Fargo's Frosty Memories

Remember when we watched Fargo
and I said "don't ja know ' for weeks?
The snow outside didn't seem so harsh
after learning what a  wood chipper could do.

Those were days of Chinese food Fridays
and videos while we turned down the heat
in the house we couldn't quite afford,
I didn't know happiness could be so damn chilly.

Sometimes I forget what happy feels like
and I'm hoping to tumble into a vat
of content, or at least not tortured soul.
Where did those simple moments go?

I know far too much today,
well beyond my need to know status.
And for the first time I understand
why some say ignorance is bliss.

I've lowered the paradisaical bar
so I can still step over it,
taking one small step for me
or just a glorified crawl.

How I need to rediscover the lilt in my stride
and uncover a halcyon moment or two
before someone vigorously shakes
my little snow globe life yet again.

Reviews

[David Scott]

A few thoughts are stirred in my little "globe" of life.
I think I enjoy the hectic flurries in my life. Yet at times, I do wish for the calm reflective moments.
Your poem touches on memories and things familiar bringing both joy and pain...
Very "down home" feel to this write. It felt like a conversation with a friend.

[icelandicblue]

Ahh thanks so much David. It's based on real events so there you go.

[David Scott]

I could tell this was based off of real life events.
It just had that feel to it.
I enjoyed the experience of pulling up a chair next to you in my imagination as I read your story on poetry.

[Joyce S. Greene]

Life does seem to become more complicated with each year and each person you become close to. If we could just huddle up in an unshaken snow globe and read and write poetry for a while, how much easier life would be. But there's always a child, or a thoughtless adult, ready to shake that globe and bring a blizzard raging down upon us. As you can see, I loved your closing metaphor. Hope life gets less uncomplicated for you soon. I can empathize completely. I liked your poem a lot, it hit very close to home.

[icelandicblue]

Ah Joyce,

Such is life, it ebbs and flows and sometimes it shakes!

[Lydia Shutter]

The images you create throughout this poem are mesmerizing...like someone shaking the snow globe of your life! "I'm hoping to tumble into a vat of content" ahhhh how serene this would be. Indeed, the simple days are gone for most of us and I wonder how many of us appreciated them as the calendar pages flipped wildly by. The lilt in your stride, though, is still there. I can tell from the light at the end of the tunnel mentality in your poetry. A joy to read. Lydi**

[icelandicblue]

Thank you for that lovely comment Lydi. It is most appreciated.

[SyberRose]

Nicely penned stanzas...life is full of changes; thats for sure...but nice to have those memories
to keep us warm...a flashback of the good ole days when life was simple...Rose

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much Rose. I appreciate your stopping in. ; )

[Dr. Wood ?]

just too wonderful for words..a slice of life served up with some real home town style....And those concluding lines.....great

[icelandicblue]

Thank you kind sir!

[Frieda P]

Yes where did those simple moments escape to, and seemingly overnight. The snow globe of discontent seems to be constantly churning ice caps lately....yet no forward movement.

I've lowered the paradisaical bar
so I can still step over it,
taking one small step for me
or just a glorified crawl.

Holy, did I feel that one in my bones! Perhaps we need a viewing of Annie and the Sun will come out tomorrow, but this is real life, eh? Great read Anne.

[icelandicblue]

How I long for simplicity but it sure is elusive. I'm crawling the best that I can. Thanks so much Frieda.

[Marie]

Knowledge brings power but not peace. I don't think we can ever discover thost "simple" moments.

I loved "Fargo."

[icelandicblue]

Life does do that. Fargo was a great movie.

[Karen]

I truly enjoyed the conversational tone with which this poem begins and then the thought-provoking stanzas toward the end that connects readers to the theme of "ignorance is bliss," which sometimes is true when you have lived "a halcyon moment or two" and the disillusionment of reality breaks the surface. Beautifully written poem! Thank you for sharing it with us!

[icelandicblue]

Hi Karen,

Thanks so much and I'll be sure to read some of your work!

[Angi]

We just watched that movie again, too. I have walked around with my Fargo accent for years! The dark humor is there and that is always a good thing. It keeps us from spinning off and landing in a woodchipper. Anchor yourself, Blue. The shakes are inevitable. Nicely done. Angi~

[icelandicblue]

There's a whole lot of shakin' going on Angi. Thanks so much!

[icelandicblue]

Don't ja just love that movie!

[Angi]

Oh ya, fer sure! I love it like I love tapioca puddin'! Doncha know!?

[icelandicblue]

Yah y'betch yah!

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Sometimes I forget what happy feel like -- this is such a simple and yet starkly gritty line--raw emotion.

Really liked the imagery in this one; the emotional boundaries have been pushed here and I really enjoyed the smooth and even flow. You have a great grasp of language, and that shows in the wording and phrasing. Not too overdone...just right!

[icelandicblue]

I''m always a bit worried that when I speak directly to the reader in what I deem to be my real voice it just won't be poetic. I really appreciate the fact that you found this piece to be balanced. Thanks so much Sarah.

[Jack...]

I too remember doing just the same thing after watching that movie, but life does twist and turn, slower speed limits and one way traffic. Anne my friend, you need to take the next exit off of the highway and find that quiet country road where peace grows along the shoulders and happiness is around every turn. It is out there, you just have to be patient and keep looking. Your poem to me is sad, but wonderful. I can hear the clouds breaking free in your words and I know the sun will shine soon.

[icelandicblue]

I can only hope Jack. I am stuck in a strange vortex. Thanks for your positive words.