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Open Poetry #21
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Balladeer
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since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

0 posted 2002-06-20 07:24 PM



When I was a young boy, my gramps was my sage,
My mentor, my teacher, my friend.
Though quite separated by young and old age
We traveled Life's road hand in hand.

He pointed one day to a rock on the ground
Then said, "Make that rock turn to gold".
I thought to myself....the old boy's gone unsound
Or, at least, is just getting too old.

"Hey, gramps! It's a rock! Are you playing with me?"
He said, "There's a lesson. Please see it.
A thing cannot be what you want it to be
Just because you may want it to be it."

Then he showed me a tree a full ten feet high
And he said, "Jump that tree, if you can."
I said, "Gramps, what the hell! I'm a boy, not gazelle!"
And I got a big smile from that man.

"There's a lesson", he said, "I will pass on to you.
Life is tough. This will help you get through it.
A man cannot do what you want him to do
Just because you may want him to do it."

"Son, you'll be on your own with Life's passions to taunt
You, but never forget, as a man
That a girl may not love you as much as you want
But she'll love you as much as she can."

So here I now sit, almost fifty years hence,
Filled with grief at how my life has turned.
My grandpa had warned me but I was too dense
And his lessons I never did learn.

I sit in my parlor - a young man turned old,
A beaten, pathetic old thing
With a sack full of rocks that will never be gold
And thin legs that have lost all their spring.

I sit here in the gloom and I feel so sad
As I bring back the memories so rough
Of the girl who had loved me with all that she had
Which I didn't consider enough.


© Copyright 2002 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved
Martie
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since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
1 posted 2002-06-20 07:29 PM


Balladeer

Your gramps was such a wise man, and so are you! both!

doreen peri
Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812
Virginia
2 posted 2002-06-20 07:37 PM


quote:
"There's a lesson", he said, "I will pass on to you.
Life is tough. This will help you get through it.
A man cannot do what you want him to do
Just because you may want him to do it."


too true
sorry about the girl
you sure know how to write it
all the most important lessons are archived
in our hearts

Magnus
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Member Laureate
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA
3 posted 2002-06-20 07:50 PM


Michael, as the Master of the Ballad, (you)  I
bow most humbly to your wise and awesome
words...

rwood
Member Elite
since 2000-02-29
Posts 3793
Tennessee
4 posted 2002-06-20 08:02 PM


There's just soooo many of them..And you have made a warm place in my heart for these few of you..I love it when you share like this..

Sincerely,
Reg


Mistletoe Angel
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since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
5 posted 2002-06-20 09:12 PM




(BIG HUGGGSSSSSSS) Oh Michae, I cried reading this, and not just because i was heartaching to feel his yeaning for the love she had, but also how your words are so very wise and oh how great it has to have you here as a true friend!  (sigh) You are without a doubt one of the best storytellers, sweet friend, God Bless You, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Balladeer, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

"Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..."

Shakira

SmartChick
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081
On A Journey To The Unknown
6 posted 2002-06-20 09:21 PM


Oh Balladeer, I don't think you are pathetic at all. As a matter of fact, I admire you alot. And, I love to read your poetry. Your grandpa was just as wise as you are.
Marsha
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423
Maidstone Kent England
7 posted 2002-06-20 10:09 PM


’Deer dearest heart this is utterly utterly fabulous, was this because the abominable Emma asked? Well, thank the Lord she did I wouldn’t have missed this for the world. Sometimes, no matter how hard I try and believe me I do put effort into some things, I miss the odd poem of yours. And I’d missed this one that I do know, it is eternally wise and full of good sense, I love it love it love it. Simply put this is your wisdom sown at its best.

So a little thank you to the abominable Emma, I almost think its worth the denuded fridge and the scattered crumbs, if it gets a re-post or twenty. In fact if it gets even ten its worth it. Whether I also appreciate the little note stuck to the computer informing me that my printer is about to run out of ink I don’t know I shan’t mention the note requesting Hagan Diaz ice cream next time or the fact she went through a litre of freshly made ice cream that I had other plans for. Not wishing to incriminate myself when the little monster is found somewhere muttering darkly about witchcraft and mothers who cast out their devil spawn children

That is all by the by, thank you Emma You delightful and wretched daughter you for asking, and a mega thank you ‘Deer for re-posting this wonderful piece.


