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Open Poetry #37
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The Wallet
| Open Poetry #37 |
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The Wallet |
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the grey Member
since 2006-01-06
Posts 119Queensland, Australia. |
THE WALLET I found the leather wallet in a street that was called Hope and folded in a window was a well-worn envelope. The date was nineteen forty four, as far as I could tell and legible, though only just, an address there as well. The scented “Dear John” letter to one Michael did convey that though she loved him dearly, Hannah then went on to say, they could not see each other as her mother made it clear the match was quite impossible, he was too cavalier. The content rather touched me and I simply made a vow to find the lass called Hannah, though I didn’t know just how, but rang the telephone exchange and asked could they supply a listing for the address and explained the reason why. “We have a listing,” said the lass, “but cannot give it out. I can contact the number though and tell them all about your message and advise them and perhaps they’ll talk to you. I’m sorry but at this point it is all that I can do.” “That’s fine with me,” I answered her. I saw no other choice. The waiting was nerve racking, then the operator’s voice came back and said ,”Please go ahead, they will accept your call.” “Good morning! Can I help you sir in any way at all.” “I’d hoped to contact Hannah. Does the fam’ly still live there? “I’m sorry, but young Hannah had to place her Mum in care. We bought the house a long time back, some thirty years or so. The Home knew Hannah’s whereabouts. I rang them, years ago. The nursing home advised me Hannah’s mum had passed away, though mentioned they had heard first hand, and just the other day, that Hannah now was in a Home, she’d had a nasty fall, And did I wish the number so that I could make a call. I thought … this task is futile and why bother to return a letter sixty years of age, it’s hardly my concern. But something urged me on, and when I found they did concur That Hannah did live there I asked if I could visit her. “It’s10. p.m.,” the nurse advised, “she could be still awake.” I reached the Home and walked as fast as my poor legs would take me, to the third floor day room where I found a silver haired old timer with a gentle smile and thought – I’m glad I cared. I told her of the wallet that I found and then expressed I’d hoped to find the owner or at least I’d do by best. The contents that I found inside have led me here to you. This envelope and letter are my one and only clue. When Hannah saw the envelope she took a real deep breath and whispered, “After all these years I thought I’d reach my death and never hear of him again. This letter was the last I saw of Michael Goldstein. How so many years have past.” “He was my one and only love, but I was far too young. Yes, cavalier and handsome was my Michael. Still, I clung so tightly to those mem’ries. They have lasted all these years. I never got to marry. Would you please excuse my tears. “Per chance you find my Michael; tell him that I love him still.” I wiped the tears from both my eyes and promised, “Yes, I will.” You wouldn’t credit it. I told the night watchman on guard, how giving back some property could prove to be so hard.” He looked down at the wallet and exclaimed, “Sir, I would swear that’s Mr Goldsteins property . I’d know it anywhere.” Red lacing ‘round the edge. Yes, that’s a sure dead giveaway. He’s always losing it. I found it just the other day.” “A Michael Goldstein. You are saying he lives here as well?” “Why yes, a gentle old man, and as far as I can tell you’ll find him in the day room on the eighth floor. Loves to read and stays up late. I bet he’ll be there.” That he guaranteed. There, in the only room that had a light still burning sat an old man reading. “Mr Goldstein is there a chance that you may have lost your wallet,” asked the Nurse. He put his hand down to his pocket and expressed, “I don’t understand. It was there.” “Don’t you worry. This kind gentleman has found it and he wishes to return it.” Michael turned around to face me with his gentle smile suggesting I should be rewarded. “Thank you. Finding you though is enough for me. I have to tell you though; I read the letter that’s inside your wallet Sir to find you.” Michael did not try to hide his hurt. “Not only did I read it, but I found your Hannah too.” “You know where Hannah is? How is she? Tell me this is true! I loved that girl so very much and when the letter came my life seemed all but ended and then nothing seemed the same. I never married. Hannah was my life, my only love.” “Then finding your lost wallet sir was sanctioned from above. I took old Michael to where Hannah sat watching a show and not to startle her the nurse gently asked, ““Do you know this man?” Poor Hannah fixed her glasses but she did not say a word. Then Michael whispered to us “Please Sirs, if I may.” It’s Michael Hannah. Do you remember me Hannah dear? She gasped. “My Michael? Tell me, is that really you I hear. He walked towards her and they both embraced. The nurse and I then left, both unashamed that neither of us could support a dry eye. A phone call three weeks later asked if I could break away on Sunday to attend a wedding to be held that day. A fairytale come true I thought and deep down in my heart I’m chuffed I found that wallet and I played my little part. ©Bush Poet Merv Webster |
