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Open Poetry #8
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John Yaws
Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 860
Texas

0 posted 2000-07-04 03:02 PM


I stepped into the small café,
Pulled up myself a chair…
The waitress washing dishes-
Just one old man was there.

I ordered me a chicken-fried,
Cream gravy on the side…
I saw the old man swallow hard-
It must have been his pride.

He hobbled over to me…
Said, “Son, I’m solid broke-
Could you stand me to a cup of joe-
And just one pack of smokes”?

He said, “It’s hard to be a bum-
I always paid my way.
I helped a lot of people out-
Back in my younger days.

No longer will they let me drive…
I don’t have any folks.
Takes all I have just to survive.
Just a broken down cowpoke.

We sat and talked the day away-
Just this old man and I.
He still had lots of character…
He’d look you in the eye.

He told me tales of yesteryear-
When he was in his prime.
And as he rode down memory’s lane,
How his old eyes did shine.

I asked, him, as we parted ways-
Please tell me if you can…
The hardest part of growing old?
He thought for just a span-

He said, “The hardest part of all-
When you see your life’s near done…
Is thinking of the time you waste-
When you are strong and young”.



Visit My Home Page
http://www.geocities.com/montcogunslinger/Traveler.html



© Copyright 2000 John R. Yaws - All Rights Reserved
serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

1 posted 2000-07-04 03:05 PM


I have been looking for you everywhere!!!  Done--voted--applauding your finesse.
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
2 posted 2000-07-04 03:33 PM


A great poem, Gunslinger with a message we should all take to heart.  Glad to see you post this for the book!
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
3 posted 2000-07-04 04:16 PM


Slinger~
Respectfully rendered ...
touches a tender chord in us all.
~*Marge*~


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



JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
4 posted 2000-07-04 06:57 PM


Really a smooth read gunslinger and packing quite a message we should all take to heart...before yesterday is gone.  James
Jeffrey Carter
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Member Elite
since 2000-04-08
Posts 2367
State of constant confusion!
5 posted 2000-07-04 07:01 PM


Live each day to the fullest, if it were only that easy!

Great writing you got here Sir!

Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
6 posted 2000-07-05 01:09 PM


This book surely needs you, GS..
Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

7 posted 2000-07-05 09:59 PM


Yes, wasted time can't be gotten back. Wonderful writing, John! As usual!  

Denise

Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
8 posted 2000-07-05 10:10 PM


Looking back with regret is such a sad waste of time and emotion....and one that we all do. Good writing, slinger.
WhtDove
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245
Illinois
9 posted 2000-07-05 11:21 PM


GS words so wise no book can go without them!
As I'm not real young, and not real old, but already regret the days of waste!

[This message has been edited by WhtDove (edited 07-05-2000).]

HM3
Member
since 1999-07-15
Posts 169
TX
10 posted 2000-07-06 12:32 PM


Bulls eye! Well done. I don't think they make "young uns" like they used to. This was delicious.

Work like money doesn't matter, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching...



Butterflies_dont_cry
Member Elite
since 2000-03-06
Posts 3733
Michigan
11 posted 2000-07-26 03:40 PM


G.S* This is excellent.....but the comments say that you submitted it but there is no submit button...perehaps a Ceres glitch...I would love to vote though so could you pleas re-submit this   thank you!!!
ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
12 posted 2000-07-26 04:00 PM


Excellent tale told here Gunslinger and that last verse just sums it up so well.
I know I'm guilty of that same kind of waste.
Very well done!

take care .....ethome..

passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
13 posted 2004-05-23 09:27 PM


wow...sigh
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