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Travel At Your Own Risk
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Travel At Your Own Risk |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass 
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Travel At Your Own Risk Down past the Rosenbaugh place, that road dimmed to a track, jolted down through maple woods, and rocked across the suitcase rocks toward a falldown bridge. “Travel At Your Own Risk,” the sign warned helpfully, too late. The Ballard boys didn’t like that sign, shot holes in it when they rode past. Always wheel tracks on that road, but never once a car, at least not in the daytime. At night in bed you could hear them go by, almost always with their lights on, too. Walking that road at eight you went at your own risk, all right. You risked the sight of redbuds blooming, dogwoods hiding secret on the hillside, sure, if you lost yourself no one would come, or you could punch down through the ice on Shoal Creek one night five miles from home and learn the real message on that sign, but you were eight. You knew that stuff already. Traveling at your own risk meant something then, if only that you’d escaped the stupid neighbor boy who didn’t, couldn’t know what fossils meant, the sign, or even a gray brown snail that pasted its skinny track along a maple branch. It meant the creek had copperheads and if you went upstream a patch of copper colored sandstone outcrops shaped like chess knights in the dusk. Sitting on a sandstone horse to watch the sun go down behind a scarlet woodland; that was a risk, all right, even at eight. Traveling at your own risk meant Rosenbaugh might shoot your dog if he caught him chasing cows. It meant you could swim that hole along Shoal Creek on any August afternoon and wear what you had on, without a second thought about the ice. Traveling at your own risk meant there were skunks and once a fox, and waterbugs to watch, marking current in the little spring. It meant you trusted, gaining ground, deciding for yourself, and too, remembering, the biggest risk of all. But you were eight. You knew that stuff already. [This message has been edited by Ratleader (02-23-2003 12:30 AM).] |
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| © Copyright 2003 Ed Ratledge - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Ed...Imagery that amazes me coupled with innocence and wisdom. Loved it!  |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
Remember the dog in "Dog In The Sun?" /pip/Forum77/HTML/000141.html His name was Blackie, and Rosenbaugh shot him. ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> |
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garysgirl 
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
How beautiful this is, Ed. You painted a picture with words for the reader to see.  Hugs, Ethel |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
(smiles) Oh Ed, this is truly is a delight to read, sweet friend, I love it! (big hugggssssss) I could see the shrubs and the prairie and the nature swarming all around, God Bless You, this is picture perfect, you have my vote, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Ed, thank you for sharing!  May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton "Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..." |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Well shoot I said on your first poem that your descriptive writing made me want to go run in the field with the dog, thinking he was "pooped" from chasing the rabbits, and now you tell me this neighbour shot him,  There was a gruesome man like that in my home town too, and fortunately his bark was worse than his bite. What a traumatic thing for an 8 year old. This gets my vote and I would enjoy more of your stories from your early days. |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
Yep, all these years (and dogs) later, if I dream of a dog, it's always a happy-natured Border Collie....... ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
I love the way you immerse yourself in nature while shining a light on human behavior. Your scenic writing and snippets of life combine to allow the reader a short trip alongside your pathway. Thanks for an enjoyable read! |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Pleaasseee keeep wriiiting and I'll keeeep reeaaadding... I wasn't just reading this poem, I was living it! You are masterful at writing descriptively! Well done! Warm morning hugs, Earth Angel |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Excellent...much enjoyed. ~Hugs~ ~ Trace my body with your words.. |
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Chanson Senior Member
since 2000-08-19
Posts 1559Up Creek w/Out Paddle |
Your stories take me right there. When you think you have heard it all, |
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wayoutwalt Member Elite
since 1999-06-22
Posts 4870TEXAS (it's all big) |
book stuff |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Ratleader: This is just plain wonderful! Great imagery and a look back at yesterday! I'm voting for it and enjoyed reading it very much. I'm sorry about the dog. I love all animals and it always hurts when something happens to one of them. Betty Lou Hebert |
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SEA
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676with you |
I do like this  |
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vlraynes Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229Somewhere... out there... |
Very nicely done, Ed. "...until you have read the verse on his heart, |
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Sudhir Iyer Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943Mumbai, India : now in Belgium |
Excellent work... liked it lots... Particularly the repetition of the line "But you were eight. You knew that stuff already." I think it works regards, sudhir |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Ah.. My Jake is eight... I see him here... |
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bsquirrel
since 2000-01-03
Posts 7855 |
A nice, calm solace, even with the sign. |
