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 Posting for The Sunday Muse #179.



History floods up to the highway; cow pastures, empty towns.
We skim them all. The turnoff that takes us deeper rises
from a wave of asphalt that bends and crests and races to Austin.

Dad reminds us again that we need to be careful. Pay attention.
If the snakes or floorboards twist, run to the car.
His brother is meeting us there, maybe. Other family might also.

We launch ourselves into the dead leaves of the front lawn,
waving at our uncle. Yelling away the highway.
There are no other family members here, no other houses.

A key is passed between brothers. Porch boards tested.
We're told to stay in the yard.
They don't want us to see old pipes leaking new stains.

Greetings and salutations! Fall is running a teaser weekend here in Texas and we're all appreciating the outdoors rendered livable. And the early morning hummingbirds! I'm daydreaming about a small platform tent and napping outside and James is counting the days until he can get out and chop the wisteria back into manageable form (it's our entire front yard...too bad it can't be trained into a living yurt...except for bees. Bees probably don't make good roommates.) and the dogs are just happy to be here. As dogs are. Next weekend is October!!!!! 



Hope you're having a good week and the words are friendly, inquisitive, and present. 

-- Chrissa

Comments

  1. HelenSeptember 25, 2021 at 8:17 AM

    There is a back story lurking under that pile of leaves. Love the poem … notes too, especially the living yurt!

    ReplyDelete
  2. indybevSeptember 25, 2021 at 9:51 AM

    This reminded me of a friend of mine. She and her 6 siblings were invited to gether at the site of their family home before the area was flooded for a newly built reservoir. Great nostalgic write, Chrissa!

    ReplyDelete
  3. SunitaSeptember 25, 2021 at 11:20 AM

    Every house has a story to tell. You brought forth the feelings to perfection, Chrissa.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Carrie Van HornSeptember 25, 2021 at 11:36 AM

    This poem holds a history that is rich, and that last stanza is absolutely wonderful my friend! Yes this weather is glorious isn't it? Have a wonderful weekend Chrissa!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sherry Blue SkySeptember 25, 2021 at 12:13 PM

    You have wisteria, which has such a lovely scent! I loved the poem, and love, too, that fall is here. My fave season.

    ReplyDelete
  6. qbitSeptember 25, 2021 at 12:18 PM

    Your opening line floods us with the history that follows. Snakes and floorboards and families can all twist like rivers and a what a house might or might not speak to children.

    ReplyDelete
  7. JimSeptember 25, 2021 at 1:17 PM

    A nice write, Chrissa. My mom would say "to stay in the yard" because the Gypsies were around. I am sure now that here were not nearly as she warned about. Mrs. Jim likes wisteria, I am not sure I know it. I have been told that the mud dobbers do not sting. We have a lot of those right now.
    ..

    ReplyDelete
  8. phillip woodruff (jalopy dreams)September 25, 2021 at 1:36 PM

    "History floods up to the highway; cow pastures, empty towns.
    We skim them all. The turnoff that takes us deeper"

    that's a great opening, painted a vivid picture. i enjoyed this very much

    ReplyDelete
  9. FireblossomSeptember 25, 2021 at 2:21 PM

    Dogs are hap as long as they're with their beloved pet humans!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Gillena CoxSeptember 26, 2021 at 12:05 AM

    Nice one Chrissa; luv how the kids yell away the highway
    Good Sunday

    much❤love

    ReplyDelete
  11. Marion HortonSeptember 26, 2021 at 1:02 AM

    Love how you summon up such a rich picture. 'History floods up to the highway' - a great line.

    ReplyDelete
  12. hedgewitchSeptember 26, 2021 at 6:59 AM

    Great opening line, and you really convey that sense of childhood well here, along with the spirits of family and place. It reminds me of the first house I lived in in Oklahoma, a million miles from everywhere(including my job) and its own kingdom of snakes and waving grass. Fall is trying so hard to walk through the door here too--I'm more than ready.

    ReplyDelete
  13. ms_liliSeptember 26, 2021 at 5:35 PM

    "If the snakes or floorboards twist, run to the car." sounds like very good advice in the TX rural areas.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Myrna R.September 27, 2021 at 9:27 AM

    I love the fall and I love your poem. It gives me the feeling of nostalgia and happy memories.

    ReplyDelete

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