navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #8 » Bee in my safe... the little saga of Little Johnny
Open Poetry #8
Post A Reply Post New Topic Bee in my safe... the little saga of Little Johnny Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium

0 posted 2000-07-27 09:16 AM


The Bee in My Safe

Little Johnny was a funny bloke,
A cute zestful bloke was he;
Using young fingers to stroke,
His hair while he sat by me.

Every evening we would meet,
Beneath the same mulberry tree;
To watch evening shadows fleet,
And tell each other merry stories.

This is the tale of that young boy,
Who went on to became a gentleman;
A handsome gentleman, full of joy,
To me he remained the bee in a can.

One such evening under the same tree,
Johnny came bustling, holding a toy;
Chuckling with face aglow, full of glee,
Sharing the fun I'd become a boy.

An aeroplane it was, called it I-Fly,
His toy he'd designed to fly very high;
To be its pilot, he wished to see it fly,
Thro' white clouds into deep blue skies;

This is a story of that young boy,
Who wanted to become a pilot;
He did fly high, ever full of joy,
But he stayed the bee in my hut.

Full of energy and filled with hope,
Saw with rapt attention the flight;
His toy flew high, held by a rope,
Until it came down in fading light.

But Johnny smiled even in its fall,
For he was happy, ever full of joy;
He said he'd learnt a lesson tall,
Spirits alone won't make a plane buoy.

This is a story of that young boy,
Who had then learnt a lesson wise;
He did fly high, as ever full of joy,
But he stayed the bee in disguise.

Another summer evening we met,
Beneath the same mulberry tree;
In his palms I saw a butterfly - I bet,
To my surprise, he then set it free;

He watched the scene with delight,
Full of energy, as ever full of joy;
Bemusedly saw the butterfly's flight,
Amusedly smiled at her freedom's joy.

This is a story of that young boy,
Who had then seen freedom's glee;
He did fly high, as ever full of joy,
But he stayed the bee trying to flee;

Barely sixteen when I saw him wail,
Beneath the same mulberry tree;
He told me his tearful love-lost tale,
And I shed tears noting life's decree.

Lamenting the lost chance of love,
He smiled at the quirk of his fate;
Full of energy still, he made a vow,
Never to give in to the twist of fate.

This is a story of that young boy,
Who had then made a wise choice;
He did fly high, as ever full of joy,
But he stayed the bee in disguise.

Many years later we met again,
Beneath the same mulberry tree;
In his palms was a shiny key chain,
Aglow with pride, he told his story.

He told me he'd learned to fly,
And that his wish was fulfilled;
He talked about the deep blue sky,
His respect for me he revealed;

This is a story of that young boy,
Who had then fulfilled his desire;
He did fly high, as ever full of joy,
But he stayed the bee in my choir;

Today a breeze took me there,
Beneath the old mulberry tree;
My memories of the joy-filled air,
Prompted eyes to set tears free.

I remember his fingers stroke his hair,
I remember that he never had a wife;
Yet he had said life was never unfair,
Gave joy and energy with some strife.

This was the story of that young boy,
Who had now stepped into his grave;
He had flown high, always full of joy,
But he remains the bee in my safe.

~
< !signature-->

Death, be not proud, though some have called thee,
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;

- John Donne


[This message has been edited by Sudhir Iyer (edited 07-27-2000).]

© Copyright 2000 Sudhir Iyer - All Rights Reserved
Meadowmuse
Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263

1 posted 2000-07-27 09:27 AM


Sudhir, what a touching, bittersweet tale, my friend. I admire so much your ability to draw the reader into your verses ~ into their meanings, and not simply their words. Thank you.

~ Claire  

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


Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song
2 posted 2000-07-27 09:45 AM


I'm with Claire.  You know what a fan of yours I am.  This is no exception as once again you have captured one of the meanings of life and shown us the depth of your friendship.
Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
3 posted 2000-07-27 10:41 AM


Claire,
I am honoured by your words of appreciation... I feel the admiration is mutual... Thanks

Mark,
This time I just tried to pen a simple story... I guess I had to link some meanings by the sheer nature of my existence... Thanks for your read and for being so appreciative...

regards,
sudhir

Jacman
Member
since 2000-06-27
Posts 291
Dwight Il, US
4 posted 2000-07-27 12:57 PM


Sudhir, I don't know what to say at this moment.  I just hope someday I can put something togethor as well as you.

Jason

ma miller
Senior Member
since 2000-07-11
Posts 806

5 posted 2000-07-27 01:34 PM


what a delightful sage, Sudhir ... hats off to you again ... well done.
suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
6 posted 2000-07-27 01:45 PM


Wonderful story... I thoroughly enjoyed!
Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
7 posted 2000-07-27 02:06 PM


Jason,
You are a poet in your own right and I am no yardstick to measure up to... However, many thanks for reading and sharing your feeling of appreciation... your kind words are held close to my heart...

