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The Last Words of Mary Dodd...
| Open Poetry #10 |
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The Last Words of Mary Dodd... |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA 
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The funeral had been quiet - just the family - nothing more They'd laid her in her final resting place the night before. He sat now, going through the things that she had saved through life This woman who, for fifty years, had been known as his wife. The clothes he placed into a pile - the perfume for the daughter. He smiled at all the trinkets and cheap jewelry he bought her And, way up on a shelf where he had never thought to look, He reached his hand up high and came down with a ledger book. He opened it...saw birthday dates - some cooking recipes, Some facts of little consequence - some homemade remedies Then, way back on the final page he happened to explore, He saw some notes she'd written down who knows how long before. She wrote them in a quite strange way - not like a diary... It read more like a news report or some biography. He read the first line, then the next, then sat down on the bed, His eyes refusing to believe the poignant words he read.... My name is Mary Dodd I am 55 years old I am 5'1" I weigh 155 pounds I am vain enough to believe I carry it well. I have known one man in my life. My husband is a decent kind hard-working man. I have birthed two children. I have never made love. My satisfaction has never been a priority or concern. "What gibberish was this?" he thought. She'd not made love indeed! He gave her years of pleasure every time he felt the need! He almost tossed the book aside like more junk to discard But her next words jumped off the page and hit him very hard..... I have corresponded with another man. He is warm and caring makes me laugh makes me feel special cherished desired puts a smile on my face. I will lose 15 pounds then send for him. He will come. He will want to make love. I will allow him to do so. He will take me to a darkened room where I will surrender myself unashamed to his touch. I will experience one time all joy and pleasure unoffered to me until now. I will do so without guilt without regret without fear. He will guide me and I will follow willingly eagerly happily like a child. I will smile laugh cry most importantly I will feel wanted. Afterward I will lay in his arms quietly for a time then get up dress touch his lips with my finger. He will know that this will be the only time. "The dirty rotten slut!", he screamed. His voice was filled with rage. He had to force himself to not tear out and burn the page. He never thought her sexy or not even good in bed And, all the while, she passed it out to other men instead! My life will continue. I will wash cook iron clean be the perfect wife I have always been. On rare occasions that I am called upon to perform I will function capably doing what I must to validate my man's opinion of himself. Occasionally when burdens of the day become overly heavy I will release from my treasure chest of memories those precious moments of that day then when I lay amid rumpled sheets a desired fulfilled complete woman. My husband will never know. By now nighttime had fallen and her words had hit their mark. He sat alone, a huddled figure weeping in the dark. He thought of how he treated her-his lackey, fool and slave And never realized her worth til she was in the grave. "I'm sorry, girl", he whispered to the book. "I should have known It wasn't right ignoring you and leaving you alone." Had these words been a fantasy or did she really go? In that regard, she'd been correct - he'd never really know. [This message has been edited by Balladeer (edited 10-05-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
You made me cry. |
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Mark Bohannan Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269In the winds of Cherokee song |
Wow....sort of makes us want to start paying attention to the house more now doesn't it. I was so transfixed by this entire read that I had to go back and read it a second time. Excellent penning my friend. Love it when you throw these up for us. |
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Irish Rose Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263 |
Mary Dodd must have died feeling beautiful because someone melted her heart...like April snow.< !signature--> Kathleen [This message has been edited by Irish Rose (edited 10-05-2000).] |
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Butterflies_dont_cry Member Elite
since 2000-03-06
Posts 3733Michigan |
Wow 'Deer...this was awesome! Sometimes even one moment can make all those other moments worthwhile...and also make you see how important One thing can be....You are the master of weave...proving it once again in fine form~ btw...mom says "hey good-lookin"  |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
Incredibly well expressed Balladeer ... you've deeply captured the emotions that can surface when life and love are taken for granted. To be under-appreciated day after day, spawns a lonely and hollow existence. Perfectly expressed in this emotional piece Michael. Best wishes, /Kit |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
I have often thought about the feelings that my wife or my children and my friends would have the day that I died or shortly therafter...would they have wonderful thoughts and memories or would they say "thank God he is gone"? Something for all of us to think about...right now...and if we have any doubts lets straighten up our lives before we are gone...so happiness will be in our lives...so happy warm memories will linger on in our loved one's hearts...James |
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cathybohannan Member
since 2000-07-31
Posts 140Paintsville,KY |
Lovely poem, it really makes you think. Cathy |
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doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
Incredible. Perfect. Sad. So very special. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Darn it 'Deer, I should've known from the title that I was going to cry, and left this to read tonight when I could blubber in the sanctity of my home, instead of early this morning... you play havoc with eye makeup, you know that!? I'm so very glad to see this new post from you [at least it's new to me]... and it's going in my library... Karilea When you want to be loved, look within...KRJ |
