Old Enough
I get up early cause I know Pearl will make biscuits, eggs, and crisp bacon and let me lick the warm salty lard with my fingers from the skillet once it cools off. I watch her go "mmmm, mmmm" and squeeze her lips into a smile. She starts the percolator for Paw-Paw, pours me a big glass of ice cold milk and stands over me saying, "drink it down." Pearl always makes hard things seem easy, not so good days feel okay and I wish she were my Momma. We don't look the same but if she asked me to be her child I'd be the luckiest girl alive. She pulls my fingers out of my mouth, " you get worms now, hear me?" I most definitely don't want worms so I am really trying to stop chewing my nails. Pearl's nails are always clean, trimmed, with a clear, shiny gloss. Her lips are full, ripe, like a fresh dark purple plum. She has fine teeth, big hazel eyes and wears tiny gold studs in each earlobe. I want earrings, but the thought of a needle being pushed though my ear doesn't sound like it's worth the trouble, at least right now. I would like some tap shoes though. Pearl laughs when I tell her about my dancing dreams. She says I have happy feet cause I am wiggling my toes all the time. When Paw-Paw goes out on the porch to smoke his pipe I always show him my latest moves. After breakfast, Pearl starts washing our sheets and says there is a dust bunny under my bed. I don't want to look. I scare myself enough just looking at hobos. Anyway, back to the railroad. Just can't help myself. I don't curse, smoke, steal or commit sins that I know of, but I can tell you right here and right now, hobos teach and preach more than any one body needs. I confess I became on friendly terms with a man named Hank. He'd wave and say, " Hey, May! Keep smilin' kiddo!" and he'd sometimes be laying in the shade right calm when I snuck up to see him. He always looked sad just before he caught sight of me. Soon as my big trap started jabbering he'd change like a chameleon. That is, he'd try to make life seem so fine. I new he was hungry. I started taking biscuits on the days I figured he'd be around and he was always obliged. Just like the song, Mr. Bojangles, I began to show off my dancing moves to cheer ole Hank up. How is it we just know someone isn't happy? He laughed and smiled; in my mind he had a harmonica or some groovy steps he'd show me, but he never did. When the rest of the jumpers, as he referred to his fellow train hopping hobos as, came around he'd shoo me off. He told me in a kind, yet tough way to go on home. Where Hank went I never knew; in my heart I liked to hold it was somewhere much better than the hard ass dirt he slept on, full of God only knows what, and lonesome nights with an empty belly and mosquitos. Back home, I'm hosed down. Pearl gives me a hard stare; I am guessing she is guessing where the heck I've been. I am full of cockleburs, red from the sun. She leaves Paw-Paw and me my favourite, whipped cream and orange jello. I always hug her when she heads back to the place she calls home; I will make sure that this summer I follow Pearl like a cat stalks, curious that is, not aiming to find trouble. Late, when Paw-Paw is loving his heap of second helpings from supper, I ease out from my bedroom and stand right in front of the late night news. Paw-Paw's old Grandpa eyes widen and I start dancing; I pretend to tap dance and point my toes toward the ceiling fan, clap my hands and fall onto the thick, Persian patterned carpet. Paw-Paw laughs with his belly bouncing. I guess for now, summer is getting off to a good start. I slink down the long hallway and slither into bed. I wonder where Hank is now; Memphis, Baton Rouge, New Orleans? By now, hobos, I mean, jumpers, could be anywhere. I say out loud as if I am praying, "Goodnight jumper Hank; goodnight Pearl". I wiggle my toes one more time, roll over toward the moon shining through my window and smile.
Comments (22)
Congratulations on having your story featured as a top story on Vocal! This is a remarkable achievement, and it's clear why your work has received such recognition. Your storytelling is truly exceptional. The narrative was not only compelling but also beautifully crafted, holding my attention from start to finish. The way you developed the characters and plot was masterful, making the story both engaging and thought-provoking. Your unique voice and perspective shine through, setting your work apart. It’s evident that you poured a lot of passion and effort into this piece, and it has certainly paid off. I look forward to reading more of your incredible stories in the future. Keep up the fantastic work! Best regards, Dr. Jay
Beautifully written!
I really liked this a lot. Great job!
"I hallucinated that you loved me" - best bit!
Gorgeous!!!
This is breathtaking. "I hallucinated that you loved me." That line broke me😭😭omg
Beautifully done as always! Your poems I swearrrrr!! Always gives me chills! Incredibly done, Silver! 💌
The act of tearing off petals and consuming them symbolizes a toxic and consuming relationship, the portrayal of hallucinations and the distorted perception of love add layers of complexity to the poem, highlighting the allure and danger of falling into illusions, it leaves us with a haunting impression of the destructive power of self-deception, we‘re deeply moved by the poem, loved it, and hope to read more of your work, thank you very much again for sharing this spiritual journey that touched our hearts, subscribed.
This metaphor is so heartbreakingly beautiful. I think this might be one of the best poems I've read this year.
This is beautiful - I am going through something similar to this! "I hallucinated you love me..." I know the feeling, especially at the moment. Love the way you captured the feelings with this beautiful imagery!
So heartbreakingly beautiful. Congrats! 🎊
Congrats on Top story, Silver!! The first stanza really set the tone and the clever metaphorical foundation! Just excellent!
When you're blindly in love, you just don't see the red flags until it's too late... Congrats on top story!!
Congratulations on Top Story! 🥳 Most fascinating tale!
Congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉🎉 What a great reminder that pretty doesn't always mean safety.
😮 “i hallucinated that you loved me” Wow that line in particular was brilliant Silver! The whole thing was really good, I loved the imagery of poisoning oneself the way you describe, but that one line was something special! Congrats on Top Story! Very very well earned!
Reminds me of Phantom Thread. Excellent work
BAM!💥
This is stunning - that pretty poison of a toxic relationship. As ever, you have this way of words that just leaves me feeling very envious at times! Well done on this fiery piece and congrats on the Top Story.
If I had a mic, I would drop it. Damn Serpent this is scandalously superior work.
Often, we don't know it's poison until too late. Fantastic work!
Wow! Enough said!💕