Felix Remembers Luis - pipTalk Forums

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Bobby Jordan
Member

since 2007-08-13

Posts 491
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

0 posted 2008-02-12 06:32 PM

Felix is reading the evening newspaper,
and notices that another one
of the neighborhood kids
has drowned
while swimming
in the Delaware River.

When this happens,
his mind always drifts
way back
to his friend Luis.

Luis was a funny,
skinny,
little Puerto Rican kid.

He always kept you laughing
with his jokes
and fantastic good humor.

He had the unique ability
to cross his eyes at will.
He could do it any time
he wanted to,
with no trouble at all.

Felix still has a group photo
from the settlement house
with Luis and him in it.

One summer day,
Luis was swimming
in the Delaware River
off Penn Treaty Park.

He was unlucky enough
to step in to a gas pocket.

He was sucked in,
and he drowned.

It wasn’t Luis’s fault,
it wasn’t the rivers fault,
and it wasn’t the cities fault.

It wasn’t anyone’s fault.

It was just time for Luis to go.

It’s most likely
that when Luis appeared
at the gates of heaven,
he crossed his eyes
at the gatekeeper,
and snuck right in
while the guy was rolling
on the floor laughing.

Bobby

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis

since 2007-09-16

Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California

1 posted 2008-02-12 06:37 PM

What a wonderful tribute to your friend and you are right, it wasjust his time to go.
Ida

Roniece Dawson-Bruce
Member Ascendant

since 2000-01-29

Posts 5689
Sydney, Australia

2 posted 2008-02-12 07:01 PM

oh, this must have been a sad day for Felix, Bobby... please give him a hug for me... love RDB

Be kind at heart....for everyone you meet has their own battle to fight.........

Bobby Jordan
Member

since 2007-08-13

Posts 491
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

3 posted 2008-02-12 07:03 PM

Ida,

Thanks for the words.

Yes, he was called home.

Bobby

Huan Yi
Member Ascendant

since 2004-10-12

Posts 6688
Waukegan

4 posted 2008-02-12 07:21 PM

.

Very Good Bob

Find a publisher

John

.

Bobby Jordan
Member

since 2007-08-13

Posts 491
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

5 posted 2008-02-12 07:26 PM

RDB,

Yes, it was a sad day when it happened. I don't know why Felix was thinking about it today, in the dead of winter. I think he was just looking forward to spring.

Bobby

Bobby Jordan
Member

since 2007-08-13

Posts 491
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

6 posted 2008-02-12 07:29 PM

Huan Yi,

Thanks for your kind words. This will go into the "Felix" book when it comes out later this year.

Perhaps I'll send it out to a journal before then. I sometimes do that.

Bobby

TomMark
Member Elite

since 2007-07-27

Posts 2133
LA,CA

7 posted 2008-02-12 08:09 PM

sigh!

Bobby Jordan
Member

since 2007-08-13

Posts 491
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

8 posted 2008-02-12 08:32 PM

Thanks Tom,

Yes, "sigh!" indeed.

Bobby

LindsayP
Member Elite

since 2007-07-28

Posts 3410
Australia, Victoria

9 posted 2008-02-12 09:50 PM

Yes Bobby, when your time is up its up and there is nothing we can do about it.

Lets hope he keeps the angels laughing. great write.

Lindsay

Bobby Jordan
Member

since 2007-08-13

Posts 491
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

10 posted 2008-02-12 10:36 PM

LindsayP,

What you say is very true.

I'm sure he's up there cutting up, and indeed, keeping the angels laughing. That's the kind of guy he was. I expect I'll see him again someday. Somewhere in a better place.

Bobby

secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant

since 2006-11-07

Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !

11 posted 2008-02-13 06:00 PM

just about your best ending ever!

I believe this is my favorite 'write' to date!

serious, sustained applause!!

Bobby Jordan
Member

since 2007-08-13

Posts 491
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

12 posted 2008-02-13 06:32 PM

Secondhanddreampoet,

I'm very pleased you liked this one, and that you liked the ending.

Bobby

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

13 posted 2008-02-14 03:48 AM

Nice writing...James

Bobby Jordan
Member

since 2007-08-13

Posts 491
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

14 posted 2008-02-14 08:47 AM

James,

Thanks for your kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed hearing about my old buddy Luis.

Bobby

Kristabell
Senior Member

since 2003-11-29

Posts 678
Portland, OR

15 posted 2008-02-14 07:41 PM

A pleasant remembrence. Nice write.

K

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

16 posted 2008-02-14 07:47 PM

Thanks Kristabell,

Remembering Luis as alive is always a good memory. Remembering how he died always makes me super sad.

Bobby

Alison

Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-27

Posts 9318
Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy!

17 posted 2008-02-17 12:51 PM

I am glad that Luis is remembered.
Felix has a good heart.

A

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

18 posted 2008-02-17 12:58 PM

Alison,

Felix and I will never forget Luis. He was a good friend.

Bobby

poddarku
Senior Member

since 2008-01-15

Posts 589
india

19 posted 2008-02-17 01:11 AM

this poem is clear and pose to win my heart and indeed it is one of the best post

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

20 posted 2008-02-17 01:20 AM

Poddarku,

Thank you for liking my poem. Luis was a very good friend, and I still think of him often.

Bobby

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

21 posted 2008-02-17 11:56 PM

Friends,

Please note that I now post only at "Behind Closed Doors"

Thanks

Bobby

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