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Open Poetry #38
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This Ol' World Left Him Behind
| Open Poetry #38 |
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This Ol' World Left Him Behind |
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XOx Uriah xOX Senior Member
since 2006-02-11
Posts 1403Virginia 
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He got me to chew t'bacca, when I was just a kid. He gave me my first Barlow pocket knife. He thought most folks were "no-count" with the crazy things they did, but he never met a dog he didn't like. He taught me how to pick the polk and about how God will provide. Like manna down from Heaven with cress and dandelion. He never seemed to change, although many years went by... Like he would have no part in ever dyin' But, change he did and change I did, as them years kept rolling past. I discovered he really wasn't all that tall. Like him, I was a misfit in a world that spun too fast. These "new ways" just wont our way at all He had skin like old dried leather and almost 90 years of scars. Sometimes when we sang together, tears filled his eyes. He'd play his old mouth organ and I'd strum my guitar... Will the circle be unbroken by and by. All the other leaves had fallen from off of his family tree. Folks all said his mind was fading fast. The present and the future were things he could not see. But each rising sun brought shadows from his past. As a kid, he helped the blacksmith. He never spent much time in school. He toted water to the highway crew when he was ten. He said, "Boy, it's been a long, long time since I've seen a mule, and I don't believe I'll ever see one again. He'd sit and talk for hours about the old ways. He'd take me to a time I wish I'd known We'd sit and spit and cuss about the "now-a-days" Just dinosaurs still clinging to our bones. From his memories, he loved telling stories. They were filled with horses, mules and wagon wheels. Most people thought his tales were long and boring. Folks with no regard to how extinction feels. Now, there's no one left around to do much grieving. If he ever made his mark Lord, it dont show. When he left this world behind He got even. This ol' world left him behind a long time ago. |
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| © Copyright 2006 Larry F. Leake - All Rights Reserved | |||
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
what a wonderful story you tell...what a character...would have loved to meet him |
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StevenS Senior Member
since 2005-09-21
Posts 945L. A. (Lower Alabama) |
Great Write Uriah, he left his mark alright...on you and now your leaving it on us. I like it just fine! :-) |
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linkin16 Junior Member
since 2006-05-29
Posts 26Wales,UK |
really liked this..i've lived in a very small community where there were a few old stars like the one you portrayed and they always told the best stories and i find it sad that so many of the youth today show lack of respect or time for our older neighbours..they could learn a thing or two.. "he'd take me to a time I wish I'd known" great stuff..  |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Uriah, You sure tell it like it is. Enjoyed |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Tears (real, not metaphorical ones) as I grieve with you for him. Loving dogs (and by implication of your poem, loving horses and mules) makes him a very good friend of mine too, apart from all the other reasons in your gem of a portrait-painting. - Owl |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Nice writing...James |
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Debo Member
since 2006-04-18
Posts 321Texas U.S.A. |
What a journey into the past. we live on through others that the only way we can achieve immortality. Nice write. Debo |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
I don't see how anyone could have found his stories long and boring! What a wonderful portrait and tribute this is, Larry. Thanks for sharing. *hugs*....jo |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
You are so rich for having met and interplayed with such characters. You wrote him well and I hope he knew..you really cared.. martyjo |
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Will Rhyme Member
since 2006-05-22
Posts 149 |
o skies that knit their heartstrings right, To fields that bred them brave, The saviours come not home to-night: Themselves they could not save. |
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Ella Blue Junior Member
since 2006-05-26
Posts 47 |
"and change I did, as them years kept rolling past. I discovered he really wasn't all that tall." First, I LOVE this! Second, I know this man! I called him my grandfather. I remember a day when I went for summer vacation, and realized how small he really was, and that he was actually fragile... It was the MOST bittersweet vacation, because something had changed, and and I knew it would never be the same. Thank you for making me remember that day. Ella B. |
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Honeybunch Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115South Africa |
Uriah - This is an outstanding write and a portrait painted of a great man. To be remembered like this is more than anyone could ask out of life. Well done - extremely well done! |
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