I entered this poem into the County’s “Poetry Is” contest headed up by our poet laureate, Caroline Goodwin. The poem had to have the city name in the title and it had to be about your city in San Mateo county. Alas, it was not accepted but still I share it here.
arms that cradle water’s salt
legs that stretch from marsh to hills of oak
my belly, the bay
from hay colored loaf to mist-sprayed forest
a landscape of my fertile form
my roots swam deep, even before shell mounds
of ohlone heart and lips of costanoan
my seed springs diverse beauty, a secret kind
i call new strangers home
on tracks that still carry, familiar train whistle blowing
and through the wind of time, the accent of voices change
then converge into one language of praise
my body they relish, vistas they divine, my gentle sun breath turns their faces upward
like meyer lemon fruits they grow, in my green and luscious
to these home-comers, i am garden
and each afternoon is washed fresh by coyote wind
from the elegance of the bonsai, to the fragrant bay laurel
i hold you in this treasure
together we live this secret
this beauty
this
is san mateo
6 comments
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October 16, 2014 at 6:42 pm
Teresa
Oh my Maurine, this is beautiful….so many lovely lines…such mouth-watering descriptions. Shoot! You shoulda won!!
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October 16, 2014 at 9:02 pm
k166
Hi Maurine, A lovely poem! Sorry it was not selected – it certainly should have been! Really enjoyed it! Hope you’re doing well. I couldn’t make Open Mic last night, and won’t be able to come to CWC on Saturday. Our move to San Mateo is imminent, and there is still so much to do! Can’t wait to have you visit as soon as we’re settled! Best, Karen Hartley
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October 17, 2014 at 6:22 am
Lani LuLu
Ahhh, as someone who grew up here, I echo your feelings, but your spirit wove the best words I can imagine to praise this beautiful home we share. Thank you
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October 18, 2014 at 12:14 am
Josephine Carpignano
Hi Maureen, I love this poem, can’t imagine that it was not front and center in the Poetry Is contest. Surely a tribute to San Mateo, Crystal Springs and San Francisco Bay. Maybe submission to another contest? Because it is a winner. Thanks for sharing. Jo
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October 18, 2014 at 8:06 am
iwritemyself
Thank you, for making me feel good about this piece. I can’t wait to see what others wrote. It’s going to be so fascinating to see poetry from all angles of how much they feel about where we live.
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October 21, 2014 at 8:20 am
Sarah Curtiss, aka Butt-erfly
Beautiful, Maurine. Your love of the area really shines through.
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