Sunday, November 9, 2014

American




Convict me of dandelions
and large puddles of ketchup,
the June scent of Scioto rain.

At breakfast I get drunk on Bach,
with a chaser of Copland and Joplin,
hotdogs from a cart, by noon.

Find me guilty of eating at the kitchen sink,
ordering drive-thru McDonald's fries―
you shotgun, me in a Stetson.

I pretend to hate mosquitoes on the Fourth of July―
come at me with sparklers, buckeyes,
those little American flags stapled to sticks.

I want to pursue our life, liberty, and happiness,
but there's something you should know―

I love A. Lincoln, shamelessly.
tk/May 2013 
R.A.D. Stainforth...a rare step out of his black and white world...





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13 comments:

  1. elaine Sun Nov 09, 04:09:00 PM

    When I click on to the creative writing group a religious gospel page comes up - not sure if this is intentional or not!

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  2. GailSun Nov 09, 04:11:00 PM

    This is an amazing poem.

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  3. humbirdSun Nov 09, 04:57:00 PM

    Love the end or ...just beginning... :)

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  4. 21 WitsSun Nov 09, 07:53:00 PM

    Oh yes, I love them too! Not the puddles of ketchup, but I know so many who eat puddles of it! This is a real live American short- you served as deliciously as if it were a fresh baked apple pie!

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  5. Carolina LintheadSun Nov 09, 08:29:00 PM

    Really is amazing...thanks, Tess! You know I love that ketchup...in puddles...with fries. And I love my A. Lincoln! Also, please, may I have a side of Copland?

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  6. kaykualaSun Nov 09, 10:47:00 PM

    I love A. Lincoln, shamelessly.

    She should not be stifled from pursuing what she craves for. Abe and whatever is named after him ought to be good elements! Great write Tess!

    Hank

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  7. Anita SabatSun Nov 09, 11:52:00 PM

    I love A.Lincoln too :)
    Great words, Tess :)

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  8. relMon Nov 10, 05:10:00 AM

    A perfect snapshot of America. One of your best.

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  9. AnonymousMon Nov 10, 01:58:00 PM

    ...I understand...!

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  10. LolamouseTue Nov 11, 08:33:00 PM

    The first line is so interesting! I love how you wove so much Americana into this!

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  11. AnonymousTue Nov 11, 11:38:00 PM

    Excellent poem, Tess. Love that ending.

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  12. Silent Otto Wed Nov 12, 04:46:00 PM

    Its ok to love the flag if you still have legs !

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  13. Carrie Van HornThu Nov 13, 06:30:00 PM

    A true American indeed. Love this Tess!!

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

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