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Open Poetry #46
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Balladeer
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since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

0 posted 2010-06-23 11:43 PM



The bagpipe player got the call which left him teary-eyed
To perform a graveside service for a homeless man who died
A man who had no family or friends or soul to save
Now relegated to be buried in a pauper's grave.

The Carolina hills can be a pain to navigate
And, having gotten very lost, the player got there late.
The preacher and the hearse were gone. The only people there
Were diggers who had stopped for lunch, enjoying mountain air.

He looked down in  the open grave and saw the casket lid.
He felt shame  for  arriving there as tardy as he did.
He said, "I'm sorry, my good friend", then opened up his case
Took out his bagpipes and began to play Amazing Grace.

The sad sound echoed grandly through the Carolina hills.
The notes came out so beautifully they gave the diggers chills.
They all stood at attention as the bagpipe player played
As if they were all hypnotized by sounds the bagpipes made.

The bagpipe player finished, put his instrument away
Then walked toward his pickup in the heat of summer's day.
He nodded to the workers, still there standing, silently
Put the bagpipes in the back, then slowly turned the key.

Another day is done, he, thought, and slowly drove away
And, as he passed the workers, he could hear one digger say,
"Ain't never seen nothin' like it!", said the digger, through his tears,
" and I been putting in septic tanks for over twenty years!!!!!!"

© Copyright 2010 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved
Earl Brinkman
Senior Member
since 2010-03-03
Posts 1183
Osaka, Japan
1 posted 2010-06-24 04:01 AM


Well...you certainly can deliver a good punchline.  Thanks for the laugh.
bel1e
Senior Member
since 2006-07-24
Posts 1631

2 posted 2010-06-24 07:50 AM


LOL~~~

~so funny~

         

Toerag
Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622
Ala bam a
3 posted 2010-06-24 08:17 AM


Seems to me I've read this before from you and I may have been the bagpipe player?

This was well done Mr. 'Deer' as they always are.
The "Punchline"....has to be the greatest end to any story. And you punch so hard.
It's like, "Loving meant so much to him, always brought tears to Mike Tyson's eyes. Why does he cry when making love?"...(Perhaps it's the mace?)

Cpat Hair
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793

4 posted 2010-06-24 08:23 AM


(chuckling) Now Sir... you see there is a set up that draws the reader in..takes them onthe journey and in the end, makes them chuckle as what they expect, is not what is..
enjoyed!

OldBuddyOldPal
Member
since 2008-12-15
Posts 87

5 posted 2010-06-24 11:02 AM


so when do you and toe get your books published?
Eldest
Member
since 2010-06-15
Posts 177
Alabama
6 posted 2010-06-24 11:04 AM


you really had me teary-eyed right up to the last line,
LngJhnAg
Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508
Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion
7 posted 2010-06-24 11:19 AM


Michael,

You have done yourself proud.  What a great story.  A very good friend of mine is Scottish thru and thru, all the way down to wearing a kilt at his son's wedding.  With your permission, may I share this poem with him?

As for Toe being the bagpipe player, he's propbably confused the sound of the bagpipes in your poem with the wheezing sounds he makes when he drags a case of generic beer into the pop-up hovel he now calls home.

Toerag
Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622
Ala bam a
8 posted 2010-06-24 11:36 AM


Have I said a single bad thing about the gay sailor in...in.....a year?...Not a single off color thought, (okay, maybe a few thoughts) but I haven't put them out here for the world to see? Geesch!!...That's okay L.J....we will pursue this later.
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
9 posted 2010-06-24 08:04 PM


OMG! The fleet must be in! Of course you can, sailor....good to see you in these parts!

Toerag would be a great bagpiper but I hope I never see him a kilt!

Thank you all for joining in....

LindsayP
Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410
Australia, Victoria
10 posted 2010-06-24 09:26 PM



Mike you have done it again, written in

your usual experise. A real delight to read.
I loved it. Take care.

Lindsay

Lamar Cole
Member
since 2009-05-01
Posts 274

11 posted 2010-06-25 03:42 AM


Extremely funny poem.
Kethry D
Member
since 2010-04-12
Posts 64
Australia
12 posted 2010-06-26 10:09 PM


you make me smile you make me laugh
your septic humor don't need nu bath.

A poet must leave traces of his passing not proof.

Rene Char

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