Tuesday, December 4, 2012

At the bake sale


Amaretto Apple Muffins


apple and blueberry pies, 
cookies, fruit cups and rum cakes
-          fresh and warm  -
greeted our cheeks,
tempting us to part with dollars
hard-earned in the city graying with unemployed
and homeless sleeping in park benches at night.

ears buzzed from protests of teachers, 
we bit into sweet concoctions:
chocolates, walnuts, topped with strawberries.
on foam plates, we mulled failings and promises,   
-          broken and cold -
then washed it down with steaming coffee. 
  
smiling ladies in power suits hovered near
sharp-eyed professionals in another day but today :
runners, activists in this charity bake sale.
quickly  dollars filled the bottle labeled : 
-          Daily Bread Food Bank   -
                  

Update:  I am pleased to announce that this poem is included in the second Issue of Nain Rouge, January 2013 

Posted for OpenLinkNight of D'verse Poets Pub - I wrote this post during autumn after participating in our company's fund raising events.  I have come to appreciate that behind the business suits and urbane clothes are men and women with compassion.  Giving and sharing is not just for one season but the whole year.  

This is also one of my poems I submitted for Nain Rouge's 2013 first quarter's publication.  I got word from the editor last week that they will use at least one of my poems.   My thanks for the support and encouragement of Brian Miller.   

41 comments:

  1. Amazing what some people are like behind their business attire, helping those in need. Brought the food to life, causing the cat strife haha

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  2. Love this Grace I can imagine all and see the persons LOL
    nice and fun, thanks for put my pic, :))

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  3. Grace...Hmmmmm
    I used to know a Grace.
    Your Muffin looks YUMMY!!!

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  4. You have whetted my appetite for these tasty bake sale treats, Grace. So good to know that the find raiser was a success. Yes, giving is important every season of the year. Congratulations in having a poem accepted. Have a good day, Grace.

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  5. Oh would love some of these delicious cakes...hungry now! Terrific the sale was a success and congratulations on your upcoming publication.

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  6. Gosh that looks so good. Thank goodness there are people who do care all year round and not just at holiday times too. There is so much wealth in this world that really, no-one anywhere ought to go hungry but sadly, life doesn't work that way. Great poem Grace and so many congratulations on being published. Brian is such a good influence for encouraging writers, isn't he.

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  7. smiles. well deserved your inclusion in the mag...love the heart in this...the charity and that it draws people as well from all walks of life putting us on an even playing field....we all all in it together...my only disappointment is i can not join it, cause i am hungry...smiles.

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  8. Love this. Giving feels so good. Congrats on your poem being published...Brian is amazing!

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  9. great that your company did a fund rising event...and well deserved publication as well grace..it's a beautiful piece

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  10. Oh, I think the giving had to be sweeter than even the best of what you guys donated and bought that day. Loved this--heartwarming.

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  11. so heartfelt and warming, Grace....congratulations with the upcoming publication,your poetry truly deserves it~

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  12. so great how you mix 'sweet' and 'sour' - it concludes in a great poem.
    and now i'm hungry.

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  13. Wonderful! A piece that warmed my heart, you verse so much vivdness and I am always pleased to read you when I can grab the time :) xox

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  14. beautiful Grace... I think most people are kind, I really do.

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  15. Oh my goodness... I love the delicious smell of baked yummies!

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  16. Love the message behind this. I too feel giving, helping is a year long endeavor, passion. I have been to many a fund raiser as I think you have described here, and their help is much appreciated, but I have learned some have no taste or idea of what they are really helping other than they are helping. And that help too is greatly appreciated. I enjoyed your poem. A very m,ulti-talented writer.

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  17. I think kindness knows no clothes, status or season. You captured this well. Congratulations on publishing. That's exciting!

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  18. Food is just so poetic and full of sensory stimulation!

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  19. Very nice! I love the way you wrote " - fresh and warm -" "- broken and cold -"
    the pause reads really well.

    Cheers!

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  20. As a child I used to wonder what the "poor" people ate between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It didn't occur to me that Easter was a long way from Christmas. I recall--couple years later--thinking how fat some of the "homeless" people were. certainly that didn't happen from starvation!

    Now I know whoever, wherever, however, we all need to eat once a day, or the day becomes very lengthy. (Whatever--grin!)

    LIKE this simple, brief--yet thorough--description:
    "...in the city graying with unemployed..."

    Heaven, I lost track of you, Peep!

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  21. My mouth is watering! Greying city can always deal with a cupcake - it's not enough, but something. k.

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  22. This is really lovely, love the contrast of the delectable descriptions with the story of the people who make it happen. And now, of course, I am hungry for cake.

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  23. Such a yummy write! I want one of everything, please? Congratulations on your acceptance for publication--very, very exciting!! Enjoy :-)

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  24. That image, along with your opening, has me drooling.

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  25. I really like the contrast. The poem says it's about a bake sale, but it's about so much more than found its way in. Very nicely done.

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  26. POW! WOW! I have been in this scene and I love what you do with it, coming to the table in the protest, seeing the jar fill along with the streets.

    And congratulations on Nain Rouge!! I too received the positive letter asking for the option. I am very happy!

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  27. ...o yes... very fascinating poem and image.. your last stanza is powerful and portrays some amazing imagery... and wow, congratz Grace... you'll get published... i think you should come up now your own chapbook... that would be great... goodluck to you!!!

    Good day!

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  28. Really sweet to give tribute to the fortunate serving the less fortunate. I taste the goodies as well as the love here. Nice!

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  29. Isn't Brian awesome? Congrats upon Nain Rouge. I loved this poem for it contained each aspect of life necessary to highlight this difficult and glorious season.

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  30. Lovely tribute to the fact of human charity.

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  31. Very vivid writing, Grace. I could almost taste the goodies!

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  32. Makes my mouth water... congrats on the publication, too!

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  33. Reflective contrast between the sweetness and warmth of baked goods and the reality of homelessness. Nicely done, Grace.

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  34. I enjoyed this - I got a sense of atmosphere and place. Congratulations on getting at least one of your poems published too - your consistent quality absolutely deserves a wider audience.

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  35. I like 'graying with unemployed' such an apt description!

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  36. A picture of the season - sweet and meaningful. Well done!

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  37. Thoughtful and -provoking. I liked the contrasting atmospheres... I could almost smell your muffin photo, and at the same time see the "homeless sleeping on park benches"... well thought.

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  38. mmmmm you are making me drool! :) A beautiful glimpse into your world!

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  39. Congrats on being published :)!! Yes, there is tremendous amount of compassion that can be hidden behind our outer exteriors.

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