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Alison

Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-27

Posts 9318
Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy!

0 posted 2008-10-28 07:17 PM

Where do you go now, old man?

You left your family behind decades ago,
living your lies wrapped in layers of insulation
Their beliefs now shattered as tears dissolve
the love they had for you.

So, I ask you,
old man, where do you go now?

You’ve become a lonely paper doll,
creased and ragged behind curtains of deceit,
now a caricature of who you wanted us to see.
All those decades behind you shattered.
The few years before you clouded.
You, who hated to be alone, will be alone.
How smug you once were surrounded by family.
They forgave you of bigotry and cruelty,
honoring you as a father should be honored.

They taught their children to love you
and they tried to shield them from your faults

And now?

Now, they cry knowing that they failed
and they remember things long forgotten
and they wonder things they never thought to wonder.
And they rebuild faith in family without you.

Again, I ask you,
Where do you go now, old man?

Where do you go now?

-

Alison

steavenr
Member Elite

since 2003-11-17

Posts 4058

1 posted 2008-10-28 07:39 PM

lots of pain here, feelings that are hard to even fathom...a very personal write...thank you for sharing...it is extremely well written

LindsayP
Member Elite

since 2007-07-28

Posts 3410
Australia, Victoria

2 posted 2008-10-28 08:50 PM

Oh Alison you paint such a sad picture here,
very poignant and so well written but that

is a picture that is so often played out in life. In my humble opinion it is one of

your best posts ever, thanks for sharing. love to you dear lady.

Lindsay

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis

since 2007-09-16

Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California

3 posted 2008-10-28 11:18 PM

Very sad and powerful writing, Alison. No matter what people think the chickens always come home to roost.
ida

Stacey011
Junior Member

since 2008-10-27

Posts 18
Australia

4 posted 2008-10-29 05:24 AM

WOW! This has to be one of the best poems i have ever read. It is so powerful, and so true. I can't tell you how much it paints the picture of part of my own life.
How wonderful. I could never put it into words, and you, have just done so, for me.
Thank you! How wonderful such a sad poem can make me feel.

Misty Lilacs
Senior Member

since 2005-11-15

Posts 1060
White Birch Forest

5 posted 2008-10-29 08:32 AM

Oh my Alison. Such a sad poem but so well written as usual.

ooxx

__________________________
I do the MS Walk everyday!

Roniece Dawson-Bruce
Member Ascendant

since 2000-01-29

Posts 5689
Sydney, Australia

6 posted 2008-10-29 08:00 PM

Ali-girl...a wonderful write... sending some of my special RDB hugs your way .. love RDB

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

Bill Charles
Member Patricius

since 2000-07-11

Posts 10619
highways, & byways, for now

7 posted 2008-10-29 08:04 PM

Alison - such powerful emotions coming out in words as these. Write on, the pain will leave in time...

BC

Ceinwyn
Member Elite

since 2000-07-09

Posts 2175
VA

8 posted 2008-10-29 08:23 PM

this hurts

The only time we waste is the time we spend thinking we are alone.

BluesSerenade
Member Patricius

since 2001-10-23

Posts 10549
By the Seaside

9 posted 2008-10-30 12:51 PM

This tugs so hard at the heart, Alison.
One can feel every word and the saddness therein.

An emotional write to be sure!!

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

10 posted 2008-10-30 03:23 AM

If you ever wan to start a poetry workshop on free verse, I'll be happy to be a student!

Beautiful writing, my friend

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-12-27

Posts 8348
Florida

11 posted 2008-10-30 09:55 AM

I know two "old men"...

Beautiful writing..

"too bad ignorance isn't painful"
~Unknown~

2islander2
Member Ascendant

since 2008-03-12

Posts 6825
by the sea

12 posted 2008-10-30 05:23 PM

vanity is the key of loneliness. thanks for the beautiful and thoughtful poem.

yann

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

13 posted 2008-10-31 01:04 PM

Yo dear Alison,

A bad Dad still beats no Dad at all.

Love Bobby

Alison

Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-27

Posts 9318
Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy!

14 posted 2008-11-02 08:30 PM

Steaven,

Thank you for reading and understanding.  Yes, it is deeply personal, but pain sometimes eases when it is released.

Alison

-

Lindsay,

Thank you for reading and for your kind words about the quality of the poem.  Maybe sometime we just strip away the fluff and the rest shines on its own.  Don't know.

Alison

-

Ida,

You are right.  The entire hen house came home to roost and then flew the coop.

Alison

-

Stacey,

I am glad that my words touched you.  Thank you for reading and taking the time to let me know.

Alison

-

Misty Lilacs,

Thank you for the warmth of your reply.

Alison

-

RDB,

Your hugs arrived filled with love. Thank you for them - they wrapped around me nicely.

Love,
Ali

-

BC

Yes, the pain eases - and I think the writing helps it.  Thank you lots.

Alison

-

Kristen,

Thank you and hugs right backatcha.

Alison

-

Blues Serenade,

Thank you.  Your comments always make me feel a bit of warmth from the words you write.

Alison

-

Balladeer,

Thank you.  Now please help me get back on track with the assignments.  I miss them, but it's hard to knuckle down.

Alison

-

Susan,

I know more than two, unfortunately.

Thank you.
Alison

-

Yann,

Thank you lots.

Alison

-

Bobby,

Oh man.  You know I respect you a lot, but you are wrong on this one.  Dead wrong.

Alison

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

15 posted 2008-11-02 09:07 PM

Fine writing...James

Alison

Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-27

Posts 9318
Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy!

16 posted 2008-11-02 09:30 PM

Thank you, James.

Alison

Artic Wind
Member Rara Avis

since 2007-09-16

Posts 8080
Realm of Supernatural

17 posted 2008-11-03 04:47 PM

Emotion is always a good thing to get out to the world, theres always a healing touch when that happens!

ARCTIC WIND

Alison

Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-27

Posts 9318
Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy!

18 posted 2008-11-03 08:05 PM

Very true, AW. Thank you.

A

Oklahoma Rose
Senior Member

since 2008-02-28

Posts 1586
Oklahoma USA

19 posted 2008-11-04 08:23 PM

Very sad, but beautifully written, Alison.

Alison

Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-27

Posts 9318
Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy!

20 posted 2008-11-04 11:01 PM

Thank you, Oklahoma Rose.

Alison

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