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Open Poetry #37
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Lady - (A Wanderlust Tale For Serenity)
| Open Poetry #37 |
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Lady - (A Wanderlust Tale For Serenity) |
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Mysteria 
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada 
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“Lady” The masses had dubbed her. All I could do was cry as I looked at her So quiet and just lying there. A still life painted in muddy chalk white Where even over scrubbed black skin I could see, and smell ancient dirt. As a child taking the train to Grandma’s I’d look for her every Friday perched that platform, A bible in one hand, her warning signs in the other. She simply tried to save the world one sorry soul at a time. “Repent sinners, the end is near!” She would scream. Reading verses from the “good book,” Singing hymns like an angel, I swear. I remember being scared the first time I saw her. My Grandma would say, “It’s okay honey, it’s just Lady.” Whatever that was supposed to mean. We stood watching her yell out the news That we were all going to Hell, I cried as I didn’t want to go there, Least of all on a moving train. Years went by, and my own Grandma died, The trains and streetcars were replaced with monorails. Every day on my way to work, there she was. Now perched on the yellow milk container She brought with her in her shopping cart of life. Her black coiled hair was now the color of soot, To match her tattered clothes, But that “Lady” oh how she reeked of pride. She loved that God of hers, and wasn’t afraid To tell you loud and clear either. Her only mission was saving lost souls. Age had sure not mellowed her. Lady was as loud as ever, so determined, and proud. Sure they laughed, and most ignored her plea, But anyone who took the train loved, “The Lady.” Lady could recite every bit of that tattered bible. For just 25 cents, she could make any sinners laugh. Some gave her more. When the station came to a standstill she would count Pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters excitedly. Pack up and head back to Car 72 in the round. She had come from Jamaica as the story goes. Her family one by one consumed with disease, Either on the boat getting to this country, Or taken by polio when they finally did get here. They say she rode the rails alone way back when, From Toronto to Vancouver with only her bible. Some say that’s how she lost her mind one day. She moved to the train station, and began saving sinners. No one really knows how long she lived in Car 72. They caught her one Sunday in 1966 She never returned. Well today – it was sure as hell “Lady’s day.” Everyone who was someone had turned out. From the Mayor, to “Eddie The Leach.” Lady’s cronies filled the house along with Half the city to honor her. Lady died leaving $3 million dollars to the city. Her requests? Car 72 be restored and turned into a restaurant, Called, “Lady’s Railcar,” to feed the homeless. It was and it did, but now ... 40 years later the railcar is now “Le Railcar,” a very exclusive restaurant at 106 Carrall Street, in downtown Gastown, Vancouver, B.C., and quite a tourist attraction. Come visit Lady one day won't you? "There's nothing worse that being an aging young person!" - Richard Pryor ~ Carpe' Diem ~ |
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| © Copyright 2006 Mysteria 1997 - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Sharon!! What a fabulous story and portrait of a woman I wish I'd known. I'll bet she does visit that old boxcar, even though none see her. Thank you for the wonderful read!  |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
This is wonderful Sharon. and this part made me smile especially: "We stood watching her yell out the news That we were all going to Hell, I cried as I didn’t want to go there, Least of all on a moving train." because? Well, shaking my head, some days I think we are both going to hell on a moving train!  Thanks for the story. I collect 'em yanno. |
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kevinbrianwright Junior Member
since 2006-01-19
Posts 35NYC |
Wonderful..Excellent write!! Much enjoyed! |
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jody5 Senior Member
since 2005-12-21
Posts 876California, U.S.A. |
This story is beautiful and I enjoyed it. May God bless you for sharing it. |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Terrific story. Thanks for sharing this one. martyjo |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
She is brilliant in memoryshine... and I hope someday you will share a photo... |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Yes, it would be great if you could post a pic of the car. Wonderful poem Sharon..wonderful story. Hugs~Nancy In the midst of winter, |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Next time I am downtown I will take a picture of the railcar for you all and add it in here. I had one once when Kit came to visit, and we went to see Gastown, but can't find it anywhere (maybe she took that one?) I can't seem to find much on the internet either about the old car except they recommend it to eat at  There are wonderful stories to be told right at home aren't there? I can remember her sitting on the corner at Woodwards Department Store years later when she moved from the train station, as loud as ever. She still sat on that milk crate even after the department store shut down, day after day, bible in hand. It wasn't too long after Woodwards closed I heard of her death on the radio, and went to her service like a lot of people to pay my respect. Glad you enjoyed this one, and thanks a lot for reading it."There's nothing worse that being an aging young person!" - Richard Pryor |
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Gentle Spirit Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989 |
this is such a fabulous story Sharon of a woman with such a great heart. Lovely writing hon. |
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garysgirl
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
Sharon, I loved this....for so many reasons!! It is a beautiful story. I wish I had known her. I have known so many that sound like her. Ones who loved (love) God and aren't afraid or ashamed to tell others, either. You know, it's no telling how many heard those stories she shared from the Bible that wouldn't have heard otherwise? And, even though some may have laughed and pretended not to listen, the seed was planted!! Thank you so much, Sharon, for sharing this!! Hugs, Ethel |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Thank you ladies As in any city there are colorful characters, we just need to take time to document them - maybe I will do just that!  |
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Duncan Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455 |
Yanno, I needed a story like this one this morning, Sharon. Gave me chills (the good kind)...  Nice to see you aboard... |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Sharon, Pennies and nickles do add up. LOL enjoyed |
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vandana
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463USA |
good read |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Again thanks for reading my little submission. I have decided to "do" some characters in Prose for fun so thanks for the encouragement. |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Couldn't put the book (er..er..poem) down until I had finished reading it! Loved your story. Thanks, Mysteria. I have been away for about 5 days waiting for my phone to be fixed. - Owl |
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D.Lester Young Senior Member
since 2001-12-08
Posts 1219Austin, Tx |
Fantasic verse and story, enjoyed it very much. |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
I read this awhile ago but it was on a day I just didn't feel like making a worded appearance...yanno? So...here I am now. This was/is a wonderful story of belief and undying love... Both very enviable. and of course you told it with much elegance. "too bad ignorance isn't painful" |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
What a wonderful story and so well told. |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Sharon, this is a treasure. You should give a copy of it to the restaurant! What a wonderful story you have shared! ...jo |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
Gosh, Sharon, what a beautiful story, am sorry to see the place being a tourist attraction, but such is life today. This was amazing, i wanted to keep reading and this: Some say that’s how she lost her mind one day. She moved to the train station, and began saving sinners. What an amazing story! |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
I was just on Yahoo with Nan who was helping me find a picture of the railcar in Gastown for you all. It is hard to believe we couldn't find but one. My son told me after I wrote this that the poor old Le' Railcar has been bought yet again, and is now another "Sushi To Go" in the making.  Lady's Railcar has had so many names over the years, but to those that remember it will always be Lady's Railcar. Here it is the best picture I could find for now to show you all, and will maybe go take some pictures when I have time. (I marked it for you on the left of the Vancouver Steam Clock.)This one is just like so many beautiful places of old, that are never kept up or restored and its just so darn sad.  |
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Dominique-Simone Senior Member
since 2005-11-12
Posts 643 |
Wonderful write..!!! It is definitely Inspiring |
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