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Open Poetry #27
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Cpat Hair
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since 2001-06-05
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0 posted 2003-06-27 11:15 AM



Down on Beal
Locklip Joe played for quarters
as tourist passed his corner
and he hoped for enough spare
to buy a bottle of the good
or get lucky and score a dime.

They say he played with Parker
once upon a time
and he still makes that horn cry
at least on the good days
when he isn’t shaking too bad
or when the ‘thritus
hasn’t got him stove up.

I listened a while
and watched the locals smile
as they walked by and waved
and the transient passers through
like me either tossed a bit of change
into his battered hat upended as it was
on cracked concrete,
or passed by looking the other way
afraid to catch his eye.

When he stopped
to count his earnings and decide
whether to play a bit more
or if the till contained enough
to take the rest of the damp evening off
I dropped a 20
and an old tape labeled simply
“Joe” into his hat
then let my feet  lift over the cracks
that might have tripped me
had I stopped and thought
about another time.

“What’s ‘dat?”
he asked as I found motion

“The way I know you.”
Was all I could say

“Bless ya boy.”

“Somday I was good ya know.”

“I know Joe, I know.”

© Copyright 2003 Cpat Hair - All Rights Reserved
CaseyLeigh
Junior Member
since 2003-05-15
Posts 48

1 posted 2003-06-27 11:19 AM


enjoyed this one
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
2 posted 2003-06-27 11:24 AM



You went back
and brought some serenity
in.


Ceinwyn
Member Elite
since 2000-07-09
Posts 2175
VA
3 posted 2003-06-27 11:28 AM


some people just got it and well you got it...dang...

If at first you don't succeed destroy all the evidence that you tried.

Seymour Tabin
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since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
4 posted 2003-06-27 11:31 AM


Cpat,
Good one, enjoyed.

Cpat Hair
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793

5 posted 2003-06-27 11:33 AM


Casey Leigh.. thank you ma'am..for the read and the comment, glad you enjoyed.

Sunshine.. back to Memphis this time... and something else along the way..
hugs back at ya...

Ceinwyn... lol... I am so tempted to give you a teasing reply... but will only say thank you instead... and add, that I am not sure what I have got... if anything.

Seymour... thank you sir

[This message has been edited by Cpat Hair (06-27-2003 11:33 AM).]

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
6 posted 2003-06-27 11:39 AM


You make me smile..excellent write Ron!
~Friday hugs~

~If you haven't heard the sunset,
   you haven't been listening.~

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

7 posted 2003-06-27 12:03 PM


"Somday I was good ya know.”

This underscores the authenticity--I love well-done dialogue (as you know) and hey? Locklip Joe and Charlie Bird? You don't happen to have a recording of THAT, now do ya? This is wonderful, and right up my alley! (restrain yerself, Cap *EG*)

Hugs you. I KNOW this world...

scorpio
Member Ascendant
since 2002-10-02
Posts 5178
right...there
8 posted 2003-06-27 12:17 PM


Ron, great write...the kindness of the human heart knows no bounds...

believe in what your heart feels...

Midnitesun
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since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
9 posted 2003-06-27 12:21 PM


your heart beat is better than most
so is your writing

Patricia
Member Elite
since 2003-04-06
Posts 2160
Missouri
10 posted 2003-06-27 12:24 PM


Ron,

This is great.  I can see the interaction so clearly in my mind.  

Just a couple of months ago, I substitute taught a Music Appreciation class.  They were studying Charlie Parker.  These kids really got into Bird's jazz.  So, just when you think you are not so cool, Captain, you find that indeed you are the coolest cat around.

Patricia

LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

11 posted 2003-06-27 12:28 PM


Fabulous!!!!
papabear
Member
since 1999-09-17
Posts 102
Atlanta, GA
12 posted 2003-06-27 01:34 PM


A joy to read... well done..
passing shadows
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since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
13 posted 2003-06-27 01:38 PM


good write
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
14 posted 2003-06-27 01:51 PM


Ron

You walk the fragile edge of truth without falling off...not an easy thing to do.  Very much enjoyed!

suthern
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Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
15 posted 2003-06-27 03:03 PM


then let my feet  lift over the cracks
that might have tripped me
had I stopped and thought
about another time.

“What’s ‘dat?”
he asked as I found motion

“The way I know you.”
Was all I could say

“Bless ya boy.”

“Somday I was good ya know.”

“I know Joe, I know.”

Oh, MAN... this is good!

1slick_lady
Member Ascendant
since 2000-12-22
Posts 6088
standing on a shadow's lace
16 posted 2003-06-27 07:29 PM


oops

[This message has been edited by 1slick_lady (06-28-2003 12:43 PM).]

icebox
Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383
in the shadows
17 posted 2003-06-28 01:06 AM


You knocked me out Man!  I was thinking about Beal Street just this morning.  I haven't been there in over 30 years, too many ghosts.  

Then, just when I thought it was safe, you go and post this piece of perfection.

I surrender, I am going to bed and dreaming of people and places long gone by.

Hey?  Thanks!

Edder
Senior Member
since 2003-04-02
Posts 671

18 posted 2003-06-28 01:10 AM


I always know there will be a treat inside your posts. no words for this...
Local Rebel
Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767
Southern Abstentia
19 posted 2003-06-28 01:11 AM


I love Beal now that it's all spruced up -- it was nuttin when I was growing up though...

smooth write cpat

timothysangel1973
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Senior Member
since 2001-12-03
Posts 1725
Never close enough
20 posted 2003-06-28 01:12 AM


I wanna go to Beal street now ya'll, and I can't afford a trip!!

Loved It!

TasteOfOctober
Member
since 2003-06-24
Posts 94

21 posted 2003-06-28 01:17 AM


wow man, the entire feel of that poem was amazing. it was just so (see, this is where im lost without my expletives) real. (expletive) great man.

The only difference between the creative and the conformists is that the creative will not be conquered and the conformists already are.

Duncan
Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455

22 posted 2003-06-30 01:37 PM


"Locklip Joe played for quarters
as tourist passed his corner
and he hoped for enough spare
to buy a bottle of the good
or get lucky and score a dime.

They say he played with Parker
once upon a time
and he still makes that horn cry
at least on the good days
when he isn’t shaking too bad
or when the ‘thritus
hasn’t got him stove up."

Those touches of real do it for me everytime Ron.  You do this so damn well!!!!  

Ericc
Member Elite
since 2003-01-31
Posts 4178

23 posted 2003-06-30 04:55 PM


What a great story in such poetic terms.
Eric

littlewing
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655
New York
24 posted 2003-06-30 08:16 PM


Ron:

I like when you tell stories
and this one I didnt want to end
I saw him there . . . playing
amazing
xxoo

Greeneyes
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Member Rara Avis
since 2000-09-09
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In Your Poetic Mind
25 posted 2003-06-30 08:27 PM


I know..."

indeed, and I am always so much wiser from reading you....
Lauren~

Through the darkness
I can see your light
And you will always shine
And I can feel your heart in mine

I will remember you

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