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 (24)
Can’t believe I only got to this now … I’m happy I did tho cuz it’s awesome in its imagery and powerful message of stoicism. Thank you!
Beautiful piece! Congrats! :)
This is such a brilliant piece, Brenton! The idea of the "lightning rod self" is powerful. Amazing work, as always! Bravo!
This poem is electrified. It's my first time reading such a charge, so I'm in shock 😉 Well done and congrats on the top story!
I meant to read this yesterday...forgot cos my brain is old and forgetful at times and then boom, Top Story. Deservedly so, love the flow of this and the deep meaning. Well done, sir!
amaze
Your poem beautifully captures the essence of facing life's storms with resilience and self-acceptance. Thank you for sharing this poignant piece; it resonates deeply with the journey of weathering life's challenges. Well done!
BRAVO ON TOP STORY.. Love the "Lightning Rod Self" ... guess we all learn how to weather the storms that come our way. the poem is brilliant!
The zigzag lightshow. That was my favourite line! Love your poem. Congratulations on your Top Story!
Congrats Brenton on your fiery top story!! 😄🎉
Great job! Keep up the fantastic work—congratulations!
What a fantastic electrifying poem!!!
Good one! Keep on being that lightning rod....it's electrifying :)
There's that Top Story. Congratulations!
So well written!
Congrats on the TS.
Be careful being your lightning rod self... You may e d up dancing the electric slide. Lol. This is quite good Brenton. Heading to check out part 2
This is great. So you keep getting zapped, but you're still standing. Shows your strong enough to take it. Although, I'm sure some clear skies would be nice.
Well, I read II first, of course. I'm happy to say it didn't detract from either one of them. Being a lightning rod isn't all bad.
Here it's winter. It was even snowing yesterday. So no more lightnings, though the rains ain't over. 'Shit magnet'? Lol. The second part greatly complements the first one by the way! Pelting lines!
I love the metaphor as self as lighting rod.
Fantastic!!! Love it!!!❤️
Nice to meet you Rod! Intriguing poem though!! Sorry you got zapped so much but at least you are steadfast. ⚡️ In other news, I’m over summer already. Have a good one!!
Fabulous!!! Loved your social commentary poem!!!💕❤️❤️