the old cherokee

for my grandmother, alvia

Grandma guided the blade.

Her gnarled fingers curled the handle.

The great depression stationed her thumb

As the brown skin shed in a spiral strip.

"Don't peel away the potato."

Her voice broke a silence with 

What was passed down to her,

And her words dripped like pearls and bounced 

Around my sister looking curiously,

Cross legged below her apron strings,

Underfoot;

Watching grandma guide the knife,

Toying with the pearls 

And tucking them into her pockets.

I snapped beans and wondered where the old Cherokee went

To smell the rain,  

To hear the future in wind-song.

Grandma's Cherokee eyes made transparent walls;

Constantly keen to the baby's location

Moving in her sleep.

My mind wandered outside

Where the squirrels barked in the pines,

And crows walked on two feet

When I noticed grandma's Cherokee ears 

Perk as the baby sighed.

I was still learning 

To hear the things

That had never called to me,

Those things that had never wished to be heard,

To smell the rain before it came,

And watch the sky.

Grandma dropped the skins 

Into a brown paper bag

Feeling everything

Below her worn Cherokee skin

And her warm thin Cherokee smile.

Reviews

[Mollie Fitzner]

This says a lot about the generation that lived through the depression. And this is your beloved grandma--she impressed the impressionable--YOU (and family). What a wonderful contrast of the very old and the very young. "I was still learning to hear the things that did not call to me.." And she saved the skins of the potatoes for all to eat...I think of the "waste not; want not" phrase used by my own mother and grandmother and I think of our "throw-everything-away-you-can-buy-another generation that our generation is raising or have raised. I see it with the children I teach. This is a lovely tribute to your grandmother. It shows her caring ways toward the children (a SHOULD in life and that SHOULD has been thrown away by many) Perhaps more importantly, your words show respect to her for not only being this person, but for all she has done--a delightful read.

[m.s.early]

Wow Mollie, you took a lot from this and it is very appreciated. Thank you for noticing the nurturing aspects of the grandmother in this poem. I was trying to demonstrate the importance of listening to the universe and to be cognitive of our surroundings.

Conservation of the universe is good stewardship, and we are taught through scripture to be good stewards of our blessings. It is important to remain young and old as we progress. We should remain young in order to be good listeners, to stay in tune with the universe. We should remain old to contribute our wisdom and experience to those that we precede.

This poem is not entirely autobiographical. My grandmother was of cherokee descent, but not whole, but I'm glad my affection and adoration for her came through. She and my grandfather were two critical influences on my upbringing. I learned more from them than probably anyone else

[redflutterby]

Grandmothers are so special.... I spent many afternoons watching my maternal grandmother fry chicken or bake pies. She always let me snap the beans for her. She was barely 5' tall, blonde, what past generations called a handsome woman.The oldest of fifteen children...born in the country. She was a lady but took no crap. I took care of her the last two months before she passed...she was my hero. I miss her so...

You have a way of writing which takes me into your words... thank you for sharing this...

[m.s.early]

Thank you so much red. That's very encouraging and much appreciated. Yes, grandmothers play an extra special role in our lives :)

[Claire in VA]

At first I thought I was reading about the Cherokees' discerning nature, but now I believe that this is an attempt to demonstrate your deep love of your grandparents. I use the term "attempt" not to undermine your work but. because your profound feelings for them shine through your words even though the words themselves don't do absolute justice to how powerful your love for them really is. Your work here is excellent with your talent for imagery and the use of such a trivial task to describe your grandmother; however, the love and devotion that you had and continue to have for them is even more POWERFUL and may require prayer to help you write it. I certainly think that this piece is well-written. I just recognize your emotional and spiritual attachment. I hope that you understand what I am trying to say. I love your work.
A++ Xavier
~Claire in the Commonwealth

[m.s.early]

(: thank you for this endearing review :)

[Claire in VA]

Am I anywhere close to interpreting it correctly?

[m.s.early]

Absolutely, you are. This is based on my grandmother. She had a pivotal role in our family and will always be revered. Thank you for showing your interest :)

[Mockingbird]

the woman has a mystical aura about her. she seems to possess an esoteric sensitivity to her surroundings even as she's occupied with a mundane act such as peeling potatoes she can hear the baby and know the whereabouts as though seeing through walls. she has the kind of wisdom to impart only when she deems a person ready. it's evident that the children are taken with her and want to be around her all the time.

[m.s.early]

(: thank you mockingbird. you are on on point as usual. :)

[Imogen.E]

Lovely piece of writing. I can imagine the story in front of my eyes. This is such a great poem :)

[m.s.early]

(: thank you so much for your gracious review :)

[Lyn Anderson]

Your writing is so visual, and tells a brilliant story. Love it.

[m.s.early]

(: thank you kl :)

[Linda alexander]

fingers curled the handle,
thumb guided by the depression -
don't peel away the potato.
my sister sat looking curiously,
again proved you can bring the reader to any where through your poems, portraying is excellent, peeling potato is the general area grandparents notice, how efficien and great was the grandma also clear through this poem, grandparents are blessings in everyhome as per my humble opinion, many may differ, thanks for sharing

[m.s.early]

thank you linda :) I really only knew my mother's parents. They were my neighbors as I grew up. They were a staple in our family. I would never be able to convey in words what they truly meant to me. Thank you so much for your review :)

[Linda alexander]

You welcome, I only saw one, maternal grand mother, always brought sweets and stuff from nearby bakery every single time she visited us, grand children, my mother so close to my children, even if not lucky to live nearby

[m.s.early]

The maternal bonds are very special as our are the paternal. Maybe there is a poem in the necessity of both genders to provide that unique balance.

[Linda alexander]

Yes of course we need both sides

[Sami Khalil]

An honorable and honoring poem with so much to learn and appreciate from our elders...Bravo, sir...:)......

[m.s.early]

Thank you sami :)

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome...:)................

[Jack...]

Very tender and wonderful my friend. I love the feel of your words, so very real, as if I were there and maybe I was. You sned us photograph through your peotry, little pictures of life as you have seen it. very nicely penned X.

[m.s.early]

(: thank you Jack :)