Friday, May 8, 2009

Theme Thursday = Wind



Albuquerque 1910

Palestine, against
the furnace, cursed:
God, this hellish air
does not work.

Blows hot and fierce,
the worm that will not die,
torments all
but does not heal.

Thirsty for his Hoosier plow,
lush fields, dark wood,
the mending spring
that bubbles deep.

Corn stalks beckon,
wave in breeze,
like flax haired maidens
call retreat
.
over ladder back
iron tracks,
to plant his son
in their cool black sod.
.
.
Willow


Okay, you've got me started on something, here. I was completely
bowled over by all your wonderful encouragement last week, so
posting another poem isn't quite so frightening this time around.
.
My great-great grandfather, Palestine, moved his family from
Indiana to Albuquerque, in 1910, in an effort to save his handsome
25 year old son, Guy, who was ill with tuberculosis. When all hope
was lost for improvement, the family moved back to Howard Co.,
Indiana two years later, where Guy died on March 16, 1913.
.
Palestine and Mary, Guy's parents are on the left of the top photo,
taken in Albuquerque in 1910.
.
Guy, self portrait
.

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90 comments:

  1. Awesome poem. I am interested in the camera Guy holds in his hand for the picture. Long ago inspiration for your picturs on your blog, for sure. Again, well done! Do more! Do it often!

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  2. Nice. Sad story and the poem certainly tells the story as well.

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  3. How very moving. I was particularly touched by the words "plant his son". I remember hearing "they plant the seeds that will not grow" - of burial, but such seeds to grow in their own way. Even indirect antecedents influence the family. Their faces and gestures are inherited, the shape of their minds, their stories part of ours.

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  4. Excellent, Willow. Your use of images is succinct and very powerful--I had figured it out before I read your notes at the bottom. I love the image of the "flax-haired maidens" to describe the corn stalks, the "mending spring that bubbles deep" and the "retreat" over the "ladderback iron tracks." Very poignant. Keep it up!

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  5. Willow.....that was a wonderful poem and post! Keep it up!
    Carol

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  6. Guy, is HOT! The poem ain't too bad either! Lovely....very Lovely.

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  7. Willow
    this is a great post- your poem, the images, the feelings they evoke - and the ubiquitous camera...
    well done
    Happy Days

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  8. very powerful post, indeed. I love the fact that you know so much about your family's history, and have so many wonderful photos to help you create a picture of what it was like. Thank you for sharing your family's history with us!

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  9. I too love that you know so much about your family. this combination of family story, photos and your wonderful poem work so well together.

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  10. There is much in your heritage, Willow that is worthy of being put to verse. We can anticipate great things from you each Thursday!

    Kat

    P.S. Off to post mine now.

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  11. Willow, another wonderful poem - a bit sad - oh, what a handsome young man and he almost looks today - with the camera held like that he could be taking his own pic in a mirror.....

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  12. Such a sad poem, but a nice poem about anticipation and defeat. It seems like they were willing to give up everything for their son. Very sad that it did not work. There was much love in your family. The poem says so much.

    Thank you again for a wonderful poem.

    God bless.

    Oh, almost forgot, Guy was a very nice looking dude. Did he ever get married and have kids? I hope so.

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  13. Jeane, yes it's a self portrait taken by Guy in a mirror.

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  14. great post. such talent. nice vintage pics as well. happy tt!

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  15. This is beautiful, Willow. Beautiful. And so was Guy. So sad.

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  16. ps
    I meant to tell you--we made the Mixed Berry Pie tonight, Willow. It was the first night I had time to make a dessert, and it was delicious. Of course, I put a little dollop of freshly-whipped cream on top, too, but yum. Thanks again--what a treat.

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  17. This Poem captures a history of a character in a few lines and distills the important sentiments with precise imagery.

    That's what poetry does: it concentrates a lifetime.

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  18. I really like your poem, I can feel the barrenness of hopes unfulfilled.

    That is a very intriguing photo.

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  19. Very nice poem, Willow. Aren't old family pictures wonderful? Lives encapsulated.

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  20. A sad story, but a good poem-- I think I like this one even better than last week's.

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  21. Wow - beautiful young man, sad story, beautiful poem....you have it ALL....well done. My handsome grandfather lost his TB battle in 1910.

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  22. Ahh, the worm being the tuberculosis bacterium. Very well done indeed. That self portrait of Guy is astoundingly clear and vital. If only we could time-travel.

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  23. Lovely meaningful poem. And wonderful photos to illustrate it. Very sad. Very handsome man.

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  24. Good poem expressing a family event.

    Guy was a good looking man. Was it taken before his diagnosis of TB?

    Who are the people in the other picture?

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  25. Creativity and family history all in one rhythm. That's great, Willow.

