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Open Poetry #38
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XOx Uriah xOX
Senior Member
since 2006-02-11
Posts 1403
Virginia

0 posted 2006-08-01 07:11 PM



The announcement
is in the paper
for all of my old friends to see.
I walked the line
while she was mine,
and it's been years
since they've seen me.
Now my tie is tied
and my boots are shined
and I've got my dark suit on.
We're reuniting for the funeral
of a love thats dead and gone.

In the doorway of the barroom
I take a breath and step inside.
Her memory has been haunting me
since the day that her love died.
I aint been inside of a Honky Tonk
since the day that she said, "Yes"
But tonight, I'm gonna hit old haunts
until I lay her ghost to rest.

In the corner stands a jukebox.
Its memory's tombstone.
The service is conducted by
Merle Haggard and George Jones.

It's a type of exorcism,
where you don't need a priest.
I'm letting her go
May she rest in peace.
Her love is gone...
Raise your glass in a toast.
If you're gonna live on...
You gotta give up the ghost.

Everything I need to set her free
is here within my reach.
There's a box of red silk roses
on the bar for a dollar each.
I laid one on the jukebox and played
"I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry"
and slow danced with the waitress
until my tears were dry.

There's cold beer by the pitcher
and tequila by the shot.
When the waitress finished up her shift,
we headed out to the parking lot.
By closing time I was feeling fine.
I haven't felt this good in years.
"Save A Horse" is on the radio
and her tongue is in my ear.

It's a type of exorcism,
where you don't need a priest.
I'm letting her go
May she rest in peace.
Her love is gone...
Raise your glass in a toast.
If you're gonna live on...
You gotta give up the ghost.

© Copyright 2006 Larry F. Leake - All Rights Reserved
passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
1 posted 2006-08-01 07:49 PM


sounds like something I need to do
but whew...I don't know if I could handle the shots now

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
2 posted 2006-08-01 08:11 PM


WOW!!   A most excellent write Larry!
Well done..very well done indeed.
Hugs~Nancy

For it was not into my ear you whispered
But into my heart..
It was not my lips you kissed
But my soul.

seraphin
Senior Member
since 2000-09-24
Posts 1004
Michigan
3 posted 2006-08-01 09:06 PM


"You gotta give up the ghost" this one hits home. Very well done.
the concrete rose
Junior Member
since 2006-08-01
Posts 33

4 posted 2006-08-01 09:31 PM


"In the corner stands a jukebox.
Its memory's tombstone.
The service is conducted by
Merle Haggard and George Jones."

As a Musician, I am always pleased to see subtle interpretations of Sound inside literature.

A triumph.

aziza
Member Elite
since 2006-07-09
Posts 2995
Lumpy Oatmeal makes me Crazy!
5 posted 2006-08-01 09:54 PM


Very, VERY good - I enjoyed this and still felt a bit sad.  It's hard to give up that ghost, but you laid her to rest with style.

aziza

divine chaos
Senior Member
since 2006-07-09
Posts 617
dancing 'neath the moon
6 posted 2006-08-01 10:07 PM


easier said than done, unfortunately

great work though, enjoyed the read

~*Sheli*~

By words the mind is winged
~Aristophanes~

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