Tuesday, August 30, 2011

2073 Elm Street

Young limbs dangle then yank
dandelions at their stems;
roots too strong to disengage.

She almost dances
blows seeds into the breeze
warmed with summer.

Long legs tangle in a weave
as she scatters wishes
to unseen winds.

Her juvenile face displays
no trace of a smile
to match the hop-skip of feet.

Suddenly she stops
ponders before a sign
then kicks the bright orange SOLD.

Then just as quick
slim legs bound up stairs.
Home.

© 1999 Joanne Elliott
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27 comments:

  1. Brian MillerAugust 30, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    smiles. i hope that she is home...i love dandelions...and perhaps this is her wish...nice write...

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  2. Pat HattAugust 30, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    Great opening, love that first line and the way you played with feet, using all the aspects they take as we climb higher.

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  3. ScarletAugust 30, 2011 at 12:19 PM

    I like her walk around before she goes home.

    Sweet post ~

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  4. TashtooAugust 30, 2011 at 12:21 PM

    That bright orange sold haunts me in the "real" world! :) Joanne, you always make your subjects so alive with your words...I could so see her! Awesome!

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  5. Joanne Young ElliottAugust 30, 2011 at 12:28 PM

    Thank you all.

    @Natasha I did see her 12 years ago. This girl on the edge of no longer being little. And I'm not sure what the kicking of the sign was about...so I left it kind of ambiguous. Thanks for you comment. :-)

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  6. steveroniAugust 30, 2011 at 12:33 PM

    Waltzing down the sidewalk...spreading the seed. Helping Nature in its need, little girl, skip on, skip on! I LIKED this a lot...

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  7. AnonymousAugust 30, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    This is so rich and captivating. Lulling. Beautiful penning!

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  8. UnknownAugust 30, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    always room to explore.. great write

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  9. UnknownAugust 30, 2011 at 12:47 PM

    Enjoyed the prose of this, it does leave a wondering...nicely done! ~ Rose

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  10. ayalaAugust 30, 2011 at 12:54 PM

    this is lovely...it left a little mystery, nicely done.

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  11. ClaudiaAugust 30, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    blowing dandelion seeds, warmed with summer...that's just magical..

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  12. Jannie FunsterAugust 30, 2011 at 12:56 PM

    I have a child like that. And she is my home.

    Great detail of a 12-year-old memory!! The ambiguity makes this soar for me.

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  13. AnonymousAugust 30, 2011 at 1:32 PM

    great detail, I could picture it as I read....we all need find home :)

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  14. AnonymousAugust 30, 2011 at 1:32 PM

    Love the expression of thought through action. Don't we all give a little kick once-in-a-while?

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  15. DaydreamerAugust 30, 2011 at 3:33 PM

    Ahhh the energy of youth. I have a 15 year old who has so much energy, she wears me out! LOL
    Lovely imagery in your prose.

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  16. hedgewitchAugust 30, 2011 at 4:25 PM

    Very understated, well-worded exposition of a plight too many kids are facing now. That is, if she is going rather than coming, or perhaps ending somewhere not Home. Just my impression. I did see the unsmiling child quite clearly, regardless.

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  17. Dulçe ♥August 30, 2011 at 4:52 PM

    A great observation of a 'walking home'

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  18. Ann LeFloreAugust 30, 2011 at 5:22 PM

    Hope she made it home from her walk.

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  19. AnonymousAugust 30, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    This struck me as heartwretching. So many losing their homes...kicking that sign.

    There is great motion in this poem....and it's haunting.

    Thank you..it certainly tickles the imagination.

    Lady Nyo

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  20. AnonymousAugust 30, 2011 at 8:51 PM

    You paint a photorealistic picture, that takes great skill. Thank you.

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  21. UnknownAugust 30, 2011 at 11:02 PM

    Oh, I loved this. I hope the little girl did find a home there she could love :)

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  22. Joseph HeschAugust 31, 2011 at 7:37 AM

    Emotional and image-filled snapshot, a story told with talent and heart. Lovely piece, Joanne.

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  23. UnknownAugust 31, 2011 at 2:07 PM

    Fantastic that she kicked the sign ;) really great!
    Deb

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  24. Maude LynnAugust 31, 2011 at 5:41 PM

    That is so sad! Nice write.

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  25. Joanne Young ElliottAugust 31, 2011 at 5:54 PM

    Thank you everyone for all your comments.

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  26. James RainsfordSeptember 1, 2011 at 3:02 AM

    There is a genuine sense of innocence in this Joanne. I loved it.

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  27. Jannie FunsterNovember 17, 2011 at 10:11 AM

    Woman, you have not posted in a while!!! :)

    But I respect that.

    And hope you are well.

    xoxo

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