Vox Populi
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Doug Anderson: Tucson, 1954
One night when I was eleven,
when my mother swung to hit me
I reached up and grabbed her hand
and was surprised at my own strength.
We both knew then
there would be no more beatings.
I walked out in the desert that night.
There was a warm and gentle wind.
An angel came up to me
from a clump of mesquite.
I could not quite see her
but she was soft. Her arms
were soft and she held me.
I knew then that I would be all right.
And in time, other angels came.
—-
copyright 2014 by Doug Anderson.
published by permission of the author.
Vox Populi 
Hi Doug, Just read this lovely poem. Sent you a FB request. It’s been a long time since the days of Orlen and Anderson and the gang.
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My mother tried to hit me on my fortieth birthday. We had a party for my birthday at her villa in Mexico. She went off to have her hair and nails done in the afternoon, so my husband and I made all the arrangements for the afternoon party. In the evening she offered I stay home with our three year old. When we came back, she got mad because a friend of mine had danced with my mother’s husband. She blamed me for the innocuous dance and tried to slap me. I too held her hand back. Some things never change. I an seventy now. She died three years ago. It has been the most peaceful three years of my life.
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Thanks for sharing this, Pamela.
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such a powerful, down to earth, telling of a moment with your mother—sad, beatings—then the angels were wonderful as you brought them in…and the closing lines were so strong, played against the incident that started the poem: “Her arms
were soft and she held me.
I knew then that I would be all right.
And in time, other angels came”—-an altogether wonderful poem, moving from the concrete misery to a world of hope…..
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This is such a beautiful poem.
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Are you the Doug Anderson from the drama department in Tucson years and years ago? It looks like you. I am Rachel (I changed my name from Claire). Most of the people I knew in high school are dead. Nice to know you aren’t.
Best wishes,
Rachel
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Yes, Rachel, I am. Good to reconnect.
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Rachel, are you on facebook?
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Yes. What’s your last name?
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