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Open Poetry #37
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wranx
Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689
Moved from a shack to a barn

0 posted 2006-01-10 11:33 PM


Willy walked the river road
Would have walked a path six foot deep
If the county hadn’t paved it

He walked the river road
On his daily commute to “not a whole lot”

An ancient black scarecrow
In knit cap and greatcoat
Tatters with holes and straw from his bedding

I was still pink when we first met
And he had recently graduated to “Negro”
Having already lived through being “nigger”
And slave

Even then, I knew Willy was older than old
“Well over a hundred”, they said
“His baby sister died a ways back”
“Those who remember say she was ninety”

Willy walked the river road
Between Swains lock and Pennyfield

And when he wasn’t
He did chores for change at the General Store
Sweeping the back and arranging Pop bottles
For something to do, lunch and a Yoo Hoo

He would accept only coins, saying the paper
Would only get “stole by dem mean boys dowen dair”

Willy walked the river road
A hobo who only traveled three locks distance
His last name and lineage, lost, alike

So he marked the back porches
Of those singular years that treated him kindly

Yes, Willy walked the river road
But he rode the rails of time

***Willy was the oldest person I ever met. It was supposed he was 110 in 1956. Being only 6 myself, the immensity of his lifetime (both in duration and history) was lost on me until he was long dead.
I'm pleased to say he has finally graduated to African-American

© Copyright 2006 E.F.Rose - All Rights Reserved
Duncan
Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455

1 posted 2006-01-10 11:45 PM


If you weren't a guy...I'd kiss ya...  

You rock bud!  Absolutely, absolutely.


Martie
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since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
2 posted 2006-01-11 12:25 PM


Ed...A very touching portrait.  
Mysteria
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Member Laureate
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
3 posted 2006-01-11 12:31 PM


Thank God you are a guy!  That was just heartwarming Yeti.  
serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

4 posted 2006-01-11 12:45 PM


I am going to whisper a thank you tonight, and give you a kiss.

I feel like I was just tucked in and hugged.

I'll be back in the morning Uncle Yeti.

I love you much my brother.

Your voice is very soothing, and guess what?

My head does not hurt right now.


iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
5 posted 2006-01-11 01:16 AM


Wranx, I so enjoy your chronicles!  Good ole Willy, I could just see him.   ...jo
littlewing
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655
New York
6 posted 2006-01-11 08:39 AM


here he is . . .

I was waiting for this story, Eddie.

And I will sit by your feet anytime to listen, as I am now, you know?

It's a lovely story.

This is whose voice - if he were to speak, is in my write.

I thank you for that.

Always an inspiration to me.

I could listen to you for hours.

(UM . . . when my mouth is not jabbering)

and I will kiss you

Its a most beautiful story of a long-forgotten time, and told by you - actually makes him timeless.

*smile*
  

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348
Florida
7 posted 2006-01-11 08:39 AM




damn that was good.

I love when that happens.

"too bad ignorance isn't painful"
~Unknown~

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
8 posted 2006-01-11 08:46 AM


For a moment, you put life back in old Willy. It is as if he were walking down the road right in front of the reader. This is a moving and highly charming piece of writing.

Like Karen wrote in her reply, "Your voice is soothing."

~ and I join those who want to give you a

Linda

[This message has been edited by Earth Angel (01-11-2006 10:32 AM).]

LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

9 posted 2006-01-11 09:00 AM


I betcha Willy smiled the biggest smile while reading this...

touched the heart and mind...thank you for this...

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
10 posted 2006-01-11 09:09 AM


wranx
A pat on the back for this my friend.

Nightshade
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Member Patricius
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962
just out of reach
11 posted 2006-01-11 09:29 AM


Wonderful Ed. Thankyou for this.  Chris

Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance.
~Carl Sandburg

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

12 posted 2006-01-11 10:55 AM




You have me a bit obsessed now.

I just know I have Boxcar Willy's greatest hits on vinyl somewhere.

On vinyl.

Heh.

Sheesh.


OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
13 posted 2006-01-11 11:57 AM


This is beautiful, wranx.  When you eventually meet up with him on the other side of the pearly gates, please tell him how much we all enjoyed his story, and especially the restoration of his dignity - which I am sure he never lost, except in the eyes of the blind.

- Owl

Magnus
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Member Laureate
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA
14 posted 2006-01-11 08:25 PM


Wranx,  

I must put this one on a pedestal.  Cause it
deserves to be at the top of a crystal heap.

