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Balladeer
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since 1999-06-05
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Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

0 posted 1999-06-05 10:05 PM


KINGDOM OF LOX

When I was just a young boy sitting on my father's knee,
I marveled at all the stories and fables he nightly told to me
And one fable, in particular, stayed in my memory -
About the small kingdom of Lox.

Lox was ruled by a kind and gentle king
Who gave his subjects everything
But he had one quirk, one tiny thing
Which made a paradox.

He would send gifts to his subjects - precious gold and diamond rings,
Porcelain vases, painting masterpieces, pottery and things
But each precious gift he wrapped up, tied it with a piece of string
And used a flimsy box.

The recipients were proud that he had sent them such a token
(Though, normally, when they unwrapped it, they would find it broken),
But they considered him eccentric - not an unkind word was spoken.
Such was life in the kingdom of Lox.

Late last week my father left me - calmly up and passed away,
A spirit so unbending lost to sickness and decay.
The ticking of a heart with strength to take one's breath away
Stopped .... like a rusted, battered clock.

And me, I spend time contemplating life and death and things
And who will win the pennant - will the grass return in spring?
How beautiful the moon looks when I hear Frank Sinatra sing -
And about the small kingdom of Lox.

Now, when nighttime falls and crickets sing
I wonder and ponder on why MY king
Placed such a very precious thing
In such a fragile box.


© Copyright 1999 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved
fjones
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since 1999-06-07
Posts 98
MS
1 posted 1999-06-07 11:58 AM


I understand the feelings you had when writting this poem!
Poet deVine
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since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
2 posted 1999-06-21 09:33 PM


I was rereading some of your poetry and decided to bring this to the front of the line....here you go - - - - -
thursdayschild
Member
since 1999-07-01
Posts 169
Houston, Tx.
3 posted 1999-07-07 12:50 PM


This is a wonderful work of art, with
such a powerful message. Really love this
poem.....Thanks for sharing, truly inspirational.

Balladeer
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since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
4 posted 1999-07-07 11:55 AM


....and thank you, thursdayschild. It's one of my favorites.
doreen peri
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since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812
Virginia
5 posted 1999-07-07 02:48 PM


A+++.l Bravo!
Andrew Scott
Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558
Redlands,CA,USA
6 posted 1999-07-07 07:23 PM


A reminder of how lucky I am to still have my father about after two double by-passes. My sincere thanks.
Nan
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since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
7 posted 1999-08-15 04:35 PM


My deer, this is one of my favorites of your works - and I never commented on it.... That's two today.... .. ...
So, here's another for these fine folks to savor.... ..


------------------
Nay, if our wits run the Wild-Goose chase, I am done:
For thou hast more of the Wild-Goose in one of thy wits,
Than I am sure I have in my whole five.
~ ²1592 Wm. Shakespeare ~ Romeo & Juliet ~ ii. iv. 75



Pretender
New Member
since 1999-08-13
Posts 9
Roseville, CA 95661
8 posted 1999-08-15 07:41 PM


It has such great meaning and it truly has heart. You paint a good picture with those words.
Fred Hobbs
Member
since 1999-06-08
Posts 329
Tallahassee, Florida, US
9 posted 1999-08-15 07:54 PM


Balladeer,

I missed this the first time, I'm not here much. Poems like this one are the reason all here look up to you. Another great work.

sandman

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
10 posted 1999-08-15 09:27 PM


I thought I commented on this one. It's one of my favourits. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Skyfyre
Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906
Sitting in Michael's Lap
11 posted 1999-08-15 09:42 PM


Rarely does a poem touch me as this one has. The "flimsy box" reference was brilliant. I should like to say it was cleverly written, but I don't believe that does the poem nor its author justice ... so instead I shall just say "wow".
Lost Dreamer
Member Elite
since 1999-06-20
Posts 2464
Somewhere near the Rainbow
12 posted 1999-08-15 10:28 PM


Balladeer, Well I guess I missed this one for a long time,I guess better late then never holds the key here. I have to say this is another one of your masterpieces.
Sue
Member
since 1999-08-04
Posts 383
France
13 posted 1999-08-16 08:28 AM


A wonderful thought, exquisitely written. Balladeer, you brought tears to my eyes, please don't ever stop!
~one voice~
Senior Member
since 1999-07-08
Posts 664
Billings, MT USA
14 posted 1999-08-16 12:06 PM


Balladeer, this is such a fascinating piece! It must have been posted before I found this place, otherwise, I would have commented on it sooner! I have loved your work since I first came across it, Balladeer! I'm glad this was brought up to the front!

------------------
~onevoice~

"She looked at her life
like lines, never-ending,
constantly forming,
reforming and bending."



Terri
Member
since 1999-08-08
Posts 82
Turtle Creek, PA
15 posted 1999-08-16 02:26 PM


Oh Bal...how beautiful
Life is all the more precious because we are so fragile

Toerag
Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622
Ala bam a
16 posted 1999-08-16 02:30 PM


That was great my friend.....I could write a zillion poems of what my father told to me...but none as well as you....
suthern
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since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
17 posted 1999-08-16 08:55 PM


'Deer.... incredibly beautiful!
aziza
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since 2006-07-09
Posts 2995
Lumpy Oatmeal makes me Crazy!
18 posted 2007-06-10 11:04 PM


I love this.

Alison

Artic Wind
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 8080
Realm of Supernatural
19 posted 2007-11-12 09:13 PM


enjoyed

ARCTIC WIND

latearrival
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since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
20 posted 2009-05-18 12:44 PM


Precious. latearrival
Klassy Lassy
Member Elite
since 2005-06-28
Posts 2187
Oregon
21 posted 2009-05-24 10:37 PM


So alluring
I found the Kingdom of Lox
I, too, found treasure
in the King's box
brighter than diamonds,
softer than pearls,
roses dew-kissed
where petals unfurl,
night skies filled
with flotillas of fire
laughter and music~~
soft auras inspire
myriad patterns,
kaleidoscope art,
legacies of life,
no stop and no start,
~ a journey of wings
no box could contain,
the empirical rise of
a heart in refrain,
bright glories of eons,
such patterns to thrill
broke all the boxes
so heaven could spill
the magic of legends,
voice velvet, whereof,
I'm captive audience
to a Balladeer's love.

~K Lassy 5/24/09

A soft touch of memories, Michael.

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!
22 posted 2009-05-24 11:45 PM


You stole my breath.  May I have it back?

A

GBride
Senior Member
since 2009-07-02
Posts 538

23 posted 2009-07-02 08:07 PM


You poem is an inspiration to me as I never knew my father. When he died I had to attend his funeral. I can remember thinking how happy I was that I would never have to have anything to do with him. I was always resentful of male attority and had little respect for men. You poem has given me an insite into what could have been. Thanks
Balladeer
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Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
24 posted 2009-07-02 09:44 PM


Thank you, GBride,for such a touching response. I appreciate it....and welcome to Passions!
Sunshine
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since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
25 posted 2009-07-02 10:21 PM


My first reading
of such a precious thing...
and now we all know
why you're such the king

of all we hold dear...
in all that we hear.



One day, I shall go on a treasured hunt!


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