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Open Poetry #43
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Gunslinger
Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 901
TX, USA

0 posted 2008-09-02 12:19 PM


It’s been a lot of years now-
Since last I punched a cow…
I have to think (for self esteem)
I still remember  how.

I haven’t been astride a horse-
In nigh as many years…
And I’ve almost forgot the sounds
Of buzzers and of cheers.

The man I shave each mornin’
Doesn’t look the way he did-
My youthful pride and arrogance
The lines of age have hid…

I’ve learned “life ain’t all taking-
There’s more at stake than “me”-
And bein’ broke and foot-loose,
Don’t equate with bein’ “free”.

I’ve learned “now” ain’t forever-
Tomorrow’s gone too soon…
That a smart mouth isn’t “clever”
I was crazy as a loon…

I’ve outlived most my family…
I ain’t had many friends.
The road of life is shorter-
And I wonder where it ends.

But I can take some solace-
In the fact I made my way-
And never asked for nothin’
But a chance to earn my pay.

And a place to spread my blankets-
As I turned in for the night,
And for a man to mind his business
And to treat me half-way right.

Now I think of roads not taken-
And the good advice I spurned…
So now I take my pen in hand-
To write the things I’ve learned.

[This message has been edited by Gunslinger (09-03-2008 07:11 AM).]

© Copyright 2008 John R. Yaws - All Rights Reserved
Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1 posted 2008-09-02 12:46 PM


Yo Gunslinger,

This moves along with good rhythem.  

I hope you've learned that there is still a lot out there to learn.

Bobby

TheAnonDavid
Member
since 2008-08-28
Posts 237
UK
2 posted 2008-09-02 06:39 AM


A nice meditative piece. Just when we think we have learned all we need to learn, we learn that there is more.
Well worth reading.

Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Dylan Thomas

nourzihane
Member
since 2008-07-10
Posts 254
Algeria
3 posted 2008-09-02 06:50 AM


.....sir....

thank you for your golden pen

accept my pass

nourzihane

martiniat8
Senior Member
since 2003-06-21
Posts 897
Prague, Bohemia, Czech Republic
4 posted 2008-09-02 07:19 AM


Gun, too long have been the days of your absence, my fellow Cowboy friend. We have missed you too at Liesa's forum of Grace and Insanity. I recently replied to an older poem of yours there
ladylisa
Member
since 2007-04-29
Posts 342
Florida USA
5 posted 2008-09-02 09:29 AM


I loved your poem.  It rang true for me on so many levels.  Thank you for posting it and keep writing, your journey isn't over.  Lis
Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348
Florida
6 posted 2008-09-02 01:46 PM


Hey you!  Nice to read you!

Hope all is well...

"too bad ignorance isn't painful"
~Unknown~

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
7 posted 2008-09-02 03:33 PM


I loved every word of this.  

When I see your name, I smell well-oiled leather and that sweet, sweet perfume of horse when you bury your nose in the neck of one, especially my beloved late Flicka.

- Owl

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
8 posted 2008-09-02 06:36 PM


Fine writing...James
Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115
South Africa
9 posted 2008-09-02 09:30 PM


"Now I think of roads not taken-
And the good advice I spurned…
But now I take my pen in hand-
To write the things I’ve learned."

Yes, I do that too but to be happy with one's life even though many roads weren't taken is a good place to be.  Your words indicate that you are in that good place and that's ... good.  Enjoyed!

Helen

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
10 posted 2008-09-03 01:29 AM


So glqad to see you back, John. I enjoy your writing very much. I think there's some truth in this for all of us.
                              Ida

XOx Uriah xOX
Senior Member
since 2006-02-11
Posts 1403
Virginia
11 posted 2008-09-03 03:01 AM


::smiles::   A keeper...to tuck away in my wallet.
I like it so much...  I won't even use it for makings come hard times.    Thank you

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