Christine Hoper Hovde, Photo by Kevin Tobosa
Having lived in half-a-dozen rural communities across the Red River Valley, Christine currently resides in Fargo, North Dakota.
Her poetry explores some of the thoughts and images you too may have seen and heard that might be true…concepts of life, love and miscellaneous that one might wish for, run from, invite in, grow out of or return to over time.
View some of her work online at www.redrivergirl.com, featuring the ongoing collection “Greeting the Moon from Here” random thoughts about what the moon might be up to or what the moon catches us doing down here from time to time.
Check back for more whenever you can. Until then…
enjoy the ride.
Full House
©2006 christine hoper hovde
funny how
things change to being strangely
just the same –
a face.
a laugh.
a name.
and who wouldn’t kiss
a shadow if a
shadow could be
tamed. come fly with me but
never
ask to stay. I know
your skin
by heart, your
teeth your nose and I suppose
you’re older now and others
should have claimed and left
and claimed and left and
claimed and left this space and yes you’ll always
have a place inside to
hide and I will
find and I will find and I will
always find you,
in a full
house.
–
The Lake Girls I Know
©2008 christine hoper hovde
Look damn good in flip flops
Keep an eye out for deer
Welcome all kinds of visitors
Can back up a trailer
Bait a hook in a pinch
Wear not-quite-matching swimsuits
Can load up a juke box
Always pack a tight cooler
Shuffle card decks like lightning
Still know how to slalom
Can start up a grill
Are courteous drivers
Can pee in a series of three solo cups
Wear just enough sunscreen
Pour a stiff drink
Carry matches and lighters and something with deet
Can spot poison ivy
Will show up with ice
Bring along extra towels
Do just fine in warm weather, and
Loan out their best hoodies.
They don’t head back to town until 6am Monday (and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday)
and they don’t make plans
on a Friday.
–
Last Daughter
©2009 christine hoper hovde
I would tell her the
scars will fade to wisdom and
the tears will cut a path
to distant lands that urge
your soul to find the home you left
so long
ago.
how could you know the
ground you stand upon
owes you a crown. the
earth beneath your feet waits patiently, and
thirsty now to heed your
call.
the subjects fitful in their slumber,
waiting –
sister, mother, princess,
daughter, leader,
queen.
–
Posted by: Kevin Tobosa is a North Dakota-based photographer and the driving force behind the vision of North Dakota Realized. You can follow him online via: Twitter and his blog.
Christine – you are so much more talented than anyone could ever know, no matter how long they’ve been in your company; you will still surprise them with something else that comes naturally to you. These are truly beautiful, fun and thoughtful words directly from your heart to our lives.
Thank you.
Very proud of you…I have not read these yet and like them. Good job and thanks to Kevin for giving a spotlight to a star
I love the idea of spotlighting the creative side of North Dakota. Anything that emphasizes its beauty, especially the artistic sense of place and people is in the A+ category for me… and it definitely reflects the North Dakota I imagine.
Wow, this “Last Daughter” is a doozy. brings up the tears
You are a lake girl I know Christine! Love it and thanks for sharing…