37 Comments
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Shondra Bowie's avatar

This is beautiful storytelling, Elizabeth. ❤️

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

So glad it spoke to you, Shondra. 💛🌿

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Fotini Masika's avatar

Beautiful poem, Elizabeth. Thank you!

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Thank you, Fotini. 💛🌿

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Jody L. Collins's avatar

Elizabeth, these lines just made me sigh with the reading,

"a brown-paper sanctuary

to shelter them along their way, their pilgrimage

to ripening, to readiness, to being-gift."

and, "I ought to at least find an apple to befriend them."

Your metaphors astound me!

(and for the record, our 18 years in Fresno afforded many persimmon-laden recipe opportunities. A God-breathed fruit if there ever was one.)

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Some of my favorite lines, too! Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Jody.

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Linda Ruth's avatar

I too love persimmons. This poem is lovely. The thought of persimmon pudding is sumptuous and brings pleasure in thought.

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Thanks so much, Linda Ruth. So glad to have added some sumptuous pleasure to your imagination today!

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LeeAnn Pickrell's avatar

This is so lovely. I love persimmons, particularly the Fuyu ones. They represent November to me. Happy Thanksgiving to you!

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

And to you, LeeAnn! I'm thankful to have connected with you and your poems this year. 💛🌿

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LeeAnn Pickrell's avatar

Same here.

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Pat Mayer's avatar

Happy Thanksgiving, Elizabeth. As I read this I could visualize the entire scenario. Thank you!

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

You know the setting so well! Thanks for reading, Pat -- a blessed Thanksgiving to you and your family.

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Barbara Webb's avatar

When they get ripe, they will be delicious. Enjoy.

Auntie B

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Don't tell my sisters, but I just used two of them to make a Thing for our Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow! 💛🌿

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Donna McArthur's avatar

This is wonderful! The line use and punctuation style are excellent.

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Thank you for paying it such close attention, Donna!

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Peter Mladinic's avatar

Good poem!

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Peter. Thanks for reading.

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Peter Mladinic's avatar

You’re welcome, Elizabeth.

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Weston Parker's avatar

I seem to recall that poem from some months ago. I remember the pairing up with the apple for ripening. Very soothing, thanks.

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

This poem is brand-new -- maybe you're thinking of another poem with fruit as the main character! (There was one about pomegranates a while back....) I'm glad it was soothing, anyhow -- thanks for reading, Wes.

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Weston Parker's avatar

I think you're right, it was pomegranates.☺️

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Rose Scarff's avatar

What a insiteful poem about a gift! And a gift of three, the magic number.

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Thank you, Rose! 💛🌿

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

A tender reflection on what it means to give and receive. Thank you, Elizabeth.

I too have a tradition of making persimmon pudding/cake for winter holiday gatherings. I have, in fact, become known for it, despite not having my own persimmon tree. They've always been gifts from others, which makes the dessert that much sweeter.

Happy Thanksgiving.

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Gift persimmons are the best persimmons! Thank you, Elizabeth.

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Jeni Hankins's avatar

This made me cry too. What a completely wonderful poem. One of my very favourites. Thank you, Elizabeth.

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Thank you, Jeni -- so glad it spoke to you so tenderly.

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Jeni Hankins's avatar

And thank you for reading your poems. I really appreciate hearing your work in your voice. ♥️

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Oh, good! It's fun to record them, if a little embarrassing to play them back. 🙃

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Mary Munoz's avatar

To listen for her prayer and to add mine…sublime…made me cry. Beautiful Thanksgiving poem Elizabeth. You are a treasure.

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Thank you, Mary. 💛🌿

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

That line was the one that stood out most to me, too. Just beautiful.

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

🙏🏼

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Sulima Malzin's avatar

Thank you, Elizabeth, as we each make our pilgrimage to ripening and readiness to become the gifts we are meant to be.

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Thank you, Sulima. 💛🌿

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