Open Poetry #45 |
The Guardian |
AncientHippie Member
since 2009-10-15
Posts 411Surfing the Cosmic Flow |
As an active father, long ago, he had worn parental responsibility as a proud and brilliant banner. His children, now grown, banner-draped themselves, frequently implored he join them in their far-off lives. He would not, however, leave her grave untended, could not abandon shared dreams that wisped, like Atlantic fog, through city streets where they had strolled, in kinder years, together. Now, from the window of his third-floor walk-up, he surveyed the children of strangers. Neighbourhood Watch provided name and number of an interested, responsive officer, who valued civic responsibility. Drug dealers avoided his visual charges: bullies and punks sought distant, more fertile ground. In the street, children skipped, tossed balls, laughed and played under his watchful eye. Behind him, sometimes, in the twilight, he imagined her presence, and felt the warmth of her vanished smile. Sutra 6: If your Path seems to be sprinkled with shards of glass, you should examine each shard to ensure it is not a diamond. |
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© Copyright 2009 James D. Fanning - All Rights Reserved | |||
Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
If I had to pick one word for what I read from you it would be intriguing. "too bad ignorance isn't painful" |
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AncientHippie Member
since 2009-10-15
Posts 411Surfing the Cosmic Flow |
Susan, thank you. Intriguing I can live with. Namaste Sutra 6: If your Path seems to be sprinkled with shards of glass, you should examine each shard to ensure it is not a diamond. |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Every neighborhood needs such a Guardian. Thank you for sharing this multi-faceted write, Jim. I read most everything you post, but don't always reply. Your presence here is appreciated! |
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Lori Grosser Rhoden Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202Fair to middlin' of nowhere |
your last stanza put a lump in my throat Jim. ~L |
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Dark Stranger Member Patricius
since 2001-03-19
Posts 13631West Coast |
AH..a familiar well used highway with a mountain looking down..is the image that speaks to me here..my memory skin beings seem to twitter from both sides of the grave now, I can wear this one like an old levi shirt. |
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AncientHippie Member
since 2009-10-15
Posts 411Surfing the Cosmic Flow |
Midnightsun: Thank you. My presence here is a very great pleasure for me. Lori: Thank you. I had one when I wrote it. I just knew it was right. DS: I understand that mountain view, and appreciate that my poem took you there. The twitterings of your memory skin beings may simply be other Realities leaking through. Time to surf the Flow. Peace. AH Sutra 8: Faith is not an alternative to thought: the one excludes the other. |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
Very touching poem, Ancient Hippie. We could use a gardian around here. Ida |
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AncientHippie Member
since 2009-10-15
Posts 411Surfing the Cosmic Flow |
Ida, thank you so much. Sutra 25: Remember that a pile of ordure is simply that: Seek not to give it meaning. |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
You know ... I love this so much I am going to take a break and just feel it. Thank you. Alison |
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AncientHippie Member
since 2009-10-15
Posts 411Surfing the Cosmic Flow |
Thank you, Alison. I am so glad you enjoyed this. I based it on a particular section of the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and the "Guardian" is a distillation of several men I know. Sutra 30: Language reflects the Truth of one’s Reality: listen carefully when others speak. |
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