The Classic Car In the Glassy Globe Premiere Contest Winner

Over eighty years ago, my father
made a miniature Model T Ford
from scratch to scale out of
paper, paint, cardboard, wire and glue.
He could cradle it in his palm
the size of a small teapot,
half globe used like a cake cover,
glossy black chassis, red trim,
a circular base of green felt.
Posing like a shiny eight ball
waiting to be struck by
our pent up kid hands.

We pined to push it across
the basement linoleum floor.
But never could.
Keeping us back was the glassy globe
and Grandmother Lil's wary warning,
"Children, look but don't touch".
Same stern voice our mother heard
many times growing up,
we knew she meant business.

So when arriving at Grandmother's,
we'd march to its stately shelf
in parochial school procession
fascinated with this classic in glass.
As little more than toddlers,
we knew nothing of the "Tin Lizzie" saga.
So impressionable was I in the 1950s,
could there be a secret world in there?
I wanted to go in. But never could.
Didn't lift that glass till my mid-forties.
By then, the model was too fragile to touch.
Like an old, dried leaf ready to crumble.
It reminded me of those snowflake globes,
if turned upside down, snow scatters.

The wonderment of my dad's deft hands,
his piercing blue eyes focused on crafting -
bending, cutting, painting, gluing each part.
Thinking of what he was thinking then.
Concentrating more, I feel his essence -
his scent, his voice, his humor, his breath.
Today, when I recall the car in the globe,
I see a tiny cosmos, a bubble much like
the one I create to protect my privilege now.
Grasping for solace in other worlds is 
a childish ambition only achieved in delusion.
Through the globe, my father still speaks.
Sometimes my eyes get glassy to think of it.




2/27/20 written
A Tender Moment From Childhood
Sponsor: Malaika Ray Choudhury

Copyright © | Year Posted 2020



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Date: 7/2/2021 11:00:00 AM
Congratulations on your win. A "Wonderful" story/write. Great memories are the best. This is a great memory. Have a blessed day................
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Greg Gaul
Date: 7/2/2021 12:12:00 PM
Memories that are strong give us a chance to write something wise, something worth sharing, that resonates. Thanks very much for your comments.
Date: 7/2/2021 1:42:00 AM
Wow! Congrats! Thanks for sharing this, and the emotions it evoke, making me remember my Dad... with gratitude. God bless you.
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Greg Gaul
Date: 7/2/2021 8:50:00 AM
Delighted to hear from you Beata, I respect your work and your thoughts.
Date: 7/2/2021 12:51:00 AM
Congratulations on your win a fine nostalgic poem, a good write.
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Greg Gaul
Date: 7/2/2021 8:53:00 AM
So glad to have you visit Terry. Appreciate your comment. Namaste.
Date: 7/1/2021 7:52:00 PM
Today, when I recall the car in the globe, I see a tiny cosmos, Beautiful. Congratulations!
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Greg Gaul
Date: 7/2/2021 8:51:00 AM
It can be such a large or small world we live in. My dad made mine larger. Thank you for your visit.
Date: 7/1/2021 2:40:00 PM
Congratulations on your top win, Greg. Loved the nostalgic poem the minute I read it. BW ~ Mala
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Greg Gaul
Date: 7/1/2021 6:07:00 PM
Mala, thanks so much for using your poetic talents and sensitivity to host this contest. Needless to say, I am delighted to place in your contest amongst so many other fine poets. Congratulations to all the other entries. I feel privileged to have had such a wonderful father. I wish it were so for everyone but sadly it is not. Certainly though we all can share these kinds of deep, inner feelings. Thank you.
Date: 7/1/2021 2:35:00 PM
Congratulations, Greg, on your podium win with this nostalgic charmer! :)
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Greg Gaul
Date: 7/2/2021 9:08:00 AM
Laura, your visit brightens my day. I appreciate you commentary and insight.
Date: 3/17/2020 1:13:00 AM
Greg, congratulations on your win with this beautiful verse. Hugs Eve
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Greg Gaul
Date: 3/17/2020 6:44:00 AM
Eve, thanks for your visit. Nostalgia is always a strong theme, one you are expert with. Be well.
Date: 3/14/2020 4:01:00 PM
A fantastic write, Greg, enjoyed its entertaining romp through memory lane, well-worth piece to be in 1st place, my thanks for your participation, Aloha, William
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Greg Gaul
Date: 3/15/2020 7:17:00 AM
Thanks so much for your recognition. Seems many of us have similar moments in memory.
Date: 3/11/2020 1:40:00 PM
Congratulations on your win, Greg. Wonderful view point expressed so poetically.
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Greg Gaul
Date: 3/12/2020 7:51:00 AM
Many thanks Sam. Appreciate your visit.
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