Anne-Marie Coreggia Poet Free verse

Spaghetti Grandma

Spaghetti Grandma

She scratches her pulpy ruby nose,
Heaves, and leans her heavy bosom
On the pitchfork, dangerously bending
The prongs over the swollen tomatoes.

Trying not to stare at the weary body
Enlarged like a blimp, obediently,
The child’s eyes avert the navy blue smock
Resting on her grey-green eye, the only
window she has left on the world.

She readjusts her horn-rimmed glass
On her nose, 
Briskly slips a big copper coin
Into my pocket,

And in a spicy voice
Accented with the fragrance of another sun,
She speaks of another time and place
Magically spinning tale after tale
And my mind is agog and reeling with delight
Filling with the words she feeds me.


Anne-Marie Coreggia
03/15/2017 - 117 words
I entered this poem about my Italian grandmother
in the free verse contest.

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Anne-Lise Andresen April 13, 2017 at 1:48 PM - A fun title - A wonderful poem with fond memories, Anne-Marie :) - A grandmother with a lovely heart - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Anne-Marie Coreggia April 13, 2017 at 6:42 PM Thank you so much Anne-Lise for dropping by and leaving such a nice comment:)

Paul Callus April 9, 2017 at 4:06 PM Bonjour Anne-Marie! Thank you for your pleasant reply. All three members of "Il Volo" are very good singers; they can make any song sound great! Maltese is mainly a Semitic language, but in time many English and Romance words crept in. ~ Best regards // paul Anne-Marie Coreggia April 10, 2017 at 8:08 PM Bonsoir Paul, yes, these boys have managed to revive opera, and they have a great stage presence and a good sense of humor. Thanks for the info. regarding Maltese:)

Paul Callus April 7, 2017 at 3:54 PM I'm so glad I clicked on this poem of yours, Anne-Marie. It is touching and beautiful, taking me back to a happy childhood when my grandparents were the world to me. ~ Italians are very similar to us Maltese! I wonder if apart from English and French you also speak Italian! Regards // paul Anne-Marie Coreggia April 7, 2017 at 9:12 PM Bonjour Paul, no unfortunately, I hardly speak any Italian but I can understand quite a bit because it's pretty close to Spanish. Actually, I just wrote a poem in French, which I had a friend translate in Italian as a tribute to an incredible trio of tenors "Il Volo" that I just saw in concert. Is Maltese closer to Italian or Arabic, or something totally different?

David Pekrul March 20, 2017 at 11:21 AM Beautiful tribute to a Grandmother. Reminds me of my Grandmother. Wonderful write. Anne-Marie Coreggia March 20, 2017 at 10:02 PM Thank you David. I'm glad it reminded you of your grandmother:)

Lisa Ricci March 18, 2017 at 5:43 AM Morning Anne-Marie. Thank you ever so much for your beautiful reply/response to my review. I'm honored by your words and thoughts. May all nationalities unite. With the help of beautiful loving grandmothers they will. I honestly loved your entry. And yes again, good luck with the contest. Anne-Marie Coreggia March 20, 2017 at 9:50 PM I love your generous spirit. You are entirely right: "May all nationalities unite".

Maria Williams March 17, 2017 at 9:47 PM What a wonderful tribute to all grandmothers, it brings to mind my lovely Nana who had all the time in the world for me, and the occasional coin slipped in my pocket- our little secret. You have captured a "moment in time" beautifully Anne-Marie Anne-Marie Coreggia March 20, 2017 at 8:13 AM "our little secret" . . . I am so glad Maria we shared that special moment in time; and thank you for your kind review:) Amitiés

Lisa Ricci March 17, 2017 at 3:21 PM Hello Anne-Marie. You had me at the title of Spaghetti Grandma. I am Italian and I had the best grandmother in the world. I loved the Sunday Dinners. Love and more come through your words. Good luck with the contest. Well done Anne-Marie Coreggia March 17, 2017 at 7:38 PM Bonsoir Lisa, I must confess that, when I saw your Italian name and your friendly picture on the Soup I felt an immediate kinship, even though I'm French:) Amitiés

Demetrios Trifiatis March 17, 2017 at 8:32 AM Delightful writing and vivid images chere Anne-Marie! Tres bien! Anne-Marie Coreggia March 17, 2017 at 9:29 AM Grand merci Demetrios. I truly delight in your Haiku and Monoku poetry, which are both new to me. You have the magic touch:) Amitiés

Darren White March 16, 2017 at 11:50 PM Anne-Marie, the words and images you paint here for us, are awesome, this is wonderful poetry. That last stanza! Anne-Marie Coreggia March 17, 2017 at 8:13 AM Bonjour Darren, I am touched by your kind comments. I wanted this last stanza to stand as a tribute because she fed me her love for life:) Amitiés

Rita Solis Radius March 16, 2017 at 4:15 AM A very kind tribute to your Italian grandma!! Anne-Marie Coreggia March 16, 2017 at 9:38 AM Thank you Rita. She was one of a kind:) Amitiés

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart March 15, 2017 at 5:16 PM Endearing write Anne-Marie, your language like brush strokes building an image with mood, somehow a still life with movement and soundtrack. Well done. :) good luck in the contest! xomo Anne-Marie Coreggia March 15, 2017 at 5:36 PM Thank you so much for your kind and eloquent words. I appreciate your gracious review Maureen:)