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Open Poetry #9
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ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada

0 posted 2000-08-06 01:22 PM



oh out on the street where the ladies are heady
they walk an old walk they tell an old tale
and the story's the same they're easy they're ready
while crusing for tricks on the neon trail.

it's a high horse night the chances are doubled
some sad stories will come to an end
it's risky and tough and riddled with trouble
with drifters and grifters and johns never been.

the lushes with lucre are strangers who make it
roll'em to the palace where nine lives drift
the scent of the hunt eroding their patience
for the play at pleasures that they can dismiss.

and nine lives drift over the canyons
over the mountains and over the seas
over the meadows and sparkling fountains
over the rivers and through the trees
into the caverns and into the trade winds
into the hour glass falling and free.

oh the night was set the play was rowdy
young Gale was shick with diamonds and grit
when a stranger relayed his desire to booty
her place at the palace where nine lives drift.

oh lay the bills down the hallways were humming
and wine glasses clinked to the times and the night
when in through the door burst four masked gunmen
their gun barrels gleamed in the chandlier light.

Gale's limp arm the stranger grabbed running
she screamed as he pulled her through the fire escape.
they fell to the street as they were gunning
the ladies and johns in the lounge for their take.

The gale held stranger chilled with the danger
her body was wet and her nails dug sound
away from the gory carnage that famed there
they fled from death by devils blood hounds.

the sirens were wailing the palace was silent
at the end of nine lives in a source blood red
the scene through a desolate prism of violence
was haunting the palace where nine lives drift.

they walk an old walk they tell an old tale
with a swan dive waiting to finish their shift
but out in the country you can see Gale
raising her children with eight lives to give.

and nine lives drift over the canyons
over the mountains and over the seas
over the meadows and sparkling fountains
over the rivers and through the trees
into the caverns and into the trade winds
into the hour glass falling and free.

This is based on a true story from the archives of my Scottish English descent. Apparently the stranger took young Gale and married her and they lived happily for the rest of their lives. Her past never came up in all the years they were married...but the story was also told to me by my Scottish story telling Grandfather (Thyrle Foster) so the truth may be bent a little.
The nine lives drift part is meant to describe how this age old business of prostitution seems to sift into every element of society like the mystic nature of the cat.....so called cat houses......

© Copyright 2000 Eric Lewis True - All Rights Reserved
T McCoy
Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 186

1 posted 2000-08-06 01:27 PM


you've told this beautifully...
this is a great story...
congrats on 1000!
keep it up ethome  

tony

MMoonchild
Senior Member
since 2000-07-13
Posts 1715
PA
2 posted 2000-08-06 01:38 PM


wow E...wasn't too long ago I congratulated you on another milestone..sighhhhhh

it's so hard to keep up with all these  wonderful poems
~~soft hugs
Maureen

brian madden
Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374
ireland
3 posted 2000-08-06 01:38 PM


The gale held stranger chilled with the danger
her body was wet and her nails dug sound
away from the gory carnage that famed there
they fled from death by devils blood hounds.

the sirens were wailing the palace was silent
at the end of nine lives in a source blood red
the scene through a desolate prism of violence
was haunting the palace where nine lives drift.


Excellent stuff Ethome, Congards on the 1000th post.

"I am melancholy, flower cutting through stone"
manic street preachers

rosepetals25
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Elite
since 2000-05-31
Posts 3076
PA
4 posted 2000-08-06 01:42 PM


ethome,

       What a wonderful poem for 1000th   So well written.  Congrats on your 1000th post.

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

5 posted 2000-08-06 01:44 PM


Pure Excellence...great story, great title, great poet!!!  Congratulations, ethome!

and an awesome post!

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
6 posted 2000-08-06 01:56 PM


Thank you so much Tony, Maureen and Brian you support means more to me than you know. I will be looking for you always...
Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
7 posted 2000-08-06 02:06 PM


ETHome~
What a delightful ballad you've sung.
Adventure and romance tied up in a neat bundle.
I love it.
Congratulations, my friend.
The 1000th is presented with class, style
and a touch of intrigue.

You've a nifty talent for sharing.
~*Marge*~


~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com


Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song
8 posted 2000-08-06 02:15 PM


I'm in with the others when I say that this is an excellent choice for your milestone.  The way you have told the story is captivating to say the least and the feeling I got from reading was brought on by your attention to imagery...Superbly done...and many congrats on your 1000th post.....I will be looking for it and all the ones in between.
Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

9 posted 2000-08-06 02:23 PM


E-baby...this rocks
I do so love your rhymes...
Congrats on your landmark post my friend..
thank you for making so many of them
on my work...
take care dear poet
jm

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
10 posted 2000-08-06 02:30 PM


Thank you Rosepetals and Serenity I appreciate your support very much.


Serenity did you notice what has been missing lately?

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

11 posted 2000-08-06 02:58 PM


ain't it nice?  just when I was planning a "couchon de lait!"
Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
12 posted 2000-08-06 03:07 PM


ethome,
...CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 1000 posts...

You, my friend, have penned a masterpiece here.... what a story you have told and in what an expressive fashion...

I have to come back to read this many more times....

regards,
sudhir

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
13 posted 2000-08-06 03:19 PM


Thanks so much Marge for your support and for the wonderful comments.

Thanks Janet I'm glad this rocks, coming from such a great poet friend it means so much to me.

Mark thank you so much for your kind words and the promise of future visits. I will be reading your fine words also.

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
14 posted 2000-08-06 03:38 PM


Wow!!!  Ethome, I really loved this!  Bravo!!

You have written a wonderful tale...had me enthralled!  I'm sure it was made even better with your grandfather's bend and yours...You did a remarkable job with this.

Oh, and congratulations!

