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Open Poetry #49
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jwesley
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563
Spring, Texas

0 posted 2014-09-10 11:10 PM




Southbound
(from Riding the Greyhound)

Letters grow wings.
They take flight.
They say things that sometimes . . .
is hard to say,
otherwise.

Take Joplin's "Bobby McGee"
for instance –
words on paper,
longing of the inner self
mailing one's soul,
to another.

Or the one I'm composing,
sitting on a
Southbound Greyhound,
New Orleans
at highway's end,
hand delivery –
my heart –
how stupid it's been,
how utterly soulless
without her,
how far I've been
the emptiness there,
the me I left behind.

Big Dog's tires
humming on the asphalt,
Joplin's "Maybe"
in my ears
wired through my phone,
the heat in my heart
saying
maybe I should pray a little,
because words on paper
don't remove corners
one has put behind him,
unless there was enough truth
in his past.

Words on paper,
songs and heart,
me,
on my knees
praying,

She, will be there.

© wesley james beard, jr.
09/10/2014

P.S.  for another ride on the dog check out Two Saddles Down in the Corner Pub Section.


[This message has been edited by jwesley (09-11-2014 02:38 PM).]

© Copyright 2014 Wesley James Beard, Jr. - All Rights Reserved
Goldenrose
Member Elite
since 2003-05-30
Posts 3665

1 posted 2014-09-11 07:29 AM


Enjoyed the ride on the dog here, it made me want to be on that bus to New Orleans, what a thrill that would be for me....seing the sign saying ''entering New Orleans'' and exicitement it would bring to me....and the Joplin would be a great soundtrack too...thank you for the words and mind vision of the journey...

Goldenrose.

all that live must die,passing through nature to eternity... William Shakespeare

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
2 posted 2014-09-11 10:00 AM


Love your Greyhound poems, Jimmy.
                           Ida

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
3 posted 2014-09-11 02:56 PM


maybe I should pray a little,
because words on paper
don't remove corners
one has put behind him,
unless there was enough truth
in his past.

I always enjoy riding along... you share such truth and wisdom from the belly of the dog!

BluesSerenade
Member Patricius
since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549
By the Seaside
4 posted 2014-09-17 11:13 AM


You and your big dog stir some fond memories,
And always take me back to a place and time.

That's a good thing.

Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
5 posted 2014-09-20 10:33 AM


Beautiful longing in this, Jimmy.  I think your corners might not be near as bad as some of the straight up walls I've put behind me.  Or then, maybe I'm just a coward who will never have the courage to turn back and try to face the *things, (notice how impersonal that sounds), in my past I know I got wrong.

Michael

Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
6 posted 2014-09-22 04:54 AM


These bus rides of yours brought you great inspiration, dear Jimmy. It is a pleasure to participate in your traveler's emotions!

Very well done!

Margherita


Gale
Senior Member
since 2013-06-10
Posts 578
Russia
7 posted 2014-09-23 12:21 PM


A nice poem, jwesley!
Especially love the beginning:

"Letters grow wings.
They take flight.
They say things that sometimes . . .
is hard to say,
otherwise."

Well said! )

VAS
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-16
Posts 7450
Oregon
8 posted 2014-10-05 06:35 PM


southern was grabbed by the same lines that pulled me in for a reread---intriguing, spark pondering

Whether on the shoal or on the shore,
I'll seek the lighthouse evermore.

Redstart
Senior Member
since 2014-05-16
Posts 535

9 posted 2014-10-06 04:55 PM


' maybe' baby will ya come on home to me. Hell, I'm felling the pain, man. Joplin was the business.
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