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Open Poetry #9
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Old Man
| Open Poetry #9 |
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Old Man |
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Rosemary J. Gwaltney Senior Member
since 1999-08-26
Posts 997northern mountains, Idaho 
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Old man, ninety-nine, filled with so much rage - roaring at all of us in the RV park - such an age - every day for a year, as I came home from work, you would open your door, face contorted with suspicion “What are you DOING here?! I OWN this park!!!” So weak on your feet, I saw as your daughter took you for a walk once a week, but a voice strong and powerful as a hurricane ~ ~ ~ I never could connect, though I tried without ceasing. “I would like to be your friend”, I said one afternoon. Your scowling eyes took on a strange look akin to terror. “That will be all for now”, you said, slamming the door in my face. ~ ~ ~ Was it hell when you fell in your sagging trailer bathroom having bellowed at your daughter not to bother you all week? ~ ~ ~ Was it a haze, lying three days helpless and alone? When she came on her normal Saturday it only took a little while for your living to unravel; until the Creator of life struck His gavel. Probably what you would have wanted, if you’d had your say. Saturated with anger at the world, Your sails unfurled And you glided away. The spiritual wind that holds survivors aloft, plants the seeds from which bloom new hope ... R.J.G. |
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| © Copyright 2000 Rosemary J. Gwaltney - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Rosemary--What a sad picture you have painted and painted so well...I could visualize just how it was...and I have a neighbor that has taken lessons from the same teacher... |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
oh man...well, here I am again, becoming the faithful fan...and this was just so powerful, and so wise of you to understand anger as the expression of unhappiness...so well done, Rosemary, and much to think on with this.... |
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Meadowmuse Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263 |
As Martie said, I too could easily envision this character (and "his" character) from the clarity of your words, Rosemary. Such a sad and sensitive piece, this. So well told. ~ Claire Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?......Henry David Thoreau |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Some grow winterly bitter in old age... I'll be glad to just be sage... welcome back, Rosemary. |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Rosemary, A very well written and compassionate piece from a very dear heart Liz |
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