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Open Poetry #35
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Abe
Senior Member
since 2003-05-28
Posts 694
Looks like Vero Beach, FL until the end!

0 posted 2005-03-15 09:41 AM


LIFE IN THE PARK


As I was walking in the park
One sunny, Springtime day
As I passed by this old Man
These words I heard him say,
"The birds and bees and the trees
And flowers from the ground,
Are the most important things,
What makes the World go ‘round."
I turned around, looked at him,
Asked, "Can I join you?"
"Sure!", he said, "Come sit down.
I need some comp’ny too."
I said, "I overheard you.
Did you just make that up?"
As he poured out some coffee
And offered me a cup.
I sat and listened to him
As he told his story.
With a sparkle in his eyes
He was in his glory.
"When I was a young lad,
Not much older than you,
I knew just what I wanted
And, how to get it, too.
I made a million dollars,
Then, made a couple more.
I bought anything I wanted.
I could open any door.
I met a girl and fell in love.
Our marriage vows were said.
There’s no words to tell about
The happy life we led.
We traveled ‘round the World.
We did it hand in hand,
And because we had money
Could do most things we planned.
I thought money could buy us
Anything on this Earth,
Until I tried to buy a Life
And found out what they are worth.
You see, son, my Wife got sick.
They saidthat She would die.
And no matter what I spent,
The docs could not say, why."
"While I sat by helplessly
And watched Her fade away,
She gave me strength and comfort
With things, she’d write and say.
That, about the birds and bees
Is something that She wrote.
And if you can spare the time
There’s more that I can quote."
I said, "Sure! I’ve got all day
And I would love to hear."
And this is what he told me
As he wiped away a tear.
"She said, ‘Though I must leave you
I’ll live on in your heart.
It would take much more than death
To tear our Love apart.
Each time you see a flower,
A bird or buzzing bee,
Or hear the wind in the trees,
Just pretend that it’s me.
When you hear a child laugh
Or when you hear one cry,
Imagine that you see my smile
Or their tear in my eye.
Just think how very lucky
The two of us have been,
And just remember that one day
We two shall meet again.’
The night that She told me that
She passed on in Her sleep,
And as I held Her in my arms
I found, I couldn’t weep.
What She said, gave me the will
To live and carry on.
And I come here to see Her
With every morning’s dawn."
I told Him, "Thanks for sharing.
What a sad and loving story."
And as I looked around the park
I saw His Wife in all Her glory.
By then the Sun was setting
And I said,"I need to go!
He said, "So do I, I guess."
As He walked away real slow.
Well, I saw that kindly old Man
A few times after that,
But then, one day the seat was vacant
On that park bench where he sat.
It was the Fall of the year,
Most the birds and bees had gone.
So had the kids and flowers
Chased by the chilling winter’s dawn.
But I know, deep down, next Spring
There will be twice the Life
Because those two, will be there,
That old Man, and his Wife.



Del "Abe" Jones

© Copyright 2005 Del - All Rights Reserved
Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
1 posted 2005-03-15 11:05 AM


Abe, thank you. I am saving this beautiful piece.
miscellanea
Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060
OH
2 posted 2005-03-15 11:16 AM


This lovely poem sent tinkles up and down my spine!  Very enjoyable reading!

          miscellanea

latearrival
Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
3 posted 2005-03-15 03:20 PM


This is so very touching. Thank you for the story. best, marty
wandering glider
Senior Member
since 2001-04-04
Posts 501
aloft
4 posted 2005-03-15 04:29 PM


Wonderful story!
Wish I could write some like that.

glider

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
5 posted 2005-03-15 06:00 PM


Fabulous...James
Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
6 posted 2005-03-15 06:07 PM


Fantastic piece of writing...much enjoyed.

For it was not into my ear you whispered
But into my heart
It was not my lips you kissed
But my soul

Local Rebel
Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767
Southern Abstentia
7 posted 2005-03-15 11:57 PM


There's nothing quite like just telling the old story is there?  think I'm becoming an Abe fan ( I really liked that Gettysburg Address too )
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