»
Archives
»
Open Poetry #26
»
An Incomplete Stranger
| Open Poetry #26 |
|
An Incomplete Stranger |
|
Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass 
|
An Incomplete Stranger He’s stopped to watch the squirrel I’m watching, and it seems more natural to make some strained talk than not to, mostly about squirrels and the day, stranger talk. There’s a bench, but it faces the lake, and I can’t face the lake today, the ducks, the little waves pushing a lake-scented breeze ashore. I’ve sat there before, but never alone and – never, alone. Today one squirrel’s enough, and one stranger. I like the guy, and I’m sorry when he leaves. He was lonely, I can tell: Who but a lonely man would stop to watch a sqiuirrel? |
||
| © Copyright 2003 Ed Ratledge - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Ed...The feeling in this poem is so powerful, yet understated. You translate the emotion so well, of these two men, through the use of imagery and zeroing in on the other man's lonliness to tell your own.  |
||
|
Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Me. Laughing, yet not laughing at this write. It shows great depth, an awareness and sensitivity to others, as well as to your own heart. [This message has been edited by Midnitesun (05-04-2003 04:55 PM).] |
||
|
Duncan Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455 |
'There’s a bench, but it faces the lake, and I can’t face the lake today, the ducks, the little waves pushing a lake-scented breeze ashore. I’ve sat there before, but never alone and – never, alone.' Great moment, visually and poetically. I'm sure many will recognize that bench and the squirrel...  |
||
|
wranx Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689Moved from a shack to a barn |
Damn dude! Sometimes, it seems that you and I write for the same yearbook. |
||
|
Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
LOL@wranx! I love the way you let us feel your own emotions here. Very well done. ~Hugs~ ~Somewhere in my heart I'm always |
||
|
regards2you Member Elite
since 2002-10-01
Posts 3940California |
A wonderful writer; such ability to put states of mind and heart in frame after frame of pictures of a moment in time. Imagery terrific, as usual. Love your writing. Hugs, Pat  |
||
|
Ericc Member Elite
since 2003-01-31
Posts 4178 |
Very nicely done! You take the reader on a far,interior, journey. Thanks, Eric |
||
|
BluesSerenade Member Patricius
since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549By the Seaside |
Lonliness comes in all forms, an empty bench, a squirrel scampering, the changing seasons, or even the day that comes after tomorrow. It's a reason for being here if nothing more or less. I liked the guy too. Sometimes that's all it takes to fill the void. |
||
|
Yossarian New Member
since 2003-05-03
Posts 7 |
Thanks for allowing me this glimpse at a passing thought, it was well worth the read. |
||
|
nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
Hey I have 3 squirrels that won't leave my trees, or barn or property. They are fun to watch and were playing tag the other day *s M |
||
|
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
I must be lonely... I watch my squirrels all the time...  but the innuendo... the double-dipping of meaning you've left behind, leaves more than one poem... I think you left enough... for an incomplete stranger to take drift of, and delight in, as well... if only because you noticed... thank you, Ed.... |
||
|
icebox Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383in the shadows |
Of all the friends a man may have, lonliness is the most enduring. A great read; thanks for sharing it. |
||
|
suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I’ve sat there before, but never alone and – never, alone. You paint such vivid mind-images with your words we hear the ducks quack and see the swish of squirrel tail... poignancy lingers from these introspective lines. Beautiful write! |
||
|
passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
wow |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
