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PoeticKnight
Senior Member
since 2000-01-20
Posts 1144
New Orleans, LA

0 posted 2000-03-06 02:44 PM


A FRIEND
7/18/89

See the old man sitting there
He reaches down to his friend
His companion, this dog
Stroking its head, fearing the end
He stares absently at the sky
Knowing his body is failing
Time has stolen memories
The sun is rapidly sinking
And as I sat and watched,
I came to understand
That memories have a way
Of coloring what’s at hand

The heat was now just bearable,
And the old man sat in his shade
Petting his dog, staring ahead
Before him his life displayed
On some private screen of his own
He watched unblinking
And I watched him;
As the sun kept sinking
Then I gathered my senses
And finally came to realize
It was written clearly
Within his melancholy eyes
He knows himself best of all
And his time soon will end
And all he unselfishly thinks of is
Who will take care of the dog?
His only friend


© Copyright 2000 J.M. Landry - All Rights Reserved
Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

1 posted 2000-03-06 04:04 PM


you amaze me, the way you can look at something (or someone) and then give it all this emotion and imagery...this is perfection.

"The heat was now just bearable,
And the old man sat in his shade
Petting his dog, staring ahead
Before him his life displayed
On some private screen of his own
He watched unblinking
And I watched him;
As the sun kept sinking
Then I gathered my senses
And finally came to realize
It was written clearly
Within his melancholy eyes
He knows himself best of all"

Jonas
Senior Member
since 2000-03-03
Posts 796
Oregon
2 posted 2000-03-06 04:30 PM


This is wonderful. I can imagine the fear inside that old man as he wondered who would take care of his friend.
PoeticKnight
Senior Member
since 2000-01-20
Posts 1144
New Orleans, LA
3 posted 2000-03-06 04:39 PM


Thanks guys.
StarrGazer
Senior Member
since 2000-03-05
Posts 679
Texas
4 posted 2000-03-06 04:58 PM


JML you did a great job the imagery was amazing I could see the old man sitting there, the expression on his face, ... !!!


 ~*Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss, and ends with a tear*~

devinmaria
Member
since 2000-02-14
Posts 130
Middletown, Ohio
5 posted 2000-03-06 09:19 PM


you continue to amaze me.  i've seen that old man.  i've felt sorry for him unknowing, maybe uncaringly, not even thinking maybe he didnt want sympathy.  this was so great, and i cant get his face out of my mind.  so sweet, so tender, so calm.  you give me chills, and you also give me great pictures to think about.  i love it and i will always be a devoted reader.  so now that i've inflated your ego enough, ill stop, and read another.  bravo!!

aimee


 Trust I seek and I find in you. Everyday for us something new. Open mind for a different view, and nothing else matters. --Metallica

Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
6 posted 2000-03-07 04:12 PM


Great poem - I could see the look in his eyes.  What a wonderful depiction.  Grade A material, JML.


Michael

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