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Open Poetry #42
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Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

0 posted 2008-02-28 05:16 PM


Felix turns seventeen.  
Just as quick as that,
he’s taken down to the police station—
again.  

The Captain sits him down,
says he’s sick of seeing
Felix’s smiling puss.  

The Captain gives Felix a choice.
“Go out and join the Army,
or get locked up here
as a habitual criminal
for a very long time.  

Take my word for it,
you’ll never be heard from again—
I’d advise the Army.”

Felix suddenly becomes
wildly patriotic.

Bobby

© Copyright 2008 Robert E. Jordan - All Rights Reserved
JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
1 posted 2008-02-28 05:23 PM


Nice writing...reminds me of the days when I enlisted in the Army to get away from a controlling Dad...James
TomMark
Member Elite
since 2007-07-27
Posts 2133
LA,CA
2 posted 2008-02-28 05:30 PM


laughing....good writing, sir.
Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
3 posted 2008-02-28 05:57 PM


James,

We all seem to have had our reasons for joining up.  It turned out to be a good choice.  I'd recommend it for every seventeen year-old, if they are in good health.

Bobby

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
4 posted 2008-02-28 05:59 PM


Tom Too,

Thanks for the kind words.  I'm pleased it tickled your funny-bone.

Bobby

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
5 posted 2008-02-28 06:32 PM


I had an  older brother who use to get into trouble and he was given that choice years ago.  It was a good choice for him.

M

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
6 posted 2008-02-28 06:59 PM


M,

Thanks for reading and commenting.

I recommend the Army for any seventeen year-old in good health, and condition.

If you want to read about Felix at the Army Induction Center, you'll have to go to "Insights".

Army Induction processes are a little too strong for the Puritain Fathers and Mothers here in Open Poetry #42.

Bobby

Roniece Dawson-Bruce
Member Ascendant
since 2000-01-29
Posts 5689
Sydney, Australia
7 posted 2008-02-28 07:28 PM


  nice work here Bobby   love RDB

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

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
8 posted 2008-02-29 12:48 PM


Dear RDB,

Thanks so much for your kindness.  I'm glad it worked for you.

Bobby

effjayel
Senior Member
since 2007-09-30
Posts 1474
At the Crossroads of Infinity
9 posted 2008-02-29 01:43 PM


Bobby

I joined up at 18 only to find out that the bullies had discovered they could get paid to beat the crap out of the likes of me, I made some good friends while I was there but none of them wore stripes....

John

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
10 posted 2008-02-29 01:56 PM


Funny ending, I just happen to love sarcastic humor. I'm sure Felix knows, It comes in handy sometimes.
                        Ida

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
11 posted 2008-02-29 02:00 PM


quote:
Army Induction processes are a little too strong for the Puritain Fathers and Mothers here in Open Poetry #42.

Especially when we don't want our 9 year old members to be reading them, Sir.

Angel4aKing
Senior Member
since 2006-09-27
Posts 1372
USA
12 posted 2008-02-29 02:04 PM


