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Open Poetry #39
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JLHunter
Senior Member
since 2006-10-08
Posts 557
CA United States

0 posted 2006-10-24 01:57 AM


Den of Iniquity

I traveled a green mountain highway.
Around me the trees rose to the sky.
The dark clouds ahead all seem to say
That stretches ahead would block my way
While in narrow passes snow piled high.

Remembering savagery of old,
When Mother Nature would box me in.
I decided to avoid the cold
--Ignoring everything I was told--
And looked for a place where I could sin.

Strange taverns are perilous places
Fraught with danger from unfriendly men.
But fearing the cold more than strange faces,
Spotted a town--off to the races!--
And entered the Iniquity Den.

Iniquity Den--the tavern’s name--
Drew people from miles and miles around.
Grubby, dirty, they all looked the same
--No one tainted by glory or fame--
Boots firmly planted on straw-strewn ground.

Drinking a cold one and feeling tense,
Suddenly someone comes up to me.
A local girl--really, a mud fence!--
Started to offer her own two cents,
And placed her calloused hand on my knee.

I’m not picky when drinking a few,
But this girl was terribly smelly.
To call her ugly just wouldn’t do
--Though, “ugliest” might have been true--
With her shirt tied above her belly.

Her ratty boots were covered with dung.
The clothes she wore were tattered and old.
Hair from her head just raggedly hung.
Through her snagged teeth I could see her tongue,
A chipped tooth or two covered with gold.

Thinking real fast, I made for the door.
And hoped that nothing stood in my way.
Hearing her footsteps fall on the floor,
Through the exit and screen door I tore,
Running, fumbling, starting to pray.

I rounded the hood of my old truck,
I hoped that I forgot to lock it.
Grabbing the door, I tested my luck,
When to my dismay, the door that stuck,
Nearly yanked my arm from its socket.

Pulling in terror, the door soon gave
--I made it with mere seconds to spare--
Floored the pedal, my own road I’d pave.
Feeling like I escaped from the grave,
As gravel was wearing my tires bare.

Burning rubber, my tires were screaming;
My truck lurched then went straight for the road.
Over my hood her eyes were gleaming.
From under the hood smoke was streaming.
I turned my wheels to lighten the load.

She flew off the hood and landed hard,
In the shrubs that lined the parking lot.
She rolled on over into a yard,
Gaining her feet, she was breathing hard,
And if looks could kill, then I would rot.

I made the road and left the gravel;
My wheels bit hard as I floored the gas.
Counting my blessings, long I’d travel,
--Hoping my luck wouldn’t unravel--
I headed for the snow-covered pass.

Learning my lesson again, it seems,
As I attracted a tavern toad,
I knew that this girl would haunt my dreams,
And I would wake with my own loud screams,
As nightly my hood lightened its load.

Lesson well-learned, I churned through the snow,
Now, savage winter frightened me less.
I followed my headlights’ sickly glow,
To somewhere far that I didn’t know,
With adventures I could only guess.

I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires. -Khalil Gibran

© Copyright 2006 John L. Hunter - All Rights Reserved
INclan
Senior Member
since 1999-07-20
Posts 1024
Indiana, USA
1 posted 2006-10-24 08:21 AM


John,

I enjoy your work...but don't quit your day job!

INclan

Becky Mangrum
Member
since 2006-10-18
Posts 56

2 posted 2006-10-24 08:39 AM


That was tooo funny, I love it!!!! and have been in a few places like that myself!Haven't read alot of your work yet but that one is the best so far. Keep up the great work.

Becky

JLHunter
Senior Member
since 2006-10-08
Posts 557
CA United States
3 posted 2006-10-24 11:18 AM


Hi, INclan.

No, I plan to hang onto it...just in case.  In case I want to eat, that is!

John

I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires. -Khalil Gibran

JLHunter
Senior Member
since 2006-10-08
Posts 557
CA United States
4 posted 2006-10-24 11:28 AM


Thanks, Becky!

Believe it or not, this occasion, though embellished a "bit," happened to me a couple of times.  Also, even though these nightmares happened to me in California and Washington states, I have heard from people from all over North America--anywhere that there are moutain taverns, I suppose--who have at least been in that tavern, if not having also experienced the same or a similar situation.

John xo

I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires. -Khalil Gibran

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