»
Archives
»
Open Poetry #14
»
....a little slice of life......
| Open Poetry #14 |
|
....a little slice of life...... |
|
|
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA 
|
I hadn't seen my older brother twenty years or more. As we grow up, we never know what life may have in store So he went East and I went West and twenty years had passed When I received a call that he was coming 'round, at last. I called my buddies, Tom and Bill, to help me entertain This brother that I barely knew who shared my same last name Then, after hours of reminiscing things we used to do We all went down to Arnold's Lanes to bowl a game or two. Tom, Bill and I would always bowl each small chance that we could. Tom and I were average but Bill was really good. Bill asked him if he knew the game, assuming full control. My brother simply said in quiet manner, "I can bowl." Well, I GUESS he could bowl! My God! He played the game with ease! He knocked down strikes and picked up splits as pretty as you please! He didn't act superior or try to rub it in, Just beats the pants off everyone, to poor ole Bill's chagrin. So, after that butt-thumping, to Bill's house we all four went. Bill had a big smile on his face and I knew what it meant. He had a ping-pong table there and he would make him pay... He asked my brother for a game, who just said, "I can play." Oh, man! It was SO brutal....even from the very start! He cut Bill up in little pieces, then ripped out his heart. Bill had the reputation that, at ping-pong, he was king But he was getting massacred with every paddle swing!! The sad thing was that we could see my brother holding back! He passed at every chance where one would normally attack But there was such a difference in the level of his skill That, even though he held back, he was far too much for Bill. The ping-pong ended, mercifully, and we went back inside. We sat down in the living room as Bill licked wounded pride. My brother saw the grand piano standing in full view And said to Bill, "Can you play?" Bill said, "Yes, I can. CAN YOU?????" "'Fraid not", my brother said. "You know, I've always wished I could. I tried it once or twice but I was never very good. My fingers just don't have co-ordination in that way But I have full respect for anybody who can play." In no time flat Bill jumped up and his hands began to fly Banging notes so poorly they could make a grown man cry. He could out-do mediocre, though not by very much.... An epileptic aardvark would have had a smoother touch! But we all cheered and gathered 'round and urged him to go on. Beer flowing freely, he played oldies as we sang along. My brother clapped him on the back and gave a loud BRAVO! And we were all best buddies by the time it came to go. So we went home....I said goodnight and moseyed up the stairs To dream of using ping-pong balls to knock down strikes and spares. I thought that I was dreaming as I sat up in the gloom To hear the sounds of Mozart coming from the living room! I got dressed and ran down the stairs as fast as I could race To see my brother sitting there, a big smile on his face. His hands flew up and down the keys of my old Wurlitzer And I could not believe the music coming out of her!! He played a Mozart medley and he didn't miss a beat. His fingers moved majestically - the notes were crisp and sweet. How long I stood there I don't know....the sound was so sublime The world had disappeared and I had lost all track of time. My God! He was the best pianist I had ever seen Yet he said that he couldn't play at all! What did he mean? He saw the look of puzzlement I simply could not hide..... Said, "Do the best you can to always leave a man his pride." I nodded that I understood and saw his big grin spread Then said goodnight a final time and went upstairs to bed. He'd given me some words of wisdom I would always keep. I thanked God for my brother and, to Mozart, fell asleep. |
||
| © Copyright 2001 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
A wonderfully told tale with words of wisdom that we should all heed. Enjoyed this one sir.  |
||
|
Logan Senior Member
since 2001-05-28
Posts 1641Arkansas |
Fantastic, and such words of wisdom at the end, very enjoyable read...gentle smile |
||
SEA 
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676with you |
I just love it when you do that  *looking with adoring eyes* you are the best at poetic stories |
||
|
Mother_Earth Senior Member
since 2000-11-20
Posts 13701/2 year Texas & 1/2 year Michigan |
Mr. Deer this is beautiful! I wish I had a brother like that. I do have 2 but not like that! Loved every picture you painted with your words. ME |
||
|
ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
Great story Balladeer! What a talented brother and what a great smooth flowing poem. I got a real laugh out of this line... "He could out-do mediocre, though not by very much.... An epileptic aardvark would have had a smoother touch!" My imagination painted all sorts of crazy pictures in my mind...hilarious I must say! Thanks for the lesson and the fun! The role of poetry is to utter the un-utterable; to open up |
||
Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Balladeer~ YOU, sir .... ARE THE MASTER ! This is sheer mastery at play ... "Do the best you can to always leave a man his pride." Now I've got a new 'almost-favorite' ...  ~Hugs~  ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
||
|
LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
Ohhh, geeze - here he goes again... another perfectly written ballad; but, this time I think I have him! With this poem he has left me with no pride whatsoever, yet he said it was important to do that. AHA!!! We've gotcha now, you scalawag!!!!!! Great writing Michael. |
||
|
Charisma
since 2000-09-30
Posts 5906lost in blue pages |
and perfectly it is LongJohn....and with such slice of ballades he got my sighs. *sigh*....*sigh*.....Deer how I love it...especially this line. "Do the best you can to always leave a man his pride." Superb as always. Charisma |
||
|
vlraynes Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229Somewhere... out there... |
