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Open Poetry #6
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Life's Lessons
| Open Poetry #6 |
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Life's Lessons |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA 
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(Haven't been writing and I'm afraid the quality of this shows it. Please bear with me as I try to get my poetic muscles back in shape) When I was a young boy, my gramps was my sage, My mentor, my teacher, my friend. Though quite separated by young and old age We traveled Life's road hand in hand. He pointed one day to a rock on the ground Then said, "Make that rock turn to gold". I thought to myself....the old boy's gone unsound Or, at least, is just getting too old. "Hey, gramps! It's a rock! Are you playing with me?" He said, "There's a lesson. Please see it. A thing cannot be what you want it to be Just because you may want it to be it." Then he showed me a tree a full ten feet high And he said, "Jump that tree, if you can." I said, "Gramps, what the hell! I'm a boy, not gazelle!" And I got a big smile from that man. "There's a lesson", he said, "I will pass on to you. Life is tough. This will help you get through it. A man cannot do what you want him to do Just because you may want him to do it." "Son, you'll be on your own with Life's passions to taunt You, but never forget, as a man That a girl may not love you as much as you want But she'll love you as much as she can." So here I now sit, almost fifty years hence, Filled with grief at how my life has turned. My grandpa had warned me but I was too dense And his lessons I never did learn. I sit in my parlor - a young man turned old, A beaten, pathetic old thing With a sack full of rocks that will never be gold And thin legs that have lost all their spring. I sit here in the gloom and I feel so sad As I bring back the memories so rough Of the girl who had loved me with all that she had Which I didn't consider enough. |
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| © Copyright 2000 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Balladeer~ Oh, yeah ... like I can hardly wait until you get back in 'shape' ! Well, you sure FLEXED with this one. I do not lie ... it passes muster ! Nice twister ... mister. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Balladeer....seems you've been working out somewhere out of site. This one is is a keeper  |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
That's what getting older does, huh? All those lessons and wisdom that we now know, when it's almost too late...well, it nerver is, too late...certainly not for you to write a wonderful poem, or to listen to your gramps. Love this deer, in case you couldn't tell. |
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Meadowmuse Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263 |
They're right, you know... This is as poetically "fit" As one can "git" A touching reminisce of your grandfather...thanks for sharing him with us. He'd have to be proud of you. |
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Lost Dreamer Member Elite
since 1999-06-20
Posts 2464Somewhere near the Rainbow |
Sir Balladeer, This is a marvelous poem as always, the talent you have could not go sour as well as your outlook on life. Sometimes little hurdles get in the way, and we forget to jump. |
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Nurse Crachet Member
since 1999-09-27
Posts 318They know where I am! |
Oh, how I liked your poem, we all think of times gone by, and the what if's, and what could have been's. |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Balladeer, Well you know what the rock was for, to hit yourself in the head. You have a mind like a steel trap and I always get caught in it. You know how I feel about your writing. Sy |
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Corazon Senior Member
since 2000-02-02
Posts 1209 |
like this one, great writing...sighs and hugs |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
Ouch! I will say Balladeer, that yo know how to wrap a poem up! You present it well, then close the loop and cinch in the reader! |
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Toerag Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622Ala bam a |
You silly old fart! Yea, when you're outta shape "poetry" wise...ya still kick everyone's ass! Now then, if you can get back on the Viagra, start reading those dirty magazines again, and do something with that gut and all those wrinkles, we may can get your love life back on track too..... |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Excellent! How can you say it's not up to your usual? This is wonderful...but I don't know who you're talking about in this one.. you can't be the man with the back of rocks...because you still have it!  |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
You're a wise one, Balladeer, and your poetry is as perfect as ever! Corinne |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Your writing muscles seem just fine to me! This is wonderful! Denise |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
I'd say you're in shape! I have to laugh at Sey and Toe and their replies though. The point is the lesson was learned, better late than never. Certainly something for us all to think about. |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
Uh, yeah - I wish my "out of shape" poetry looked so good. A hard lesson here - but then Wisdom is a tough teacher - the lessons always come after the test....I think is how they say it. LOL at thinking I should be talking about wisdom anyway - Just ignore me. Great poem, though. Two thumbs up for sure. Michael |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Hmmmm... if you're out of shape poetically, the rest of us are up that infamous creek without a paddle! LOL. This is great, 'Deer one! |
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RSEvans Senior Member
since 1999-10-23
Posts 1147Tulsa, OK, USA |
I too have been gone, and I'm sure it shows, but with your talent I doubt anyone knows. You flex with much flare and as a poet you dare to show us your grief with disdain and belief. You are quite the gentleman scholar it seems and these nuggets of gold, to us a smile brings. Keep up the good work, ole Balladeer, and give us more gifts that we can hold dear. |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Big thanks to you all. I'm going to try to get back on track here. You all have always been great supporters and I thank you..Toe, being the athlete you are, I will consider you an athletic supporter! |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Out of shape? Nah.... I've seen pictures.... You don't get older, Deer - You get better..  |
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