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Open Poetry #22
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ShadowRider
Senior Member
since 2001-07-14
Posts 1038
USA

0 posted 2002-08-25 11:41 AM


         



          Shelf Life

   behind the glitz gotta-dust-ems
       abandoned on a high shelf
       is an inlaid Chinese box
       with secret panels for locks
       shoved aside by books
       pushed backwards by knick-knacks -
       forgotten by the borrowers of time
  
   the grandson, on a great exploration mission found the box
       and knew instantly a treasure must be inside
       most of the day he worked the panels
      (when others were not watching)
       clicking them in rubix arrays
       unable to find the right combination
       that opened fog memories
       wondering whose lost mist was inside

    he found the false drawer
       with a jade necklace from Grandma's high school days
       once removed, the box still rattled
       Long John Silver had not yet reached the treasure shore

    it was just a few moments before
       his limpid fingers stopped working altogether
       around 2 AM that he was relaxed enough
       to trigger two latches simultaneously
       and the middle drawer opened!

    Breakfast
       the precious jewel was not his to keep
       and he laid it beside Grandma's coffee cup
       wishing Grandpa was still here to see her face
       When she saw it, her face transgressed 30 years
       a young married woman again
       with ghost tears from the past slowly falling
       Grandson held her gently, showing the box to her
       and then she remembered, after 20 years
       where she had hidden her wedding ring
       after Grandpa's passing

              . . . she put it on



  


[This message has been edited by ShadowRider (08-25-2002 01:24 PM).]

© Copyright 2002 Picasso Lyrics - All Rights Reserved
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
1 posted 2002-08-25 11:48 AM


Jeff

This is so very touching...gave me chills and water eyes at the same time.  Precious are the gifts left for time to find.  

Kitty**
Member
since 1999-07-27
Posts 428
Charlottesville,VA USA
2 posted 2002-08-25 12:12 PM


Hmmmmmmm ! This is a story worth keeping !
It totally captured me.
Great writing!

Kitty

* That which gives light, must endure burning *

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
3 posted 2002-08-25 01:09 PM



Jeff, this is more than precious...thank you for this delightful poem...

Mistletoe Angel
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Empyrean
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
4 posted 2002-08-25 01:23 PM




(sigh) Oh Jeff, this is wonderful, sweet friend, oh my gosh, it is amazing where everything sees to come from and how the stories are told! (big hugggsssss) This is wonderful, sweet friend, I love it, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Jeff, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

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

Shakira

Bill Charles
Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619
highways, & byways, for now
5 posted 2002-08-25 01:38 PM


ShadowRider - I too felt the moist eyes, and the chills. This is a most heartfelt write excellently done...

BC

Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
6 posted 2002-08-25 01:42 PM


BRAVO!!!
Jeff, your treasured words will add to the enduring quality of this heirloom. This is a keeper.

WhiteRose
Member Elite
since 2002-07-23
Posts 3208
somebody's dungeon
7 posted 2002-08-25 07:41 PM


A true delight with this one Jeff. I loved every single words.
Nightshade
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962
just out of reach
8 posted 2002-08-25 07:45 PM


Jeff - this is a very touching and well told story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Chris

Life is not measured by breaths you take, but by moments that take your breath away.

Magnus
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA
9 posted 2002-08-25 08:16 PM


I can tell that your sensitivity came to the
surface very clearly within this poem.  It
is a gem,  just as is the ring that she
wears....

(Bowing humbly to you)

Barry

ShadowRider
Senior Member
since 2001-07-14
Posts 1038
USA
10 posted 2002-08-25 11:48 PM


Martie, sweet gal:
more than precious, gifts refound are life-moments
to be relived.  It’s time reversal at its finest!
Thank you for your comments, as always.  

Kitty:
glad I could give you some prrrrrrr’s!
Story poems are my fav’s, Kitty.  You are sooo
kind to suggest keeping it.  Thankx so much!

Karilea:
Always a treat to see you, Sunshine!  Thankx
fellow poet, and I DID look for your recent work.
I hope inspiration will come soon, OK, K? ~smile~

All my best,
Jeff

ShadowRider
Senior Member
since 2001-07-14
Posts 1038
USA
11 posted 2002-08-25 11:52 PM



Hey Noah-Way!
How was your weekend big guy?  I got mega busy
here, but tried to find some posting time.   And,
I have stories untold, lining my pockets.  Stay tuned:
Saaaaaame Bat Time
Saaaaaaame Bat Channel!

Awww Bill, when I think of my grandmother, I too
find it hard not to smile a tear.
Thankx, amigo and take care of yourself!

Kacy:
How wonderful it is to have you back in the poetic
fold!  Truly!  Now, if I can only find some free time
to spend here. . .  I know I know, there is plenty of
swampland in Florida for sale, too, huh?  

Thankx, Y'all!
jeff

ShadowRider
Senior Member
since 2001-07-14
Posts 1038
USA
12 posted 2002-08-25 11:57 PM



Anne, hope you are doing fine.  Feel free to dine
on ShadowRider poetry ANYYY time!  Thankx generous Lady!

Chris, the stories of the heart are begging to be told.  Most of
my poetry has some parable attached to it.  It is humbling to
think simple words, as these, can affect emotion.  Thank you!

Barry, you Goob!  No bows, pulllleeze!
But that is super-kind of you, ami.
The words have not been written yet:
they remain hanging in space, between the stars
and within our grasp.

Thankx Y’all, and catch ya on the flip side.
jeff

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