Sit by the fire
hear the magnolias clatter.
Wind beating leaf against leaf.
Windows kneel at the floors
rise to hold light against ceiling.
The hoop skirt floats in the past.
Winter is a bee sting surprise
upon southern soil. History
supports tradition. Blood
speaks to character. A man
uses ritual and steel to create
what is needed to care for the land.
The southern lady allows no weakness
to betray her station as she ensures
no spine bends except in her favor.
Brandy for cold, ice tea for heat
age is deceptive as Spanish moss.
Every southerner knows their roots.
4:04 PM
09-23-09
Alexandria, VA
Please tell me what you think, what it makes you feel, how you are moved.
Comments
1 - 14 of 14
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why yes, yes they do. while reading this, I couldnt help but remember the hours of days spent with my mother, going through micro-film for stories about her beloved ancesters. She now knows all the rumors, and where all the graves are located. My ancestors' story could be a best seller, and I've often thought of using pieces of what I know for a story.
Better than fiction, absolutely.
a beautiful, soft southern piece, thank you.
PS-those hoop skirts are horrible, be glad we dont have to wear them anymore
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love,
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Clothes are so much nicer now. NO hoop skirts or corsets pulling a waist down to a size could cover with his two hands. NO starch collars, no silly jackets or tails or beaver skin top hats. But when it came to wearing these costumes the south always was step ahead of Yankees when it came to grace and manners.
Roots are everything, stories and who is related to who and how so and so met so and so and best the scandals that no one is supposed to know that they just happen to share. Strong enough to make your ice tea steam and when grandma pulls you aside to see what your intentions are watch out.
Love,
Tom B.
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"Winter is a bee sting surprise
upon southern soil."
Loved those lines. This has to ace the contest. It has the ar0oma of jasmine and the sweet fragrance of southern living. Just stunning! I wish you well with this contest.
Much Love ♥
Renee
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Thanks for the compliment
I wanted to be subtle because nothing is worse than someone prancing around making a fool of themselves or emphasizing what anyone, with a brain in their head, can see. Something I learned long ago about southern gentility is understatement and a sly grin. Keeps all the carpet baggers fooled and young men with something to prove from being too foolish on a warm night.
Love,
Tom B.
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On my! What a feeling of class and heirarchy permeated the old south. You capture it well, and I see the cinched and swirling gown of the aristocrisy...also the contrast of how hard life really was underneath the elegance and structure of the wealthy.
"Blood speaks to character," pride and station for sure... and legacy, absolutely.
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I know too well the phrase, " The blood will tell. " I was never rich, but many of my friends were. I moved with a grace that was confounded by self-doubt. I hurt from the hypocrisy that slithered through the souls of many of the high and mighty. At the same time I was enraptured by the trappings and the air of a southern belle.
Love,
Tom B.
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This sounds like a wonderful place. I was born and bred in the North. So, I have never smelt the magnolia, or heard the sounds you speak of.
If nothing else, your words have brought forth visions of what the strengths of the south are, and the love that one has for it.
Best of luck with this.
Riftkin
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There are little things hidden in the simplicity of the surface, so much like the south. Beneath all the gentility is a spirit of iron and a memory that never forgets. It is the best and worst of worlds, ingrown, loyal, vengeful, stalwart and so on. But once it has your heart, you can never turn your back on it.
Love,
Tom B.
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Well I had 4 of the biggest magnolia tree's in Number Nine, Arkansas when I lived on my farm....and I agree the thick hard leaves do tap out a crisp sound, that was very haunting to me when I was home alone. You nailed this; completely southern fried...Most of my family is from GA, FL, Tx in the south. You gave me some wonderful memeorie of my grandmother, and great aunts sipping their toddies. Then on the other hand I happy to to live in FL on the reservation....it was tough too. A excellent write.....novy
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There is a southern Zeitgeist I tried to touch upon and quality I tried to illuminate. Glad it awakened memories. Thanks,
Tom B.
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You've said...
a mouthful here. I haven't been to the South much. Southwest yes, but South, to really experience it, not so much. Yet, this write brings back a couple of Georgia memories.
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everyone sees the gentility of the south. I have lived in it, have family deeply rooted in it. The south is tough. At its worse it is the Klan, rednecks with rifles. At its best, its proud, honest, courteous and never backs down on principle. Its extremes create contradictions. But, one learns a sense of grace and respect for others dignity that allows you to move through society with ease, if you are willing to learn.
Peace & Light,
Tom B.
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Howdy!
This Southern gal loves your poem..
As always you are amazing and I love love love the ending!
Lynda
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I know, family in GA, that family is everything. Goes without saying. Glad you enjoyed it. I also know that while everyone knows the smell of magnolia's few, except those in the south know the sound the leaves make when they get hard in the winter. I use to listen to them at our house near Warrenton, VA. We had the largest magnolia tree in Faquier County.
Love,
Tom B.
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