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Open Poetry #15
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Last of the Red-Hot Lovers.....mushy repost
| Open Poetry #15 |
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Last of the Red-Hot Lovers.....mushy repost |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA 
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A thump! A step - echoes down The sidewalk of a lonely street That lies within that part of town Where blind men steal and beggars cheat A huddled figure moves along Clothing worn in disarray. Footsteps play a dismal song - A thump! A step - he makes his way. Grim faces peer behind the panes Of tenements that line the street As echoes rise to make his presence Noticed in the summer heat And one can hear the neighbors say From under disapproving eye That casts a weary look his way, "The red-hot lover"s passing by." A study at his huddled form Or peering at his wrinkled face Would not reveal a hint of warm Compassion glowing nor a trace Of qualities that make hearts run Or bid defenses slowly fade Like chocolate melting in the sun Or waltzes from the hit parade. Yet it holds true in younger days That doubled figure stood erect, Lured the girls in many ways By plying them with false respect, Fooling them with tender words As they surrendered willingly To meet the morn with nothing more Than visions of his memory. Warm lips called out to beg him stay With pleading tones that slowly died Against the heat of summer's day. He just smiled and walked away. Some say that God created age To tell us when to settle down To share the miracles of life And count the blessings that abound But no one told the red-hot lover Whistling down the garden way That youth and flowers never last But slowly pale and fade away. The years have not been kind to him. His energy and zest are spent. His hair and teeth are memories. His belly sags. His spine is bent. A thump! A step - echoes down The sidewalk of a lonely street That lies within that part of town Where blind men steal and beggars cheat.. Where rosebuds wither in the sun, Where skinny dogs and old men roam. A thump! A step - he makes his way. The red-hot lover's going home. |
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| © Copyright 2001 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Voiceless Senior Member
since 2001-02-19
Posts 686Under the stars upon the wind |
I love how this is set up! nicely done!! I always have and probably will always enjoy your work so keep it up! ~*Freedom Is Not Free*~ (Korean War Memorial) |
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VAS Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-16
Posts 7450Oregon |
just desserts comes to mind, but I hate being so cruel...twice in one day btw, I love the poem, it is well woven and captivating [This message has been edited by VAS (edited 07-17-2001).] |
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Paula Finn Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546missouri |
Wonderful imagery here sir!!! |
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RSWells Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533 |
Thank God for memories. Very well crafted Sir. |
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Blaec Member
since 2001-04-23
Posts 130The Sunshine State |
You write so wonderfully! I look forward toreading your work! Kris |
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Trillium 
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
This is exceptionally well written. I don't vist here too often but certainly glad I caught your poem tonight. Betty Lou Hebert |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
I think I bought this guy a drink the other night.  But this is a perfectly metered portrait you've painted...and? you will laugh, but what I love about your work is that it is "Norman Rockwell"--with a 'flip' side. (telling our age, talking about 'flip'sides...  )Into the library, for future study!  |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Balladeer~ I like this one ! ! Really LIKE it ! Not sure why it reaches out and grabs a piece of my heart .... but it does. Guess age walks the worn pathways with us ... sometimes as the footprints we leave ... sometimes as the shadows in chase. You write so well. A pleasure to read this one, sir. *HUGS* ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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vlraynes Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229Somewhere... out there... |
Oh..'deer- I absolutely, positively LOVE this!! You have such a way with words and I could just see this man as I read. This tugged on my heart-strings as well.  Wonderfully written, sir. hugs, ~vicky "...until you have read the verse on his heart, you have not truely met the poet." -vlraynes [This message has been edited by vlraynes (edited 07-18-2001).] |
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Irish Rose Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263 |
This is exceptional.....in every way! "It's easier to kill love than to nurture it" Fred Hardesty |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
A perfectly woven tale, with a wonderful message to remind us to not just "live" the moments, but to make them meaningful. Excellent alternating rhymes Michael, and beautifully flowing as always, I really enjoyed this piece. Best wishes, /Kit |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Another BRAVO! Superb writing Great subject matter Wonderful poem in every respect Liz |
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Marsha
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423Maidstone Kent England |
'Deer dear heart, as always this is superbly crafted. You constuct your picture with absolute perfection, I love it I absolutely love it. Once again dear 'Deer, what can I say but what I've said over and over again this is utterly utterly brilliant. Not only a first class piece of writing but an outstanding morality tale too. I think I should pay heed to this one and start living less in the moment. love and warm stuff as always Mushy   thank you for reposting it love Take back the hope you gave,- I claim |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
With as many new members as we have coming in....it was about time you treated them to some of the classics! Well done 'Deer...your "old" stuff isn't! |
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Titia Geertman Member Ascendant
since 2001-05-07
Posts 5182Netherlands |
I'm with Sunshine here My sweet Poet Balladeer Your poems enriches our lifes So open up your old archives Let us enjoy what you wrote before I just say three words: Give me more Titia A rose is a rose is a rose...I guess... |
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Andrew Scott Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558Redlands,CA,USA |
Sir Balladeer... an excellent story with a fine moral. You can only play the game so long, before you are relegated to being a spectator. And it’s no fun to watch alone. I bow to you and yours. Peace! |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Balladeer--A great story with the impact of a much deaper truth. Thanks for being you! |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
my warmest thanks to all of you....your words have been read and appreciated. Thank you again,, |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
Nice to see karma at work. Guess life ain't so hot for him now... Cor |
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