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Open Poetry #6
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jbowie
Member
since 2000-02-18
Posts 135
BANGOR (that OR) ME

0 posted 2000-03-29 11:45 PM


The old man winces slightly in response
to an unrelenting arthritic stiffness that
at night, settles into his joints like
ravenous worms burrowing deeply, seeking
the succulent core of a rotting apple

I response to the undulating waves
of pain, his face gravely contorts, creating
deep frown lines that look as permanent
as river valleys carved in the granite bedrock
by eons of powerfully coursing water

Then as if by some unseen smoothing hand
his features relax as he turns to his wife
who is as beautiful to him as the day
he first saw her playfully tossing a stick
to an aging chocolate labrador retriever

Whistling softly so as not to wake his wife
he summons his bounding young pup Charlie
from his piles of quilt bedding on the floor
patting him affectionately before turning to
grasp his wool lined winter coveralls

Drawing on a pair of aged leather boots, he
gathers his bucket of shiners and an old
railroad pry bar he will use to break the thin
coating of ice that would have formed over
his fishing holes during the long winter night

Pulling open the door, his arthritic pains now
becoming just a dim memory, he shuffles out onto
the ice after his playful pup Charlie, both excitedly anticipating the first of many fish to be
caught on this beautifully clear morning

[This message has been edited by jbowie (edited 03-29-2000).]

© Copyright 2000 James Bowie - All Rights Reserved
Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
1 posted 2000-03-30 07:41 AM


You make winter sound "almost" appealing, james... I'll just keep on viewing it through your eyes...hehe..

"like
         ravenous worms burrowing deeply, seeking
         the succulent core of a rotting apple"
No one but you would think to write a simile such as this one... You're good, my friend..>*  

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
2 posted 2000-03-30 09:35 AM


Excellent imagery and very well written  
INclan
Senior Member
since 1999-07-20
Posts 1024
Indiana, USA
3 posted 2000-03-30 10:06 AM


This makes me sad the ice is gone off Lk. Maxinkuckee. My grandfather loved to ice fish and took me often, as a young boy.  I miss him.

INclan

Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

4 posted 2000-03-30 10:09 AM


Your poems are always a pleasure! You paint such beautiful vivid pictures with your words!

Denise

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