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Elan
Member
since 2002-05-03
Posts 382
State of Wide Eye

0 posted 2004-05-05 07:24 PM



Porch Love – Then, and Ten Years Later

In 1994, she shared only her thoughts
              Plus an old  photo, or two
                             to this strange, handsome  young man
                                            who pleasured her ears, and her view

“Why don’t you take me back,”
              He had asked of her,
                             “To when you were so very young,
                                            and gold filtered through your hair.”

The old porch that took up their talk
              Held memories of so long gone,
                             She wondered of the remnants of men
                                            And those who had wandered on.

This young pup of a slim man
              Held others’ eyes of blue
                             But there was tender in his tone
                                            And she was lonesome, too.

She sipped her wine,
              Then she slightly winked
                             Slipped her hand into her purse
                                            Drew a photo to it’s brink.

She gazed on it thoughtfully,
              Then blessed the candle’s glow
                             Said, “here is one for you, my son,
                                            When I was younger.  So?”

He looked upon the younger her
              In a photo so old with time
                             But there she was, a little blurred
                                            And then he sipped his wine.

With a smile, he pocketed the print,
              “No doubt the gods had you in mind
                             when they first pondered, my dear,
                                            of aging their finest wine.”

One old lady, and one young man
              Sometimes say things no one else can.

~*~

Several years then slipped on by, as
Two rockers creaked on the porch
The younger man, ten years older now
Still held his love-light’s torch.

He wouldn’t say to those who queried
His motives, and wondered why they tried
To question him of his love for her
And the reasons he stayed by her side.

Now he heard her faulty steps to sit,
A night on the porch with their wine,
When she would weave silken tales again
And speak to her long-lost times.

Her voice was ten years weaker now
But still like silk to his soul
And even though she’d sometimes repeat
Her stories were still spun gold.

Oh, there had been a man or two
Who loved her then pulled her apart;
But the fondest story in her reverie
Was the man with the southern heart.

He had stolen her sight one day,
Her mind had followed suit ~
And any man with a southern sound
Fit again her memory’s route.

He had come, and then, was gone
It was as simple as that.
But this old woman, she would say,
Had placed her heart in his hat.

The younger man would smile, and nod
And listen with the slightest grin,
For he knew just how she felt
When she lifted her handsome chin.

For his heart was in her eyes,
It gleamed in her silvery hair,
She had his trust, his care was real
And his love was beyond compare.

It did not make sense to those prying eyes,
To those souls who could not know
That there is love, all kinds of love,
Which gives life its inner glow.

So they sat, the young and old
Holding hands throughout the eve,
A bond was given, two lives in meld,
They cared not what others believed.

~*~

From 6-27-03
With enhancement

Lady Élan
My only sense of direction is...Up.

© Copyright 2004 Elan - All Rights Reserved
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
1 posted 2004-05-05 07:49 PM


Elan

Love doesn't look at anything but the heart if it is true...the story in your poem touched the heart of this "old" woman.  Thank you for it.  

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
2 posted 2004-05-05 08:25 PM


oh this is delightful
fantastic little tale and great finish...
looking forward to seeing you more

Opeth
Senior Member
since 2001-12-13
Posts 1543
The Ravines
3 posted 2004-05-05 08:54 PM


Excellent story and rhyme. Each stanza held my attention, strongly. I truly enjoyed this and not only that... this type of poem reminded me of lyrics by Paul O'Neill from Savatage. May I suggest that you check the Internet for the poetic story of The Wake of Magellan by Savatage. I think you will truly enjoy it.




Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
4 posted 2004-05-05 10:02 PM


So pleased to read you here tonight Elan.
You have been away for awhile now and very much missed.
This is beautiful and in some ways reminded me
of the movie Somewhere In Time.
Thank you m'dear...I enjoyed this thoroughly.
~Soft smiles & Hugs, Nancy~

~ Lost in you, I found myself. ~

Duncan
Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455

5 posted 2004-05-05 11:27 PM


Then...

"He looked upon the younger her
              In a photo so old with time
                             But there she was, a little blurred
                                            And then he sipped his wine.

With a smile, he pocketed the print,
              “No doubt the gods had you in mind
                             when they first pondered, my dear,
                                            of aging their finest wine.”

One old lady, and one young man
              Sometimes say things no one else can."

.
and Ten Years Later...
.

"Her voice was ten years weaker now
But still like silk to his soul
And even though she’d sometimes repeat
Her stories were still spun gold.

Oh, there had been a man or two
Who loved her then pulled her apart;
But the fondest story in her reverie
Was the man with the southern heart.

He had stolen her sight one day,
Her mind had followed suit ~
And any man with a southern sound
Fit again her memory’s route."

Elan---I read the first verses and felt like I'd happened across a much loved memory and then went on to read the newly added part of the story and couldn't help but smile at how effortlessly, how perfectly...the years between were erased by the same unique love and understanding still there on that poetic porch.  
For then and again...thanks.  

kayjay
Member Elite
since 2002-06-24
Posts 2015
Oregon
6 posted 2004-05-06 11:30 AM


This is a tribute to those who know that, in love, only the two involved are important.  KJ

Through rubble and trouble and dark of night
The yawn of a dawn will hasten the light

iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
7 posted 2004-05-06 12:12 PM


Elan, this was one of the sweetest poems I think I've ever read!     And, so well written!
Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

8 posted 2004-05-06 12:16 PM


Now he heard her faulty steps to sit,
A night on the porch with their wine,
When she would weave silken tales again
And speak to her long-lost times.

Her voice was ten years weaker now
But still like silk to his soul
And even though she’d sometimes repeat
Her stories were still spun gold.
=======================================


your crit line says.. "Guide Me"


trust me poetess Elan... tis you that guide us.....

this is rhyme divine in every line.

passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
9 posted 2004-05-06 12:19 PM


incredible...just incredible!

I gotta go get a porch swing

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348
Florida
10 posted 2004-05-06 01:45 PM


Truly leaves me speechless.

I enjoyed from beginning to end.  

Woderful.

"cast me gently into the morning, for the night has been unkind"
~Sarah McLachlan~

Opeth
Senior Member
since 2001-12-13
Posts 1543
The Ravines
11 posted 2004-05-06 10:30 PM


bump
JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
12 posted 2004-05-07 12:44 PM


Like this...James
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