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Melanie Bettinelli's avatar

I love the engine "sings in a different key"!

and

"But when I hear it, I am

transported back to

another winter's coldest day

when I stood here, in this

same spot, waiting to fall"

I love that moment, being there and remembering and at the same time waiting.

I took a fall on black ice this week and "waiting to fall" takes me to *that* moment, time suspended for a second while you are in the air, while you wait to hit, knowing it's going to hurt.

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Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

Tara, your whole poem cracks and pops; I love how the language reflects the subject. This gets to me especially, because it feels ominous but the reader doesn't know why:

"But when I hear it, I am

transported back to

another winter's coldest day

when I stood here, in this

same spot, waiting to fall"

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Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

Okay, here it is. This one occupied me all day yesterday (during my writing pockets, that is), because I wasn't sure what I was trying to say or do, but wanted to say and do it anyway. https://open.substack.com/pub/margaretannsilver/p/car-trouble?r=2ghube&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

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Tara Connor's avatar

Loved it! So much! You're a wonderful storyteller.

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Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

Thank you so much, Tara :).

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LeeAnn Pickrell's avatar

My bandwidth is pretty low these days but I always love seeing what you've done with the prompt. I've only felt cold like you describe a few times in my life but this poem reminds me of those days. It's also makes me feel a bit bittersweet--there's something I've missed by living in such temperate climates. Not that I'm moving anytime soon but a part of me has always wanted to live in a place with distinct seasons.

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Tara Connor's avatar

LeeAnn, I've ALWAYS lived somewhere with very distinct seasons, so it's hard for me to imagine anything else. I think many people would tell you you're not missing anything! LOL But I really love the very cold days. I mean, I wouldn't want weeks on end of it, but it feels so good to bundle up and walk in the cold. Like it's purifying somehow. Kind of like a sauna, but the opposite. I totally sympathize with your low bandwidth. I'm feeling the same with the state of the world and a really busy spell at work. Can't tell you how much I appreciate you stopping by to read and comment.

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