    TB was awful. My great aunt had it and was in a sanitarium (that's what they called it back then) for well over a year. But she got well and lived to be 95.

    I do love that self-portrait. Sad, though, as his life would have been so very full. You can tell by the expression on his face that he was fun.

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  26. ah ha! so this is the beginning of your camera-writing-artist gene...what a gift!

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  27. Parents will best test moving heaven and hell for a child. This is a beautiful story Willow, thank you. Please poem away.

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  28. Looks like you and Guy had something in common, what with the shutterbugging and all. Very cool post! Alas, I did not make it to Albuquerque, this time round :( But your earlier post inspired me to do something a bit similar. Anon, I will have it up! Thanks Willow :)

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  29. o.forgot.with all due respect...gramps is a hotty! sorry.

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  30. Why were you scared to post this? The barren imagery, the feel of wind whistling hollowly through your words. Blows me away, pardon the pun. What an amazing gift of words you have.

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  31. just wonderful, willow! good for you to put the fear aside!

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  32. Great poem, Willow. So sad about Guy - what a handsome chap! LBx

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  33. Very nice. Such a sad story, but you more than do it justice. You are your family's griot--tell on!

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  34. Another excellent entry, I know both Albuquerque and Indiana well - this is a true tale of both climates.

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  35. Very nice, Willow. I was blown away by Guy's photo for some reason. Handsome is right, but is it my imagination or ?? doesn't he look like you? The eyes. The first photo is interesting, too.

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  36. I'll tell you what I liked the most. The fact that the majority of the words you used are either monosyllabic or at most contain two syllables with the exception of Palestine. It renders the poem a rhythmic cadence that is characteristic of Anglo-Saxon poetry (most native words are one or two syllables with the stress usually on the first syllable or antepenultimate segment of the word). The images are vivid and they are made even more so by this peculiarity of you writing short words. Whether it was intentional or not the effect was captivating and I look forward to more.

    Many thanks.

    Greetings from London.

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  37. A wonderful new side to you, Willow - the poetess. (I prefer poetess to the generic poet!) And a lovely snippet of family history.

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  38. Such an old world feel to the poem.

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  39. A handsome guy in his self portrait. I also like the top photo of his parents. The poem is moving.

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  40. Look at him taking his photo in a mirror. I love it!

    I love the first photo, too. That, and the poem, are such a lovely pair.

    You do have a gift for poetry, Willow. And whatever you are writing, you always know how to add just the right photo.

    Always a nice surprise to be found at the Willow blog.

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  41. Excellent. Contact your State Poetry Society. Most States have them and they are affiliated with the National Organization. They all have contests. Texas has a good one (lots of categories and good monetary rewards for the winners) and, you can join as an associate member. You can't enter all categories if you don't live in State, but there are plenty available to associate members. I think you are on to something here. Pappy

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  42. powerful poem....

    and fantastic photos - the top one seems quite unique for a formal group portrait at the time....and what a treasure that self portrait of guy is!

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  43. Hello Willow,

    Clearly you have been hiding your light! As others have said, you are so fortunate to have such a well documented history of your family. And yes, Guy was a handsome man and, as Jeane said, could have been very much of today.

    Seeing your first picture with the word Palestine, I thought it would be about your family but, if you don't mind my saying, I think the first two stanzas could also be applied to the Middle East.

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  44. Welcome back, poetessa,
    and brava for your new poem! :-)

    What a handsome guy,
    and such a tragic fate.

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  45. Wow this is FANTASTIC! How do you do it? I can not write poetry even though I love it so.

    I could feel that hot wind; it made me thirsty and tired.

    Wow!!

    When will we see a published book of your poetry? I want a signed first edition, please!

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  46. The poem has a lot of impact when first read, and then takes on so much more meaning when you know the history behind it. Poor Guy; goodness, he was handsome.

    Palestine is such an interesting name . . . and on first read it set up all sorts of dry/desert-like/windy associations in my mind. I hate the wind, too. "Hellish air," indeed.

    "to plant his son in their cool black sod." Wonderful image.

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  47. Great poem Willow!
    I thought you've posted a poem and then there was your name.You're really good at it!
    Have a nice day :)

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  48. The photos are amazing! I really hope you decide to put together a poetry book..... Please!

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  49. Willow, I came back this morning to read your poem again...I have such a limited experience with poetry so forgive me if my comments are simple: I am such a visual person - my life is all about imagery....I couldn't get past the cornstalks as maidens with their flaxen (cornsilk) hair waving in the breeze. Here in the middle of farmland I will never pass a cornfield again without seeing them beckoning to me....little teary.

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  50. Glad to see you're getting over your "stage fright" about posting poems. You have no reason whatsoever to hide this talented aspect of yourself.