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2dalimit Member Elite
since 2000-02-08
Posts 2228Mississippi coast |
D---. D---. Man. Man. What a story. Hopefully, my wife don't feel the same. Good writing. Melton |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Balladeer, Superb writing, a captivating read, a heartfelt story, all from the golden pen Liz |
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jinxed Member
since 2000-09-27
Posts 86 |
well....sitting here with tears in my eyes, and if i was called upon right now to speak i would be unable....from my heart...this is beautiful bal...one of your best...sigh |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
I've sat here for awhile trying to respond to this ... it hits close and touches deep ... but then you already know that. So rather than give myself away completely... (done that enough in poetry of late)  I'll just say what is reserved for 3 special poets only ... you know the tune ... OH HOW I LOOOOOOVE ... WHEN YOU WRITE LIKE THIS ... and ya get EXTRA Spammy Smooches for this one as well... later-awesome-weave-gator jm |
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Fred Hobbs Member
since 1999-06-08
Posts 329Tallahassee, Florida, US |
No one writes a ballad better than you Mike. First rate job. . . |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Mike, When ever I read your poems I feel like a fly caught in a spiders web. You epopee me to death. Sy |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
Ok deer you got my tears as well! I think this one ought to be printed in a book or on the hearts of every women and man across America! Damn if it don't say it all! Deer this is one exceptional piece of work you've created!! You've laid out how so many women feel (which brings us to tears). How short life is, and how much we all take for granted. I think this one will remain as your best work yet! Exceptional!!! Dove <*\\\>< I know not what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future. |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Balladeer~ This is so tenderly written. What a poignant story. You do it so well, my friend. I enjoy your talent so very much. Love ya' ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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Irish Rose Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263 |
You're going back on top where you belong because this is so beautiful. Kathleen |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
serenity....ditto, my sentimental friend Mark...you are so right. Everyone has feelings, desires and passions and we must always remember that and never lose it to complacency. Thanks for commenting, Mr 3000  Rose...I'm sure she did. Everyone deserves to feel beautiful at some time...because everyone IS beautiful in some way Butterflies...yes, even one moment can be VERY important..My deepest thanks to.....both of you Kit...I'm sure you would NEVER be under-appreciated...or else there are lunatics out there  I thank you, my good pal James...those are words of wisdom for us all. I appreciate your resonse... Cathy...that is a great compliment to any poet, Thank you Doreen...three words from you mean the world to me. My heartfelt thanks..... Sunshine...there was a time I played havoc with lipstick, too!!!Thank you, Karilea. Your library is a wonderful place to be... Melton...well, if there's any doubt, you better get it in gear!! Thanks!!!Elizabeth...you know how I feel about your compliments. My warm thanks to you.... jinxed...thank you, caring lady. for being moved. Let's make the next name a positive one Janet Marie...you know my weakness for Spammy smooches!!! Bring those liverwurst lips over here!!! Thank you Fred...any comment from you is worth its weight in gold. Thanks, old friend... Sy..quite a tombstone "Death by Epopee". Thanks for being caught. That's why they call it the web dovey...I am overwhelmed by your wonderful words. I know you have very special feelings and to be able to touch them with my words is very gratifying, my buddy who writes nast Halloween poems about me Marge...I didn't say she got pregnant!! Huh? Oh, poignant? er, gee, thanks, Marge!! your opinion means a lot to me.... |
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Victoria
since 2000-08-12
Posts 5869 |
im glad I didnt miss this one..touched my heart like you wouldnt believe.. |
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Rex Allen McCoy Member Elite
since 2000-01-30
Posts 2863Sippin a Timmy's in London |
not much I can say that I haven't said before ... you have a magic pen I think Excellent writing |
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Charisma
since 2000-09-30
Posts 5906lost in blue pages |
Can't say anything, so true....you made me cry....and hidden feelings overwhelmed me reading this. Charisma |
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vlraynes Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229Somewhere... out there... |
Balladeer- wow!! very powerful piece...and very emotional. this is a strong reminder to all of us to show the people we love just how much they are appreciated. Thank youfor sharing this. -vicky "...until you have read the verse on his heart, you have not truely met the poet." -vlraynes |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
Your best work yet, Balladeer. Awesome. Corinne |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
Yanno, 'Deer - I've been working hard to be uplifting in here, to make others smile if but for a moment, to bring light into many darkened lives. And then YOU, you scalawag, write something that makes women swoon and men feel inspired to treat their women better. hmmm - Now that I think about it, this is an uplifting, positive poem. I enjoyed it a great deal, Mike. Words of wisdom abound in this poem. |
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PeterPeter Junior Member
since 2000-04-11
Posts 30British, London |
Well I must admit like all of you I am sure, I could not stop reading this. Excellent words my friend, one question - fact or fiction? It certainly rings true PeterPeter |
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