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Open Poetry #42
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Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

0 posted 2008-02-24 12:11 PM


Felix walks by the bakery at night.  

He’s hungry.  

He likes to look in the window,
and wish.  

There’s pumpernickel bread
in that window—
a nice, round, dark-brown loaf
of pumpernickel bread.  

He’s hungry.  

He remembers pumpernickel bread,
and how good it tastes.  

He’s very hungry.  

There are some big rocks,
lying in the gutter.

Bobby

© Copyright 2008 Robert E. Jordan - All Rights Reserved
Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
1 posted 2008-02-24 12:20 PM


Ummm. I hope Felix is willing to share.
                               Ida

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2 posted 2008-02-24 01:18 PM


Ida,

Of course Felix is willing to share.  Spare kids are that way.

Bobby

Artic Wind
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 8080
Realm of Supernatural
3 posted 2008-02-24 01:39 PM


Hi Bobby!

Enjoyed the post!, I love that bread, its sooo good with dip, YUMO!!!

March madness is right!, Is he going to share!

ARCTIC WIND

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
4 posted 2008-02-24 01:46 PM


Artic Wind,

Don't forget, Felix is a spare kid.  Spare kids like to share with each other.  It makes them feel good.

Bobby

Roniece Dawson-Bruce
Member Ascendant
since 2000-01-29
Posts 5689
Sydney, Australia
5 posted 2008-02-24 05:33 PM


well, I can honestly say, I don't know what pumpernickel bread is Bobby... but if Felix likes it then I'm sure it has to be good!    love RDB

Be kind at heart....for everyone you meet has their own battle to fight.........

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
6 posted 2008-02-24 05:47 PM


Dear RDB,

Pumpernickel bread is German black bread.  It's made with rye, and wheat.  It's round in shape.  It's excellent.  Felix and I used to eat a loaf of it on the way home from school.  We used to tear it to pieces.  It's common in the U. S., and perhaps in Australia.

Bobby

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
7 posted 2008-02-24 06:16 PM


Well, I hope the baker was working late and that he  took pity on the poor, hungry boy looking in the window, and that he would  have given him some day-old pumpernickel bread which he could have easily spared. It would have kept the kid honest and filled up his belly. It also would have made some good karma points for the baker and Felix would have learned that there are kind people in this world. The baker's act of kindness would also have prevented Felix from committing a crime.

This is my hopeful take on the situation.

Love to you and Felix ~ and the baker!

Linda

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
8 posted 2008-02-24 06:23 PM


I agree with Linda and hope that the owner or baker was kind enough to  share a loaf with Felix.

M

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
9 posted 2008-02-24 08:08 PM


This is making me hungry...I have some delicious Fitness Bread in my refrigerator, with whole rye, oat kernels and wheat germs...Felix you're welcome to share...James
Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
10 posted 2008-02-24 08:35 PM


Linda & "M"

Being a good Catholic boy, and being very hungry, Felix did the right thing.  Paragraph 2408 of the "Catechism of the Catholic Church" tells us:

"2408 The seventh commandment forbids theft, that is, usurping another's property against the reasonable will of the owner. There is no theft if consent can be presumed or if refusal is contrary to reason and the universal destination of goods. This is the case in obvious and urgent necessity when the only way to provide for immediate, essential needs (food, shelter, clothing . . .) is to put at one's disposal and use the property of others."

Felix and I love that book, it's been our guiding light forever.

Bobby

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
11 posted 2008-02-24 08:38 PM


James,

That sounds good.  Can Felix bring me along?

Bobby

Alison
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318
Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy!
12 posted 2008-02-24 10:25 PM


I do so love Pumpernickel Bread - and I love to bake bread.  There is nothing more satisfying in my mind (when I am trying to work out problems) than to knead bread dough.  It always helps.

Good for Felix though to resist the rocks in the gutter.

Alison

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
13 posted 2008-02-24 11:12 PM


I'm sorry Alison,

no, Felix threw the rock, grabbed the bread, and ate it.

He was very, very hungry.  Such things happen.

Bobby

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
14 posted 2008-02-25 12:17 PM


A hungry boy has to do what a hungry boy has to do. People who have never been hungry might not know that.
                                   Ida
                              

Alison
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318
Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy!
15 posted 2008-02-25 12:19 PM


I understand and am thinking how sad it is that Felix had to make that choice.

A

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
16 posted 2008-02-25 12:24 PM


Ida,

What you say is very, very, true.  It's a moral obligation to take care of your being.

