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Open Poetry #19
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Mysteria
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since 2001-03-07
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British Columbia, Canada

0 posted 2002-03-22 04:39 PM



    

~ the Recluse ~
© Mysteria 03/2001


An ancient man lives in the
house of shadows up on the hill.
Broken hearted he shuffles
now bird frail surviving on
the fruits of weakened memory.

His eyes float like berries
still clear and alert
in their crinkled sockets,
like the brew he consumes
easing his tremulous decline.
He is a stubborn survivor of time.

Some nights I hear him ready
his words and then he speaks to
the phantoms in his room
where only the sound of mice
between the walls answer.

There are times in the night
you hear arthritic fingers spring
deft in a sad, beckoning melody
conjuring up a powerful voice
that sings in harmony to a mirage.

People avoid him, ignore him
hoping that he will go away
when he comes into town to
buy sheet music and spirits
to sustain his way of life.

They say an worrying old woman
permeates his haunted dreams
in an effort to bridge the gap
of his deteriorating recollections.
Some say she is still there
in the house of shadows on the hill.

They call him a recluse, deranged.
Some said he waits to go to her,
others say he waits for her to come back.
I say he is just an ancient man who mourns
in the house of shadows up on the hill.
He is a stubborn survivor of time.


~*~


artist: unknown
Should you know who painted this kindly email me
as I would like to give them credit for their work.




[This message has been edited by Mysteria (03-23-2002 01:31 AM).]

© Copyright 2002 Mysteria 1997 - All Rights Reserved
Seymour Tabin
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since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
1 posted 2002-03-22 04:44 PM


Sharon,
This is an excellent write and I enjoyed the read.

Poet deVine
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Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
2 posted 2002-03-22 05:14 PM


Except for the beard and the hairline, this is me!!! I enjoyed this because your heart shines in it.
Pell
Member
since 2001-09-16
Posts 134
Pacific NW
3 posted 2002-03-22 05:39 PM


wow, love this story! I so enjoy glimpses such as this, of other lives real or imagined. Really like the descriptions also
Keep it up!

jwesley
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563
Spring, Texas
4 posted 2002-03-22 06:08 PM


You did this very well my friend...I lived him through your words.

jwesley

Mistletoe Angel
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Portland, Oregon
5 posted 2002-03-22 06:20 PM




BRAVO!!! Wow, this is an incredibly haunting and wonderful poem, sweet friend, this kind of saddened me to imagine people actually living this way and isolating themselves from all the world but then I also feel that it's their call and they can live however they wish to! (kiss on cheek) This is emotionally powerful, sweet friend, we all love you so much! You have such a beautfiul heart, sweet Sharon, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

Mysteria
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6 posted 2002-03-23 12:10 PM


~* Thank you everyone *~


I remembered a man like this from when I was a child, and when I saw that picture on someone's site today, it brought back all the horror stories that went around about this man.  He was very kind and gentle, and I liked him.  He just missed his wife that was all it was, so he played the piano and talked to her.  Sometimes people form opinions before they even know who or what they are making judgement on.  

Larry C
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Member Patricius
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286
United States
7 posted 2002-03-23 01:42 AM


Sharon,
I must say...what a tender write this is. I found it to be a real blessing to my heart. Great style and great heart. Thanks.

Balladeer
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since 1999-06-05
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Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
8 posted 2002-03-23 08:07 AM


Such an excellent portrayal!! I know that man....I expect one day I shall become him. Sharon, this is wonderful writing and a perfect style for you
Sunshine
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since 1999-06-25
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Listening to every heart
9 posted 2002-03-23 08:42 AM



I, too, have known such a recluse...amazing, how sometimes all they want, is understanding...

well done, Mysteria...

Mysteria
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British Columbia, Canada
10 posted 2002-03-27 01:54 AM


Larry ~ it takes a tender heart to feel one

Balladeer ~ It pleases me to no end you enjoyed this, and shucks if I found a perfect style for me there would be no more terrible rhymes of mine to bug you with

Sunshine ~ You did?  You amaze me sometimes.

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