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Cpat Hair
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793 |
yes... nicely done... you tell the story well and blend in enough innocence to truly season the wisdom that lies underneath... enjoyed.... |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Ed, now here's a poem that I do wish I could vote for, times five... |
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Joyce Johnson
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912Washington State |
Really wonderful. Oh to be eight again when all things were exciting. Joyce |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
If you want to see the place, this is part of it -- now a nature preserve. http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/areas/natareas/p48-2.htm Lots of roads and houses in the area now, but my personal playground has been saved as more than a memory. ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> |
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wranx Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689Moved from a shack to a barn |
Yeah, Ed I already knew that stuff too. Good write! |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
Hi, wranx! Ye know, it was a comment of yours that got me started writing this one.... something about my writing mainly urban stuff.... That gave me a head-slap moment, and I realized I was only showing half of myself. -- so, thanx, wranx! ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Ed...much vivid imagery captured up in this piece as in the other pieces I've read from you. You take the reader there, worth the vote for that if nothing more, even if it weren't a great write |
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DawnG
since 2000-06-23
Posts 1494United States |
You've got my vote Dawn |
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Titia Geertman Member Ascendant
since 2001-05-07
Posts 5182Netherlands |
I'm hitting the vote button now, great piece Titia Like scattered leaves...my words will flow |
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wranx Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689Moved from a shack to a barn |
Yeah, for all I knew, you spent your life watching the city, churn on itself. I've lived Urban and Rural in a cyclic fashion most of mine. (Loved both, hated both) Ed |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
You've got pocketfulls of living in your jeans, Ed, and you portray them well... |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
Nicely done indeed! Maree  |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I felt I'd stepped back in time... you thoroughly captured me with this one. *S* |
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Greeneyes
since 2000-09-09
Posts 9903In Your Poetic Mind |
I felt as though I was there right in the middle of it all.....Nice Sir!!! Lauren~ I close my eyes and there in the shadows I see your light You come to me out of my dreams Across the night [This message has been edited by Greeneyes (03-17-2003 04:54 PM).] |
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SPIRIT Senior Member
since 2002-12-29
Posts 1745California Desert |
 Awesome write! |
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Aenimal Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350the ass-end of space |
awesome |
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Justbleu Member Elite
since 1999-08-31
Posts 3329Oregon, Originally From Alaska :) |
You drew me in and didn't let go until the end.....Wonderful!!!!! Bridgette  "Somewhere, somehow, it should be possible to touch someone and never let go again. To hold someone, not for a moment but forever." Unknown |
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Cpat Hair
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793 |
LMAO Clay County huh... LOL such a small world... |
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Jeffrey Carter
since 2000-04-08
Posts 2367State of constant confusion! |
BUMP!!! |
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Justbleu Member Elite
since 1999-08-31
Posts 3329Oregon, Originally From Alaska :) |
Bump.... "Somewhere, somehow, it should be possible to touch someone and never let go again. To hold someone, not for a moment but forever." Unknown |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
Heh-- more like WHAMMA-BAMMA-THUD on that road rocks that could have said "Samsonite" on the side of 'em.... ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> |
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Suetang Member Ascendant
since 2001-03-07
Posts 5187Melbourne, Australia |
Hello Ed As I read your words I was reminded of one of my alltime favourite movies called "Stand By Me" which follows the adventures of four boys. I thoroughly enjoyed this walk down memory lane and you most definitely have my vote. I hope all is well with you. Take care.......Sue I am in motion |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
Wow, Ed. This sure elicits some great memories and feelings in me. You wrote it with an excellent style. |
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Bill Charles Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619highways, & byways, for now |
Ratleader - you sure we didn't know each other in Shoofly Junction? Sure brought some memories... A vote for sure... BC |
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waldopepper Member
since 2003-03-18
Posts 157Tennessee, USA |
Man this poem brings it all back to me in a powerful way. I am so glad to be back in the town where I grew up. Still lots of backroads to get lost on. Great images and memories my friend. |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
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Street Heart Member
since 2002-09-05
Posts 349Pennsylvania,USA |
Fine writing! Had me totally immersed in your rememberances,and what I like best is how you brought everything together at the end,...but then you knew that stuff already! Another "keeper" for me.Vote! If a man has not discovered something he is willing to die for,his life is not worth living. |
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