    Touching & sad accompanying story, too.

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  51. Nice rhymes .. another Willow talent!

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  52. Corn stalks...call retreat - very evocative, Willow.

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  53. Wondrous Words, Glorious Images.

    Spring in New Mexico
    is wind season. Today it has calmed
    down .... . and I'm rejoicing!

    Jjj

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  54. Beautiful poem! It is so lovely of you to share that part of yourself with all of us. Guy kinda has a Tom Cruise look to him.

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  55. He is very handsome. I see where you get the photographic bug! Your poem is very moving & shows the love of land & desire to return home. Thank you.

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  56. Interesting family history, the arid southwest is a good benefit for the ill.

    super poem by the way;)

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  57. Truly wonderful. You have the gift. :)

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  58. Yes, Willow.
    This is a poem.
    I was stunned by the power and immediacy of it.

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  59. That was beautiful. No idea how you do it, I've never been able to write like that! Hope you'll write more poems in the future :-)

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  60. Thank you for another wonderful poem and I loved the pictures. Amazing how many things a black and white image can tell you. Its not all in the color after all :)

    xoxo

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  61. such a handsome young man, how very sad. Your poem says it all.

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  62. Very nice poem willow...I'm very impressed

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  63. Guy was very handsome, too sad that he left this world so young, but you are paying tribute to him so many years later.
    Beautiful photographs, and such a worthy salute to your family.

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  64. don't hesitate with your poem sharing...you have the gift !

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  65. So interesting...it was just today I was talking with the literacy coach in my school building. We were talking how our junior high students love to write poetry...even more that essays...for some of our students, the poetry just SPILLS...
    Thank you for sharing!
    Wow.
    Love the old photos.

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  66. You really are lucky to have all these wonderful old photos and to know the stories behind them. I love the name Palestine! Also interesting that the best 'cure' for TB in those days was bed rest and being in the great outdoors. Great post Willow.

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  67. wonderful poem and post. New Mexico is an amazing place and very close to my heart. I am certain that Guy found some peace there in the desert air and am saddened by the fact that he didn't survive tb. such a loss--he lives on in your words.

    best-c

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  68. Whoa Willow.....that was amazing. You are truly gifted at the art of poetry.

    What a handsome man Guy was and that's a great windblown photo of your relatives. Loved the story.

    I posted some prose today if you care to have a look. :)

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  69. They just don't make names like "Palestine" any more!

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  70. What a story ... great photographs and the poem gave me goose bumps. Bravo, Willow.

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  71. ...'the mending Spring'....such a delightful line Willow, as is the complete poem.
    Your theme reminds me of the Paul Simon lyrics...
    If you want to write a song about
    A face
    Think about a photograph
    That you really cant remember
    But you cant erase

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  72. This was so moving, willow - the words, the meaning behind them and the photos. One of your best.

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  73. i am sending you something to autograph !!!

    xx love you and your stories !!

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  74. Lovely imagery for a very poignant tale.

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  75. So fierce and compelling..I was completely embedded in this noble story..thank you..
    And those beckoning photos..better watch out, or you're going to have lots of company!!

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  76. Willow, on May 5 I left a "one lovely blog" award for you at http://frizzfrock.blogspot.com/2009/05/one-lovely-blog-award.html

    Your posts are outstanding & simply lovely!

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  77. your poerty is awesome you dont need encouragement to post it! thak you! love the old photos handsome fellow!

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  78. Great poem, great old pics and great, but sad, story too!

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  79. i find old black and white photos really eerie. :p

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  80. A clever poem but a sad story.

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  81. As commenter no. 75, I'm not sure what to add to the clamour! It's a fine poem that springs powerfully from the picture, both of them somehow so redolent of American experience. Even without the explanation of the poignant circumstances, the poem works wonderfully well.

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  82. Your poem is charged with life and toil. Not a wasted word. I hooks us and makes us feel. What a wonderful complement to the photo!

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  83. Hi! Willow,
    Once again!...a very lovely poem, and a very interesting story of a generation that has past!...
    ...Thanks, for sharing!(your poem, tragic story, and the pic of your great-great grandfather, Palestine and their son Guy...)

    Take care!
    DeeDee ;-D

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  84. Your poems are lovely. I'm sure we'll be seeing more of them. Parents do so much for their children, it's terrible that Guy lost his life to TB despite your family's efforts.

    I guess self-portraits done in a mirror have been around for awhile. Here I thought that was such a hip and trendy thing to do. But I guess it was...even for back then. Regards...

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  85. Hi nice blog i like it so much, i hope you will join my blog, thanks

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  86. I love this poem, Willow! I hope you post many more! Great photos, and I love the new banner too! ~Lori

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)