Superb,  enjoyed every word of it....

And I am glad he got the chance to graduate.

XOx Uriah xOX
Senior Member
since 2006-02-11
Posts 1403
Virginia
15 posted 2006-02-15 04:31 AM


Ok !  This is the 4th of yours I have read.  I have settled down a bit, but am still impressed.  Amazingly so !   Yes !  I have known several like Willy.  You have immortalized them all wonderfully !  My list of favorite poets is long.  Near the top of that list is Robert Service.  Not saying that he was the greatest poet...but, he is one that I identify with the most, as far as subject matter and a great deal of the life I have lived in the past.  His position on my list is shifting.  He stands in threat of you taking his place.  Please excuse my long winded responses, but I am in awe.  ::bows::
Midnitesun
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since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
16 posted 2006-02-15 07:05 PM


I can't believe I never saw this one before...musta been asleep that day.
Ah, Willy...if only you knew what the wrankster just wrote for you. I'd like to think he knows, but...
well, that's another issue.
love you, for this write alone makes you

a master

The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
17 posted 2006-02-15 11:55 PM




"Yes, Willy walked the river road
But he rode the rails of time'

Oh what a beautiful story wranx. I enjoyed it immensely... several times.


Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
18 posted 2006-02-16 08:21 PM



Wranx,

I'm sorry I missed this when
you were first in compose...

but I'm glad it was lifted up...
for them that lived long...

and well.



...and thank you.


Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989

19 posted 2006-02-16 09:07 PM


Ed, I have sorely missed your words here and this is the perfect example of why that is so true.  You tell a story like few others can, and this Yeti, is classic Wranx...

To Willy...*cheers*  *clink*

Edward Grim
Senior Member
since 2005-12-18
Posts 1154
Greenville, South Carolina
20 posted 2006-02-16 09:11 PM


This is wonderful. I really like your style. Well done. Cheers  - Ed

"Give me a museum, and I'll fill it."
- Pablo Picasso

babygirlwlove
Senior Member
since 2004-10-10
Posts 1180
New York City
21 posted 2006-02-17 07:35 AM


Wranxie~

this is an awesome tribute...your words, ever a delight to find~

~babygirL

**Intoxicant to the SouL**

MGROVES
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Member Elite
since 2004-02-01
Posts 3802
california
22 posted 2006-02-18 06:04 PM


once knew of a man just like that  he walked every day from one end of town to another. always a smile on his face.  
never out of breath. dont know his age. they said  he was old. but i was just a teen.  his walk was like a dance. full of soul.  and no one noticed his dark skin back in 60's.  at least ones i knew didnt. his smile radiated light. he never missed a day.  thanks for remembering  and giving notice to gods gifts.

My spirit will rise
above the sea~
There will be no drowning
of my soul or me~

PouringJewels
Member
since 2003-09-18
Posts 158
Maryland
23 posted 2006-02-25 02:41 AM


I remember Willy, my brother Ed. I was five years younger than you but had forgotten about old colored Willy. He wore two coats three socks four shirts because he was afraid they would get stolen in Tobytown. Thank you for the memory. I remember mom saying he was 111 years old when I was 4. By the way, I, your little sister turned...Whats age have to do with it?
Ratleader
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026
Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass
24 posted 2006-02-25 09:57 AM


Sometimes irony, like the little irony that we share the same name (and even the same initials), is the purest form of expression. We're so different at the surface and yet so very alike in the interior ways that count most.

I've never known anyone who, like me, had known someone who'd been a slave here, in this country...though naturally there would be more, if I had a way to know. When I finally learned of one, of course it would be you!

Your Willy brings me so much to Inkydot, the man I knew as a child /main/forumdisplay.cgi?action=displayarchive&number=79&topic=000028 , and you write him in such an excellent way...you honor the memory of all.

Beautiful work, ER!

--ER


~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________

terasinas
Member
since 2006-03-24
Posts 91
Michigan ... The Great Lakes
25 posted 2006-03-27 04:28 PM


Wranx ... you have a new fan, lol ... I love this write .. well done .. can't wait to read more

tera

Kristabell
Senior Member
since 2003-11-29
Posts 678
Portland, OR
26 posted 2006-03-27 05:00 PM


This is great! I am glad to hear it! Nice dedication.
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