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Open Poetry #28
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A Man Called Toerag (From Open #5)
| Open Poetry #28 |
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A Man Called Toerag (From Open #5) |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania 
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A Man Called Toerag He reveals himself in gesture Though his hands I cannot see He reveals facial expression Though his face unknown to me I can see into his spirit What he cannot see himself Though his treasure chest be empty It is full of human wealth I can feel the rhythm beating Of inquiet solitude Of a mind that knows no peace Until injustice is unglued I can feel the strong compassion I can see the teardrops fall I can feel the spirit moan At at all the writing on the wall He's a tough and weathered warrior Accustomed to the streets He's been in and out and up and down With characters he meets He can speak the common language He can plod the common ground While inside there is an emptiness A dream he hasn't found There is laughter in the hallways There is love within the heart There's desire on his fingertips And every living part He rejoices in his playfullness In making others laugh He feels pride in standing up In another one's behalf There's a pain within his spirit There's a wit upon his tongue There's a restlessness about the past And songs he hasn't sung He is better than the best of them And wiser than the most And he fails to even recognize What other men would boast He hears rap within the strains of Bach T. Leary was his muse And he views Picasso canvases In pornographic hues He loves a short and swaying skirt A button popping blouse An inch above a tender knee And beer around the house He's self confronting, Self instructive Self defacing, Self destructive Self abusing, Self defaming Introspective, and self blaming But what I see and what I feel Are love and beauty in his soul A sensitive and tender heart Beyond the simple common goal A deep abiding sheer regard For every soul upon the earth A true and pure respect for All the qualities of greatest worth The hell-bent "bad boy" I have found Will in the end be heaven bound And I would hope some day to see This face that has enraptured me Love ya, Toe Liz Dec 2000 Still love ya, Toe You're the best! |
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| © Copyright 2003 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved | |||
suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I've read this many times, for it's in my library. *S* But I will never forget the first reading... or his stunned reaction to your reading him so well. *S* I can only compare it with someone walking into an art gallery and seeing their portrait when they didn't remember posing. *S* He is a dear... and so are you... I'll email the scalawag so he doesn't miss this... thank you! *S* |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
 What a poem! What a poet friend!  I'm wondering if a Toe can smile? |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
He's all of that, Liz....and more. (er, but didn't you mean second-best?)  |
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garysgirl 
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
Liz, I am so glad that you reposted this about our wonderful friend. This is a beautiful tribute to him. And this part I know...... There is laughter in the hallways There is love within the heart There's desire on his fingertips And every living part He rejoices in his playfullness In making others laugh He feels pride in standing up In another one's behalf He has stood up for me and others here that I know of. He's a great friend, isn't he?  Hugs to you and Toe  Ethel |
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Toerag Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622Ala bam a |
Thank you dear Liz....you've always been able to make something look so good....you are a dear...and thank you all for the prayers and well wishes....I will know how I'm doing this afternoon and will keep you all up on my condition....(not my mental condition, yall already know that it's very poor).....luv ya...Toe [This message has been edited by Toerag (09-05-2003 08:43 AM).] |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
You deserve much better than this, dear Toe, but it was what I saw back then. And you are the best - always You have a very warm heart (Sorry, Balladeer) THank you all for your kind remarks Passionate hugs Liz |
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Richy Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 3050 |
Been a while since I teared over a poem... Made especially heartfelt as I have also just recently had the honor of calling him, friend. Bless you Elizabeth, bless you Toe, bless us, all. This is what poetry, and this place, is all about. Love, and friendship. Richard |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Here words were true than and they are true now. Toerag's friendship is one of my most treasured possessions. (just don't tell him I said so) |
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