Love and warm stuff
As always
Mushy

Breathe through the heat of our desire
Thy coolness and they balm
Let sense be dumb let flesh retire
Speak through the eathquake wind and fire
Oh

alterego
Member
since 2002-02-23
Posts 113
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
8 posted 2002-06-20 10:47 PM


I really enjoyed this poem...  some really good ideas:  glad you reposted so some of us "newbies" could see it.

Don't be so hard on yourself!!!  If you didn't "feel"  as much as you do, you couldn't write as good as you do.

ss with

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
9 posted 2002-06-20 11:15 PM


Hey, gramps! It's a rock! Are you playing with me?"
He said, "There's a lesson. Please see it.
A thing cannot be what you want it to be
Just because you may want it to be it."

Thanks for reposting this poem, Michael...
it is so very full of meaning....
Your gramps was a very wise man...and you seem to have inherited his wisdom....

I have always wanted to be a redhead...I guess thats why I never became one LOL !

~ wise old hugs

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

suthern
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Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
10 posted 2002-06-21 10:06 AM


I think that somewhere between the last posting of this treasure and today, I've managed to learn some of these lessons... perhaps due to Gramps' and your wisdom... perhaps due to finding out the hard way that less than I want of a good thing is a lot more than plenty of something worthless. *G* (Who said an old dog can't learn? LOL)

I think this is an excellent partner piece for Settle Back - Enjoy the Ride... both remind us that there are things we can't change and give wise guidance for when we encounter those things... and both are superb poems. *G*

Lady In White
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Member Elite
since 2001-02-12
Posts 2799
USA
11 posted 2002-06-21 10:10 AM



The best we can do
is try to continue to pass on
life's lessons
before we pass on

LngJhnAg
Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508
Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion
12 posted 2002-06-21 10:58 AM


Mike - You are the best!  This story is so well written, and has so much in it.  Great job, old 'Deer.
catalinamoon
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-03
Posts 9543
The Shores of Alone
13 posted 2002-06-21 03:10 PM


This is fantastic, what a good story.
Sandra

Toerag
Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622
Ala bam a
14 posted 2002-06-21 03:14 PM


Bally...this is fantastic...who wrote it?
Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
15 posted 2002-06-21 04:26 PM


LOL@Toerag!
'Deer...this is wonderful...
as only you can write.
Sorry 'bout the girl.
~Hugs sweet man~

~Somewhere in my heart I'm always
dancing with you in the summer rain~

Titia Geertman
Member Ascendant
since 2001-05-07
Posts 5182
Netherlands
16 posted 2002-06-22 03:58 AM



Well, you may be in your fifty's Deer
But that ain't old you see
You still can pick up some lessons here
Your gramps seems a wise man to me

We all have to loose before we can win
So pick up the pieces around you
Open your mind and see what's within
You'll find some real beauty there too

Mmmm...it got to me heart this one

Titia


A rose is a rose is a rose...I guess...
Check out my new website: lookheretitia.fcpages.com (I didn't 'link' this, so it won't take too much space).I

[This message has been edited by Titia Geertman (06-22-2002 08:59 AM).]

Duncan
Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455

17 posted 2002-06-22 05:12 AM


"Son, you'll be on your own with Life's passions to taunt
You, but never forget, as a man
That a girl may not love you as much as you want
But she'll love you as much as she can."

Gonna try to listen to grandpa and remember that.


Forgetting all I'm lacking
Completely and complete
I'll take your invitation
You take all of me

Lifehouse

andEmmamakes3
Member
since 2002-05-11
Posts 66
Kent
18 posted 2002-06-22 08:42 AM


’Deer hi there, is this because I asked nicely? Because if it is thank you very much. I’d ask every day if I could, but I know mum wouldn’t let me live in her ‘fridge. I don’t know what she’s moaning for, she loves having me come to see her.

This is an excellent piece of writing, the flow and meter are as perfect as only a master of rhyme can make them. I love the lessons and as mum says you are the wise enough to hold these lessons and to pass them on. Absolutely first class writing and I love it

lots of love
Emma


Eternity, stands laughing at old time
for ages? In the grand ancestral line
Of things eternal, mounting to divine

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
19 posted 2002-06-22 08:49 AM


Mike,
They don't get much better then this.

Kethry
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082
Victoria Australia
20 posted 2002-06-22 09:47 AM


Deer,
Another classic, you sure can tell a story with a moral that is superb in it's line and tempo.
Keth

Here in the midst of my lonely abyss, a single joy I find...your presence in my mind.  Unknown



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