The Vocation of an Afternoon Sun

The Vocation of an Afternoon Sun

 

 

It was a summer of preadolescent years.

I was playing hopscotch on a cement walk

as grandmother preened the weeds

of Hydrangea’s in Gatsby pink.

 

Mrs. Potts was raking leaves to burn curbside.

A sweetness of grapes permeated from her backyard vine

intercepting my stream of consciousness,

as mother’s litany of frustration could be heard

over a just waxed floor.

 

I impetuously threw for a seven,

then hopped barefoot towards

an upturned bottle cap

as the pendulum sway of a ponytail

snared the vocation of an afternoon sun.

Reviews

[emmajoy]

Tis said that youth is wasted on the young.. but that quote is certainly questioned by your wonderful mind and memory. How beautiful the feelings sights and senses in your finely put words. Seems you skipped that path and sniffed a wee nose a the grapes and.. and.. and..

.. amd all that was a gently theatrical prologue to those two brilliant last lines!!!

[Kelly Scheppers]

I am most proud of those last two lines for they speak volumes of the little girl I used to be. Thank you, dear Em!

[emmajoy]

Sending love and bestest wishes to that little girl grown up, dear Kelly. xx

[Einstein Noodle]

ohh Kelly!!! how wonderful this moment is captured .. i love your little girl, Mrs Potts and the Ma ... instantly vivid and real in memory ... very creative, intelligent title and using it in closing so deepens the experience ... i see your narrator as that same little girl looking back and so has the wisdom to see such a thing as "The Vocation of an Afternoon Sun" ...the "..pendulum sway of a pony tail" ... fantastic movement .. and thank you very much for the aroma of grapes on the vine ...i use to risk stealing a few from an old Italian man that lived down the street from us ;)
E.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Trust me, you weren't the only one who smuggled some neighborhood grapes. ; ) The little girl here was me, and I'm proud to say I've still got my ponytail! Such a sweet review from the kindest of souls. Thank you, Gene! x

[Einstein Noodle]

:) ......................

[Dara]

I can just see you in your pony tail playing hopscotch and the image immediately brings me back to those innocent days of childhood, myself. Your delightfully penned memory brought a much needed smile to my face. Thank you for helping me take a nostalgic walk back in time!

[Kelly Scheppers]

I still have my ponytail, too! ; ) ...thank you, Dara!

[Lydia Shutter]

Delightfully nostalgic. You have painted a sweet picture here...one that Mr. Rogers would have enjoyed. Lovely, Kelly. Lydi**

[Kelly Scheppers]

I've really been amazed to discover how many men actually enjoyed playing hopscotch when they were little! Thanks so much, Lydi!

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful poem shared dear Kelly. I did enjoy this one. I ensure my grandchildren can be children. We must ensure, kids can be kids. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Kelly Scheppers]

There is very little of my childhood I remember with such clarity. Thank you, John. Many blessings!

[Coyote Poetry]

Many blessings to you dear Kelly and you are welcome.

[...Relic...]

To be young again....

Our youth is too short. There are no bills to pay or worry about. Our only job is to rush outside to meet the others. This captures the details of a summer's day perfectly, Kelly. Nice one!

[Kelly Scheppers]

What a shame there's no rewind on our lives. Wouldn't it be incredible to pick and choose the time of our lives we could go back to for a day? Many thanks, Tim!

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Gorgeous picture, poem and imagery Kelly. Each eloquent verse is a gem of its own. “of Hydrangeas in Gatsby pink”-beautiful line among many here. So clear is the vision you give us of this childhood moment with all its parts-sights, smells, sounds...grandmother, mother, Mrs. Potts, you and your swaying ponytail...love it all. Wonderful write!

[Kelly Scheppers]

I knew you'd be the one to acknowledge the Hydrangeas in Gatsby pink, I just knew it! Thank you so much, Annette!

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Just had to now! You’re welcome dear Kelly.:))

[andrew mitchell]

Such an air of innocence, growing up at a pace without a worry spent. Lovely writing and imagery.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Those were the days, weren't they? My only worry then was what color of chalk to use, or if it would rain. Many thanks for your words of kindness, Andrew!

[andrew mitchell]

My only worry was getting into trouble not knowing I was doing wrong lol

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Kelly... during my grade school days we lived next door to a church with a large yard.
There was an old Mulberry tree on the line between our two properties. I would sit up high on a bough and eat delicious Mulberries as the church organ played hymns of salvation and grace. In the winter when it
snowed, I would lie down in the church yard and make Snow Angels. I still love the afternoon sun dancing across the sky. Your poetry is a rainbow of memories. truly, Pat

[Kelly Scheppers]

There was something sweeter about those grapes, compared to what you find in the produce section of your local grocery store. I guess being homegrown made them that way. Thank you for sharing a delightful memory of your own, Pat!

[redzone]

have read this poem several times now and will read many more as it is such a lovely work of art... sometimes memories flood our mind, sparked by something as simple as an afternoon sun dancing across the sky... you allow us to enjoy all the emotions of a small young girl as she plays hopscotch, smells the sweet aroma of grapes and grandmothers pruning... while your poetry is all wonderful, Kelly, I think this one is one of your very best... I knew a girl like this, her pony tail did swing, she lived across the street from me and we often played hopscotch until she moved away...

[Kelly Scheppers]

How utterly sweet. You've written a review I am most proud of, Curt! A thousand thank you's, my friend!

[redzone]

You're more than welcome Kelly, it was easy since this poem is really good