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Karen C Vanderlaan

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Member Since: May, 2006

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Hers not Ours
by Karen C Vanderlaan → (All Poetry by Karen C Vanderlaan)
   Rated "G" by the Author.
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from a trip we took at Thanksgiving 2009


Poem Artwork

Hers, not Ours

 

At dark we left, my daughter and I,

And three horses in the trailer behind.

To travel across this great land I so love,

And spend Thanksgiving with my sister so dear.

Two horses would pay the fare for our trip,

Another, a rescue mare, would go to my sister.

 

I didn’t see Wyoming, just felt her power,

As she blew across the interstate,

Pulling a blanket of storm behind us.

 

She finally let go as we slipped through her border,

Into Nebraska whose corn fields were rolled up,

And stacked into fodder for her creatures fair.

 

From a cold, cold sleep, but rest for the horses,

We woke and blossomed into Iowa’s sunshine,

The sunrise shone pink and red on the horizon.

Sixty degrees in the middle of November!

 

Expansive farms flow over the hills of Illinois and Indiana,

Gifts for all as they provide the food for our tables,

So interesting to notice the designs of the barns,

Each one designed for specific regions.

 

Into Pennsylvania, the history comes alive,

In the hills at the gas stations, the Amish women,

Run the errands fill the gas cans buy the thread,

While the men sit in the buggies, holding the reins.

 

Then to my sisters, we pull up the drive,

Her hair has grown thick, her body filled out,

I hug her and feel more than bone.

 

She has came carrying a bucket of apples,

And our rescue mare, Lady, becomes hers and not ours.


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 Reviews of "Hers not Ours"
Reviewed by Mary Patterson
Reviewed on February 14, 2010
Great visuals in this poem. I felt like I was there with you...I'm glad your sister is much better...M

Reviewed by Gerald Tate
Reviewed on February 4, 2010
What a trip across that vast beautiful country of yours. Reaching words, Gerry

Reviewed by Daniel Keith
Reviewed on January 31, 2010
Very nicely written Karen. You took us with you on your journey, and beautiful it was. May God bless you every day of your life.

Daniel

Reviewed by Kate Burnside
Reviewed on January 26, 2010
A real sense of achievement and homecoming here, Karen. Such well-being, hope and anticipation - to say nothing of a valued, loved and blossoming future. Your vivid descriptions make me yearn to travel America again soooooooooooon! Bless you, Kate xx

Reviewed by Gianetta Ellis (Reader)
Reviewed on January 25, 2010
This is just lovely, Karen ~ your words are so beautifully chosen and you've painted a vivid picture of the beauty and opportunity presented by a long journey. You travel the roads; you travel your own thoughts, and what a relief when you finally see you've "arrived" safely - to your destination as well as to an understanding of self. While the trip is recent, I feel nostalgia emanating from your words and I sense this trip will stay in your heart evermore.

Reviewed by George Ellison (Reader)
Reviewed on January 25, 2010
Great sense of family in this poem.

Reviewed by Liana Margiva
Reviewed on January 25, 2010
EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!! Liana Margiva

Reviewed by Felix Perry
Reviewed on January 24, 2010
Ahhhh Karen this is such a wonderful feel good story in so many ways, not only the fact of your sisters' recovery but of the kindness you show in so many ways to animals and humans alike.
fee

Reviewed by Rose Rideout
Reviewed on January 24, 2010
Beautiful trip you led us on Karen. I feel as though I was there with you and your daughter.

Newfie Hugs, Rose

Reviewed by Andy Turner
Reviewed on January 24, 2010
Blimey, do Amish still exist?
Even the poetry has a suspension in time, feel, from way back way.

Reviewed by L. Figgins
Reviewed on January 24, 2010
The diversity and beauty of this land knows no bounds. Sad you had to sell your horses, but what a wonderful travelogue you've shared. Gives me itchy feet. Thank you for sharing your road trip with us, Karen. Beautiful and uplifting poetry!

Lin

Reviewed by Debby Rosenberg
Reviewed on January 24, 2010
i love driving across America, you've given her beautiful descriptors
glad your sister is doing better

Reviewed by m j hollingshead
Reviewed on January 24, 2010
lovely read

Reviewed on January 24, 2010
Thank you for sharing your special Thanksgiving with us Karen. This poem is beautifully written. I felt as though I was on the trip with you.

Reviewed by George Carroll
Reviewed on January 24, 2010
What a wonderful ride you took us on and the ending was out of a classic novel. Horses can win your hearts.

George C.

Reviewed by pat medlin
Reviewed on January 24, 2010
so many 'horse people' on this site...i love it...and this

Reviewed by Christine Alwin
Reviewed on January 24, 2010
..stunning in emotions and beauty of your heart, wonderful visuals as well Karen

Reviewed by Georg Mateos
Reviewed on January 24, 2010
Apples them keeps the doctor away but the horses closer!

Georg


Reviewed by Jerry Bolton (Reader)
Reviewed on January 24, 2010
What a wonderful, scenic and very touching poem, Karen. I loved all the descriptive passages, but this is my favorite, "Her hair has grown thick, her body filled out, / I hug her and feel more than bone."

Reviewed by Mr. Ed
Reviewed on January 24, 2010
Love your last two lines, and it sounds like you had a marvelous trip.

Reviewed by Dawn Anderson
Reviewed on January 24, 2010
Karen, you write with such beautiful imagery and from your heart...your last four lines put a lump in my throat.


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