At the North Bend Farmers Market in Late JulyThrough Many WindowsBy Karen DowningBy Anthony VossThe girls are what I noticenot the first haul of corn spilling from the back of a pick upnot the beachball watermelons flattening the dry grassnot the farmers who toiled in the fieldsbut their daughters in their track shorts and Adidas slideshair still damp from the city swimming poolthe scent of chlorine layered with Bath and BodyWorks“Enchanted Candy Potion” lotion“Through Many Windows” was a collection of works writtenby participants in a Writing Across the Curriculum conductedin Marshalltown during the summer of 1983. The project wasdedicated to the increased use of writing in all subject areasthrough teacher professional development. The following twoworks were my written by me.That trance of youthlike staring into the wavy heat lines onI-80 as I drive to work and backwork and backarriving in my drivewaywithout knowing how I made it homeMy defenses can be setTo keep you from hurting meTo keep me from hurting youThe girls stretch their legs out longresigned to sit in camping chairsand wait this outpropped next to baskets of zucchini and onions,the girls sell home-made earrings made in 4-H$10 a pairgas money so they can drive out and awayfrom the flatness of the landthe sight of their mothers disappearing in the rear view mirrordown dusty country roadssinging as if their lives depended on iteven if no one hearsMy mind can be closedTo shut you outTo keep me withinThe girls are dirt under nails and glitter on skinripe as blushing tomatoes on the folding card tablethe girls are sleeker than cucumbers and brighter than carrotsthey eat monkey bread from tin foil loaf pansthat spark in the sunshinelicking the sticky goodness off their handsThe girls can not contain their magicin screw-top jam jars jeweled in the afternoon lighttheir spell holds my gaze as I offer any money I can findto buy what they havein the afternoon sunlight, I am a shadowy form they can barely seetheir eyes squinting as they look aheadto make out what is in front of them.10I Am A WidowMy mind can be openedTo allow you inTo let me escapeMy shape can be alteredTo be appealing to youTo be acceptable to meMy mood can be adjustedTo react to where you arecoming fromTo indicate where I have beenMy personality can varyTo show you what I amTo remind me what I am notMy heart can be brokenTo erase the thought of youTo sketch a new beginningfor meMy view can be tintedTo help you tolerate meTo help me understand youFarewell...It was just hereNow it is goneSo much has happenedYet so little has changedSo many people have passedToo quickly to know where they have goneAccomplishments seemed almost endlessBut there is so little to show for itThere was so much more to be doneAnd never enough time to do itAnother summer goneAbout the AuthorAbout the AuthorKaren Downing taught English at ValleyHigh School for 34 years. She now workswith CultureALL as the Special ProjectCoordinator for Open Book. She’s been amember of Plymouth for 55 years.Anthony “Tony” Voss is a retired educator.He served students for 42 years. Plymouthmember since 2006.
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