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Double Feature Soft summer rains marked morning sky, by eventide the clouds burst; ole Lickin’ River overran her banks covering countryside low lands, lapping high terraced Main Street sidewalks. Not even massive belts of shaking thunder nor lightning cracks raging above flood waters competed with the chatter of children back at the screen of the picture show. Oblivious, happy Matinee kids, now amazed; eyes wide in wonder at what greeted us on the other side of the double doors of the theatre. Water risen within inches of the doorway, row boat transportation; where we walked earlier in the day. Street lights failed closing darkness around the little building. Our names called, we saw a bright lantern swinging slowly to and fro. Our boat was waiting. Testing the water with first a big toe and then a complete bare foot, wading toward a fishing boat, commanded by your Dad, we climbed aboard in excitement, laughing giggling as he pushed the boat out into the middle of the river street. Sailing past the school house and around play ground toward home. Water rushed by carrying limbs of trees, pieces of lumber, a doghouse with a hound dog sitting on the roof and rubbish of all kinds, surging down stream. Hot cocoa waiting in bright plastic mugs, warm blankets for snuggling It was a night to remember. In your bed of worms from duty’s call, your name embedded in the wall….do you remember, do you recall or am I alone with these memories from childhood? |
Additional Notes:
One of the many flash floods in Salyersville, Magoffin County, Kentucky. This one is for Freddy.
This Poem was Critiqued By: Wayne R. Leach On Date: 2004-07-06 22:12:59
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.47170
Wonderful job. Quatrains full of outstanding images and alliteration. The surprise ending stanza tells me you lost a friend or acquaintance with whom you saw this "double feature", likely from military service. If so, I thank Freddy, and I'm sure he appreciates the elegy - and remembers, too. I see only one little thing to suggest, that "lowlands" I believe might be one word. Other than that, I'm leaving this one as is, and thanks for sharing what must be an emotional one for you. Peace. wrl