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Open Poetry #37
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At McDonald’s
| Open Poetry #37 |
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At McDonald’s |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest 
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an old man took from his pocket a plastic coin purse wrapped with a red rubber band I know this man I have known them all square fingertips working coins from the purse clumsy sliding them across the counter he had a life once full of green bills children a woman’s silky love loud Saturday nights Sunday afternoon naps on a sofa that belonged to him senior coffee he whispers the real stuff with caffeine to keep me awake lest I dream of days before this plastic coin purse |
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| © Copyright 2006 Kate - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Dominique-Simone Senior Member
since 2005-11-12
Posts 643 |
Great Write again Kate. |
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om Junior Member
since 2006-02-10
Posts 31ontario/canada |
I like it, I like it a lot! This is image! |
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Kathy Member
since 2006-02-10
Posts 153 |
WOW..this is great! |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
Kate An excellent example of very good poetry...I wish Garrison Keillor would read this...AS I believe it as good as most he chose for his book.. enjoyed _____ _____ice ><> |
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Marshalzu  
since 2001-02-15
Posts 2681Lurking |
Wonderful writing Kate, the imagery is so vivid, you really seem to capture the emotion of the scene.  Andrew |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
Thank you Page, om, Kathy, ice and Andrew. I value your opinions. So, ice, you’re a Garrison fan, huh?  I am listening to A Prairie Home Companion at this very moment. To be quite honest, I have not read his poetry book. |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Enjoyed...James |
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Air Goddess Member
since 2006-02-11
Posts 108Canada |
I will never look at another old man the same way again! Thanks for making me see beyond the wrinkled skin and old, old eyes. |
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Edward Grim Senior Member
since 2005-12-18
Posts 1154Greenville, South Carolina |
Very nice, enjoyed. - Ed |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
Thank you James and Ed. I love your response Air Goddess. I worked as a social worker for people with Alzheimer’s for 21 years and the hardest part of my job was convincing others that the patients were actually real people with feelings and a past. |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Kate, you are so good at painting portraits! |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
Thank you so much Jo. |
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wvatvrider Member
since 2006-02-04
Posts 78West Virginia,USA |
Nice word portrait, Kate. Everyone has much more than the one side that the world sees so readily, often much different. Danny |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
I'm beginning to be a fan of yours, Kate.  This is such a beautifully written reality snapshot, revealing your depth of sensitivity. |
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XOx Uriah xOX Senior Member
since 2006-02-11
Posts 1403Virginia |
As I read your poem... I stood in line, behind the old gentleman. My heart wanted to reach out to his. All I could do was hum to myself, as I recalled an old John Prine song. Like the song,your poem will linger in my memory... Reminding me to always take the time to say, "Hello in there, Hello". Thank you for the blessing. |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
So true Danny. Thank you. Midnitesun, you do me proud. Thank you. Your reply is so sweet Uriah. Thank you. |
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BlueEyes Member
since 2002-08-30
Posts 152TX, USA |
Lady, this was absolutely wonderful. I, too, often look at older people and try to imagine how they were when they were vibrant, full of life. Both of my grandparents succumbed to Alzheimer’s before they died. The hardest part of seeing them that way was remembering how they used to be. Lovely write... Tera |
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Dark Stranger Member Patricius
since 2001-03-19
Posts 13631West Coast |
I used to think let me die before I get that old now I think where is my damn change purse enjoyed this ms |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
Thank you Tera! I’m laughing Stranger. Thank you. |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you for validating the soul and individuality of someone whom most would regard as a throw-away person. Exquisitely beautiful poem, Kate, as are all your poems, showing your beautiful soul and care and consideration of all people. However – just a thought – perhaps he feels just as real in the now as the then . . . - Owl |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
Thank you for your lovely remarks Diana. I'm sure you're right. |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Your McDonald's sent me this thought: The Journey From There to Here Thinking back to gramham crackers, and taking naps upon the mat. To fast food servers, filling endless cups of coffee, While old men sit and chat. So many lonely, everywhere I go. Thank you for the work you do and the heart that goes with it. best, martyjo |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
Oh I love that martyjo... it's so poignant. Thank you! |
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ManOfWolves28 Member
since 2005-12-21
Posts 83 |
I can almost relate to the character in this. I barely have any money and often see myself 50 years ahead of time. So maybe Ill be like this man. ...If you choose not to decide you still have made a choice. |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
50 years? You have a long way to go Man. Smile. Buy your plastic coin purse now... in 50 years they will cost a lot more. |
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