when the party’s over
one summer night
girls in gold skirts told kitchen whispers
before making their curvy-hipped way to the party out front
but by morning
our makeup off bedheads
frown squint thirst and grumble
sensible sylvia sister
only drank two (and a half) glasses of wine,
was asleep by midnight
still has a little perk in her petals
delia’s a darker story
after the vino came Hornitos shot with loud laughter
lime-sucking, time lost
shoes gone
she flirted with … oh, god (head in hands)
gina chose
hair of the dog
but it’s fried her edges
instead of drowning her jealous sorrow
this one never slept
forgot her name
left contacts on that
sandpapered her corneas
and only vaguely remembers dancing
.
p.s. if it wasn’t as bright that morning
after the sun sisters took off for the compost pile
at least i had this sweet old song
to sing along with while i washed a pile of dishes
“Sunlight” by Jesse Colin Young and the Youngbloods, 1973
.
.
.
Posted in: casa de swell, in the kitchen, pics, snaps, when we were young
Tags: adobe soup, candace mann, casa de swell, cotes du rhone, friends for dinner, jesse colin young, sunflowers, table decorations, tequila, washing dishes, youngbloods
What people are saying: 27 Comments
09.30.2012 - 5:14 pm
I love how you’ve constructed a story around these five lovely ladies.
Nicely done.
candace Reply:
September 30th, 2012 at 5:30 pm
pretty in their youth, but more interesting with a little age on them. ahem. at least that’s my story. good to see you, dear friend. thanks always for coming over.
09.30.2012 - 5:15 pm
Oh, that entrance! (accent on first syllable). Entrancing. (Accent on second).
You had fun with this, I can tell. And I hadn’t heard this song in forever. Nice way to exit September.
candace Reply:
September 30th, 2012 at 5:32 pm
it *is* the end of summer, isn’t it, sharon? at least where you are. grumble grumble. we’ve got a heat wave for this week – should be 100+ for a few more days. i love that you know the song, really truly. thanks!
09.30.2012 - 5:29 pm
there’s a teeny bit of fiction here. we did have a party and the sun sisters did grace the table. but they lasted, as sunflowers do, for a week in those hippy vases before old age took ‘em.
i’ve been doing mr. forte’s work (in pieces, the way mr. forte likes to work) for much of the last week. i can’t write in 30-minute bursts, so writing has been off the list. my iPhone camera and badly wilted flowers gave me *something* to post. the old rocker song and the imaginary party-hard girls made me smile. i hope you too.
09.30.2012 - 8:08 pm
Very funny stuff with great pics. R&R;-)
09.30.2012 - 8:18 pm
That song sounds as good today as it did back when all these things we all remember now were actually happening. And I played that song a lot.
candace Reply:
September 30th, 2012 at 8:42 pm
I thought of you when I decided on the song. Knew you’d get it. Thanks, rog!
10.01.2012 - 3:29 am
We do wilt a little, don’t we. But come morning, a little under eye concealer and a little blush and we’re fresh again. At least in our own eyes and the evening light, and among friends.
candace Reply:
October 1st, 2012 at 7:13 am
i’ve crossed the threshold where concealer works as much of a disguise, jl, which goes some way toward explaining that i’m sylvia these days and those other girls are just memories. thanks for stopping by.
10.01.2012 - 3:33 am
His honey voice this morning brings back those friends, those days and the sad and bittersweet feeling that another summer is gone. I want to be all these ladies at one time or another, in my days in the sun.
Felt the ache in the fading, subtly as you drew it.
Sunflowers are a very favorite, strong and tall and brief.
Thanks for this on a very early sunrise October 1st.
candace Reply:
October 1st, 2012 at 7:15 am
“strong and tall and brief.” a description for sunflowers and, who knew, for me. that’s what i’m happy to be, rita. it goes with being happy to have friends who write comments that are poetry. thank you, PA woman.
10.01.2012 - 5:37 am
Magnificent, really.
candace Reply:
October 1st, 2012 at 7:16 am
it always makes me smile to see that you’ve come by, joanie. every time. thank you.
10.01.2012 - 12:58 pm
Good to know there is still someone sort of sensible somewhere…
That last picture
burns so bright
almost blocks out the heartache
…but not quite ~
aun asi, bien bella aqui ~
candace Reply:
October 3rd, 2012 at 10:25 am
pretty nice, 22, yes, it is. gracias, amiga.
10.02.2012 - 2:44 pm
Candace – Isn’t it amazing who we will flirt with after a few tequila shots?
Regards.
candace Reply:
October 3rd, 2012 at 10:26 am
it surely can be, frank. thanks for stopping by!
10.02.2012 - 6:08 pm
The poor dears! Excess can lead to doleful consquences, but at least they were beauty personified when the party began.
10.03.2012 - 10:27 am
pretty party girls that remind me of my midwest beginnings, yep. thanks, jeff!
10.07.2012 - 9:42 am
Brilliant! Delia might be lamenting by listening to “Smug,” though. Just sayin’.
candace Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 10:37 am
she just might be.
10.07.2012 - 7:51 pm
Don’t know how I get so well what this pixie Californian writer remembers, or the music she puts on, but I swear I was there.
candace Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 10:38 am
you *were*! and the stories i could have told …
10.12.2012 - 7:04 am
Washing dishes and thinking about what transpired. Fun to be really in the party while it’s happening, then think about it later. Jesse Colin Young! for me, it was This is a Song for Julia…
I’m sure glad to be here. Thanks for the invite, Candace.
candace Reply:
October 12th, 2012 at 8:53 am
i’m glad you’re here too, emily!
10.12.2012 - 9:17 am
Love the last picture – and I haven’t heard that song in a long time. I’ll probably play it six more times today.