MA Miller,
Your hats are hats worth a million... thanks

suthern,
Thanks for reading... I am glad that you enjoyed

regards to all,
sudhir

Bill Charles
Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619
highways, & byways, for now
8 posted 2000-07-27 07:11 PM


Sudhir Iyer,
You got me with this one, very nice, well versed, and one heck of a tale you have written.


Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
9 posted 2000-07-27 08:09 PM


Sudhir--A wonderful story, full of the wonder of friendship very well told.
Lone Wolf
Member Ascendant
since 2000-03-16
Posts 5842
Lansing, MI USA
10 posted 2000-07-27 08:34 PM


Sudhir,

You have captivated me with your tale of wonderful and true friendship.  Such beautiful writing and images....I see the tree....the boy....the scene is perfect my friend.  Excellent writing here.  I really enjoy your work.  

Lone Wolf


Poetry should surprise by fine excess...it should strike the reader as a wording of his own highest thoughts and appear almost a remembrance. -J.Keats

Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
11 posted 2000-07-27 08:42 PM


Sudhir, the simplicity is the beauty of this poem. Nothing fancy......just life. I love it....
BSC
Moderator
Member Elite
since 2000-02-04
Posts 2919
New York, USA
12 posted 2000-07-27 08:49 PM


A wonderful story of friendship Sudhir, terrific read.  Bonnie
Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
13 posted 2000-07-28 07:23 AM


Bill,
Thanks for coming in... and your kind words

Martie,
Your kind words are so moving... Thanks

Lone Wolf,
Thanks a great deal for all your appreciative words I have always received...

Balladeer,
You liked this - the thought makes me extremely happy... Thanks

Bonnie,
Thanks a lot for your lovely response...


My regards to all,
sudhir

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
14 posted 2000-07-28 10:22 AM


This, then, is the story that I would hear 'round a campfire, told by the oldest of old with the grayest of grey hair...a lesson on life, to be all that one can be, to give and to live, to be joyous because joy can be so easily won, if one wants joy...this then is the story I see Sudhir tell, a young man, with an old soul.

Thank you Sudhir, for a captivating tale...

Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
15 posted 2000-07-28 10:55 AM


I guess that the story has now been completely told with the addition of a most wonderful summary... Thanks a lot Karilea...

   old soul, eh?  
  

being wise is sometimes nice  

Many regards,
sudhir

[This message has been edited by Sudhir Iyer (edited 07-28-2000).]

Toddles
Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 396
New Orleans, Louisiana
16 posted 2000-07-28 03:40 PM


Sudhir: I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed this story-poem!

Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
17 posted 2000-07-28 04:46 PM


Thanks a lot Toddles... I am extremely glad that you enjoyed this one...

regards,
sudhir

Butterflies_dont_cry
Member Elite
since 2000-03-06
Posts 3733
Michigan
18 posted 2000-07-28 09:06 PM


Wow Sudhir...you know how to weave a story into a poem!  I enjoyed this one...with a  tear, I loved the butterfly part especially  .....great work!!!
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
19 posted 2000-07-28 10:45 PM


Sudhir~
What a simplistic tale -
believably told just the way we live our lives.

'Today a breeze took me there,
Beneath the old mulberry tree;
My memories of the joy-filled air,
Prompted eyes to set tears free.'

Talent, my friend ...
it knows your name well !
~*Marge*~


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


Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
20 posted 2000-07-30 12:03 PM


butterflies~
maybe I planted the butterfly part there just to et your attention and if possible Janet's too since she always says  Butterflies are meant to be free....  
just kidding, thanks a lot for coming in on this one...

Marge,
that is one huge morale-booster ... thanks a lot from the depths of my heart..

regards to you all,
sudhir

brian madden
Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374
ireland
21 posted 2000-07-30 12:13 PM


wow Sudhir another wonderfully penned tale, beautifully written with such tenderness.

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

Paula Finn
Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546
missouri
22 posted 2000-07-30 12:28 PM


what a wonderful story of friendship and trust you have written here.

never say never

Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
23 posted 2000-07-30 01:13 PM


brian,
ever so appreciative.... thanks a great deal...

Paula,
Thanks a lot for reading and for your kind words...

regards,
sudhir

Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada
24 posted 2000-07-30 01:18 PM


Such a beautifully tender tale you've woven Sudhir!  It flew directly into my heart!  

Best wishes,
/Kit

Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
25 posted 2000-07-31 03:29 AM


Thanks Kit for the kind words...


regards,
sudhir

Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #8 » Bee in my safe... the little saga of Little Johnny

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary