Pine Mountain Cemetery XIII Frances
Pine Mountain Cemetery XIII
Frances
You never know what a kid will pick up.
Ms. Frances over there next to him,
Mr. Sampson, her husband, threw open
A world for me so different, even my
Wild imagination could not conjure.
She smoked, shocking enough, but
More than that her cigarette perched
At the end of a long stick she swung
Around for emphasis and direction
As in “Pick up the book hand it to me”.
Did you know there were magazines
Mailed out named Opera News?
She gave me a load of them. Me who
Hadn’t the faintest clue about opera.
But when she really turned my head
Was with an entire set of Little Colonel
Books. She was kin to the Little Knight
Of Kentucky, if you can believe that.
Once a week a new one would be tucked
Under my arm, but only if the other came
Back in good order, those stories of her kin.
Mercy if I had that set today, I could set
Sail for a world tour, valuable I guess.
Then though priceless was the imaginary
Trip taken through those magic pages.
This was Harry Potter before J.K. was born.
Movies captured the child with dolls dressed.
Stars made their reputations, and we think
We have all the corner on marketing sales.
I hope she has lots to read resting on her cloud.
Frances, the only sophisticate I ever knew,
Childless, alcoholic I imagine, gravel voiced
Opened a world hidden to a mountain kid.
And this lonesome isolated women
Marked a path for adventures spread out
Far beyond the few years she had left.
7 thoughts on "Pine Mountain Cemetery XIII Frances"
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How lucky you were to know this woman! I can imagine how isolated from culture she must have felt, but knew a kindred spirit in you. I love this poem, and the intertwining of both your fantasies! One of my favorites in this series!
I love how well you developed Ms Frances. I think many of us have someone like this who expands our horizons.
You have hit your stride…this is more than great: an appalachian chain smoking alcoholic opera buff and how the poet still holds her tenderly in mind. Move over Edgar Lee
Great caricature of Francis!
I love reading this series, a Spoon River for Appalachia.
Am so enjoying this series. Powerful and haunting.
Everyday I wonder who from that cemetery of my mind is going to come visiting. So glad it is being enjoyed by all of you who have shared such kindness.