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Open Poetry #37
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The Park Bench Reconciliation
| Open Poetry #37 |
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The Park Bench Reconciliation |
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the grey Member
since 2006-01-06
Posts 119Queensland, Australia. |
The scent of spring lay in the air and sun's rays soaked the lawn, Inviting me to ... rise my son! Come greet another dawn! Already townsfolk bustled by ... I bid them... "How’d you do!" Then sat upon my fav'rite bench with clothes still wet from dew. Three long and lonely nights I'd camped there in the city park, Though only slept spasmodic'ly, as somewhere from the dark The scream of sirens echoed, making statements through the night; It's murder, theft and overdose! The end of some soul’s fight! The lure of lights and city life, enticed me, filled my head, With notions of new freedoms ... for the bush was surely dead. So boring, so predictable, the same old crowd of friends; With life styles going nowhere and their futures down dead ends. And that was just three months ago and now it's come to this; My savings gone, no sign of work and most of all I miss .... The Mum I took for granted, who was always there for me, But selfish desperation made these facets hard to see. 'Twas then I glimpsed the presence of a woman drawing near, Which commanded my attention, for her features laid so clear, A certain sense of emptiness - so etched upon her face, And watched her tie the bouquets to the bench with yellow lace. My presence of no consequence, I heard her gently say. "How are you John and you too Mark, 'tis such a lovely day? I miss you two... you both know that... this year has gone so fast. I'm doing rather nicely John, I've found a flat at last." "The boys from down the R.S. L. ... your mates from Vietnam ... Had heard you'd lost the battle love and feared I'd come to harm; So found a flat ... it's lovely John ... and not too far from town And when I need a few things love, I don't mind walking down." "I understood your trauma dear, the torments of your mind And how you fought the phantoms of that war you left behind. The demon drink, the vagrancy, 'til fin'ly in the end You lost your fight on this park bench ... alone, without a friend." "Young Mark was only just sixteen and could not understand The hand life had dealt out to him and often would demand; An explanation why his Dad was no part of his life ... I lost him John; he hit the streets where heroin was rife." "For weeks I searched the streets in vain, 'til finally I read, Some kids were dealing in the park, or so the paper said. Then just as you found peace of mind, one dark and lonely night; They found our Mark upon this bench. He too had lost the fight." At that she rose, then paused a bit, and said "Adieu my men; Until this time next year my loves, when we will meet ag'en." Then took a step, but paused again, to look me in the eye. Her final words. "Go home my son. You're much too young to die." ©Bush Poet Merv Webster The Goondiwindi Grey R.S.L. Returned Services League Many of us can probably relate to the words above, as aspects of the story may have touched our own personal lives. I know they have mine and many of my friends. I look forward to the day when the words of Revelation 21: 4 and 5 become a reality on this earth. ‘And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.’ |
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| © Copyright 2006 the grey - All Rights Reserved | |||
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
Oh. Touching and very powerful! Thank you. |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
this has touched me in many ways, your writing, the skill behind it, the emotions the flowed down the page... just magnificent enjoyed  how i would love you, love you as no one ever did! Die and still, love you more. And still love you more..and more |
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the grey Member
since 2006-01-06
Posts 119Queensland, Australia. |
Thank you The Lady for sharing this poem. Over the years so much infrastructure has been taken away from the bush and kids are finding it hard to get jobs and stay in their home towns. some can handle the cities and some kids don't fare so well. The Grey |
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the grey Member
since 2006-01-06
Posts 119Queensland, Australia. |
G'day Dark Angel. I was thinking of all the kids from country towns struggling to find jobs and often heading off to the cities only to fall from grace and also the plight of so many returned veterens who struggle with their families in society and wanted to tell both their stories. The above was the result. Thanks for sharing. The Grey |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Very touching!! Thank you for sharing something that so many feel. |
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luminosity Senior Member
since 2005-11-18
Posts 813 |
my son died from drugs.....tis a cruel world that sucks the young from the arms of loving parents and eats them alive......sigh...thank you for sharing |
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the grey Member
since 2006-01-06
Posts 119Queensland, Australia. |
G'day Martie. Let me thank you for taking the time to share this issue with you. The Grey |
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the grey Member
since 2006-01-06
Posts 119Queensland, Australia. |
G'day Luminosity. I guess I write from experience, but was fortunate enough to survive those years. My youngest son was a real worry to us, but he seems to have manged to put it behind him also. Sadly, we have known folk like yourself who have lost loved ones and our heart goes out to all of you. Thank you for sharing my reflections on this issue and I pray that aside from your loss that you have some fond memories to cherish. |
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