The year—unknown. . .
The voyage, at least miles.
So very far from home, family, a tour of war.
Searching for a better life. . .
In a foreign nation, culture, state, city.
Broken English was his language. . .
He never owned or drove a car.
He walked and hitchhiked his way around his newfound homeland.
Hunted, fished, farmed–worked in the coal mines of
Logan
County.
Married and started a new family. . .
Three sons, two daughters,
19 grandchildren,
(and many great-grandchildren he’d never know).
A firm believer in hard work—especially manual labor.
Lived through The Great Depression.
Never forgot his homeland,
Was a member of the Greek Orthodox Church in
Huntington, WV.
Could frequently be found listening to Greek music on 33 LPNs.
Holy Water and a rosary with a beautiful cross were always seen upon the top of his bedroom dresser.
Water barrels for his garden were always lined against the back of the dark red, brick-siding house.
Fresh, garden-grown vegetables on a plate before him at the kitchen table.
Fasting brought with it a bit of crankiness. . . Large, golden tins of ripe, black olives—stored on a cabinet high above the kitchen sink.
Always remembered lovingly. . .
Often thought about,
Many questions of a previous, life in another country. . .
Left wondering. . .
what the Isle of Crete might still hold for those left behind in WV?
October 7, 2006 at 2:55 pm |
Hi Vicky..
I love your story. It brings many pictures and ideas to my mind. I like your description. I can almost taste the fresh veggies on the plate. You have so many outlets for pictures. I can’t wait to see what you continue to do with this piece. Keep up the good work.
October 7, 2006 at 3:02 pm |
Vicky, I love your “Grandpa” piece! I love the details, like broken English was his language, Greek music played on 33 LPs, and the Holy Water and rosary on his dresser. When you transform this into a digital story, I wonder if you could use one of his old records (if you have them) to play in the background? And I can just visualize the Holy water and the rosary. What did he keep the Holy water in? I can also see ripe, fresh plump vegetables on a kitchen table and black olives.
That phrase – fasting brought a bit of crankiness. How could you present this visually? Was fasting a religious tradition – in the Greek Orthodox Church? When would one fast? Near Easter?
I can imagine the use of some kind of map to visually show the journey and distance between WV and Crete. You have a rich story here, Vicky! ~Jennifer
October 7, 2006 at 3:03 pm |
I like how you have multiple entry points to the story, and masses of imagery. I’m glad to se another poem for this project, as well.
As a reader, I’d love to see a description of your grandfather, although I have to admit, a picture does build in my mind as I read.
Great poem!
October 7, 2006 at 3:08 pm |
Looking at this, I see great great potential. I like the way you have begun, and I think by dropping in viswuals it will become more powerful. My own family came from similar backgrounds, and your story reminds my of that; what more could you want then to spur other imaginiations with yours : )
Some ideas as you go…
Consider droping in bits and pieces of his language to bridge the gap into the broken English. Also, to avoid the potential of being ‘listy’ look at breaking the timeline and organizing by other themes.