Bobby

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
17 posted 2008-02-25 12:58 PM


Alison,

Yes it is sad.  As you know, hunger is a very painful experience.

Felix was just a child, and didn't know enough to go to the Sallies--(Salvation Army).

Bobby

passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
18 posted 2008-02-25 03:37 AM


well it's better than making stone soup I guess

sad topic here...children in poverty and going hungry

especially our Felix

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
19 posted 2008-02-25 08:11 AM


Passing shadows,

Thanks dear, it was an experience for Felix.  As you know, Felix collects experiences.

Bobby

vandana
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Patricius
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463
USA
20 posted 2008-02-25 12:16 PM


enjoyed
TomMark
Member Elite
since 2007-07-27
Posts 2133
LA,CA
21 posted 2008-02-25 02:38 PM


a good struggle to live.
MJ
Member
since 2008-02-21
Posts 60

22 posted 2008-02-25 04:16 PM


I'm hoping he enjoyed throwing the rock as much as the taste of pumpernickel.
secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !
23 posted 2008-02-25 04:30 PM


as always...a most interesting segment of the Felix story (and also the 'comment/replies' to said)

applause!

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
24 posted 2008-02-25 05:11 PM


Vandana,

Thanks for reading, and commenting.

I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

Bobby

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
25 posted 2008-02-25 05:14 PM


TomMark,

Thanks for the read, and comment.

It's supposed to be a struggle to live.  That's what life is all about.

Bobby

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
26 posted 2008-02-25 05:17 PM


MJ,

Yes, he did enjoy throwing the rock.  Felix is an old rock thrower from way back.

Thanks for reading and comenting.

Bobby

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
27 posted 2008-02-25 05:20 PM


Secondhanddreampoet,

Thanks for the applause.  I'm pleased you found it interesting.  Thanks for your interest in Felix.

Bobby

simon
Member
since 2008-01-14
Posts 440
London, England
28 posted 2008-02-26 06:19 AM


Very interesting moral dilemma here. Of course (if you ask me) Felix's priority HAS to be to stave off his hunger and if that means stealing and there's no other option that's what he MUST do. (shame about the window though). This would probably set a dangerous precadent and people would be throwing rocks around after missing breakfast but I'm sure that anyone who knew his plight would understand- like you say, how many people know what it's like to be really hungry? I just wish he'd gone past that baker's earlier when there was people there and they could advise him about where to obtain food legitimally and this wouldn't need to happen again. I get the feeling that Felix has a street-tough, 'nobody's business but mine' culture about him which if someone knew about, they could step in and change.
Toerag
Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622
Ala bam a
29 posted 2008-02-26 08:15 AM


Just a "Stone's throw away"......

I enjoyed the write...very interesting, sparks the imagination and hunger...

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
30 posted 2008-02-26 09:14 AM


“I get the feeling that Felix has a street-tough, 'nobody's business but mine' culture about him”

Awww Simon, how can you say that?  Felix is a friendly, smiling, outgoing type of kid.  Some people would even describe him as “charming”.  He’s generous to a fault.

Bobby

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
31 posted 2008-02-26 09:18 AM


Toerag,

Thanks for the kind word.  I'm pleased it sparked your imagination, and sorry it made you hungry.

Bobby

simon
Member
since 2008-01-14
Posts 440
London, England
32 posted 2008-02-26 11:34 AM


Bobby,

I'm not in any way being unfair to Felix. I just believe it is the 'nurture' of an environment & an upbringing that maketh the man as opposed to the 'nature'. I just don't believe that in his short life so far, he's had a great deal of help from strangers thus, he has no cause to expect any from them. He feels, 'on his own' in that sense and that is a perfectly natural way for him to feel. I'm sure he is perfectly charming because in a sense he HAS to be.

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
33 posted 2008-02-26 11:54 AM


Simon,

Thanks for reading and commenting.

Bobby

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
34 posted 2008-02-26 08:25 PM


Simon,

Actully, what you say is true.  Except for his street friends, such as Sally, Butch and Wawa, he has no one.  

The only people that he really owes anything to are his natural mother and father, who gave him life.  He hardly knows them.

Felix feels very much alone.

Bobby

Earl Brinkman
Senior Member
since 2010-03-03
Posts 1183
Osaka, Japan
35 posted 2010-10-11 08:05 AM


This is a gem of a poem.
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