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
15 posted 2000-08-06 03:40 PM


Congrats times 1000 my young friend...you knew I would like this masterpiece of history...thanks for the tale well told...

Karilea
When you want to be loved, look within...KRJ

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
16 posted 2000-08-06 03:53 PM


Oh, those Scottish are wonderful story tellers and do love to embellish a tale a bit, but that what makes them so intriguing, as this poem was from beginning to end.
Wonderful!
Liz

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
17 posted 2000-08-06 04:23 PM


Serenity I don't know what a couchon of milk is supposed to be but I'm glad you did'nt have to go through a lot of work for...well you know..

Thanks so much Sudhir "masterpiece" is a high word of praise coming from a poet of your abilities.

Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada
18 posted 2000-08-06 04:42 PM


Applause and Congratulations on 1000 Ethome!

What a wonderful ballad to mark this milestone! Much enjoyed!
And from one wee part-Scottish lass, I'll lift me glass and say:
"To a thousand more ... 'Aye ... there's the rrrub!"

Best wishes,
/Kit


ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
19 posted 2000-08-06 07:13 PM


Thank you Martie for your words about the story line, much appreciated.

Thanks for your kind words Sunshine one word in particular.

Thank you Elizabeth my dear poet friend as one who admires your work very much I certainly appreciate your comments.

catalinamoon
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-03
Posts 9543
The Shores of Alone
20 posted 2000-08-06 09:28 PM


Beautiful storytelling, loved it.
Catalinamoon

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
21 posted 2000-08-07 12:41 PM


Thank you Kit a wee bit of a Scottish lass for your always so kind words.
Paula Finn
Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546
missouri
22 posted 2000-08-07 01:04 AM


I sit at your feet spellbound...all I can say is MORE MORE MORE....congrats friend

never say never

insect
Senior Member
since 2000-04-22
Posts 1014

23 posted 2000-08-07 03:11 AM


The Millepost!
Great story! Loved it.
Congratulations!!

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
24 posted 2000-08-07 02:33 PM


Thank you Paula your comments are so sincere and kind...thank you very much.
Wilfred Yeats
Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware
25 posted 2000-08-07 07:22 PM


a fantastic ballad - ethome - brought back memories of Robert Service and for a while I thought it was about Nevada - moreover although I've never attempted a ballad - (and I'll probably write a few before I come even close to writing one this good - you've inspired me to try.


Jenn E
Senior Member
since 2000-08-02
Posts 589
Kelowna, BC, Canada
26 posted 2000-08-07 08:01 PM


Beautiful story you have told here. Congrats on your 1000th post. WOW, you must feel great inside.  
Jenn E

Parker
Member Elite
since 2000-01-06
Posts 3129
ON
27 posted 2000-08-07 08:16 PM


ethome, trully wonderful story, should be song in the grand old Celtic tridition I think. Congrats on the big 1000th.

Parker

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
28 posted 2000-08-08 04:49 AM


Thank you WY and good luck with the ballad I'll be looking for it.

Thank you Jenn E for your kind comments.

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
29 posted 2000-08-08 11:47 AM


Sorry I missed you Parker thanks for dropping in. I'll think about that Celtic music suggestion ...thanks again!
juliet_2u
Senior Member
since 2000-07-23
Posts 1125
North Carolina
30 posted 2000-08-08 12:33 PM


Wow Ethome, how intrigued I was with this. Totally fascinating. And a big ole congrats on your 1000th post!!! Take care, Juls
ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
31 posted 2000-08-08 07:31 PM


Thanks Juls  for your kind words...much appreciated.
Meadowmuse
Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263

32 posted 2000-08-08 09:31 PM


ethome ~ I am still sitting here with mouth agape and eyes smiling. Your penchant for storytelling has been revealed in a most agreeable light, my friend. This feels classic ~  

*Congratulations on your milestone!*

~ Claire

Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?......Henry David Thoreau


oh2beme
Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 215
NV USA
33 posted 2000-08-09 10:45 PM


Now that I have read some of your work, I can truly say Magnificent!!! You tell this story with great accentuation. Very well done my friend!!!!

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
34 posted 2000-08-10 01:04 AM


Thank you Claire much appreciated words of kindness...thanks for the "classic" comment.

Thank you o2beme for your comments they mean so much to me.

Rex Allen McCoy
Member Elite
since 2000-01-30
Posts 2863
Sippin a Timmy's in London
35 posted 2000-08-10 01:49 AM


ethome ... congradulations ... you really have an exceptional talent
I guess we'll keep you for another 100,000
or so


ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
36 posted 2000-08-10 05:29 AM


Thanks Rex I hope I have another 100,000 in me.......we'll talk after the next 10,000..
I'll be looking for you..thanks again.

tracie66
Member Elite
since 2000-01-18
Posts 4713
Australia
37 posted 2000-08-12 07:15 AM


wow ethome what a wonderful tale, very discriptive and captivating...well done
Tracie~

Love is the life of the soul...
It is the harmony of the universe


Irish Rose
Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263

38 posted 2000-08-12 10:39 PM


Congratulations! 1000 ! wow
I can tell you put a lot of work into this and it was great!


Kathleen



Sven
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937
East Lansing, MI USA
39 posted 2000-08-12 11:55 PM


And a fine tale told to mark this grand occasion!!

Congratulations ethome. . . now. . . on to the next 1,000!!!!!

--------------------------------------------------------

That which gives light must endure burning
--Victor Frankl


Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
40 posted 2000-08-12 11:58 PM


ethome...I have NO idea how I missed this one. Fantastic writing!!!! and congrats on the grand!  
ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
41 posted 2000-08-13 09:12 PM


Thank you so much Tracie, Irish Rose, Sven and Balladeer your comments are appreciated more than I can express.
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