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Open Poetry #40
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The Highest Point In Old Blackjack (for Dad, in memorium)
| Open Poetry #40 |
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The Highest Point In Old Blackjack (for Dad, in memorium) |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738
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My daddy got real drunk one night and he forgot I was a kid- he forgot I was a girl: he just said the things he did... He told me how they one by one he and all his mother's sons joined the service's demand to defend the cotton land that bruised his head, ambitiousless.. His daddy had a problem with a still, a plow, and sickliness-- and none of it was prayed away. So they enlisted off the farm thinking guns were better than the cotton rows without an end as Daddy drank and Mama prayed faithful as the crops were sprayed with a lethal enemy, and every uncle mine was stayed-- from executioner of War: They came home for burials as cancer took the lives of they-- them who stayed behind to pray. My daddy told me 'bout the day he paid a driver a long way and he knew before he saw: the crops were nothing left but straw not even fit for cows to graze. He walked the road in uniform and left his bags where he was born-- the house had been abandoned then-- and the pond that he swam in was nothing but a pool forlorn. He spied a plow out in the field stuck in earth, and he could feel the ache of handles in his hands, remembering the whip and steel- the stubborn of an ass too weary to staunch another step. He told me he took off his shoes-- he'd shined them to the gloss of sun. He folded his socks neatly and he squished his toes in mud that run red with blood of Texan sweat. He walked across the fields to "home" knowing it was not be: And this is what he told to me the night he had too much to drink forgetting that I was a kid-- he told me how he couldn't wait for his Dad's memorium at the church upon the hill-- the highest point in old Blackjack- the day my Dad did not look back, but cancer got them anyway... One by one his mother's sons his brothers, and others who stayed, singing acapella "Grace" placing flags upon the graves in memorium... |
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| © Copyright 2007 serenity blaze - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Gentle Spirit Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989 |
Deep writing K, and it sent shivers through me. Powerful expression in this. |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
I'm glad he forgot you were a kid that night.. What a beautifully sad story...stories like it need to be told. love you Karen. "too bad ignorance isn't painful" |
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Drauntz Member Elite
since 2007-03-16
Posts 2905Los Angeles California |
wow, a beautiful poem for loved ones. sad but the love is there and emotion flowed steady under the calmness of the surface. beautiful. hugs to you, SB. May you have a wonderful day!! |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
No one can write like you, Karen....no one. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
He walked across the fields to "home" knowing it was not be: And this is what he told to me the night he had too much to drink forgetting that I was a kid-- he told me how he couldn't wait for his Dad's memorium at the church upon the hill-- the highest point in old Blackjack- ~*~ You've a history, dearheart... and stories that will live on. Write, and don't listen to them that tell you different. Write, leave legacies, leave life once lived, lived well, lived badly, but breathed, and knew. Write. Write. |
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secondhanddreampoet Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394a 'Universalist' ! |
truly EXCELLENT! [I DEEPLY enjoyed this remarkable 'write'] extremely long sustained applause!! |
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Mysteria 
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Michael said it best, no one can! This was incredibly poignant, true to a style that can and should never be duplicated. I felt I was holding your hand through this entire poem, and I think I was.  You do him proud, yes you do. |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Thank you all so much. My dad was a quiet man, but when he was in the mood--he told some amazing stories. And if I can remember them all, I'll write 'em down lest I forget--again. Thank you for helping me to honor him, and others. |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
"He told me he took off his shoes-- he'd shined them to the gloss of sun. He folded his socks neatly and he squished his toes in mud that run red with blood of Texan sweat." I could nearly see this, Ser. I'm glad you shared a bit of him with us.  .....jo |
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Allysa
since 1999-11-09
Posts 1952In an upside-down garden |
This made me think of my father. Very very wonderful lady. |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
If you ever write down the stories of your father, and brother, I will buy it for sure! I really think you have to be a special person to live down there, it is only in the low 80's here today, and will be for a few days, and I am really not functioning, nope I am not. The heat must bring out the best in ya'll. |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Heat? My air conditioner is on 68!!! But I'm so flattered that ya'll enjoyed this--it was written from the heart, so it was kind of important to me to know that I got my Dad's spirit down right. I was looking for pics of Blackjack, TX online, until I can scan some of the tin types from the actual farm. I found a lot of poker sites when I googled it, but I was surprised when I found Oak Ridge, TX, right next to Blackjack. The tin sheds and scenery made my heart ache...and LOOK WHAT I FOUND SHARON!!!! http://www.inu.net/branded/pygmygoat.html pygmy goats!!! Oh Karen MUST have a pygmy goat!!! Aren't they sweet? Like bearded dogs with horns! Thanks all, from my heart and my family for sharing a bit of our history and love for my father. I appreciate you all, very very much.  |
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Snowflake From Hell Senior Member
since 2003-07-10
Posts 777My own little Icey Oblivion |
great memorium I am the little cracked mirror |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
wonderful story poignantly told Karen |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Read this last night and loved it.... Also enjoyed the photos of the Texas buildings of old. You are a wonder miss Serenity Blaze. Long may you write. |
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paullallady Member
since 2007-04-03
Posts 262Michigan |
This was wonderful, you did a great job with this, I loved reading it. The sadness was felt throughout. |
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