The Dummy - by special request

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Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

0 posted 2011-11-07 08:00 PM

In that forgotten part of town
Where wasted hopes and dreams abound,
A wrinkled man with life near end,
In hopes to have at least one friend,
Fashioned bits of wood and things
And made a dummy run by strings.

He sat alone for hours on end,
Conversing with his only friend
And found delight within the fact
That he controlled its every act.
He told it how he never had
A chance, since all his luck was bad
Although he'd tried so to succeed -
The dummy nodded and agreed.

And how his journeys in romance
Had never given him a chance,
And wasn't it a crying shame
That he was always held to blame
When everyone knew, oh so well,
That life is but a living Hell,
Controlled by lust and power and greed?
The dummy nodded and agreed.

With patience that would rival saints,
That dummy sat through all complaints
And, with each little expert tug,
He'd droop his head or bow or shrug
And give some comfort to the man
Who held his lifelines in his hand
And helped to fill a lonely need
When he just nodded and agreed.

Senility increased with time
As did the old man's pantomime,
And feverish fingers pulled with glee
The dummy's dance of misery.
They never left each other's side
Until the day both stopped and died.
We found them lying, hand in hand,
The dummy - and his wooden friend.

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

1 posted 2011-11-07 08:08 PM

I like this.

~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways ~*~

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

2 posted 2011-11-07 08:13 PM

I'm such a fan of last line impact, and this is a fine, divine example of the mastery that deems you our Balladeer.

Reading this is like eating banana pudding at Thanksgiving.

The fact that you posted this again is like finding that banana pudding left over on Friday...

*hearthugs*

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

3 posted 2011-11-07 09:41 PM

This, and "Small Pain in my Chest" are two of the most special poems I have ever read by you. Well, there are more, but these are the two that seem to be requested over and over again.

They resonate...with everyone.

May they continue to do so, forever.

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

4 posted 2011-11-07 09:50 PM

Thank you, Jerry.

Serenity gal....nothing like left-over banana puddin'!

Sunshine, thank you for allowing me to resonate in your mind once again

latearrival
Member Ascendant

since 2003-03-21

Posts 5499
Florida

5 posted 2011-11-07 10:36 PM

Thank you for the repost.I have so many favorites from you.This is very close to the top of the list.How is that second book coming? I will be eighty before I know it and then???. Best to you, jo

JL
Member Ascendant

since 2004-04-01

Posts 6128
Texas, USA

6 posted 2011-11-07 11:49 PM

"We found them lying, hand in hand,
The dummy - and his wooden friend."

Hummm...

Wonder why they were holding hands?

Enjoyed the story.
JL

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Maranatha!

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

7 posted 2011-11-08 09:51 AM

My thanks to the requestor... some things are to be savored again and again.

(But with due respect, y'all can have the leftover pudding with its darkened bananas... I'll take pecan pie... or cheesecake!!!! *G*)

Speaking of Small Pain... *S* Friday would be good??? *S*

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean

since 2002-08-27

Posts 40215
Realms of Light

8 posted 2011-11-08 02:41 PM

What a personal, poignant puppet story! (some alliteration just for you, Teach!

)Beautifully told. It tugged at my own heart strings...Truly touching!

Big hug,
Linda

Michael

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-13

Posts 7666
California

9 posted 2011-11-08 05:06 PM

This is a great poem, Balladeer. One of my favorites from you, reflecting on how desperate a person can become in the face of loneliness. Sad to say, I've played the dummy many a time. Thanks for the repost.
Michael

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

10 posted 2011-11-11 10:11 PM

Fine writing with a message...James

Larry C

Member Patricius

since 2001-09-10

Posts 10286
United States

11 posted 2011-11-30 10:19 PM

Classics! Yup, for good reason. And the poem ain't bad either.

If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane,
I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again.

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis

since 2007-09-16

Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California

12 posted 2011-11-30 10:31 PM

Wow! I really like this.
Ida

ebonygirl
Member Elite

since 2011-07-14

Posts 2000
California U.S.A

13 posted 2011-11-30 10:56 PM

Dear Balladeer
Enjoyed your poem very much."Where wasted hopes and dreams abound". Wow, you tell it like it is.
Ms. E

Kethry D
Member

since 2010-04-12

Posts 64
Australia

14 posted 2011-12-01 01:11 PM

Gotta agree this and small pain in my chest are two of your best. Not that anything you write is substandard...except when it's about me

Keth

A poet must leave traces of his passing not proof.

Rene Char

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