Like China

 Like China

 

 

 

He talks to me of business
in the hurried moments

of a cellular conversation,
tells me without fail

how much he misses

the warmth of my body

against him

and how much I would love

the Nebraska snow.

 

My voice cracks at the mention
of sleeping alone,
with a northeast wind
that rattles the shutters at night
coercing me into

a fetal position.

I listen for the exhale of a sigh.

It is the tenor of his voice

that breaks me,
like china.

 

 

 

 

photography by / Ernesto Garcia Pena

 

 

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

just beautiful ...i sense the conversations and feel the scene ... especially taken at
"with a northeast wind
that rattles the shutters at night
coercing me into
a fetal position."
beautiful beautiful my friend ...serene longing over distance and time ...well done ...softly emotive for me ma'am
E.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I do believe you have made my day. Thank you, Gene!

[Phill Oz O'fee]

The picture is perfect for the prose presented; extraordinary wordplay that transforms the imagery into an intimate glimpse of sensual relationship exchanges. There is also the duality of emotional insecurity (the mention of sleeping alone) and the assurance previously promised (the exhale of a sigh) suggesting they may be together again soon. Great write - loved it... :-)

[Kelly Scheppers]

I like to concoct these little vignettes in my mind, then play them out on paper. It's good when the feedback gives you a high five. Thank you, Phil!

[Jibey]

Sometimes we can feel very fragile when we are alone, and the voice of a loved one can be our emotional undoing. You capture those feelings with clarity and simplicity...the final image saying it all. Beautifully crafted, my friend - oh, and what an exquisite photograph to complement the beauty of words.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I was hoping to hear from you. Thank you, Jibey.

[Susan 🦋]

Oh gosh how strongly felt is this poem!...Girlfriend, pack up and move to Nebraska!...that "sigh" would have done me in for sure!...So beautifully expressed Kelly, but even more so, the emotions felt. Very nice and I enjoyed reading.

[Susan 🦋]

That artful is perfect too.

[Kelly Scheppers]

How wonderful to see you, Susan! Thank you so much for the warmth your words bring me today!

[Susan 🦋]

:-) You are welcome.

[Crosby Idasa]

In my country when you say something is like china, it means it is fake not strong to be original... lol, nice love poem

[Kelly Scheppers]

The mention of china was to represent how fragile it was for her, hearing his voice. Thank you for review.

[Beccy]

'Hurried moments,' 'the tenor of his voice,' (the true meaning running through the words,) those are the two lines that define this poem for me. It makes it, (for me,) more than a gentle lament about being temporarily alone; I can sense a sadness here, a knowing that perhaps the expected return may never happen; that the relationship, though as yet unspoken, is over.

Beautifully written poem Kelly.

Beccy.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I wanted the tenor of his voice to resonate the urgency of her waiting for his return. Thank you for giving such a poignant perspective. I am thrilled you enjoyed it!

[Beccy]

I wondered about that; and in the end it was those 'hurried moments, that made me come down on the side of a possible ending of a relationship. The interpretation is a huge part of the joy I get from reading poetry, and I truly enjoyed this.

Beccy.

[Coyote Poetry]

Words of love that are faraway. Do burn the heart dear Kelly. You allowed the reader to feel and understand the emotions in the words. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Kelly Scheppers]

Many blessings to you, John. Thank you.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome dear Kelly.

[Maxwell Ryder]

Long-distance relationships. So hard. At the end, I also pictured a china doll, whose face cracked and had a blood tear. This poem created a lot imagery for me. Wonderful job.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you most kindly, Maxwell!

[An owl on the moon]

Beautifully moving, how sensual in its sweet silence in every sigh. There is something enchanted living here in this fragile place of loving. Wondrous!

[Kelly Scheppers]

Having you here makes it all the more wondrous for me. Thank you, Craig!

[Crowley]

What a wonderful feel and romanticism mixed with a bit of desperation. Nebraska snow is nice when its falling or just fallen...I have been there. this was quiet, telling and oh so fulfilling. Great writing Kelly. Loved it!!

[Kelly Scheppers]

Sometimes, the validation of a friend is all you need. Thank you, Cee!