navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #31 » Deaths' cards
Open Poetry #31
Post A Reply Post New Topic Deaths' cards Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
wranx
Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689
Moved from a shack to a barn

0 posted 2004-03-03 09:09 AM


Ol’ Scratch would fall by from time to time
for some cards and conversation
or just to pass some time

But, when he visited this evening
he wasn’t dressed in his usual Hawaiian shirt
and sandals

His eyes weren’t hidden this time by Wayfarers
but, shadowed in the cowl of his “business” attire
making me wonder if this visit was social

Parking his scythe in the corner and taking his usual place
he produced a fresh deck and a couple of beers
from a voluminous black sleeve

And put me at ease by saying
he had just come from work
and hadn’t the time to change into his “civvies”

I’m not under any illusion, you see,
that our acquaintanceship
through cards and cold beer gives me any pardon

Because once, I actually gathered the nerve
to ask him “the” question
or one very much like it

To which he replied
“I’m not the host that signals the end of the party
rather, I am the butler that tidies up after”

So, tonight we played cards for a penny-a-point
and noticed his penchant for collecting the “court cards”
ignoring the Hoi Polloi that I tossed on the pile

And imagining him holding close the Knaves and Kings
that were lovers of Catherine the Great
Or was it the intrigues of the Borgias that now filled his hand?

But, the pretty spread that he laid out before me
in order from smallest to largest
dressed in their finest, were the Romanoffs

And “Gin”




"In looking Northward, I see a light"


© Copyright 2004 E.F.Rose - All Rights Reserved
nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
1 posted 2004-03-03 09:52 AM


thoroughly enjoyed *s
M

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
2 posted 2004-03-03 09:55 AM



Now, do this again, but take the hand...
and tell us what you see on his face.


Well done, Sir.

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

3 posted 2004-03-03 10:05 AM


I'm sure the cards in fall often meet to form suites in his hands..and no, none of us in aquaintence have more than a reprieve...

Can imagine death as an aquaintence... there are any number of people who do deaths bidding for price and honor... set across from one or two of them in my journeys...

likeable sorts or totally disagreable, doesn't matter..those were humans who just happened to be in a business that death understood...

enjoyed this Ed...

Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
4 posted 2004-03-03 10:12 AM


nicely penned...

regards
sudhir

Grover
Senior Member
since 2004-01-27
Posts 1967
London, ON, Canada
5 posted 2004-03-03 10:33 AM


Good work! Grover.
Mysteria
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
6 posted 2004-03-03 12:51 PM


Now if I was as smart as "Uncle Ron" I would have said that right?  Ed, you have a way of making me sit still and actually pay attention (if you don't know me well, then you won't know that is really hard to do, but you do it well with all you write.  Take care Yeti!
Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
7 posted 2004-03-03 02:50 PM


Wranx~
I got so caught up in this read ... a mesmerize of thought~
*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*When the heart grieves over what it has lost,
the spirit rejoices over what it has left.
- Sufi epigram <))><

noles1@totcon.com

scorpio
Member Ascendant
since 2002-10-02
Posts 5178
right...there
8 posted 2004-03-03 03:14 PM


Imaginative and most entertaining write, Ed.  Ol' Scratch always wins the most important hand...the last one.

believe in what your heart feels...

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

9 posted 2004-03-03 05:32 PM


You know your stuff, m'friend.

Historically, spiritually, and metaphysically.

(and? sheepish grin, I've had nightmares about fishing with Cap--and I'll not play cards with YOU.)

And? You wrap that all up so nicely in a spoonful of go-down easy entertainment.

Bravo, yeti.


Dark Angel
Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095

10 posted 2004-03-03 05:36 PM


Enjoyed, enjoyed, but I always enjoy your work.

M

Beauty of the world which is soon to perish has two edges, one of laughter and one of anguish, cutting the heart asunder.
(by Virginia Woolf)

icebox
Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383
in the shadows
11 posted 2004-03-03 06:04 PM


"dressed in their finest, were the Romanoffs" ...holding Aces and Eights Dude!

Great imagery.

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
12 posted 2004-03-03 08:41 PM


Ed

So much enjoyed your game and the company you keep.

iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
13 posted 2004-03-03 09:33 PM


Fascinating poem, Wranx!  You are a generous writer, sharing such good stuff with us!
Duncan
Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455

14 posted 2004-03-03 10:20 PM


Ed...You never fail to make me wish I'd thought of the scenarios you relate.  

wordwizard
Member
since 2003-09-08
Posts 483
on the way to next world
15 posted 2004-03-03 10:50 PM


reminds me of  the Seventh Seal only cards instead of chess interesting subject matter


wordwizard
Member
since 2003-09-08
Posts 483
on the way to next world
16 posted 2004-03-03 10:52 PM


reminds me of the Seventh seal, interesting subject matter


muted
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2004-01-15
Posts 2949
Elapsing, Eclipsing, Evolving
17 posted 2004-03-03 10:58 PM


wow, great great great
Corinne
Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167
state of confusion
18 posted 2004-03-04 10:04 AM


Hello Jeff!

What a cool characterization of death! It was a relief to know he was just having a beer and playing some cards in that bar!

My kids watch a cartoon with the grim reaper in it, called The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy. I think it's a British cartoon. Very creepy!


Corinne

Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #31 » Deaths' cards

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary