sunday

sunday morning

holy land scriptures

singing fanny crosby hymns 

without the book

until the podium hushes

the congregation bulletin fanning

obstinate air resisting

hellfire and brimstone pellets

pews creaking 

approaching july noon

closing prayer

and out the door shoes off

turbo boost and the holy ghost trailing

cane pole 

minnow traps 

and a stringer full of crappie

grandma's kitchen

snapping beans

canning oven fired up 

mason jars scalding

heat waves pounding 

poppa's pruning shears

snapping at the backyard peach tree

woodshed shade 

sneaking cigarettes

feral kittens hissing and spitting

red bone hound 

scratching his back

in the cool dark dirt

fried chicken wafting

in homemade lard

from screened in windows

don't let the baby sweat

and try to let her sleep

sun beams through the doorframe

chasing her bassinette across the room

Reviews

[DaughterNature]

The imagery here is incredibly strong and well-chosen! I love the way the day flows, too. My suggestion would be for the images to all be organized more similarly, though. For instance, most of your stanzas are shorter thoughts with powerful verbs that move the reader's eyes on to the next line ("mason jars scalding/ heat waves pounding"). But, there are a few lines that feel a little too long for the rest of the momentum.

[s y e]

Loved the imagery here, X - as always you have totally outdone yourself to the point where you have blown me away. I love your work.

[redflutterby]

You have sang a serenade here I know by heart...having lived here in Va most of my life. Thanks for bringing back all these images...I miss them so. Life isn't quite the same anymore where I live. Lovely...sigh..

[m.s.early]

Thank you red. I know what you mean. My town use to be of folks indigenous to the area for centuries back. Might as well call it little New Jersey these days. Thanks for reading :)

[Frieda P]

Sounds like all the welcoming comforts of a hospitable southern Sunday, nice imagery here xavier.

[m.s.early]

(: thank you Freida. Other than a smidgen of creative flare this was a typical summer Sunday when I was a kid. Thanks for reading :)

[Linda alexander]

Picture perfect poem, great write, enjoyed

[m.s.early]

(: thank you linda :)

[Linda alexander]

You most welcome, my pleasure, take care

[Jack...]

Sounds like the perfect Sunday to me my friend. Very nicely penned.

[m.s.early]

(: thank you jack. i think they used to be perfect too... wish i realized how perfect they were then :)

[Claire in VA]

I definitely relate to this.
These days still happen in hot, humid, rural Virginia.
Were it mine, I'd add a bit about my screenless, AC-less, 25-member church.
Excellent writing!
~Claire in VA

[m.s.early]

(: thank you claire... there is something romantic about those sweltering days when no air moved. thank you for reading :)

[Mockingbird]

you've painted an idyllic summer sunday that a lot of people can relate to and become nostalgic about. i can smell in the incense and palms at church, and hear father cestaro's sermons from the pulpit above. i can imagine what country family life was like on a hot july sunday afternoon when everyone gets together.

[m.s.early]

(: thank you mockingbird. i always appreciate your visits :)

[Lyn Anderson]

What a beautifully visual poem, connotes a hot and steamy summer Sunday with all the acoutrements - and family - how great. :)

[m.s.early]

(: thanks KL. This one got emotional for me. my grandparents have been gone for many many years, but i still miss them so much. they were my neighbors and my mentors and my heroes. thank you for reading :)

[Lyn Anderson]

I know that feeling. Especially my grandpa. If you haven't checked it out already, I have one I wrote for my grandpa.

[m.s.early]

(: please send me a read request for it.i'd love to read it! :)