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Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

0 posted 1999-06-17 03:45 PM

Billy was a poor, young boy
Who lived on the edge of town.
His father was a drunkard and
His mother quite unsound.

His clothes were tattered, ripped and torn;
His family numbered ten
But no complaint escaped his lips -
Young Billy was my friend.

When Billy asked to go to church,
His father gave a silent stare.
He didn't believe in foolish things
Like church, religion or prayer.

Each Sunday as I walked to church
And passed his house, I'd see
His small face at the window, calling
"Say hello to God for me!"

He'd have his face pressed to the glass
As he waved and called out happily
Those words that meant so much to him,
"Hey! Say hello to God for me!"

He went through many hardships
And the times were pretty rough.
Anyone with a weaker faith
Would have probably screamed, "Enough!"

But, every Sunday as I passed,
I knew what my next sight would be -
Billy's little smiling face
Calling, "Say hello to God for me!"

I guess you know what happened next,
The fire at the edge of town,
And Billy being asleep in bed
As his house burned to the ground.

Now, as I sit in church and pray,
I know where Billy has to be
As I whisper to the sky above

"OK, Billy.
Now YOU say hello to God for me."

Augchic711
Member

since 1999-06-17

Posts 80
O'Fallon, IL, USA

1 posted 1999-06-17 03:53 PM

Balla-
As I said before you are extremely talented and you moved me with your poetry thank you for sharing it with me and I hope you continue. I hope one day my poetry will be as good as yours is !!!!!

*******augchic711*******

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

2 posted 1999-06-17 04:04 PM

Thank you, Augchic-, for your kind words. As long as you put the absolute best of what you can do into your poetry, it will be as good as anyone elses. The only competition lies within ourselves. But I'm flattered. Thank you.

Craig
Member

since 1999-06-10

Posts 444

3 posted 1999-06-17 04:31 PM

Well done Balladeer, may I now tip my hat to you.

jfreak
Member

since 1999-06-17

Posts 306
Yuma, AZ, USA

4 posted 1999-06-17 06:52 PM

Dude I am sitting here speechless!!!! Literally, I am choking back a tear. (I am not joking either.) This poem totally moved me. It is so true though. People that live with such hardships are the ones that usually have the greatest faith in God and the ones that have had it so easy(in my opinion probably b/c God blesses them) are the ones to just ignore him. This is an OUTSTANDING poem. I just love it. Keep it up balladeer.

Jfreak

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

5 posted 1999-06-17 07:54 PM

Thank you, jfreak. Having someone moved by one's work is the greatest compliment of all. Appreciate it!

Nan

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-20

Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA

6 posted 1999-06-17 08:52 PM

Thanks, M&M

ac
Member

since 1999-06-17

Posts 129
Cayey, PR - USA

7 posted 1999-06-17 10:27 PM

This moved me so...I had to send it to some friends, it just wouldn't be fair to be moved alone...

Poet deVine

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-26

Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley

8 posted 1999-06-17 10:33 PM

What a lovely poem! You have such a diverse bag of goodies there, sir! Can't wait to read the next one!

fjones
Member

since 1999-06-07

Posts 98
MS

9 posted 1999-06-17 11:23 PM

Everyone speaks of your talent and rightly so but what you also have is wisdom and insight. You express such empathy for your fellow man.

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

10 posted 1999-06-28 04:16 PM

Thank you, but again, your age? Not to be impolite, but your words speak with wisdom, and unless you are a reader renown, you thus have age on your side. Wonderful. Thanks.

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

11 posted 1999-06-28 05:04 PM

53, Sunshine. Going on 90 and still acting like 25.

Moonlight
Member

since 1999-06-25

Posts 105
Auburn, Alabama USA

12 posted 1999-06-28 07:13 PM

I LOVE IT!!
It gave me goose bumps...

~M~

Lost Dreamer
Member Elite

since 1999-06-20

Posts 2464
Somewhere near the Rainbow

13 posted 1999-06-28 07:37 PM

This truely brought a tears to my eyes, I am so glad I have been graced with the pleasure of your abilities to reach so many levels with your poetry.

