January 18, 2010
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In an Age, In a Town, In a Time
Saturday, our Sunshine Poets poetry group traveled to Zephyrhills, Florida, to the 10th year anniversary celebration of a sister poetry group, the New River Poets. The hosts live in a 1938 school house they converted into a home. The wife is an art teacher at a primary school; her artwork (and her husband's) completely cover the walls and high ceilings.
Old school-house built in 1938 with Public Works money.
You can see the former stage at the far end.
Garnering strength to read poetry.
--------------------------------------------------One of the poems read was about a blue coat. That triggered this:
In an Age, In a Town, In a Time
In an age, in a town, in a time
before allowed my own fashion voice--
when mothers still knew best
and told you so,
and choice young girls
wore navy-blue pea coats to school,
Mother bought me a coat
of cardinal red
its buttons huge and shining black.
Beautiful! she said.
Just the choice for a dutiful girl
trying to blend into a new school
in a conservative town.
Desperate to hide,
I tried to become invisible
inside bright red skin
I couldn‘t shed.Today,
in a dressing room
I watched a mature woman
at the three-way mirror
testing a crimson coat.
Memories marred for a moment --
another age, another town, another time.
Timidly I smiled,
then she smiled back and held my gaze,
confidently admired herself in the mirror--
beautiful.
I’ll take it! I told the clerk.1-18-2010 Cheri Neuman Herald
Comments (14)
I've always wanted to convert an old school or church. There are so many here in Louisiana - if I could just find the right one in the right place.
@traveler - The right one can be moved to the right place. My brother-in-law moved an old school house to his property and lived in it, but it was much smaller than the one I pictured here.
very nice poem ! in an age, in a town , in a time...nice memory come...this phrase is good for air... poetry group is wonderful community...
''A bold poem, of great understanding. You know the renovated school house reminded Me, of Anne's apartment, with all the art gracing the walls.
AMEN''
Very creative poem based on your memories and the present time . The lady in red !
By the way I see a people on the second picture wearing a red jacket .
I wondered how the couple was able to heat such space but I realized it was in Florida ! No need of much heating !
Love
Michel
beautiful cheri!
Very cool home.
LOVE your poem...as always!
Wonderful, both John and myself were reminded of Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors. Terrific story in your poetry. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Becca
Great house and even greater poetry! Thanks Cheri!
Glad to see your still doing well.
I am, and you?
RYC : I am glad my" chair "post inspires you so fond memory . is not here a topic for a poem ?
Love
Michel
@fauquet - hmmm, perhaps, Michel, perhaps...
Beautiful...... amazing poetry
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