Tuesday, June 21, 2016

My Father’s Clothes--By Maralee Gerke--United States

My Father’s Clothes

My father’s clothes were
his prized possessions.
He wore them like armor
starched and ironed.

She acted as if the clothes and
shoes could swallow her.
Dumped his dresser
on the floor and filled bags for the mission.

Buzzing with hysterical
intent she would blurt out,
“He wasn’t even sick! “
“What size shoes do you wear?”
“These are brand new!”

She stuffed his life
into bundles and bags,
but no matter how hard she tried
she couldn’t give away her grief.

Maralee Gerke lives and writes in Madras, Oregon. She is and avid reader and gardener. She describes herself as a work in progress. Her poems have been published in Calyx, Exit Thirteen, Moonset, Bathtub Gin, Anthology, Nerve Cowboy, Avocet, and Tigers Eye. She has published two books of poems and has had poetry and prose accepted in several anthologies. Her work can be seen online at Shadow Poetry, Long Story Short, and Moontown Café. She recently recorded 4 poems for the Oregon Poetic Voices Project. They can be heard at oregonpoeticvoices.org One of her poems “Refuge”, was recently selected to be printed as a limited edition broadside by the Penland School of Crafts.

6 comments:

  1. Lovely poem, Maralee. I especially like the line about "starched and ironed." I am the same way with my clothes. I "wear them like iron." Thank you for sharing and continued blessings!

    -MJ (www.tgbtgpublictions.com)

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  2. Thanks for sharing this piece.

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  3. Excellent expression!!!! Great impact with this well written piece. Thank you for sharing Maralee. Elaine

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  4. Exquisitely poignant poem love angelee

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  5. This wonderful piece rings loudly of the sadness that hangs like a black cloud over everything when you lose someone you love so dearly. It was beautifully written and so moving! Blessings, Connie

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  6. Maralee, I listened with delight to all of your poems at the website you provided. Your talent is so refreshing and
    unique, a bit like viewing an undiscovered lovely flower, and watching it blossom. Your poetry is exceptional! Thank you for sharing the site with us. Blessings, Connie

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