~Scarred Story~

The overripe pears lay untouched

sprawled across the white tablecloth

on the red oak kitchen table

A pitcher of cream, a bowl

an antique silver spoon are

on the linoleum counter waiting

for a chance to be helpful

which will never come

The deserted farmhouse is wary

worn wooden flooring speaks

of a rushed departure

bags dragged, many pairs of feet

rushing out the front door

Each imprint in the dust

tells a silenced story ~

each pear and its

pungent fragrence ~

the spoiled and clotted cream ~

are mysterious scars left behind

of unknown fear, tragedy or circumstance

left for me to fill in the frame and image

of what took place months and months ago

Comments: 38

Kevin E. Apr 25, 2012, 8:56pm UTC

This is an awesome poem! There is so many other poems/stories that could be spun off of this! Very cool!

JustMe ~I'm happy to be~ Apr 25, 2012, 9:07pm UTC

I am thinking of a story..........do you think I should?

Kevin E. Apr 25, 2012, 9:14pm UTC

Absolutely, can't wait to read it!

JustMe ~I'm happy to be~ Apr 25, 2012, 9:16pm UTC

reply to this comment

Pam Brittain Apr 25, 2012, 8:59pm UTC

This piece strikes me as very sad.

JustMe ~I'm happy to be~ Apr 25, 2012, 9:07pm UTC

Ultimately, yes, perhaps. Or maybe the observer got it all wrong.

Pam Brittain Apr 25, 2012, 9:11pm UTC

The observer, me, doesn't always understand poetry. I should probably keep my comments more reserved, but I really like this piece.

JustMe ~I'm happy to be~ Apr 25, 2012, 9:12pm UTC

No, you misunderstood me. When I said "observer", I meant the person who walks into the kitchen and is describing what they see.

Pam Brittain Apr 25, 2012, 9:46pm UTC

You made me laugh at myself. I have a lot to learn.

JustMe ~I'm happy to be~ Apr 25, 2012, 9:56pm UTC

We all do, friend.

reply to this comment

JOHN BECK Apr 25, 2012, 8:59pm UTC

Excellent use of all the senses, Michelle. Intriguing mystery.

JustMe ~I'm happy to be~ Apr 25, 2012, 9:07pm UTC

Thanks, John. Should I turn it into a story?

JOHN BECK Apr 25, 2012, 9:17pm UTC

In my opinion it begs to be made into a story, Michelle.

JustMe ~I'm happy to be~ Apr 25, 2012, 9:19pm UTC

I'll try to do it justice.

reply to this comment

Chris Brockman Apr 25, 2012, 9:01pm UTC

A still life is a contradiction in terms. This is a lovely unstill life, insightfully painted.

JustMe ~I'm happy to be~ Apr 25, 2012, 9:08pm UTC

Thank you, so much. I like your title better. I may have to steal it. :)

Chris Brockman Apr 26, 2012, 8:02pm UTC

Wait a minute, I may have to use that myself: "Unstill Life." I likeit.

JustMe ~I'm happy to be~ Apr 26, 2012, 8:20pm UTC

It's mine! :)~

Chris Brockman Apr 26, 2012, 8:32pm UTC

Fine. I know how teachers are. :)>

JustMe ~I'm happy to be~ Apr 26, 2012, 8:40pm UTC

hahahaha!

reply to this comment

Betty S. Apr 25, 2012, 9:23pm UTC

I Like your poem I hope Gather doesn't eat this one.. It's my third try.

JustMe ~I'm happy to be~ Apr 25, 2012, 9:25pm UTC

Yikes. I hope not! Good luck and thank you!

reply to this comment

Kushal Poddar Apr 25, 2012, 9:58pm UTC

Fresh thinking and writing.
http://life-ordinaire.blogspot.in/2012/04/my-little-friend-james.html

JustMe ~I'm happy to be~ Apr 26, 2012, 6:10pm UTC

Thanks, Kushal.

reply to this comment

Priya P. Apr 25, 2012, 10:13pm UTC

This would make an excellent story mich. I really love this
Featured with grace in the Triple Name Club.

JustMe ~I'm happy to be~ Apr 26, 2012, 6:11pm UTC

Thank you, Priya. I will work on it when I have a free moment (or two). Thank you for the feature!

reply to this comment

David W. Apr 25, 2012, 10:58pm UTC

Yes, I agree with everybody,this would make a great story, and yet... the poem leaves so much to the imagination. It's like a reverse number painting where I fill in the lines and you the colors.

JustMe ~I'm happy to be~ Apr 26, 2012, 6:11pm UTC

Yes, I like that. Maybe I'll do a prelude and epilogue - both poems - and still leave something to the imagination. What do you think?

David W. Apr 26, 2012, 10:12pm UTC

I think that this is the perfect foundation for the genre known as, "Long poem." There are many forms, from epic through romantic, even novels told in this medium. You can check out style and substance on the web, particularly in Wikipedia. JustSayin, JustMe. :-)

JustMe ~I'm happy to be~ Apr 27, 2012, 7:55pm UTC

reply to this comment

stephen berwaldt Apr 26, 2012, 1:09am UTC

I'll have to add my accolades to the rest. This is a cliffhanger just waiting for an explanation...
Exceptional...your usual...

Thank you submitting to Gathers Luminous Writers and Artists. Now Featured.

JustMe ~I'm happy to be~ Apr 26, 2012, 6:12pm UTC

Stephen, thank you so much and thank you for the feature!

reply to this comment

elizabeth evans Apr 26, 2012, 8:26pm UTC

"a dust bowl depression story", perhaps?

JustMe ~I'm happy to be~ Apr 26, 2012, 8:40pm UTC

Seems a bit too obvious............no?

elizabeth evans Apr 26, 2012, 10:17pm UTC

It's actually a beautiful beginning to a story that never grows old.

JustMe ~I'm happy to be~ Apr 27, 2012, 7:55pm UTC

I like that. xx

reply to this comment

A. F. Stewart Apr 27, 2012, 7:14pm UTC

A beautful poem full of echoes...

JustMe ~I'm happy to be~ Apr 27, 2012, 7:55pm UTC

Thanks, Anita.

reply to this comment

~Scarred Story~

12 people recommend this post

Comments: 38

Join the Conversation