A small town narrow street --
a Quaker door,
and lady who had passed by
there before.
Time had proven melodies
and more
were memories of songs
from graying halls.
Potluck offerings she'd
shared with all
the guests from off the street
who'd heard the call.
Prayers were offered up
at table's grace,
within these walls a sacred
tranquil space.
Her hungry spirit drawn
had found its place.
Quaint neighborhood sits near
Quaker church which provides
Quiet contemplation.
Quotes from founders enhance
Quest to share peace hugs. I'm
Quick to rise, sing hymns to
Quench my thirst for God Truth.
Shaking out raincoats and umbrellas,
we file into the perfumed hall.
Plush peonies are everywhere,
they strain toward us in super-sized bunches,
hang from shelves and sills,
loll over low shelves.
The Quakers sit and fall silent,
comfortable hearts bumping into the unknown,
as they meditate.
My own distracted thoughts
leave damp footprints on walls and ceiling,
as I listen to a radio blasting in my head.
Too wired, I imagine the peonies;
their spongy blooms soaking up
my leaky mind.
I fancy I hear growls of censure
as the flowers shake their chunky heads
like wet dogs.
Quaker Oats
If pure grain oats grown
In the mountains of Utah
Is it Quaker Oats
by James Edward Lee Sr.
10/17/17
friends meeting house
a swarm of bees
in the spring house
Lightening bugs flash,
like the worn celluloid images of old movies,
I sit beneath a great Greta Garbo moon.
I am the heroine of this short.
The dew point drops,
Mists rise.
Crickets chirp.
Muskwats buzz.
Loons ululate and wail.
My dialogue,
The click and whir of my spinning reel.
The glug-glug-glug of the Hula Popper lure.
To prepare for the climax,
Bring out the proven method acting.
I taste the dirt on my fingers,
Licking and twisting monofilament.
The savory sign of night-crawler trails.
Add the bobber, the weight.
I smell the algae and rotting leaves.
The sweet stew of the lake.
My nose tingles from the life motes it captures.
I cast.
This night, I ad-lib.
There never was a script,
No stupid fish.
Fade to Me,
The Garbo moon,
Clever fish,
Loon interlude.
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