovely! Beautifully written Carrie. :)
Mehta Avatar
February 4, 2014 at 6:28 AM
Wonderful poem, your favorite one. Congrats on the win, Carrie
Puddifoot Avatar
February 3, 2014 at 6:33 PM
well, you've produced another winner for me, carrie! you write these sort of free verse poems so well; this is beautifully contemplative and poignant - congrats on your win in my contest :)
Guzzi Avatar
February 3, 2014 at 5:20 PM
He must have been something Grand dad? if you are part of the result! ;)Congrad's on your win. Light & Love
Dietrich Avatar
March 19, 2013 at 10:30 PM
Carrie, I just listened to your fascinating poetry reading on youtube. Wow, this was really a good one to show on youtube. SO NICE!!! (why do you call yourself Alice over there?)well, it's no wonder this garnered a first place. Congratulations.
Ober Avatar
March 4, 2013 at 7:31 AM
I loved reading this the first time around and am not at all surprised it won first place! Simply beautiful. Congrats!
A  Avatar
March 3, 2013 at 11:48 AM
Carrie, I like the way U understood my poem. I'm very much with a man that makes my skin crawl everytime he speaks. Sorry for the honesty. Each rusty nail, 2 their own Right! This is a nice winning poem. Deep like the sea, Skat
A   Avatar
March 1, 2013 at 9:34 PM
Hello Carrie, a wonderful winning poem. Congratulations in Craig's lovely and fascinating contest. A good subject on "The Most Fascinating Person I Never Knew." goodnight* LINDA
Roberts Avatar
March 1, 2013 at 7:00 PM
Well done Carrie .....Seren
Gildersleeve Avatar
March 1, 2013 at 1:11 PM
Carrie congrats on your big win. Much deserved. Connie
Strand Avatar
March 1, 2013 at 4:13 AM
So much emotion,Carrie. Check out Carrie's movie clip ,folks,that goes with this evocative writing.It's a must listen & see .Rgds Brian PS Carrie Soupmail
Dillard Avatar
February 26, 2013 at 10:30 AM
Yes, those old photos hold so much for us to know, if we but study them with all our senses. For a moment I was home...then I thought you were describing me....and realized then, that somehow people and their experiences are much the same, no matter who or where. I do admire your work. RAY
Austin Avatar
February 22, 2013 at 8:54 AM
Yes! I feel this way about both my parents and my wife's parents. Maybe one is simply too young, eh? Good stuff. Love, daver
Situation Avatar
February 22, 2013 at 8:18 AM
The man behind the plow, my grandpa. A couple of times he tried to see if I could plow a straight line. I could write the poetry of those days ending. I, a city boy spending summers in the country.
Lamoureux Avatar
February 21, 2013 at 4:50 PM
What a unique way of approaching this contest, I loved it. The more I read of your work the more I am captivated. I have added you as a favorite poet.
Ober Avatar
February 21, 2013 at 7:29 AM
Oh, Carrie, this is beautiful. As always, your descriptions are stunning, and your yearning to know this person is so raw and so real. Simply loved this poem, and I know Craig will too!
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