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Open Poetry #5
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Shady Rest
| Open Poetry #5 |
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Shady Rest |
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Fred Hobbs Member
since 1999-06-08
Posts 329Tallahassee, Florida, US |
SHADY REST It’s Sunday at the Shady Rest He gets up early, wears his best Grabs the walker by the wall And shuffles down the yellowed hall Some visitors were due to call His son, the wife, and grandsons too Were coming by, they seldom do They’re busy folks and he knows that But still they’re coming by to chat Why they’d be here in nothing flat He settles on the porch to wait And thinks about the quirk of fate That led him to be staying here Away from folks that he holds dear Those he so wanted to be near Two years ago his good wife died Alone and all torn up inside The old man learned to live alone Learned to make it on his own He struggled hard to get a grip But then he fell and broke his hip. . . His son's just coming through the gate His youngest grandson too, but wait There’s no sign now of his son’s mate Nor did he see the older lad He wouldn’t be here, never had The old man gave his son a hug While grandson sat down on the rug And watched the old folks sitting there They looked back with a vacant stare They didn't know him, didn’t care The boy spies Mrs. Monahan She’s playing checkers with her man She plays all day and doesn’t know He passed on thirty years ago She’s talking to him even so The old man’s son is doing well He’s happy, the old man can tell He talks about his life and laughs He shows the latest photographs An hour passes, maybe two The talking stops as if on cue There’s something now the son must do He says the words that he must say “Hey Dad, come home with us and stay The boys can learn to share a bed” He sees his grandson shake his head He’d rather eat a snake instead The old man says, “I’d better not We better stay with what we’ve got They’re much too big, a bed to share I’d just be getting in your hair And Son, I need a lot of care” The son says “Dad, I plan to take You fishing soon down on the lake I’ll buy the beer and bring the bait We’ll have a swell time, just you wait” The old man smiles “Well that sounds great” Then shuffles with them to the gate He blinks a tear and feigns a cough A hug, a wave and then they’re off The old man struggles back inside With lowered head he tries to hide His eyes so no one knows he cried It’s bedtime now at Shady Rest He lay, arms folded on his chest He didn’t have it bad he guessed In fact in some ways he was blessed But still the fates had been unkind To take his life and leave his mind |
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| © Copyright 2000 Fred Hobbs - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Lynn Member
since 1999-09-20
Posts 316Jasper, Alabama U.S.A. |
Well, I don't really know what to say. This is VERY well written, and oh so sad. If time cannot heal your pain, you can always cry on my shoulder. ~Jenn~ |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Oh, Fred! Nice to see you here! And with this poem...so sad..and so well done! Thanks for coming by!  |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Hello, Fred- You've been missed by this lady. HOW 'BOUT THEM 'NOLES ! ! ! Okay ... now Your poem is a tender and touching one. I wish more rest home residents were as fortunate to be wanted again by someone. If you want to give your heart a lift... go to a local area rest/nursing home and share a poetry reading with them. The experience will be so uplifting. My favorite time is when I've finished my poetry and tell the residents .... Okay ... somebody tell ME a story ! What fun, what inspiration. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Hey Fred! Nice to see you again!! Wonderful poem! A sad tale, true to life for too many... Denise |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Pure Fred Hobbs, this is! Terrific, Fred. It's always a pleasure seeing your name on the page.  |
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Meadowmuse Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263 |
I'm not one o' the regular gang, I suppose, but still I know a well~crafted work when I read it, and yours is such. Powerful ending couplet. Important message, sensitively and poignantly shared. Thank you.  Claire |
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Fred Hobbs Member
since 1999-06-08
Posts 329Tallahassee, Florida, US |
Lynn, Poet, Marge, Denise, Balladeer, Meadowmuse, thank you! I appreciate the kind words. Marge, are you a Nole? No wonder you're so smart! fh |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Fred, I look for you but you are seldom here. And your poem is excellent worth a beer. It's always you and balladeer that make me feel so humble here. Thanks for posting. Sy |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Wonderful Fred! Such sad a haunting images and unfortunately true. I would like to see more of your poetry....Please |
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