People I know - The man in Wal-mart

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Open Poetry #39

People I know - The man in Wal-mart

ChristianSpeaks
Member

since 2006-05-18

Posts 396
Iowa, USA

0 posted 2006-09-29 06:14 PM

This is another in a series that I have been writing for a while. Giving it a test here.

There was this dilapidated man
seen at Wal-Mart
pushing a cart with a squeaky wheel
left side
on the front.

He reminded me of an old house
where the shutters
were starting to fall off where
too much time
and too little care were given.

His ears hung like doors
that were open
long after they were to be shut
by hands that
should be wrung quietly.

His eyes were hollow.
Hollowed by what?
I couldn’t tell at that point
nor now I say
for fear of malcontent.

(But I didn’t know him)

I turned my attention to canned goods,
or frozen food
Bumping in to his son
whose eyes were sunken
not quite as much as the father
instantly understanding
how history repeats itself.

CS

Who am I if I can't love, What am I if I can't hate, and what is the result when I can't tell the difference?

Dane Barner

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

1 posted 2006-09-29 06:57 PM

Enjoyed...James

The Lady
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-12-26

Posts 7634
The Southwest

2 posted 2006-09-29 07:57 PM

I enjoyed this
very much Dane...

passing shadows
Member Empyrean

since 1999-08-26

Posts 45577
displaced

3 posted 2006-09-29 10:38 PM

oh I do love people-watcher poems!! I will for sure be keeping up on this series!!

aziza
Member Elite

since 2006-07-09

Posts 2995
Lumpy Oatmeal makes me Crazy!

4 posted 2006-09-29 11:45 PM

Yes, I like this a lot too.  I love how you describe him -- I can see him as I read.

His ears hung like doors
that were open
long after they were to be shut
by hands that
should be wrung quietly.

That is simply wonderful -- you took me shopping with you and I, too saw the man as I kind of disregarded him to continue on with my shopping experience.

Good poem.  Thank you.
aziza

ChristianSpeaks
Member

since 2006-05-18

Posts 396
Iowa, USA

5 posted 2006-10-01 01:09 PM

Thanks for the comments- you never know what people will tell you by the way they look.

cs

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