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Open Poetry #4
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The Ugly Duckling
| Open Poetry #4 |
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The Ugly Duckling |
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Mike Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462 |
Five ounces to the nanogram, weighed on a jeweler's scale, More precious than the purest gold, so starts my little tale, A block of balsa wood transformed, into a sleek machine, Fathers with their sons in hand, anticipation keen. A rite of passage every spring, each father with his son, Gentlemen prepare your cars, pinewood derby has begun, Up to the track each boy is called, race car to gently place, Two by two at starting gate, and down the track to race. The next race called is Steve and Jim, Steve's car a red corvette, Beside it sits an ugly duckling, its paint still sticky wet, No father stands behind son Jim, his mother Sue stands there, Its hard to tell the car's a car, it seems the wheels are square. The race is held, a walkaway, the 'vette wins by a mile, But on the face of little Jim, all see a beaming smile, As he turns back to mother Sue, and gives a little shrug, Says, "Thank you Mom, we tried our best," then gave his mom a hug. I've not seen Jim in quite some years, I often did see Sue, No prouder mother ever was, nor finer woman too, Ten years have passed since derby night, and God has taken Sue, I go to pay my last respects, the least that I can do. Besides Sue's head on pillow there, beside her peaceful smile, I see a race held long ago, memories never gone, A wooden car with sticky paint, that loses by a mile, What looks a car, its wheels seem square, I see a graceful swan. [This message has been edited by Mike (edited 12-19-1999).] |
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| © Copyright 1999 Mike - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Mike, I like it, really enjoyed the read, looking for more. |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Very touching, Mike. What a great mom and son! I enjoyed this very much!  Denise |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
How beautiful So well written Liz |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
You certainly do have an understanding for the important things in life, don't you, Mike?? |
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Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
Thank you Mike, for the goose-pimples, the smile, the tear and for sharing this. Merry Christmas to you and all you love. : ) Munda |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Mike...I love this. I've built a few of those little cars and it's a memorable time to be had. I like what you did with this...took something most everyone can relate to, a derby car, and added your own personal touches. This is an extreamly well written and touching piece of poetry. |
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Mike Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462 |
Thank you all for your very gracious comments. I must admit I have been to more than my fair share of pine wood derby's, with my two sons and lately as a judge of the cars creativity. My sons never the won creativity award... their mother didnt help, only their dad. |
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