Tuesday, March 1, 2016

"THE RED GATE"--#SOL Number 1


3/1/16 'THE RED GATE" --#sol16


by Natasha Labaze




https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ARed_Hibiscus_from_Kerala.jpg


Today, I did not
pay Haiti a visit.
It came
lurking on my
mind.

The scorching benevolent
Sun
had not stroked
my head
since we tucked
my mother's
worn body
in Haiti's
dusty
bosom.

Haiti's visit
so warm
so clear
so unexpected
Even the computer screen
vanished before my eyes.

The image
of the red sliding gate
under a cooling sun
of our once family
home
just stood there in
the forefront of my mind.

The home my mom
could visit only
when her arthritis-
riddled body
fled the 40 hour-
week
to go home only
for a bit to
rest
and rekindle
her bones
to rekindle
the laughter

Just like that
with no airfare
I landed facing the
red gate
Moist dusty hill
leading down to the
sliding red gate
Dust wet with
the damp smell
and taste of impending
rain

The red gate
The deep green bush
with shy peeking red hibiscus
flowers
the red petals
the yellow pistils
intimately leaning
forward
Reminding New York-
born me that
I have arrived
on the soil
of my mother's
bones turned dust

The red sliding gate
remains shut
at the crossroads of
streets whose names I
no longer remember







21 comments:

  1. The computer screen vanishing before your eyes is such a delicious treat. And I love these lines:
    "The scorching benevolent
    Sun
    had not stroked
    my head
    since we tucked
    my mother's
    worn body
    in Haiti's
    dusty
    bosom" and the red sliding gate. What beautiful, vivid images, and so much love for your mom and her home soil. This reminds me of the conversation we had the other day about your mother's homecoming.

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    1. Thank you for the feedback. Above all, thank you for encouraging me to participate.

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  2. Wow - this is amazing. Your descriptions are vivid "shy peeking red hibiscus" etc. and just beautiful. Welcome to the Slice of Life Challenge. Great start.

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    1. Thank you. I am looking forward to reading your "Ruminations." I enjoyed reading about your exciting experience with "Twitter."

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  3. Natasha,
    Before I comment on your poem, may I please tell you how sorry I am your mommy died.
    Your imagery is bold and so strong. The red of the gate and the red of the flower are so vivid.
    The last sentence is so powerful. - whose streets I no longer remember.
    Thank you for sharing your mother.
    xo
    Pamela

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    1. Pamela Hodges, Thank you very much for your sympathies.

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  4. Natasha, the beautiful imagery of your poem had me drenched in the "benevolent sun" of your reverie. Thank you for giving me a ticketless journey as well.

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    1. Thank your feedback and your book recommendations on your blog.

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  5. Welcome to the SOL! Your poem is amazing, and so vivid! It made me think how "home" is so special.

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    1. Thank you. Thank you for sharing your experiences in New Mexico.

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  6. This poem is beautiful! I can feel the connection to Haiti and the loss of your mother. You were able to put into words such strong imagery.

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Samantha, Thank you. I enjoyed reading your poem as well: What a powerful and honest poem you wrote! What a powerful verse: "I dream my children go out into this world and leave it a better place."

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  7. Natasha, first, welcome to Slice of Life. I am moved so much by this moment, and the word choices you've made compel all of the emotions that accompany this time. You are a wonder and I'm so had you are writing with us.

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    1. Thank you, Kim. I enjoyed reading your Slice of Life yesterday. It was so sincerely poignant. Write on!

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  8. Natasha, I'm glad you mustered the courage with me to join!! I love your skinny-lined poems that make me pay very close attention to your word choices. My favorite line is "scorching benevolent." The juxtaposing connotations of the two words are quite powerful. Thanks for sharing this deeply heart-felt poem.

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  9. Natasha, what beautiful imagery! Thank you for sharing with us. The last stanza especially resonated with me as an immigrant who has forgotten the names of many streets and the memories of many red doors stirred up by your words.

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  10. All I can think is "wow!". I felt as if I was transported back home! I too find myself forgetting the street names, makes me a little sad.Thanks for sharing this with us Natasha.

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  11. Just beautiful, and so evocative; I love the encounter with place, actual or imagined, is necessarily an encounter with the always-been and always-becoming self--"Just like that." Thank you for reminding me of the power we and our important others have, if we listen and speak.

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    1. Thank you, Joan Soble. I look forward to catching up on your blog.

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