The painting is by Norman Engel.
Beautiful, isn't it?!
{11-12-07: 21 hits with only 1 response thus far makes me wonder if it is not common knowledge that attraction to a person of the same sex is normal during early adolescence. To me, it is sweet. In my case, it fulfilled a greater than average need for affection and acceptance. The attraction was sensual rather than sexual, if that makes sense to you. {Not that it should matter. Same-sex attraction is normal in many cases, irrespective of age and other factors. Biology, not psychology.) What a shame it is that the days when grown men and women were free to show affection for one another as they saw fit without being judged or made fun of are history. Appears to me that far too much energy is thrown into making certain no one misunderstands one's intentions, and far too little into showing one another that we care -- ? Just a thought.
Much Love, Pea ---N: Do not read into this any implication that gender orientation is anyone's business other than that of the individual her- or himself! Let's hope and pray there comes a day when attitudes are more enlightened.
P e a c e !xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Chloe
My first crush! Little did I know. We were twelve, it was another age. Enough to see cinnamon sprinkled sable touch shoulders that beneath that scrubbed Lerner's sale blouse I knew to be as smooth as the lining of your mother's purse as we fished for signs of a Kool. Be mashed, of course. Nearly unrecognizable. Always be spitting brown shreds. Time we got to it, the coffin nail was so strong, our hair stood! Yay! Added to the danger helped hook.
. . .shoulders the inexplicably beautiful hue of a lampshade that matched one of my grandmother's piano's pounded keys after being aged by the smoke hanging in ever-shrinking post-divorce apartments. My mother and drink-cadging hangers-on had knocked over that poor lamp to the point it greeted newcomers by teetering cattywampus, too. Wires gave it shape bulged, then ripped. (Poked holes here and here, see?) But my 12-year-old eyes weren't seeing bric-a-brac. Just you. Stepdad Ed never beat you or Mom, you confided over Bunny bread and Kools on rag rugs in a canted duplex you'd moved to. (Ate the whole loaf! Smoked the whole pack! Found it under those three Trojans in a trunk making do as a chest. Too dizzy to stand!!)
People accused you and your mother of a lot of things. Being sisters was one. She and Ed spent nights and weekends at Pink Eyes Bar, always with Chloe -- their beautiful, beautiful Chloe -- in tow. Ed would hoist you onto the bar. Hush falls, then here it comes. That voice!! Husky, then honey, then husky again. Face a neon-lighted heart. Asked did your knees shake, you grinned. 'Course not! We laughed, we cried, we opened veins and mixed blood, as innocent in our way as the day we were born.
Love and friendship know no bounds...there is the character of each individual who within their own mindset and more so when one is maturing through childhood and companionship. The materialistic reality is from ages of repetitive cycles that have been embedded within society.
The normality of love and friendship is a difficult thought which eludes the mind of those who only see one step beyond their path...and yes it is a very beautiful picture...
A beautiful story of friendship. This is very touching, Pea. Thank you for sharing this wonderful and unforgetable experience. Love and best wishes to you,
"...My mother and drink-cadging
hangers-on had knocked over that poor
lamp to the point it greeted newcomer's
by teetering cattywampus, too..."
Your word choices excite me to no end, PEA~!
I love the dialect here!
Your concerns have crossed my mind several times.
Once, in particular, when my granddaughter, who was 8 at the time...
She and her little girlfriend were walking down the halls at school, arm in arm.
A teacher in passing reprimanded them for being too "intimate" in a school setting.
My daughter was called in and the school official pointed out in the Parent Teacher Handbook, where the specific can do’s and don’ts were listed. Sure enough...
I about flipped! This is a Middle school rule?
Where has the innocence of mere blossoming gone?
The flowers are un budding
so wilted...
Will their bouquets still sense
that of the heavens
when their seeds cease
caressing Thy brethren?
Your work inspires me...:)PEA~
Love and Peace~
Kimmy~
The art is great!the prose is too, and it would be incredibly wonderful if as you say"there comes a day whn attitudes are more enlightened." I hope I'm here to see it, but if not, I still hope it happens, for the sake of humanity...
This reads like a story full of beautiful images and sometimes confusing tell-tales of everyday life. Lerners...I have not heard that store name in years...such nostalgia this brings.
absolutely innocently beautiful-there is so much depth and reality to your words, i love this-your words have touched me and brought back many memories
The sensuality of soft skin and warm innocence is beautiful in and of it's own. I too believe in tolerance and individual taste as long as it is in taste. Lovely dream like memories come alive here and it is a wonderful write...one of your finest.
Destiny's Daughter by Frances Altman highlights events in the life of Mary Edwards Walker, maverick suffragist, Civil War doctor and only woman Medal of Honor recipient.
Robert Burns' first daughter was Elizabeth. Her story and the five descendants Scottish lives are recorded here with the Bard's message today as ever in need. Al Quida listen: Then let us pray that come it may, As come it will for a' that. That Sense
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The normality of love and friendship is a difficult thought which eludes the mind of those who only see one step beyond their path...and yes it is a very beautiful picture...
a nice work of reflection...
enjoyed...
Art Sun...
Stay safe...
Newfie Hugs, Rose
This is so nice! Good account of a good story/poem. I really enjoyed this.
Sandie May :o)
Beautiful prose and verse that enlightens the mind, and ingratiates the soul.
Never rest your quill master poetess
God Bless
Peter
Regis
hangers-on had knocked over that poor
lamp to the point it greeted newcomer's
by teetering cattywampus, too..."
Your word choices excite me to no end, PEA~!
I love the dialect here!
Your concerns have crossed my mind several times.
Once, in particular, when my granddaughter, who was 8 at the time...
She and her little girlfriend were walking down the halls at school, arm in arm.
A teacher in passing reprimanded them for being too "intimate" in a school setting.
My daughter was called in and the school official pointed out in the Parent Teacher Handbook, where the specific can do’s and don’ts were listed. Sure enough...
I about flipped! This is a Middle school rule?
Where has the innocence of mere blossoming gone?
The flowers are un budding
so wilted...
Will their bouquets still sense
that of the heavens
when their seeds cease
caressing Thy brethren?
Your work inspires me...:)PEA~
Love and Peace~
Kimmy~
ET
Fee
Sounds marvelous, the memories made...well done.
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.