DreamEvil
Member Elite

since 1999-06-22

Posts 2396

14 posted 1999-06-28 10:34 PM

Excellent, it moved me immensely!

------------------
Patience is a virtue, but virtue has never been one of my redeeming qualities.

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

15 posted 1999-06-28 11:43 PM

To all of you...please, please, please accept my warmest thanks!

elvira
Senior Member

since 1999-07-06

Posts 936
California

16 posted 1999-07-17 04:28 AM

Balladeer, you always aim straight for my heart, thank you for all your great works

------------------
Childhood Memories...your countenance...hoarse whispers...My One and Only...Tribute to M.J... serving wench...stolen hours...devotion...Master...apart...

Cinderella
Member

since 1999-06-23

Posts 152
Arizona

17 posted 1999-07-17 07:13 PM

What more can I say? All of the comments stated above so true and you touched me!

~one voice~
Senior Member

since 1999-07-08

Posts 664
Billings, MT USA

18 posted 1999-07-17 07:46 PM

Balladeer, this is so sad...it really touched my heart...even though being sad, it is so very touching. ~one voice~

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius

since 1999-07-05

Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA

19 posted 1999-07-17 10:32 PM

This is a wonderful piece of work. So sad and yet it rings so true. Wonderful rythym and rhyme.

------------------
"Nobody has measured, not even poets, how much the heart can hold" ~Zelda Fitzgerald

poetFemmeFatale
Member Elite

since 1999-07-25

Posts 2646
Arkansas

20 posted 1999-08-15 12:42 PM

I found this exquisite piece and thought it deserved a big KICK back to the top - let's rack up some more points for this one ! Balladeer, this was unbelievable.....you know I mean that. Wow..

------------------
- poet FemmeFatale

"The strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone..." Henrik Ibsen (1826-1906) Norwegian dramatist lyric poet

Tara Simms
Senior Member

since 1999-08-12

Posts 1244
Honea Path, SC USA

21 posted 1999-08-15 12:51 PM

Balladeer, that was a very inspiring piece. If only everyone had that kind of faith.

moonmoon
Member

since 1999-08-13

Posts 277
TX , USA

22 posted 1999-08-15 12:55 PM

Balladeer,
Your poems fill me with awe sir...

------------------
"No one was ever ruined from without;
The final ruin comes from within." Amelia E. Barr

Delores Hall
Member

since 1999-07-16

Posts 342
USA

23 posted 1999-08-15 01:40 AM

Very touching poem Ballader.

Karibear
Junior Member

since 1999-06-30

Posts 10
San Jose, Ca, USA

24 posted 1999-08-15 02:01 AM

Wow!!!!

I'm a Christian and I'm one of those blessed with a great family and all that, and this poem can really make you think about those who never get a chance to worship God. It can stand for those who are persecuted for what they believe in. Thank you for this wonderful poem.

Kari

P.S. this is my Fav verse

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." ~Psalms 3:5-6

------------------
Turn your face to the sunlight and you shall not see the shadow.
-- Helen Keller

Carolina Girl
Member

since 1999-08-14

Posts 63

25 posted 1999-08-15 02:09 AM

*sobbing* That one really jerked the tears! You're poems are so wonderful!!! Do you have a publisher yet? I'd be the first one to buy your collection, if you don't already have a book published.

Terri
Member

since 1999-08-08

Posts 82
Turtle Creek, PA

26 posted 1999-08-15 02:23 AM

SEE!! I told you...you do have the power to break my heart! Cannot find the words to do this justice....only, thank you.

Michael

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-13

Posts 7666
California

27 posted 1999-08-15 02:44 AM

Wow! I'm glad this made it back up to the top Balladeer. I had a friend in first grade who was killed in a fire. This poem was sad and yet made me smile too. great work.

Michael

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

28 posted 1999-08-15 01:22 PM

Thank you all for your kind comments....and thank you, Femme.

