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Open Poetry #24
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Cpat Hair
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Member Patricius
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793


0 posted 2003-01-24 01:49 PM



Some days you know
where you are going
And on others,
It seems the white stripes
On blacktop are the only maps
You have or need.

I spent some time in Idaho that Spring
But when the snow was gone
Off the lower peaks of the Sawtooth range
I got the urge to go north

Why north I had no idea
I hate cold weather and chasing snow
Was not my idea of fun anytime,
But still, I had never been to Canada
And since I was this close
I figured I might as well go take a look.

British Columbia
Was a playground of mountains
And slow isolated places
Where people talked with an accent
And drank ale rather than beer

I met an old Indian up there, Grey Mouse,
And he told me he had lived around Toronto
Worked there for years walking iron
In the high places, but had come home
To die.

His voice was clear
And his eyes sharp but he knew something
That seemed to sadden him more
Than just the thought of being old
And being Indian.

He asked if I was going towards Toronto
And if I was, would I think about
Doing him a favor.

I told him I hadn’t thought much about it
But bought another round for the two of us
And listened to him talk about bear and deer.

Come closing time he asked again
Telling me he had something
That wasn’t his and needed to be returned.

I shook my head no
And he grabbed my arm just above my elbow
then looked me in the eyes
And told me I needed to go there,
Not to ask why but to go,
And take this letter.

He let me go
Just as the door opened
And I looked at the giant coming through
Wondering if he was going to get pissed
That they weren’t serving
But when I turned around to tell the old man no
He was gone and the letter was sticking out of my shirt pocket

Well, no one ever said I was smart
And granny had always told me their were times
When reason didn’t matter, but the spirit did,
So I ended up on the road
With white lines mapping my way.

Of Course, granny also always told me
To leave the red heads alone

I was betting there was at least one
Somewhere up here in the cold
On a collision course with me
Seemed anytime I did something impulsive
I ended up running into one.

© Copyright 2003 Cpat Hair - All Rights Reserved
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
1 posted 2003-01-24 01:53 PM


Ron...Smiling at you and the way you weave intrigue.  Much enjoyed!  
passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
2 posted 2003-01-24 01:55 PM


hey! What's granny got against redheads?

-just call me Red-

I loved this tale Ron, great stuff.

Toerag
Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622
Ala bam a
3 posted 2003-01-24 01:57 PM


And...and?...what happened then Mr. Hitchcock?....
I've never had "white lines" map my way...but I've had "several" get me to where I like to be?

[This message has been edited by Toerag (01-24-2003 02:23 PM).]

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
4 posted 2003-01-24 02:16 PM


...And granny had always told me their were times
When reason didn’t matter, but the spirit did,...

Ok, aside from making a multitude of readers
happy...
I have to admit, you're on a roll, one in which I am sure
Deca and others will leave alone,
simply to see

what's in the letter
and to whom it will be delivered...



Duncan
Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455

5 posted 2003-01-24 02:19 PM


Well, no one ever said I was smart
And granny had always told me their were times
When reason didn’t matter, but the spirit did,
So I ended up on the road
With white lines mapping my way.

Of Course, granny also always told me
To leave the red heads alone

I was betting there was at least one
Somewhere up here in the cold
On a collision course with me
Seemed anytime I did something impulsive
I ended up running into one.


First redheads, now Canadian redheads.  If I buy ya a drink, would ya turn back South????  
Let the road trip continue.....


Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
6 posted 2003-01-24 02:28 PM


YES!! YES!!  Dang!  I'll be darned
if ya didn't make it all the way up here to Canada
and another green eyed redhead!
You are so good!  Don't worry..
I'll never ever tell what was in that letter.
or should I?......

bsquirrel
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-01-03
Posts 7855

7 posted 2003-01-24 02:28 PM


I see you gearing up for a new sage saga.

The Rockies will rest easy tonight.

Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
8 posted 2003-01-24 02:54 PM


...and on to number two..I'm so excited!!
regards2you
Member Elite
since 2002-10-01
Posts 3940
California
9 posted 2003-01-24 02:54 PM




Grinning here at yet another of your tales. Love this, and though this is messing up my day, HAVE to take the time and go read the other one now....

Enjoying your story telling much.

Pat

..without surrender, be on good terms with all persons..
        "Desiderata"

garysgirl
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237
Florida, USA
10 posted 2003-01-24 03:01 PM


I knew there would be a redhead somewhere...is she green-eyed, too?? I'll bet that's who the letter's going to...I gotta go see, too..


BTW, though, what did Granny have against us green-eyed  red-tinted-hair( not real red, but reddis tint) ladies?

Mistletoe Angel
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Empyrean
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
11 posted 2003-01-24 03:34 PM




(smiles) Every end is just the beginning of something else, so this surely isn't the last dance with Mary Jane I presume! LOL! (big hugggsssss) Now how did that redhead make it all the way north anyhow, I love this, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Ron, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

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

Shakira

scorpio
Member Ascendant
since 2002-10-02
Posts 5178
right...there
12 posted 2003-01-24 03:36 PM


White lines and red heads....Ron you have my attention...any with red toe nails??

believe in what your heart feels...

vlraynes
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229
Somewhere... out there...
13 posted 2003-01-24 11:26 PM



Ron~
I am absolutely loving this.
You are quite the storyteller and
you've got me hanging on for more.
EXCELLENT!
Hugs,
~Vicky

"...until you have read the verse on his heart,
you have not truly met the poet.
~vlraynes

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

14 posted 2003-01-24 11:39 PM


and here we go...the sense of adventure and restlessness is well set in the tone.

(I was following along)


Andrew Scott
Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558
Redlands,CA,USA
15 posted 2003-01-24 11:43 PM


I'm intrigued, being Canadian and having relatives in Toronto.  Liked the way Grey Mouse left the bar and Grandma's words. Time to hit the road for #2.
Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
16 posted 2003-01-26 09:11 AM


OK - I'm only a couple of days late - but I'm here... Staying tuned...
VAS
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-16
Posts 7450
Oregon
17 posted 2003-01-26 11:03 AM


Absolutely enjoyable read, intriguing and yes, a Hitchcock type ending.What happened? Is this a masterful weaving or a real event?

Whether on the shoal or on the shore,
I'll seek the lighthouse evermore.

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
18 posted 2003-01-26 11:14 AM


Cpat Hair
You won me with this one, enjoyed.

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