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her scent reminded me
of limes
piled neatly in produce
but she was standing
there—in pickles/spices/
condiments aisle
checking out
the mayonnaise prices
big, brown woman
dressed in red batik patterns
with a matching kerchief
covering plaited hair
a gentle fragrance
encircled her
then me
as I passed by her
limeade summers
and shortbread songs
sang in my head
and I delighted
in her being
there
big, brown flower
sprung full grown
from the grocery floor
From Zen Fishing and Other Southern Pleasures (Ocean Publishing, 2005).
Used with the author's permission.
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Dorothy K. Fletcher retired in 2007 after 35 years of teaching high school English in Jacksonville, Florida. Her poetry and articles have appeared in nearly a hundred publications, and she has written and had published seven books. A former columnist for The Florida Times Union, Dorothy has written six Jacksonville histories, the first sof which earned her a Preservation Award from the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission in 2011. At this point in her writing career, she has moved into fiction. Her latest novel, The Chambermaid, is set in the 1564 colony of Fort Caroline, which was located in the Jacksonville area. Dorothy still livees in Jacksonville with her husband, Hardy, close to their children and grandchildren. Learn more about her here.
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Sherry:
oh, this poem is lovely, especially the final lines
Posted 02/25/2012 08:58 AM
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rcstewart3:
Wonderful imagery! I can see this woman and feel the warmth of her soul.
Posted 02/25/2012 08:22 AM
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