Sounds like Felix was given an ultimatum...

~~~kingsangel~~~

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
13 posted 2008-02-29 03:12 PM


quote:
Army Induction processes are a little too strong for the Puritain Fathers and Mothers here in Open Poetry #42.
Color me 'puritain' or puritan ... whichever keeps me from reading material that the site owner, along with many of those of us of the membership, feels isn't appropriate for the 'G' rated forums~

If 'Felix Is Given A Choice' ... so are the caretakers of the forums~

You appear to know which stories of Felix shouldn't be posted in the Open forums, so why not just post those Behind Closed Doors and save the moderators, Administrators and Deputy Moderators a lot of work moving them~

Come on now ... play nice~

~*Marge*~


~*The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but it's echo endures much longer*~
Email -           noles1@totcon.com     

Artic Wind
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 8080
Realm of Supernatural
14 posted 2008-02-29 03:13 PM


Nice write! bobby

ARCTIC WIND

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
15 posted 2008-02-29 04:12 PM


Thanks All,

I'll not post at PIP again.

Bobby

secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !
16 posted 2008-02-29 08:40 PM


Some folks apparently ascribe rather different connotations to the word 'open'...why is there not a separate forum for younger children if there is one for 'teens?!'
Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
17 posted 2008-02-29 08:43 PM


Don't go Bobby. The world needs to know Felix and the gang, and the reality of city life they don't generally read on 'poetry' sites.  
Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
18 posted 2008-02-29 08:57 PM


Secondhanddreampoet,

Thanks for the read, and for your support.

There is so much hate in the world.

Bobby

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
19 posted 2008-02-29 08:59 PM


Midnitesun,

Thanks for your kindness.

I'll stick around because you asked me to, or until they throw mw out.

Bobby

TomMark
Member Elite
since 2007-07-27
Posts 2133
LA,CA
20 posted 2008-02-29 09:06 PM


dear Mr.Jordan, I ask you stay too. Stay sir. next time write like'
^%*^&(*&*(  
:L<":L{O)P**&%^%
$#@%%$#%$
^*&^*&^*&
)&^&$^&L
Poet all understand.

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
21 posted 2008-02-29 09:12 PM


Dear Tom Too,

You, and other friends, have convinced Felix and I to stick around.

Sally's staying too.

Bobby

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
22 posted 2008-02-29 09:16 PM


Ida,

Thanks for being a friend.  I like "sarcastic humor" too.

Bobby

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
23 posted 2008-02-29 09:21 PM


John,

Some of the folks wearing stripes are okay.

My oldest daughter wore stripes for 20 years while serving in the U. S. Navy.  She’s one tough cookie.  She’s passed her toughness on to her son.

We've always been a military family, all the way back to the French and Indian War.

That's before the American Revolution.  Jordans have been here since 1608.

Bobby

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
24 posted 2008-02-29 11:02 PM


Angel4aKing,

Yes, that's exactly what happened.

Bobby

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
25 posted 2008-02-29 11:04 PM


Artic Wind,

Thanks friend, I'm pleased you like it.

Bobby

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
26 posted 2008-02-29 11:07 PM


Marge Tindal,

Marge, I always play nice, you know that.  Around my hood, you have to play nice--it's important.

Bobby

ArtSolstice
Member
since 2007-03-18
Posts 498

27 posted 2008-03-01 12:33 PM


Bobby, I'm glad you will continue to post on the PIP site. Thank you to all who asked Bobby to stay. I look forward to reading your Felix writes because you handle the difficult subjects with grace, dignity, humor and the unique voice of an artist. Felix didn't get to grow up in Ward and June Cleaver's household.
Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
28 posted 2008-03-01 01:13 AM


ArtSolstice,

What you say is very true.  I prefer to say it a little differently:

Felix didn't "have" to grow-up in Ward and June Cleaver's house hold.

What a horror that would have been for Felix.  

All his initiative and creativity would have been smothered, and stifled.  It would have killed him.

Felix’s mother was a good and kind woman.  However, she was no angel, she slept around.  Felix loved her, and she loved Felix.

Bobby


effjayel
Senior Member
since 2007-09-30
Posts 1474
At the Crossroads of Infinity
29 posted 2008-03-01 06:08 AM


Bobby, you are of course right, I did not mean to tar all NCO's with the same brush, there is good & bad in everyone as Felix has so often shown us. I am very happy to hear he is sticking around because he would be missed by a lot of us....Besides, Felix is no quitter

John

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
30 posted 2008-03-01 09:01 AM


John,

Felix says thanks for the kind words.

Felix always does the best he can.

Bobby

Alison
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318
Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy!
31 posted 2008-03-02 01:10 AM


Felix made me laugh.  And he is very smart, our Felix is.

Alison

Alison
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Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy!
32 posted 2008-03-02 01:11 AM


And, Bobby?  
I am glad that you stayed.

Alison

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
33 posted 2008-03-02 01:14 AM


Alison,

Yes, Felix always was a very intellegent young man.

I'm glad you got a kick out of this one.

The Army was good to Felix.

Thanks for the kind words.  I'm glad I stayed too.

Bobby

[This message has been edited by Robert E. Jordan (03-02-2008 06:00 PM).]

Earl Brinkman
Senior Member
since 2010-03-03
Posts 1183
Osaka, Japan
34 posted 2010-10-20 02:07 AM


Well...if anything can straighten Felix out it is the army.  Enjoyed.
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