RetroLounge
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Sat Dec-15-07 09:53 AM
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The RetroLounge Daily Poem Thread (Sat 12/15/2007) |
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After a Train Trip, One Town Remains
If you stopped there it was only to refuel. Chances are you went by fast and the town curved by you in the tricky lens the window of a fast train is. The style: American, last century farm. The state: someplace high plains. Much as you like wind on the scene, the vane didn’t move on the water tower. You don’t remember one woman outlined lovingly on sky or a dog bent hoping someone would want him.
It makes no sense, that town hanging wherever you are, whatever you do. It reminds you of nothing, the religion, if anything, grim. The highest point was the steeple, protestant you think, For certain not lax. It hovered like a mean bird over the six homes you counted and you know if you lived there you’d go to church or be stoned in the dirt streets Monday, saying hello.
Years later you take the same train. You find the same town. This time, a tavern, neon “Grain Belt on tap” in the window and neon cross on the church. You count nine houses. The market that must have been there before has macadamed the parking lot. When you pull out you look back long as you can. Not very long.
Richard Hugo
**********************************
:hi:
RL
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hisownpetard
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Sat Dec-15-07 10:03 AM
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1. Nice. Hadn't read that one in a long time. Thanks!! |
RetroLounge
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Sat Dec-15-07 10:04 AM
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lizziegrace
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Sat Dec-15-07 10:21 AM
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RetroLounge
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Sat Dec-15-07 12:30 PM
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I typed it myself...
:hi:
RL
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lizziegrace
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Sat Dec-15-07 03:27 PM
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10. And you did a FINE job! |
Tuesday Afternoon
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Sat Dec-15-07 10:42 AM
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Always. That One Town.
Thanks.
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RetroLounge
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Sat Dec-15-07 04:11 PM
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12. it never fades far enough into the past, does it? |
CaliforniaPeggy
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Sat Dec-15-07 12:30 PM
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Ah, lovely!
The inner vision, and the outer...
Playing together...
Thank you, sweetie!
:hug:
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RetroLounge
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Sat Dec-15-07 12:42 PM
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BlueIris
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Sat Dec-15-07 12:45 PM
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8. Bleak! Depressing! I love it! |
RetroLounge
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Sat Dec-15-07 02:02 PM
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SPKrazy
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Sat Dec-15-07 03:32 PM
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RetroLounge
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Sat Dec-15-07 06:51 PM
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libodem
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Sat Dec-15-07 06:28 PM
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13. I came from a small town |
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and it feels just like that....ugh
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RetroLounge
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Sat Dec-15-07 06:51 PM
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14. Yeah, Hugo really captures the mood... |
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He has a book out called The Triggering Town which is essays about writing and poetry, and he goes deeply into the concept of the small, northern plains town...
:hi:
RL
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libodem
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Sat Dec-15-07 08:41 PM
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everyone lives in glass houses
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Thu May 02nd 2024, 09:03 PM
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