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Open Poetry #49
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JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana

0 posted 2014-05-07 09:19 AM




it isn’t something I am proud of
except for having survived it
but I stared the black night in the eye
nothing worse that midnight black
with the rain coming down
in biblical intensity
and you have no where to go
not enough change for a cup of java
nowhere to go
nowhere to turn
I have outwalked distant
city lights
trod down gloomy country paths
keeping a wary eye out
they could book you on
no visible means of support
in those days
they did me once in El Paso
kept me locked up for thirty days
I was suspicious
of everyone as they were of me
not saying my nomadic days
were good or bad
just saying . . .
I am a man
who has known the night
and all it held

©April 2, 2014 / Jerry Pat Bolton


~*~ Why do we drive on a parkway and park on a driveway? ~*~

© Copyright 2014 Jerry Pat Bolton - All Rights Reserved
latearrival
Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
1 posted 2014-05-07 09:44 AM


very interesting. Enjoyed, jo
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
2 posted 2014-05-07 10:40 AM


Ah, Jo, I was on a mission to find myself in those days, when in actuality, I wasn't lost. Thank you for stopping by.

~*~ Why do we drive on a parkway and park on a driveway? ~*~

Namyh
Senior Member
since 2009-01-20
Posts 988

3 posted 2014-05-07 10:14 PM


JerryP - Isn't it amazing that when you've walked the walk, you can always talk the talk because you know how to. I liked this Jerry for the memories. Namyh
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
4 posted 2014-05-07 10:29 PM


Ahhh . . . I was getting ready to go to bed when I checked on PiP. Thank you so much for your special comments, I so appreciate them.

~*~ Why do we drive on a parkway and park on a driveway? ~*~

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere
5 posted 2014-05-08 06:31 AM


I can't help but think when I read your work on this topic, "better you than me". I'm sure I would have self destructed in the process. It is ironic that the beatings and anger that drove you away, made you tough enough to survive the journey. Another enjoyed walk with you!

Lori

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
6 posted 2014-05-08 07:30 AM


Good morning Lori. Seems I just continue to revisit old battle scars.

~*~ Why do we drive on a parkway and park on a driveway? ~*~

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere
7 posted 2014-05-08 09:29 AM


You could write about your daily interactions with Zoe but they wouldn't be near as compelling as your interaction with your past.
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
8 posted 2014-05-08 09:37 AM


You are correct, Lori. Since I have made peace with myself my poetry seems to be mundane most of the time. So I go back and visit those days off and on.

~*~ Why do we drive on a parkway and park on a driveway? ~*~

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere
9 posted 2014-05-08 09:56 AM


I never meant to suggest your poetry was mundane if it didn't deal with your past... I simply meant that your writings about your past have pathos that writung about Zoe wouldn't. Trust me when I say your other writings have plenty of zing my friend.
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
10 posted 2014-05-08 10:07 AM


Eh . . . Most of them lack zing I think. Thank you for saying that it does though.

~*~ Why do we drive on a parkway and park on a driveway? ~*~

EmmaRose
Senior Member
since 2011-03-02
Posts 1376
Midwest
11 posted 2014-05-09 04:35 PM


the night is long with shadows
yet the poet is in the light with
overcoming

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
12 posted 2014-05-09 05:16 PM


Hi Emma, thank you for your positive comments about my poem today.

~*~ How come abbreviated is such a long word? ~*~

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