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| © Copyright 2006 the grey - All Rights Reserved | |||
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PhaerieChild Senior Member
since 1999-08-30
Posts 1787Aloha, Oregon |
This is so awesome and you can believe there isn't a dry eye in the house here. What a great tribute to enduring love! |
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the grey Member
since 2006-01-06
Posts 119Queensland, Australia. |
G'day PhaerieChild. Thank you for sharing Michael and Hannah's story. Would you believe that just after writing this poem a local news item came on the tele and a similar experience was relayed. These stories are made for sharing. |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Merv~ This is absolutely beautiful ! You are sure a wonderful poetic story-teller~ I soooooooooooo enjoyed this~ *Huglets*  ~*Marge*~ ~*The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but it's echo endures much longer*~ |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
What a fantastic write this is!! Bravo!! A wonderful story..and told so well! Hugs~Nancy ~ Trace my body with your words, |
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scorpio Member Ascendant
since 2002-10-02
Posts 5178right...there |
I thoroughly enjoyed every word of this poem. Absolutely wonderful story. Well done!! believe in what your heart feels... |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
oh my, but I know of someone, right here at Pips who apparently hasn't yet read it, who will love this story as much as I did! |
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the grey Member
since 2006-01-06
Posts 119Queensland, Australia. |
G'day Marge. Thanks for the hug, can never get too many of those these days. What a wonderful experience Michael and Hannah's was and thanks for sharing it. Merv |
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the grey Member
since 2006-01-06
Posts 119Queensland, Australia. |
G'day Nancy. I appreciate your viewing Hannah and Michael's story and commenting. Merv |
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the grey Member
since 2006-01-06
Posts 119Queensland, Australia. |
G'day Scorpio. It wasn't an easy one to write but enjoyed telling Hannah and Michael's story in metre and rhyme. Thanks for sharing. Merv |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
Well dang! You've got me blubbering like a baby. What a wonderful job! You're a fine poet grey. |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
You are a raconteur extraordinaire!!! EA |
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the grey Member
since 2006-01-06
Posts 119Queensland, Australia. |
G'day Midnitesun. Hannah and Michael's story was made for sharing and thank you for taking the time to share it as well. Please do share it with others. Merv |
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the grey Member
since 2006-01-06
Posts 119Queensland, Australia. |
Dear Lady. There's nothing wrong with having a good old blubber cause something touched your soul. That's what these sort of experiences were created for I think. Thanks for sharing. Imagine how many tissues you'd have gone through if you had of been at the weddding! Merv |
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the grey Member
since 2006-01-06
Posts 119Queensland, Australia. |
Dear Earthangel. Love those hugs and thanks for sharing this delightful experience. Merv |
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Klassy Lassy Member Elite
since 2005-06-28
Posts 2187Oregon |
I adore this story! I'm just sorry all those years passed, leaving them to miss each other. Yet, I believe in love, and that it will always find a way! What a wonderful poem! ~ Karen ~ |
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the grey Member
since 2006-01-06
Posts 119Queensland, Australia. |
G'day Karen. I'm sure those remaining years will be magical enough for them. It's what you do with the little amount of time that you have left that counts. Some folk have lived a life time and yet not lived. Thanks for sharing. Merv |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Dear Merv... Midnitesun was referring to me. This is the kind of poetry I love to write, and she knew it, and made sure I would not miss a single line. Bless her for that. She also proved to me that she has read more of my poetry than she has signed, too. These are the stories of the heart, of hope, of faith. I hope to read even more of this sort of writing from you, Sir. This pleased me no end. And Kacy? Thank YOU, too!  |
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the grey Member
since 2006-01-06
Posts 119Queensland, Australia. |
G'day Karilea. This was certainly a moving story and as you can imagine it brought a whole lot of mixed feelings in trying to write it. There are some marvellous stories out there in life to tell and touch the heart. Thanks for sharing mate. Merv I sent the watchdog site to a friend in Texas and it blew him away when he saw his neighbourhood. |
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