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Open Poetry #37
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XOx Uriah xOX
Senior Member
since 2006-02-11
Posts 1403
Virginia

0 posted 2006-04-18 10:30 PM



Here's a verse for Jimmy Perkins
May he face his trials 'til his case is closed
He kept his dreams within a farm house
Until the day the river rose.
He always found comfort in the river.
Until it took his easy chair.
When it took his mother's casket
He felt that life was too unfair.
Now, he hears the sound of thunder
and it makes him stop and wonder
if the Good Lord hears his prayers.

But, the sunshine comes again
and dries up all the mud.
All Jimmy has to show for life...
is that he survived the flood.
God granted him atleast one day more...
And with everything that he could pray for...
Even though it will be rough
He lives on...and it's enough..

Here's a verse for my dear Daddy
Pound for pound the toughest man I've known.
Life kept throwing sucker punches
But he kept on keeping on.
He worked with all his heart and mind
But always seemed to fail.
Tried his best to leave behind
Some kind of smoother trail.
He left this world a poor man
Not even owning the dirt beneath his nails.

But, he left behind a family
full of fight and filled with pride
Believing you don't leave this world
as long as theres a slim chance to survive.
And you face Death with a struggle
and do your best to stay alive.

Here's a verse for Burglar Baggins
They carried your ashes home today
You measured your life and came up lacking
and with a gun...took it away.

Some folks take a short cut.
Leaving loved one's filled with grief.
Others try to tough it out
and grin through gritted teeth.
Did you struggle over half a century...
for nine millimeters of relief?

I shouldn't judge too harshly.
I should try to understand.
I know that there's all kinds of hands
dealt to each and every man.
And you never know how close someone stands
to all that he can stand.

They fired up your Panhead
A deep and rumbling sound.
I hid my face and bowed my head.
My tears fell to the ground

They set your urn upon the saddle
Brothers gathered to say their last farewells
No one really knew your battle.
What you were thinking...no one could tell.
But, you always said you were a fighter.
A One Percenter that didn't fit.
You said don't never let life get you down.
Don't let them win and never quit.
But...Here you are at journey's end...
Having blown yourself clean off the map...
They say the proof is in the pudding...
Was yours just full of crap?

Now I'm home...  At last.... alone
Cussing the exit that you found.
All those years in Vietnam
Couldn't take you down.
I have so many mixed emotions
Strange how it's almost numbing.
But my bitterness is toward myself...
Because....   I never saw it coming.

© Copyright 2006 Larry F. Leake - All Rights Reserved
StevenS
Senior Member
since 2005-09-21
Posts 945
L. A. (Lower Alabama)
1 posted 2006-04-19 04:45 PM


Touching write Uriah, one that I can relate to. Blaming yourself for someones elses actions can be a heavy burden. You know where to lay it. :-)
Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348
Florida
2 posted 2006-04-19 04:50 PM


Interesting way you formatted the individual verses yet pulled them together in such a way that it took me a moment to see it.

I am really enjoying what you offer.

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

WindWalker
Senior Member
since 2001-10-12
Posts 1218

3 posted 2006-04-19 06:18 PM


WOW! This is a Touching write; you have away with words!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
4 posted 2006-04-19 06:44 PM


ahhh, Larry.  It's hard to reply to this emotive poem.  It's so well done, with such a keen eye and love.  I applaud you!  
Ratleader
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026
Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass
5 posted 2006-04-19 06:49 PM


Everyone's a one-percenter in one way or another.....but that percent bites deep. Feeling for you on this one, man....and appreciating one truly good poem.

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

Paula Finn
Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546
missouri
6 posted 2006-04-20 10:50 AM


Wonderfully written...each verse just drew you right in to the next.
Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
7 posted 2006-04-20 11:21 AM


Uriah,
You are a man of uncommon state
That drinks his whisky staight.

majnu
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Senior Member
since 2002-10-13
Posts 1088
SF Bay Area
8 posted 2006-05-15 12:29 PM


well done. it took me a few reads to get a feel for it. i guess i want to say that parts could flow better. part where you chose to keep certain words for their own sake rather than adjust them for the rythm.

-majnu
--------------------------------------
Timid thoughts be not afraid. I am a Poet.

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