Balladeer- WOW...nobody does it better, sir! This is incredible...had me hanging on every word... hugs, ~vicky "...until you have read the verse on his |
||
|
Jessica
since 2001-06-28
Posts 350South AL |
Balladeer... I absolutely loved it!!! You are truely a talented poet... Keep it up!What don't kill you can only make you stronger... |
||
|
serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
You are, indeed the Balladeer. Studying again (I owe Nan a ballad now....) I'm very interested too, if you start out with a complete concept in mind and then sketch it in? Or, do ya let it sort of spin out like a top? Or is there another way? Do you always have a templet? Or can you mix and match a ballad as long as meter flows? Where do I sign up for the next class? Oh...and one more thing, will I ever stop asking so many questions???? Very impressed here. (couldja tell?)  |
||
|
passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
*tears* |
||
|
Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
Oh Lordy Michael ... simply exquisite! I just didn't want it to end. What a wonderful weave of wisdom, you've told the story as though I lived each word myself. Now THIS .... is what I love about you sweet poet, I just get lost in your wonderful cast of characters. I swear some day I'll think back and reminisce that this actually happened in my life! Best wishes, /Kit |
||
|
2dalimit Member Elite
since 2000-02-08
Posts 2228Mississippi coast |
I once again, tip my hat to you, sir. You have given us another great story with a wonderful ending. Melton |
||
|
Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Excellent write Mike but then I never expect less from you. |
||
|
RSWells Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533 |
You weave words of wonder, entertaining and enjoyable. "Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to decieve" |
||
|
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
A wonderfully wrought tale of brotherhood outside the box.... well done, Sir! |
||
|
Marsha
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423Maidstone Kent England |
'Deer dear heart, I love it, Ohhhhh how good is this one. Brilliantly told excellent story, and you didn't miss a beat. No ONE does it better. Fabulous writing I love it, I truly do. Into my favourites Balladeer box it goes, mind yyou as they are all excellent they are all my favouite. My mouth is hanging open with me laughing and impressed with your skill here. Wonderful utterly wonderful love as always Mushy    Take back the hope you gave,- I claim |
||
|
VAS Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-16
Posts 7450Oregon |
Fantastic poem, rivetting. I enjoyed it all the way through, a wonderful brother and you've captured these priceless moments very well!!! |
||
|
Paula Finn Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546missouri |
Ok so Im late...but you gotta know I loved this... |
||
|
Sudhir Iyer Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943Mumbai, India : now in Belgium |
FABULOUS work, Sir Balladeer..... can I have a slice too? please? Regards to you, Sudhir "I was born intelligent - education ruined me" |
||
|
suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
A slice to savor, Deer One. *S* You play your reader every bit as well as bro plays the piano... with wisdom wrapped in warm humor. And oh yeah... I love it! *G* |
||
|
Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
I was completely captivated all the way through. You do live up to your reputation every time. This poem is just FANTASTIC! LIz |
||
|
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Poet deVine...glad you enjoyed Logan...nice to see you and I thank you, sir. SEA...I love doing it and I'm glad you love reading it! Mother Earth...all brothers are special and I'm sure yours are, too. Thank you... ethome....hehe. I don't really know what an epileptic aardvark would look like but it does kick the imagination in gear, Doesn't it? I thank you...Marge...aw, you sweet lady! Being a favorite of yours is a special honor to me...and you know it!!! LongJohn...In your case I would make an exception  Thank you, my friend...Charisma...your comments always cut me down to sighs Thank you, sweet lady Vicky...I thank you for hanging...around! Jessica...I'm VERY glad you enjoyed... serenity...I have an idea of the ending but I just let the poem form itself. The rhyme scheme can differ from AABB to ABAB or ABCB but the meter is king. I prefer 14 syllables of iambic myself..thanks for the questions Passing shadows..one word that says it all..thank you so much Kit....one of the things I'll remember of my life is that you were in it....I thank you for your always generous comments. They mean a lot, coming from you Melton..I accept your tip of the hat gratefully Sy...thank you, pal of mine. Just don't expect MORE RSWells...a very kind comment and I thank you for it Sunshine...call me sir again and I'll get that ping-pong paddle and whack you one!  Thank you, good friend Mushy...you sweet lady! You keep talking like that and you'll spur me on to keep writing!! Thank you for all of your support and friendship... VAS...thank you..sometimes the nicest stories can be simple ones of family. Gald you liked it... Paula....you're NEVER late! Anytime you come is the right time Sudhir....absolutely! I'm sure your life has many slices....and interesting ones, at that! Thank you, sir Suthern girl...I am exploding with comments I could use in response to yours but they would all get me banned so let me just say thank you, my girl, and I love ya Liz...I'm SO glad you enjoyed it! It's always a highlight for me to do ANY writing you find impressive...your comments are golden |
||
|
Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Well yanno I just love your old story telling, but the wisdom thrown out in this one is unreal this time! I wish those "show offs" would take heed, and back up a bit to let the "little guys" shine sometimes. Thank you for your lessons dear Balladeer, this one was a classic! "Lose your temper and you lose a friend; lie and you lose yourself." |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
