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Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

0 posted 2008-06-21 07:51 PM

Angelo and his friends
are diving off the pier
at Penn Treaty Park
along the Delaware River.

Bus loads of tourists
come to see the Charter Elm,
where William Penn
signed his treaty
with the natives,
a treaty that was
never broken.

It’s where Philadelphia
got the nick name of
“City of Brotherly Love”.

The tourists go
to the end of the pier,
and throw quarters
into the water
for the kids.

It’s a feeding frenzy!

Angelo dives,
scrambling underwater
for the money
with the other kids.

Felix has warned him
not to hit the silt
on river bottom.

There are sometimes
gas pockets down there.

Angelo could get caught
like Felix’s friend
little Luis did
so many years ago.

Luis was sucked in
and drowned
before he could get out.

Angelo catches a quarter,
and stores it in his mouth.

It’s enough for a nice
Philly soft pretzel.

Bobby

secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant

since 2006-11-07

Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !

1 posted 2008-06-21 08:58 PM

what a grand-fine impressionistic 'slice of Philly life'...
one of your very best in my ever-most-humble opinion!

serious and long-sustained applause for this 'penning'
[a 'poetic standing ovation!']

I hope Ms. 'ArtSolstice' catches this one too!

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2 posted 2008-06-21 09:27 PM

Thanks Secondhanddreampoet,

I’m happy this one worked for you.

I haven’t seen Ms. ArtSolstice in a while.

You can’t really do much in the way of diving off the pier anymore.  A few years back, a barge cut loose, and plowed into the end.  That probably has save some kids lives that won’t drown off the pier anymore.

Penn treaty Park is still a beautiful place.  It also has a lot of sad memories, for a number of personal reasons, in addition to poor Luis.

Bobby

XGarapanX
Senior Member

since 2008-06-19

Posts 1435
Antarctica

3 posted 2008-06-21 09:33 PM

I'm really starting to like your "Philly" based poetry. It's like an American version of Amitabh Mitra who always writes about his Indian home of Gwalior. Serious cool stuff.

·´~`·»Garapan«·´~`·

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

4 posted 2008-06-21 09:47 PM

Thanks XGarapanX,

It makes me happy that you are enjoying my poems about Philadelphia.

I’m not familiar with Amitabh Mitra, but you have aroused my interest. I will look for some of his work.

Bobby

2islander2
Member Ascendant

since 2008-03-12

Posts 6825
by the sea

5 posted 2008-06-22 01:30 PM

Hello Bobby, I know a little the port of Philadelphia in summer under the evening sun, it's a wonderful place to be, there are cozy bars and pretty girls (hi hi)...Thank you for sharing and bringing memories to me...

yann

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

6 posted 2008-06-22 02:18 PM

Thanks Yann,

Yes Philadelphia is a very friendly place, with lots of beautiful people.

Bobby

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis

since 2007-09-16

Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California

7 posted 2008-06-22 04:04 PM

This poem has a bit of history as well as charm. Nice.
Ida

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

8 posted 2008-06-22 05:02 PM

Thanks dear Ida,

That was back in 1682. Visit Philadelphia and I'll take you to Penn Treaty Park.

love Bobby

LindsayP
Member Elite

since 2007-07-28

Posts 3410
Australia, Victoria

9 posted 2008-06-24 01:09 AM

Yes I enjoyed this one Bobby,

You wrote it well.

Lindsay

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

10 posted 2008-06-24 01:07 PM

Thanks LindsayP,

I'm pleased it worked for you. I just got back from a visit with the real Angelo and his wife up in New York City, They are doing great.

Bobby

gilead
Senior Member

since 2008-03-10

Posts 1067
nevada, USA

11 posted 2008-06-24 01:13 PM

One of your best, indeed, Bobby! I like what the poem so subtly leaves unsaid. Such nuance of language isn't too often seen these days.

Art

BugBuggy
Member

since 2005-12-19

Posts 130
michigan

12 posted 2008-06-24 06:49 PM

I can close my eyes and see the boys....very well written

BugBuggy

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

13 posted 2008-06-24 06:53 PM

Thanks Art,

It's great this poem worked for you. I just visited Angelo and his wife in New york City. They are doing great, and say hello.

Bobby

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

14 posted 2008-06-24 06:55 PM

Thanks BugBuggy,

I'm happy you can see the action in this poem. That's a good sign.

Thanks for the kind words.

Bobby

ILoveTheRain
Member

since 2008-03-02

Posts 157
GA

15 posted 2008-06-25 12:35 PM

This is a wonderful write.

Forgive me for asking, but what happened to Felix? I have been gone so I don't know anything really that's been going on here.

graeshine2006
Member

since 2008-06-03

Posts 368
The Prairie Lands, USA

16 posted 2008-06-25 04:49 AM

Obviously I have to read some more of your work to get caught up! I'm not too familiar with Angelo and Felix. However, li'l Prairie Girl here visited Philly for three days a couple of years ago and loved the city. Still crave the cheesesteaks on the corner - can't get anything close to it in Illinois! Even my kids remember eating a cheesesteak on the corner near the Libertyville. Thanks for the memories!

graeshine2006
Member

since 2008-06-03

Posts 368
The Prairie Lands, USA

17 posted 2008-06-25 04:50 AM

It's really late and I'm tired - I mean to write "Liberty Bell" and wrote the name of a town (Libertyville) in Illinois instead. Ooops - sorry!

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

18 posted 2008-06-25 01:39 PM

Thanks dear ILoveTheRain,

For your interest in the characters.

Felix grew up, and he and Sally are Angelo's father and mother.

Everyone is living happily here in Philadelphia.

Bobby

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

19 posted 2008-06-25 01:50 PM

Thanks dear Graeshine2006,

I'm pleased that you enjoyed your visit to the Liberty Bell.

Next time you're here you'll have to try some of our other foods, such as Philadelphia Scrapple, which is made from pigs, everything but the oink. The scrapple label is interesting to read, pig snout, heart, feet, etc.

Then of course there is Philadelphia Pepper Pot Soup, made from every part of the pig not included in Scrapple.

For something fancy, try Snapper Soup, which is made from turtles.

Philadelphia people eat just about anything.

Don't forget to try "Philly Soft Pretzels", the staff of life here. I can't get enough of them, they sell them on the corner.

The book "Felix" will be available in a few weeks.

Bobby

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