The Byways - pipTalk Forums

How to Join	Member's Area	Private Library	Search	Sanctuary		Login
Main Forums	Discussion	Tech Talk	Mature Content	Archives	A home without a wall, Our haven without ends, A circle we all call Our Family of Friends!

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

0 posted 2011-06-10 12:24 PM

The Byways

One and two summers ago
unemployed, un-enjoyed, unrealized
potential stood, simmering, shimmering
as I stared in admiration of all I had lost
by working all those years,

humming birds and bees, flowering stems
and trees that granted shade which electricity
didn’t have to cool…an amazing world while
I was away…working…and then missing
the pups that needed “mom”.

I reclused into submission of throw-away
stylist government; biding time, and speaking up
when it might matter, knowing only money buys favors;

and at this age, my stage, a throw-away by the
government I had always claimed [and paid taxes]
for, as mine.

Thoughts of bath water and babies came to mind.
Stuff happens.

~*~

Fast forward, as it does with degrading age and
now gladly style my while of 22.3 minutes
from door to door if I don’t stop
for a morning bagel… and I am probably
an ugly pablum of pleasantry
to my co-workers
when I arrive with a smile and then keep it
most of the day.

But, then, they don’t get
the drive by of the
byways of middle America,
where the gold is in grain; where
God’s rain is in the skies, favor is found in prayer,
and for while it lasts,
the farmer is the answer; and where
one can
truly believe
in
America.

© KRJ 6-9-11

ThisDiamond
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-02-22

Posts 9353
Michigan, USA

1 posted 2011-06-10 12:35 PM

"The highways and byways for now"
Enjoyed your descript and elegant style. Melodic passing of time here...certainly gentle on your smile.

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis

since 2007-09-16

Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California

2 posted 2011-06-10 12:37 PM

I think our generation is lucky to have been born with a certain understanding that seems to be disappearing, Karilea.
Ida

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

3 posted 2011-06-10 06:11 AM

It's all there in your poem. The things, the inner feel that makes America great and smiling. We've almost lost that. I fear for our country.

~ Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.--Will Rogers ~

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

4 posted 2011-06-10 07:31 AM

The co-workers are living the life you did, Sunshine, and one day will write the same thoughts......but not as well as yousi.

Been a while since a poem has found it's way to my library. This one definitely goes..for the imagery and phrasing, one of your best, which is really saying something.

secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant

since 2006-11-07

Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !

5 posted 2011-06-10 08:14 AM

v. well said !

[sounds like almost exactly what happened to me also]

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius

since 2009-10-10

Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere

6 posted 2011-06-10 04:56 PM

Your undeniable smile Karilea, it makes me believe anything is possible!

Lori

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

7 posted 2011-06-10 07:57 PM

A pleasure to read...James

ice
Member Elite

since 2003-05-17

Posts 3404
Pennsylvania

8 posted 2011-06-11 11:01 AM

"the farmer is the answer; and where
one can
truly believe
in
America."
Exactly right...not the coporate farmer, or agribuisnessman, in my mind...but the little guy, who tends the land..

I love the poem, although I have worked for myself for 40 years..I have the fortune to enjoy a seamless life..don't know what a timeclock is anymore..

enjoyed

	⇧ top of page ⇧
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.