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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 02:24 PM



Kilometers.

My old truck measures things in miles
And drinks by the gallon, but here
It is kilometers and liters.
I’ll be danged if it makes any sense to me
And I tried to tell the Mounties that
When they pulled me over for doing
90 kilometers an hour in a 70 zone.

They weren’t amused
And neither was my wallet.

Toronto is a lot further from Idaho
Than I ever planned on being
And the drive across Manitoba
A long prairie that seemed empty
But for the beet farmers and a few cattle.

I had just about done myself in
When I found a small burg with a bar called Eddies
And decided I better call it a day
And find me a shot of Whiskey
I was tired of Ale, and the beer just didn’t
Seem to taste the same up here.

Eddie’s was like about any local place
Except up here they don’t seem to have
The same edginess, here it seems the cold
Seeps into their hide and tans the attitude
And paints them all with images of something wilder

I ordered a jack and coke at the bar
And sat there fingering the letter old Grey Mouse
Had stuck in my pocket, wondering why I was doing this
And what was in the letter.

“Not your business” I told myself and laid it on the bar,
while I sipped the drink and asked the bar man if they had food.

They did, but it seemed other than a burger
Everything else was not available tonight.

Girl brought my food out and moved the envelope
To sit it down, and I noticed her reading the address.
The plate hit the counter with a thump and her eyes
Got real tight, like a rattler’s do when they squint in the sun.

She put the letter down and walked over to the bar man
And whispered something real low, while glancing my way.

Now, I been in those places where you aren’t welcome
And this suddenly was feeling like one, so I wrapped the burger up
And left a 20 on the bar top, making my way to the door
As quickly as I could without seeming to be on the run.

I heard the barkeep yell at me as the door closed,
But didn’t take time to look back,
Just hit the door of the old truck and prayed she would start

© Copyright 2003 Cpat Hair - All Rights Reserved
Sunshine
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Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
1 posted 2003-01-24 02:27 PM


...The same edginess, here it seems the cold
Seeps into their hide and tans the attitude
And paints them all with images of something wilder...

I've seen this,
in their eyes...

don't you DARE stop now...

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

2 posted 2003-01-24 02:30 PM


Let's see where the cinema reel takes us.
Martie
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Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
3 posted 2003-01-24 02:32 PM


Ron...a series!  yay!  I know you're curious too...open the darn letter!
Duncan
Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455

4 posted 2003-01-24 02:35 PM


Run buddy, run!!!!!!!  lmao
Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
5 posted 2003-01-24 02:38 PM


"Except up here they don’t seem to have
The same edginess, here it seems the cold
Seeps into their hide and tans the attitude
And paints them all with images of something wilder"
---------------------------------------------
Nope..we're used to the cold..but we are wilder!
Keep on truckin'!!

Toerag
Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622
Ala bam a
6 posted 2003-01-24 02:43 PM


My truck wouldn't start
(You should have bought a die hard)
The bartender, (a burly looking lumberjack type),
Walked over to my truck,
He keenly stared into my eyes and asked:
"What are ya doing tonight handsome?..Do you dance?"

[This message has been edited by Toerag (01-24-2003 02:43 PM).]

Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
7 posted 2003-01-24 02:56 PM


I've been hooked in..ok..where is the next one?
regards2you
Member Elite
since 2002-10-01
Posts 3940
California
8 posted 2003-01-24 03:00 PM




Ah, satisfied for the moment, but at least can you tell us what the outside of the envelope said....????? if you won't snoop?  Went back to reread, the address! Hmmmmm....Name too?


Enjoyed, Pat  



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

[This message has been edited by regards2you (01-24-2003 03:07 PM).]

Mistletoe Angel
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Member Empyrean
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
9 posted 2003-01-24 03:38 PM




(smiles) Yep, that's cultural diffusion for you, I swear I've seen my share of that door action at Denny's or at those Flying J Travel Plazas along the road, sometimes I just feel at home getting the pecan logs alone at Stuckey's! (big hugggssssss) I too am anticipating that letter, yay, 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
10 posted 2003-01-24 03:40 PM


don't stop now, Ron...you've picked up a forum of passengers going along for the ride...and just for the record, Ron, Canadians use American beer as mouth wash..

believe in what your heart feels...

garysgirl
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Member Laureate
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237
Florida, USA
11 posted 2003-01-24 09:26 PM


lol at you and these replies...haven't got time to type anymore, cause I've saw two more to read. I've got to see what's in that letter!!!!
serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

12 posted 2003-01-24 11:45 PM


This is so well thought out...I've been admiring the construct of this all day.

It's a wonderful bit of narrative poetry, but could also work as a "storyboard" for something larger...smile. HINT HINT

Andrew Scott
Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558
Redlands,CA,USA
13 posted 2003-01-24 11:47 PM


Jumpin' into the back of that pick up and headin' on to #3.
vlraynes
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229
Somewhere... out there...
14 posted 2003-01-25 12:05 PM



Ron~
Wow...this is excellent.
You are an extremely talented writer, sir,
and this is so well done.
I'm off to read the next one.
Hugs,
~Vicky

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

VAS
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-16
Posts 7450
Oregon
15 posted 2003-01-26 11:10 AM


Sunshine grabbed the piece that reached out and grabbed me as well, especially "tanned ...attitude."

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

Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
16 posted 2003-01-26 11:26 AM


Hm... could be an interesting jaunt once they're on to you...
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