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Open Poetry #42
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Felix and Pumpernickel Bread
| Open Poetry #42 |
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Felix and Pumpernickel Bread |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 
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Felix walks by the bakery at night. He’s hungry. He likes to look in the window, and wish. There’s pumpernickel bread in that window— a nice, round, dark-brown loaf of pumpernickel bread. He’s hungry. He remembers pumpernickel bread, and how good it tastes. He’s very hungry. There are some big rocks, lying in the gutter. Bobby |
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| © Copyright 2008 Robert E. Jordan - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
Ummm. I hope Felix is willing to share. Ida |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Ida, Of course Felix is willing to share. Spare kids are that way. Bobby |
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Artic Wind Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 8080Realm of Supernatural |
Hi Bobby! Enjoyed the post!, I love that bread, its sooo good with dip, YUMO!!! March madness is right!, Is he going to share! ARCTIC WIND |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Artic Wind, Don't forget, Felix is a spare kid. Spare kids like to share with each other. It makes them feel good. Bobby |
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Roniece Dawson-Bruce Member Ascendant
since 2000-01-29
Posts 5689Sydney, Australia |
well, I can honestly say, I don't know what pumpernickel bread is Bobby... but if Felix likes it then I'm sure it has to be good!  love RDB Be kind at heart....for everyone you meet has their own battle to fight......... |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Dear RDB, Pumpernickel bread is German black bread. It's made with rye, and wheat. It's round in shape. It's excellent. Felix and I used to eat a loaf of it on the way home from school. We used to tear it to pieces. It's common in the U. S., and perhaps in Australia. Bobby |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Well, I hope the baker was working late and that he took pity on the poor, hungry boy looking in the window, and that he would have given him some day-old pumpernickel bread which he could have easily spared. It would have kept the kid honest and filled up his belly. It also would have made some good karma points for the baker and Felix would have learned that there are kind people in this world. The baker's act of kindness would also have prevented Felix from committing a crime. This is my hopeful take on the situation.  Love to you and Felix ~ and the baker! Linda |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
I agree with Linda and hope that the owner or baker was kind enough to share a loaf with Felix. M |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
This is making me hungry...I have some delicious Fitness Bread in my refrigerator, with whole rye, oat kernels and wheat germs...Felix you're welcome to share...James |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Linda & "M" Being a good Catholic boy, and being very hungry, Felix did the right thing. Paragraph 2408 of the "Catechism of the Catholic Church" tells us: "2408 The seventh commandment forbids theft, that is, usurping another's property against the reasonable will of the owner. There is no theft if consent can be presumed or if refusal is contrary to reason and the universal destination of goods. This is the case in obvious and urgent necessity when the only way to provide for immediate, essential needs (food, shelter, clothing . . .) is to put at one's disposal and use the property of others." Felix and I love that book, it's been our guiding light forever. Bobby |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
James, That sounds good. Can Felix bring me along? Bobby |
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Alison 
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
I do so love Pumpernickel Bread - and I love to bake bread. There is nothing more satisfying in my mind (when I am trying to work out problems) than to knead bread dough. It always helps. Good for Felix though to resist the rocks in the gutter. Alison |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
I'm sorry Alison, no, Felix threw the rock, grabbed the bread, and ate it. He was very, very hungry. Such things happen. Bobby |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
A hungry boy has to do what a hungry boy has to do. People who have never been hungry might not know that. Ida |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
I understand and am thinking how sad it is that Felix had to make that choice. A |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Ida, What you say is very, very, true. It's a moral obligation to take care of your being. Bobby |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Alison, Yes it is sad. As you know, hunger is a very painful experience. Felix was just a child, and didn't know enough to go to the Sallies--(Salvation Army). Bobby |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
well it's better than making stone soup I guess sad topic here...children in poverty and going hungry especially our Felix |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Passing shadows, Thanks dear, it was an experience for Felix. As you know, Felix collects experiences. Bobby |
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vandana
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463USA |
enjoyed |
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TomMark Member Elite
since 2007-07-27
Posts 2133LA,CA |
a good struggle to live. |
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MJ Member
since 2008-02-21
Posts 60 |
I'm hoping he enjoyed throwing the rock as much as the taste of pumpernickel. |
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secondhanddreampoet Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394a 'Universalist' ! |
as always...a most interesting segment of the Felix story (and also the 'comment/replies' to said) applause! |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Vandana, Thanks for reading, and commenting. I'm pleased you enjoyed it. Bobby |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
TomMark, Thanks for the read, and comment. It's supposed to be a struggle to live. That's what life is all about. Bobby |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
MJ, Yes, he did enjoy throwing the rock. Felix is an old rock thrower from way back. Thanks for reading and comenting. Bobby |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Secondhanddreampoet, Thanks for the applause. I'm pleased you found it interesting. Thanks for your interest in Felix. Bobby |
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simon Member
since 2008-01-14
Posts 440London, England |
Very interesting moral dilemma here. Of course (if you ask me) Felix's priority HAS to be to stave off his hunger and if that means stealing and there's no other option that's what he MUST do. (shame about the window though). This would probably set a dangerous precadent and people would be throwing rocks around after missing breakfast but I'm sure that anyone who knew his plight would understand- like you say, how many people know what it's like to be really hungry? I just wish he'd gone past that baker's earlier when there was people there and they could advise him about where to obtain food legitimally and this wouldn't need to happen again. I get the feeling that Felix has a street-tough, 'nobody's business but mine' culture about him which if someone knew about, they could step in and change. |
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Toerag Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622Ala bam a |
Just a "Stone's throw away"...... I enjoyed the write...very interesting, sparks the imagination and hunger... |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
“I get the feeling that Felix has a street-tough, 'nobody's business but mine' culture about him” Awww Simon, how can you say that? Felix is a friendly, smiling, outgoing type of kid. Some people would even describe him as “charming”. He’s generous to a fault. Bobby |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Toerag, Thanks for the kind word. I'm pleased it sparked your imagination, and sorry it made you hungry. Bobby |
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simon Member
since 2008-01-14
Posts 440London, England |
Bobby, I'm not in any way being unfair to Felix. I just believe it is the 'nurture' of an environment & an upbringing that maketh the man as opposed to the 'nature'. I just don't believe that in his short life so far, he's had a great deal of help from strangers thus, he has no cause to expect any from them. He feels, 'on his own' in that sense and that is a perfectly natural way for him to feel. I'm sure he is perfectly charming because in a sense he HAS to be. |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Simon, Thanks for reading and commenting. Bobby |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Simon, Actully, what you say is true. Except for his street friends, such as Sally, Butch and Wawa, he has no one. The only people that he really owes anything to are his natural mother and father, who gave him life. He hardly knows them. Felix feels very much alone. Bobby |
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Earl Brinkman Senior Member
since 2010-03-03
Posts 1183Osaka, Japan |
This is a gem of a poem. |
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