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Open Poetry #15
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The Scrabble Players................#6
| Open Poetry #15 |
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The Scrabble Players................#6 |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA 
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So there they sit. The board's set up. The squares are all in place, A bowl of chips to munch on and a Webster's, just in case. By day the world is not too kind. It leaves them quite ignored But, every night, they find delight upon the Scrabble board. A starts with LONELY....not too bad - a very worthwhile play. B takes the "y" for MISERY. The game is underway. A comes right back with LONGING - B uses "g" for GONE, A takes the "e" to spell DECEIT...and so the game goes on. There was a time, not long ago, their worlds had fewer cares And small delights did not depend on wooden Scrabble squares. They played the game of Risk but always lost out to the blues And Trivial Pursuit is something they no longer choose. A spells out CHEAT. B tries DIVORCE, a double-letter "V". A uses CRY. B comes with CRAZY, smiling at the "Z". The game goes on into the night, the vodka freely poured... Unconciously, their lives spell out upon the Scrabble board. At end of night they tally points, though why is not too clear. No matter who has scored the most there is no winner here. Tomorrow they will try again to overcome their cares And find a bit of comfort in their wooden Scrabble squares. |
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| © Copyright 2001 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Very creative writing, Michael. Such a sad state of affairs. I could actually feel their pain in your words. Well done! |
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Honeybee Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-26
Posts 5372Ontario, CANADA |
Michael, this is very clever and is expressed so well - the pain screams in this. I marvel at your talent  Melissa~ [This message has been edited by Melissa Honeybee (edited 07-27-2001).] |
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rwood Member Elite
since 2000-02-29
Posts 3793Tennessee |
No winners, is so true. The writing was on the board, but no one paying attention. It is a dreadful and sad reallity for so many. Brilliant work! Sincerely, Rwood |
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shadow974 Senior Member
since 2001-06-21
Posts 636Michigan |
Excellent analagy, it is that way. So many people are blind to there problems and the problems they cause others. Great write! Throw your heart out in front of you |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
I remember this with the awe and respect it deserves.. it was as impressive this time as the first time I read it.... Where have you been dear Deer ... we have gone far too long with out your wisdom and talent. Missed you poet sir slow burn ... |
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Titia Geertman Member Ascendant
since 2001-05-07
Posts 5182Netherlands |
Oh sweet Deer I love this too much. A big HUG and many  for you for reposting this beauty.Titia A rose is a rose is a rose...I guess... |
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Joyce Johnson
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912Washington State |
Well this is my first time to see it, but I like it very much. I am sure if you play Scrabble you will come up with the word "Poetry" every time . Joyce |
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MARK V SHELDON Member Elite
since 2001-06-21
Posts 3015In a corporeal internship... |
Crafted with form and content. A pleasure to read, though saddening to contemplate. Maybe "A" & "B" should try a Scrabble session with explitives just to vent and laugh...? Hope begins with a sense of humor... -MVS "When you tell the Truth, you never have to remember what you just said." |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Your meter is so perfect in this it is as if one could hear this read out loud! Once again you take what could commonly be an everyman occurrence, and transform it into a philosophy lesson. A+. |
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Irish Rose Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263 |
Yes, unfortunately, this is one case when you just can't eat your words....that's where the chips and the vodka come in. " I walked beside the evening sea And dreamed a dream that could not be" George William Curtis" |
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VAS Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-16
Posts 7450Oregon |
such a fantastically clever piece, I was rapt in it all the way, for I do believe I recognized each feeling on display glad to see you here again hope you can stay a while your words are so unique my friend and I really like your style |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Balladeer, Been playing scrabble all my life but without the board. You always amaze me. |
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Constance Member
since 2001-07-28
Posts 393Ohio |
I love scrabble and I loved this poem. How C-L-E-V-E-R! |
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oh2beme Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 215NV USA |
Dear, Dear Balladeer.... What an enjoyable read this was. You are one of the most creative writers I have read of. You take something so common and turn it into something so unique. I always enjoy reading your work...and thanks for the scrabble memories..... |
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doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
looking over my shoulder again, eh? lol *wink* |
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vlraynes Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229Somewhere... out there... |
Balladeer- Saddest game of scrabble I've ever heard of, but you've 'played' it wonderfully.       ...with a triple-letter 'V'.  hugs, ~vicky "...until you have read the verse on his |
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azblond Senior Member
since 1999-07-01
Posts 637The Steamy Desert |
Funny how your emotions come out in that game, huh??!! Let my words fall first upon deaf ears before a closed mind... |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Denise...I thank you...yes, sadness is more than a scrabble word sometimes  Melissa..thank you, sweet lady, for such a kind comment rwood...the writing is on the board...very good! Thank you shadow...my thanks to you for enjoying... JanetMarie...just hiding out during deer season...thank you for missing me  Titia...thank you for that HUG! I'll try for more! Joyce...POETRY is a very good word in Scrabble! I thank you for associating it with me MARK...rumor has it they do! They add 14 F's! Thanks for enjoying Sunshine....every everyday occurence IS a philosophy lesson...at least to a poet. I thank you Rose...so true! Of course, with enough vodka, you can try VAS.....and I like yours Unfortunately we can all relate to those words, I'm afraid SY...ROFL!!! a wonderful description of life! Thank you, good sir Constance....t-h-a-n-k y-o-u!! oh2beme...and I thank you for such a wonderful comment. I appreciate you doreen...I TOLD you to buy curtains!!!  vicky....V's are ALWAYS important! azblond....ain't it the truth? Watch someone play a game of scrabble and you will know their entire philosophy of life! Thanks, my friend ) |
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1slippery_lady Junior Member
since 2001-07-20
Posts 20Ohio, USA |
This is so cleverly written Balladeer. I really enjoyed it, and I admire your obvious talent. |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Hm... How'd you know I was playing again last night... Question - Is "O-O-Z-I-N-G-S" a word????... We couldn't decide so we let it ride...  |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Not only was this fabulous but so true. In a seniors home where I volunteer, the older gentlemen play this all the time, and cheat, and tell of their lives on that board if you only pay attention to what words they pick. Michael you have outdone yourself with one, and it is sad to watch this in real life, but even sadder to read it done this well in such beautiful cadence. Kudos sweet Balladeer. Reel beauty is only fin deep! |
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Paula Finn Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546missouri |
HaveI told you lately how awesome you are Big Mack? Well then I guess I better huh? Great one here |
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