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Open Poetry #1
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The Phone That Never Rang
| Open Poetry #1 |
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The Phone That Never Rang |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA 
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The dim-lit bar was dank and dark and occupied by few. Sadness, lonliness and despair Seemed to linger everywhere, Melancholy filled the air For those few lonely castabouts Who ended their daily roundabouts By sipping a ten cent brew. What atmosphere the room posessed! from sawdust on the floor Where boots from many unhappy men trampled o'er and o'er again To and from this murky den, Men who had loved,men who had lost, Men who had chanced and paid the cost And never would again. 'Twas getting late that winter's day when the stranger crossed the light. A curious glance or two his way (old man didn't know he could not stay) Instead they heard the stranger say, "One quick brew and I must be gone To get home to my telephone. My lady calls tonight!" The heads around the bar shook "NO!". The stranger was not one! How dare he enter and intrude Upon their den of solitude, Mix laughter with their somber mood! But the barman sensed an urgency And asked the old man quietly, "How long since she hasn't phoned?" "Oh, fifteen years, nearer twenty, I guess." He smiled in somber light. "I'm sure she caught up with disaster. When she calls, though, I won't ask her. I've never tried to play the master. Her love for me is strong and steady. I know she'll call when she is ready - And tonight will be the night!" The eyes around the bar grew moist at the poor, lost, little louse. The barman, in the light so dim, Filled a cup up to the brim And sat it down in front of him. "Then hurry. You don't have much time. Chug this one down - no, save your dime. This one's on the house". A month had passed, or maybe two, in the early days of spring Into that room of tears and booze While sipping on their daily brews The same old men had heard the news; That old man had been found all alone With fingers clutching a telephone - A phone that never rang. |
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| © Copyright 1999 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Sally S. Senior Member
since 1999-06-07
Posts 847Ohio |
I search the words for my reply and yet there are so few. Can't seem to put together just what to say to you. Your poems have touched so many it seems a crime to waste.. A talent such as yours needs a grand and powerful place.. For all to see and feel your words as we have in passionate forum. You've given us strength for our own work with masterful decorum. Thank you for sharing your fine talent with us. Your work is a pleasure to behold.  |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Dear Sally...My poems need a grand and powerful place? This IS a grand and powerful place! The poetry is excellent, the poets are dedicated to their work and offer encouragement and, more than that, they (like you) are just a bunch of NICE people. There is a rich diversity of styles here and we feed off each other, push each other, and applaud each other as if we were all part of the same team, WHICH WE ARE! Aside from that, we all seem to LIKE each other. Have you ever seen a poetry group where all the poets liked each other before? I sure haven't. No bickering, no petty jealousies, no attitudes. I have made friendships here that will last a lifetime. A grand place? I am in that grand place, Sally, and if my writing career were to carry me no farther than here, I would consider it a huge success. I'm gonna be around to make you cry and drink wine for a long time! Bless you, Sally, along with every other member of this amazing group. I appreciate you. |
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Temptress
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-06-15
Posts 7136Mobile, AL |
You haven't ceased to amaze me yet. I can only hope to be as great as this one day. Thank you for your inspiration. |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
and thank you, Temptress, very much. |
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Sally S. Senior Member
since 1999-06-07
Posts 847Ohio |
Quite right, my dear Balladeer. This IS a grand place. I have my chablis....and the kleenex. I anxiously await your next masterpiece. |
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Alwye
Moderator
Member Elite
since 1999-06-16
Posts 3850In the space between moments |
Wow, everything you write touches my heart in it's most hidden places. Your talent is truly immesurable and I anxiously await your new masterpieces to come...they are absolutely beautiful. ------------------ *Krista Knutson* |
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Krystal Member
since 1999-06-19
Posts 140Shelton,WA USA |
Balladeer... I applaud you again, what a wonderful poem! I agree with Temptress... I can only hope one day to be as good as you are! Your work inspires me... Thanks for sharing it. ------------------ Shannon D. Montgomery ("Krystal") |
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Lost Dreamer Member Elite
since 1999-06-20
Posts 2464Somewhere near the Rainbow |
Sir Balladeer, It sure is lucky that you have a castle (at least in my mind that is) cause one little mantle above a fireplace could not display the talent you possess everytime you open up that impassioned mind, and pick up your pen to write. |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
I have long been impressed and pay him full call. He is a gentle soul except when he hits a golf ball. |
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Starith Member
since 1999-08-18
Posts 176Leesburg, FL USA |
Balladeer, You touch the heart strings...how on Earth do you come up with these things? I bow to thee, you are truely a great poet! |
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Tyke Junior Member
since 1999-08-22
Posts 26Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
Few things are greater than words that move one to thought. A work well done! The excursion is the same when you go looking for your sorrow as when you go looking for your joy. -------Eudora Welty |
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Colin Senior Member
since 1999-06-05
Posts 596Callington, Cornwall, England |
Very powerful stuff here Mr B. and *shaking head* you've just brought a tear to my eye too! |
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IsabelleSkye Member
since 1999-06-27
Posts 253 |
'Deer ya know this hit home....poor Eric... Izzzy |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
You're awesome.....  |
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Poetwheel Member
since 1999-07-07
Posts 208Canada |
This guys should invest in call waiting...or at least an answering machine. Poor bloke probably missed the call!..Great work as always... PW ------------------ Poetic Wheelbarrow http://www.stormloader.com/poetwheel/den.html ICQ: 44370408 |
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caroline Senior Member
since 1999-08-16
Posts 1218http://members.xoom.com/belladona123/index.htm |
truly a lovely piece....I agree with the others here. Your work is wonderful. ------------------ The only man worth your tears will never make you cry... |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Too sad. And too often true. Balladeer, I have been going through these poems carefully, looking for the one about the old Jewish man at the bar.. It is the one posted in the museum in Israel.I dearly loved it and spoke of it to a Jewish friend. She would love to read it.I can not think of the name of it and have not found it after two hours of browsing. Can you help me find it. best, marty |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
/pip/Forum30/HTML/001608.html There you go, Marty...and thank you again for enjoying my work. I appreciate you  |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Balladeer. You are more than a deer! Sweet dear, man. I know you hate that but you are what you are. Thank you for being so generous. Dr.Sappington will love this. She is very involved, her son was staying in a Kibbutz a few years ago and she was so proud of him. She has a daughter too. They will all enjoy. I, as Helmut have a German background and yes we know we can not do anything about the past. But we can darn well try to change the future with words like you write. Thank you for sharing, for your generosity and for taking the time to bring this back for me. Best, marty P.S I did pass "Treblinka" two or three times last night but did not connect it with this story. I opened many others and enjoyed a lot of good reading. |
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