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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 2008-03-08 06:49 PM


Felix has a friend named Sam.  
He’s a little black kid.  
He’s loads of fun.  

Felix and Sam
are in the Settlement House
Station wagon.  

Mister Joe is going
to drive them
to Atlantic City.  

There is a big hotel
down there.  

The owner of the hotel
always invites the settlement house kids
down to swim in the hotel’s fancy pool.  

They get to the hotel,
and the philanthropist greets them.  

The philanthropist says
everyone can swim in his pool,
except Sam.  
He doesn’t allow blacks in his pool.

Sam’s face drops like a rock.  

Mr. Joe says that won’t do.  

He tells the kids that want to,
can go swim in the guy’s pool.  

As for him and Sam,
they are going down
and swim the ocean.  

It’s bigger anyway.  

About half the kids
go swim in the hotel pool,
while Mr. Joe, Sam, Felix,
and the rest of the kids
enjoy the ocean.

Bobby

Author's note: This is a true story.  I was Mr. Joe.  It happened in 1958.  Thank heavens those days are gone forever.  Yeah, I'm Felix too, way back when.


[This message has been edited by Robert E. Jordan (03-08-2008 07:53 PM).]

© Copyright 2008 Robert E. Jordan - All Rights Reserved
secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !
1 posted 2008-03-08 07:48 PM


fine and 'important' reality write (as is so typical from this interesting author)...

From what I've seen 'those days' are not entirely 'gone forever'...bigotry, prejudice,
intolerance...all forms of exclusion and disenfranchisement have gone much deeper
underground and/or morphed in approach into more subtle forms (hiding behind many
masks/layers of 'socio-political' correctness.)

serious applause for this 'penning!'


1slick_lady
Member Ascendant
since 2000-12-22
Posts 6088
standing on a shadow's lace
2 posted 2008-03-08 08:22 PM


i am felix, too

a square peg just tring to find my way


and robert e. jordan
tonight you go to sleep with a smooch
and a smile


Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
3 posted 2008-03-08 08:29 PM


Secondhanddreampoet,

I'm afraid you are correct again.

Bobby

[This message has been edited by Robert E. Jordan (03-08-2008 09:56 PM).]

simon
Member
since 2008-01-14
Posts 440
London, England
4 posted 2008-03-08 09:07 PM


I love this but I agree, racism still exists (just now it takes a more subtle form)
Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
5 posted 2008-03-08 09:16 PM


Simon,

Racism may be subtle in England.  Here in the U. S., people marching around the streets in their white sheets isn't subtle.

Bobby

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
6 posted 2008-03-08 09:57 PM


1slick_lady,

Thanks for that.  It means a great deal coming from you, a fellow Felix.  

A smooch and a smile right back at you.

Love Bobby

LadyTom
Member
since 2008-02-29
Posts 353
LA, CA
7 posted 2008-03-08 11:01 PM


Very real. I have similar experience. I am glad that Felix stayed with Sam...Friendship and kindness.
matronmedusa
Member
since 2008-03-08
Posts 89
Alabama, USA
8 posted 2008-03-09 01:27 AM


I have truly grown attatched to Felix through the course of his adventures.

Thank you for sharing them.

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
9 posted 2008-03-09 01:33 AM


Felix has become a part of my life as well.
                                     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!
10 posted 2008-03-09 06:02 AM


Bobby, you and Felix are writing some really important stuff.  Keep it up and now I am off to bed.  I'll be smiling as I drift to sleep beacuse you both are leaving me with a feeling of hope.  You don't push the memories under the bed, you share them and that makes them real again and lessons for us all to learn from.

I remember meeting racism - maybe someday, I'll write the story.

Alison

simon
Member
since 2008-01-14
Posts 440
London, England
11 posted 2008-03-09 07:08 AM


My God! Does that still happen?
Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
12 posted 2008-03-09 10:45 AM


LadyTom,

Thanks for your kindness.  Friendship and kindness go together like hand in glove.  That's the way it should be.

Bobby

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
13 posted 2008-03-09 10:49 AM


Matronmedusa,

Felix and I thank you for your kindness.  I'm happy that you have grown to like Felix.

Bobby

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
14 posted 2008-03-09 10:51 AM


Ida,

Thanks Hon, I know you and Felix have always been close.

Bobby

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
15 posted 2008-03-09 10:54 AM


Alison,

Geez, you're making Felix and me blush.

I'm looking forward to your write about racism.

Bobby

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
16 posted 2008-03-09 10:56 AM


Simon,

Yes, racism, and other "stuff", still happens.

Bobby

effjayel
Senior Member
since 2007-09-30
Posts 1474
At the Crossroads of Infinity
17 posted 2008-03-09 12:55 PM


Bobby, my daughter got a new classmate last week & immediately befriended her to make her feel welcome( she is very thoughtful like that)When I asked Rhiannon where her new friend came from, she replied 'Orford' which is an area about 3 miles from where we live, (Eko is a delightful young girl who as it turns out hails from Botswana) I was so happy at her reply...!
Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
18 posted 2008-03-09 02:58 PM


John,

Now there you go.  Your Rhiannon is correct.  Eko is from Orford now.

Bobby

simon
Member
since 2008-01-14
Posts 440
London, England
19 posted 2008-03-09 04:01 PM


Bobby,
I apologise if my previous reply seemed in any way flippant.
I didn't realise that this kind of poison still existed. I thought humanity had completely moved on. Sad that it hasn't...

effjayel
Senior Member
since 2007-09-30
Posts 1474
At the Crossroads of Infinity
20 posted 2008-03-09 04:14 PM


Bobby,  we are all from the same place, we are just using a different zip code & the sun rises & sets at different times, thats the only differnce I see...
Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
21 posted 2008-03-09 08:32 PM


Simon,

Yes, racism still exists.  Remember, this happened in 1958, that's fifty years ago.  How time does fly.

Thing are better now, but the poison is still with us.

Bobby

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
22 posted 2008-03-09 08:34 PM


John,

Exactly.

Bobby

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
23 posted 2008-03-09 08:50 PM


A nice writing of the realities of that time...James
Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
24 posted 2008-03-09 08:56 PM


James,

Thanks for your kind words.  I'm pleased you liked it.  Things have changed for the better.  Thanks to MLK Jr. and a lot of other peoples hard, and dangerous work.

Bobby

TinaTrivett
Senior Member
since 2006-07-15
Posts 569

25 posted 2008-03-10 12:46 PM


I enjoy all of the felix writes...good lessons.


Simon, racism is alive and well in the American South. I can safely say it has never left. Just got tucked in a few closets is all.

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
26 posted 2008-03-10 12:55 PM


TinaTrivett,

Thanks Tina, I'm pleased that you enjoy the story of Felix.

He's really a good kid that has had to do some things kids shouldn't have to do just to stay alive.

Right here in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Bobby

Roniece Dawson-Bruce
Member Ascendant
since 2000-01-29
Posts 5689
Sydney, Australia
27 posted 2008-03-13 04:10 AM


it's sad that you all had to witness that Bobby... I'm pleased you made a stand and went to the ocean... 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
28 posted 2008-03-13 09:19 AM


Thanks Dear RDB,

The ocean was more fun anyway.  It's important for friends like Felix and Sam to stick together.  Those were fun times.

Bobby

Earl Brinkman
Senior Member
since 2010-03-03
Posts 1183
Osaka, Japan
29 posted 2010-11-29 06:56 PM


Mr. Joe is a good man.  He did a good thing.
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