The Poetry Marathon

36 CORN ROAD

PART 2 – AUNT IMOGENE

She was never just sitting there, waiting for us

She knew we were coming

But that couldn’t keep her from

The work at hand

Chores to her, but her legacy to others

Who would be the first to find her?

Sweet Aunt Imogene, earth mother

Would she be working in the garden

Tending to her rooted accomplishments

Her labor of love that would nourish us time and again

Would she be in the hen house?

Gathering eggs in her work worn apron

Or taking the “last walk” with one she had nurtured

Who would now take its place at the dinner table

Or more correctly put, “on” the dinner table

By the pleasant twitch of my nostrils

I would gather she was in her kitchen

A place so small and dark with coal dusted floors

Yet a place that brought about warmth and love

AND BISCUITS!!

The vibrant colors of her beautiful harvest

Made even the oldest of porcelain dishes

Come to life like a finely crafted painting

But one for our consumption, not just for viewing

DID I MENTION HER APPLEBUTTER?

When she felt we had our fill

And the empty vessels cleaned and put back in their place

Behind the curtained cupboards,

She would take us out for an adventure

What would it be this time?

Would we canvass the hills for the perfect

Leaves and nuts, or butterflies for our school projects

Or would we go digging for old bottles

Blue ones, green ones, clear ones, ones with labels or corks

What had been in them, who left them behind for us to find?

Or would we be so lucky to have her share

Her button collection

Tin after tin, dumped out on the creaky feather bed

She knew where she found that black one or the one

That looked like it came from a movie star’s dress.

Always a story, now a great memory.

It was time to go

But we never left empty handed.

A trip to the root cellar, though scary

With the possibility of interrupting a snake’s nap,

Always ended with a basket of jarred goodness

The best of her…..home with us

Until we needed, more correctly, wanted, to come back for more.

More food, more adventures, more Aunt Imogene.

I miss her!

A magician named Sally, so I hear

Wanted to make all her bills disappear

She waved her wand and she chanted

“Poof,” her wish was granted

Her debt she no longer would fear.

Debt free would be Sally’s new way

No more struggles on which bills to pay

She was free as a bird

It seemed so absurd

She had it all now, wouldn’t you say?

But Sally hadn’t thought it all through

Not realizing what her wish would do

She should have been more specific

And a bit less prolific

When it came to which bills she would loose.

Though her Visa card balance was nil

Sadly, so was her great uncle Bill

Bill Murray, Bill Nye

Well they all went bye bye

Now her wish seemed far less of a thrill.

Bill Gates and Bill Belichick gone

No Billy Joel and all of his songs

What was Sally to do

Bill of Rights were gone too

How could one magic trick go so wrong.

Sally was determined to alter her plight

With some magic she could make it all right

“Abracadabra, alakazam

Get me out of this jam”

Sally conjured all day and all night.

Sally opened her eyes with a yawn

She was nervous to face the new dawn

But she discovered her scheming

Happened while she was dreaming

Uncle Bill was out mowing the lawn.

36 CORN RD

PART ONE – The Trip

We left early; station wagon packed

There was always a bucket

Placed where I could find it quickly

Usually I’d make it to Circleville, usually

I hated the trip, smooshed against my siblings

All of us dreading 90 minutes of fights, and farts

And pulling over to get rid of my breakfast

Good ole bucket to the rescue

I hated Chillicothe, curvy Route 35

If I hadn’t used “buckety” by now

It wouldn’t be long

Or maybe someone would need to pee.

But soon there’d be hills

Hills full of trees, and deer

And memories of the last trip

And anticipation of what soon could be

I saw it, just ahead, the ball diamond

You know, the one with the green fencing

A diamond in the oddest of places

But it was a landmark to us…. we’re almost there!!

The road turned to gravel

Under the canopy of the trees

It wouldn’t be long now

Just a few more turns.

There was one last hurdle

Getting past that curve with the narrow berm

So very far down it seemed

I was certain I would die there

But not today

Today I would attend a reunion

Who will greet us?

When we spill out of the car

Engine off, seat belts off

Doors open and legs finally stretched

The trip was over

But the fun would soon begin.

Saturday is here
Our play date will soon commence
Poetry's the game

Hi! My name is Marci Darlington. I am 61 years old and I live in Mt. Sterling, Ohio with my husband John and our dog Cat Stephens. We just lost our yorkie, Charlie about a month ago. My parents also live with us in a mini apartment we added on to the back of our Victorian home. We have only been here for 4 years but we love it. I have lived in Central Ohio all of my life. We have 5 grown children between us and 10 grandchildren with another just announced to arrive in January. I am a parks and recreation director in West Jefferson and sit on the village council in Mt. Sterling. I have tossed my hat in the ring to run for Mayor this November (what was I thinking!). This is my first marathon. I have been dabbling in poetry since my good friend asked me to sign her autograph book when I was about 10. I am excited for the challenge and I am hoping to get tips from all of you seasoned marathoners. Here’s to an awesome 24 hours!!

I do have a quick question or two?  How do I decide which group to join and also for a first time marathoner, should I make all my poems along the same theme or random?