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean

since 1999-07-07

Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla

29 posted 1999-08-15 01:28 PM

Balladeer,
This is just a kick to get you back up there.
I guess that would be superlative enough.

Sue
Member

since 1999-08-04

Posts 383
France

30 posted 1999-08-15 01:40 PM

So many words about your poem, but none of them does it justice. I can't, either, so I won't try. I just want to tell you that it really moved me.

juanita
Member

since 1999-08-13

Posts 68
Los Angeles, CA, USA

31 posted 1999-08-15 04:20 PM

Felt the need to give thanks, feel the desire to share,inspirational in many ways,
simplicity is deceptively complex, you're a fine teacher!!

RainbowGirl
Member Elite

since 1999-07-31

Posts 3023
United Kingdom

32 posted 1999-08-15 05:05 PM

It's all been said ....such a beautiful thought to hold on to, sheer magic...

HUGS

------------------
You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.

Skyfyre
Senior Member

since 1999-08-15

Posts 1906
Sitting in Michael's Lap

33 posted 1999-08-15 09:31 PM

Innocence ... captured perfectly. I think we have all met a Billy. Brava!

Stephanie Robinson
New Member

since 1999-08-16

Posts 5

34 posted 1999-08-16 04:13 AM

You've already had so many replies,but I'm still going to say this really touched me and I'd like to say that you can change so many people with the words you write.Thank you for giving me and everyone else the chance to read this.

Toerag
Member Ascendant

since 1999-07-29

Posts 5622
Ala bam a

35 posted 1999-08-16 07:35 AM

Balladeer....I know your poetry moves me too man...Why I frequently have "movements" immediately after reading your stuff....LOL...this was indeed another great piece of work my friend.....You continue to leave me in awe of you talent......and as Carolina said...(and I know her...she's a fox....and a sweetie....and nuthin' could be finer than to be "in" Carolina in the morning..)you really should get a publisher pal!

LngJhnAg
Member Elite

since 1999-07-23

Posts 3508
Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion

36 posted 1999-08-16 11:01 AM

'Deer

Another great poem. You make it look easy, ya rascal. I enjoy just about everything you write; the only exception being the villifying comments you often pen in error concerning my saintly nature. But, there should be flaws in every person, else why would you strive ever harder?

I wish I could be that little Billy.... Would you like me to say "Hi" to anybody (or thing) else after I pass on? It might help you out when your time has come.

Toerag
Member Ascendant

since 1999-07-29

Posts 5622
Ala bam a

37 posted 1999-08-16 11:37 AM

Yea, me and LongJohn could take a resume up there for ya?....

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

38 posted 1999-08-16 04:53 PM

And when you're going over that contract with your publisher, remind them that the first printing needs to be a large one... lots of advance sales here! *G* Wonderful poem!

poohbear
Junior Member

since 1999-08-02

Posts 42
piedmont,sc

39 posted 1999-08-16 05:34 PM

all has already been said, im very impressed by your ability, it gives us all something to aspire towards

Emmy
Member

since 1999-06-29

Posts 194
KY

40 posted 1999-08-19 08:42 PM

I would try to say something but my jaw is still on the ground after reading your poem! I loved the subject of this poem because it was sweet; it gave me bitter-sweet warm fuzzies (if that makes any sense at all). But not only that, your rhyming is always just right and your rhythm never falters. Geez, how do you do it?!?! Will someone share with me Balladeer's secret here? I feel left out of something! If anyone finds out, make sure I'm the first to know!

CSwtThng
Member

since 1999-07-28

Posts 124

41 posted 1999-08-19 11:13 PM

I'm a little embarassed, but thid poem made me cry. Sometimes we lose sight of what is really important. We often forget just how good we've got it.

DARILYN SUE
Junior Member

since 1999-08-03

Posts 22
HOUSTON, TX

42 posted 1999-08-19 11:17 PM

What an absolutely beautiful & touching poem.

trutodaraiders
Senior Member

since 2006-12-02

Posts 820
CA

43 posted 2007-02-18 02:07 AM

Very touching and well written

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