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Open Poetry #19
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Packratmike
Senior Member
since 2001-02-25
Posts 632
California, USA

0 posted 2002-02-22 01:27 PM


"61"

I remember when my father cried
The day he learned his brother died
No words of comfort did I have
For my poor ol' grieving Dad
I sat the silent youngest son
My uncle was but sixty-one

The years flew fast as I grew tall
One Sunday night my sister called
And pulled me from my dreaming bed
To tell me this, "Our father's dead"
I sat the silent youngest son
My father was but sixty-one

My brother and I would sometimes say
This curse will catch us each one day
Too soon I had to tell our Mom
Her eldest had just passed beyond
Again I sat, the silent son
My brother was but sixty-one

Now when I gaze into the mirror
I see my dad and brother there
I look like them in tear or smile
I count the days and all the while
I wait, the silent youngest son
For time to make me sixty-one



© Copyright 2002 Mike Powers - All Rights Reserved
Sven
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937
East Lansing, MI USA
1 posted 2002-02-22 03:43 PM


this is just a little chilling. . . it's one family tradition I hope skips. . .

well told . . .

------------------------------------------------------

To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world.

Mistletoe Angel
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Empyrean
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
2 posted 2002-02-22 06:04 PM




(big hugggssssssss) Oh my gosh, this is so sad and gave me the chills, my heart goes out to you and the losses you have experienced but I am sure that 61 is just a superstition and you will live until the time is right to go! (sigh) My heart cries out to you, sweet friend, this made me cry, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Mike, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

[This message has been edited by Mistletoe Angel (02-22-2002 06:04 PM).]

ecrivan
Member Elite
since 2001-12-10
Posts 3923
my own state
3 posted 2002-02-22 06:27 PM


Oh Packrat,
try to skip satisfying this chilling tale, I used to quote Jack Benny on another site with age is a matter of mind, if you don't mind it doesn't matter...stay alive and well will ya??!
You've done a great job in setting a certain mood!




[This message has been edited by ecrivan (02-22-2002 06:29 PM).]

Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
4 posted 2002-02-22 07:46 PM


I enjoyed the tale but read the last verse with a sense of forboding. All you can do it REFUSE to age. When you get to 55 (!) just stop counting...or go backward a year then forward a year. (and for good measure? Go get a check up!)
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
5 posted 2002-02-22 07:48 PM



Oh did this come home, and you've made me think of my brother...and my father, and my mother...and how I hope my brother will see more summers and autumns and winters...than did my mother, and father...

thank you for this...it hurts, but thank you regardless....

Packratmike
Senior Member
since 2001-02-25
Posts 632
California, USA
6 posted 2002-02-24 12:56 PM


Thank you all....many of my poems are strictly fantasies and many are mixed with reality and half-truths but this simple little poem is quite real and I've felt the need for  some time now to write it down.  I don't talk about the subject too much as it is a bit "chilling" but again I thank you all for the nice remarks.

Mike

Temptress
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-06-15
Posts 7136
Mobile, AL
7 posted 2002-02-24 01:47 PM


Okay..I have to agree completely that this is chilling..except it is very chilling to me.

*sigh*
The curse on my family seems to be the month of January. I get tense every year around that time although most times it takes a few years for something to come back around and happen.

Lost a set of Grandparents (both the same month different years) in the month of January

Lost a Grandfather on my Dad's side one year in January.

All three times I've either been without a job, had job difficulties, or just recently left a job..etc..Anyway..I'd have to explain it more in detail for it to make sense.

I've rambled long enough on your thread.

I'm here to say I loved this poem and I miss your poetry, Sir.  


For all who watch.Dare you say hello? Come in and ask the questions that are on your mind, but spare me your judgement until you truly sipped of me.

[This message has been edited by Temptress (02-24-2002 01:48 PM).]

amusemi
Senior Member
since 2001-12-08
Posts 1262
A State of Disarray
8 posted 2002-02-24 02:07 PM


In my family '63' is the number.  Grandmother and her sister and an uncle and great uncle on the other side.  This really made me catch my breath in my throat...
JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
9 posted 2002-02-24 02:37 PM


Interesting...and yet none of us are promised any certain number of years...the most important part of life is to try to enjoy every moment for with each breath we take the old moments are gone and new moments may or may not be ours to enjoy...hope you have lots of happy years...James
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