Joanne Shares...

Joanne shares:

A favorite childhood memory:
As soon as I read this prompt a specific memory came to mind. And, the poem I had written about it. I hope you enjoy it.

When the shoe flies

On a cool summer evening
when I was shorter, by far,
than the corn growing behind my house

I longed so hard to run in that field
that I hurled a reason
– my shoe -
right over the fence
and called out to my mother
that I had good cause to roam through the wild green

joining my brothers
I raced through fertile space
the gentle rains that had brushed away day’s heat
left behind an oozy mud
that squished deliciously between my bare toes

until sun was set
we breathed free
growing taller right alongside the stalks

my shoe, over time,
must have been plowed under
and slowly returned to earth
at least
it was never returned to my foot

1.30.2008



Something most people don’t know about me:

I was a fearless swimmer when I was young. I would swim across a lake on my own or out beyond the breakers in the ocean. My first experience in the sea was at Jones Beach in New York. I was 5, and my dad tossed me into a wave heading to shore. His timing wasn’t great. I tumbled my way in with that wave, my nose and throat filling with salty water. As soon as I coughed it out, I ran back in for another toss. We were visiting my grandparents that day and were soon headed back to the landlocked Midwest where lake waters would have to suffice. Since my mid-20’s, I have lived within a few hours of the ocean. However, I no longer swim beyond the breakers.


One of my favorite musicians:

Phoebe Snow. What a voice! I also like remembering that my brother, George, was the person who invited me to listen to her for the first time. Love Makes A Woman is one of her best.
“Diamonds and pearls, I’ve had enough
But, I feel so much better dressed in love”


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