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LindsayP
Member Elite

since 2007-07-28

Posts 3410
Australia, Victoria

0 posted 2008-12-05 10:08 PM

Sitting in The Sun

As I close my eyes and reminisce I can still see him sitting there,
Out in front of Elders yard on an ancient old arm –chair,
He smoked an old meechum pipe and had a smile for everyone,
And passed his retirement days away while sitting in the sun.

He had always been clean- shaven, now his hair was snowy white
But his eyes were clear as ever and his outlook always bright,
He had kind words for everyone and many stopped to chat,
Always a gentleman to the ladies and always doffed his hat.

He tells again of youthful days when he was a lad at school,
About the time he played the wag and punishment was cruel,
He was quite a sportsman and was captain of his team,
A real top football player and was every coach’s dream.

As a lad he had a dream to become a livestock auctioneer
And when his school days were over his future path was clear,
He joined the firm of Elders the first step of his quest
For to work among the livestock had always held his interest.

He started off as an office boy then soon rose to be a clerk
And no one ever had complaints about the quality of his work,
He was soon penciling for the auctioneer, learning values of the stock,
To evaluate the sheep and cattle and when to take the knock.

With experience came good judgment, in knowing value he excelled,
He had a brilliant sense of humour & many wisecracks he repelled,
He was called upon from near and far as a leading auctioneer,
For clearing sales & stud stock sales with his clear voice ringing clear.

But now his working days are over & retirement has come at last,
He always loves to reminisce of the great days of the past,
His memory is as clear today as when he started down life’s path,
He can still relate the highlights as he looks back in aftermath.

Nearly everybody knows him & they often stop to chat,
About the weather, droughts & floods or just how are you Matt,
He nods or talks to passing folks, he has a smile for everyone
And lives again his busy life while sitting in the sun.

Lindsay

SEA

Moderator

Member Seraphic

since 2000-01-18

Posts 22676
with you

1 posted 2008-12-05 10:34 PM

what a joy to read

you always are

TRACE2RYM
Junior Member

since 2008-10-09

Posts 38

2 posted 2008-12-05 10:36 PM

Lindsay, What a refreshing delightful poem.
I expected there to be a twist at the end, and was almost disapointed, yet not so as to not ablolutely love the story.

I fear your hero may not enjoy retirement as much as he enjoyed his working, or as much as I enjoyed your poem.

Very Nice. Trace

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-11-07

Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

3 posted 2008-12-06 12:51 PM

Delightful, Lindsay! It is good to read about happy things.

- Owl

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

4 posted 2008-12-06 01:01 AM

I love that ending...just as it should be, but rarely is for most. Thanks for sharing your friend Matt.

Rick
Member Elite

since 2001-06-21

Posts 2903
Victoria, Australia

5 posted 2008-12-06 01:22 AM

Hi Lindsay, I enjoyed this story and the good time in it my friend, thank you for the sharing.

Rick

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

6 posted 2008-12-06 02:52 AM

I loved to read this beautifully rendered story of Matt sitting in the sun.
It's filled with serenity and joy of life in all its different phases.
Very good job, dear Lindsay!
You gave it a very nice rhythm too.

Love,
Margherita

"Love is the One who masters all things;
I am mastered totally by Love."
(Rumi)

HopeS
Member Elite

since 2000-12-22

Posts 4596
Perth Western Australia

7 posted 2008-12-06 04:48 AM

Wonderful story , I can just picture Matt sitting there

Hope

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis

since 2007-09-16

Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California

8 posted 2008-12-06 10:35 AM

Matt sounds like someone we would all like to know and clearly he knows how to pick his friends. I hope he sees this.
Ida

Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-06-21

Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song

9 posted 2008-12-06 11:12 AM

Very enjoyable to read this and brought back some thoughts and memories of my Dad. He has a collection of those pipes from our time in Germany and the Netherlands. It was nice to go back to some of my childhood days. He also sits on the porch these days. Thanks for bringing a warm smile to me today.

steavenr
Member Elite

since 2003-11-17

Posts 4058

10 posted 2008-12-06 03:39 PM

nice story...a pleasure to read as you have given us a true jewel--a life well-spent and recollected

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

11 posted 2008-12-06 04:39 PM

Yo LindsayP,

A lot of us neighborhood patriarchs do that.

Nice work.

Bobby

amusemi
Senior Member

since 2001-12-08

Posts 1262
A State of Disarray

12 posted 2008-12-06 05:02 PM

Wonderful write. I could just picture him there. I hope all your friends know how vivid they are when seen through your eyes...kat

vandana

Member Patricius

since 1999-10-22

Posts 10463
USA

13 posted 2008-12-06 07:16 PM

good read

LindsayP
Member Elite

since 2007-07-28

Posts 3410
Australia, Victoria

14 posted 2008-12-06 08:22 PM

To all you wonderful people, you blew me away when I opened PIP this morning. Is it any wonder I keep writing poetry when I get a response like the one you have given me here. I say to each and every one of you,
thank you for being my friend and your always appreciated kind response. God bless you all.

Lindsay

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