Rhythmic Stories

May of 1961 was one of the worst months for severe weather in Oklahoma history. The second of three severe weather episodes came on May 11th and 12th. On the 11th, severe thunderstorms produced 18 tornadoes across the western part of the state. It was the 14th of May 1961, and...

It started as soft droplets of rain Its plop, plop sound on my windowpane I awoke to the sound of the drops as they fell The sound was soothing, but then I could tell They became even softer until the droplets dance was over I snuggled in, rolled over, and pulled...

There was never any harm or cause for alarm When mama held us in the crook of her arm The most secure place we could ever be  Was in her arms when we were small babies Mama always had a small child in her arms Even in the kitchen while getting...

In the corner of the room stood an old used up broom It used to sweep my kitchen floor   I don’t much use it any more  funny how long a broom can last no brain or heart but sweeps so fast  a broom can last for quite a while  It’ll always...

An Indian name is woven from the fabric of their birth From nature or a characteristic, or a trait for what that’s worth Cool Dawn could still remember the story of her name Her mother had told her from where it had came She had labored for hours in a ridge...

The milk run was a necessary measureFor my sister and me it was a weekly pleasure We would go down the hill in our western flyer wagonOur baby sister road along with hands on the sides trying to hold on We ran down the hill till we got to the big...

We always took turns sitting on our daddy’s lapafter he got home from work and he hung up his cap he would plop in his chair with crocheted doilies on the armshe was tired and thirsty but succumbed to his little girls’ charms he would wrap his arms around us and...

There’s something to be said about the solitude of early morning hoursAs you sit and watch the sun and morning glories openly flower The birds are talking about it just as wellThey are whistling a happy tune, can’t you tell As the quiet creeps slowly but forcefully inWhile you slowly sip...