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Gunslinger
Senior Member

since 1999-10-09

Posts 901
TX, USA

0 posted 2012-01-01 10:31 PM

I was looking through old photos-
And I found to my surprise;
A picture of a teenage boy-
With wide and wondering eyes.
I thought, "Oh, silly youngster-
You have a lot to learn and see."
Then I found to my amazement-
That the innocent was me.
I found another photograph-
Gone-the dreamy smile..
The young man in the picture-
Had aged in years and miles.
Gone the blissful ignorance-
That so set off the first-
Though just a few short years had past
The change was for the worst.
I almost put the box away-
I did not like to see-
Effects that years and hard knocks
Had seemed to stamp on me.
But, look, I found another-
Who is that hard, old man?
With scarred and savage features,
And swift and ruthless hand?
A lone wolf and an outcast-
Last of dying breed-
Who once fulfilled a duty-
for which now there is no need.
His hair is grey and thinner-
His eyes… flat, empty pools-
For him there are no winners-
To him all men are fools.
The last scene in the album-
Is a lonely, sunken grave-
And epitath is carved in stone-
"A bitter man, but brave."
No flowers by his tombstone-
No eulogy they give-
No woman weeping for him-
His kind die, just as they live.

Alison

Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-27

Posts 9318
Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy!

1 posted 2012-01-01 11:39 PM

John, I am truly happy to see you here, sharing a poem. This is why I like your poetry so much. You paint pictures for me and then frame them with some emotion and memories. My poet friend, thank you.

Happy New Year.
Alison

latearrival
Member Ascendant

since 2003-03-21

Posts 5499
Florida

2 posted 2012-01-02 01:23 AM

Terrific writing but a sad and lonely scene put before me.

May this new year we are entering be less sad and may you find a way to bring back the sparkle seen in the first photo..jo

ebonygirl
Member Elite

since 2011-07-14

Posts 2000
California U.S.A

3 posted 2012-01-02 01:44 AM

What a journey Gunslinger.
Hard knocks, yep, please give classes to the youngsters in the hard knocks class. Thank you for your poem.
Ms. E

tracie66
Member Elite

since 2000-01-18

Posts 4713
Australia

4 posted 2012-01-02 06:46 AM

WOW! intense imagery from this photographic journey of yours ~hugs~

Love is the life of the soul...
It is the harmony of the universe
— W. E. Channing

Michael

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-13

Posts 7666
California

5 posted 2012-01-02 02:10 PM

I've missed you, Gunslinger. Welcome back. This is as powerful as it gets, and I relate well to the boy and the man in those pictures. The imagery of the untended plot at the end as well. Fantastic piece, my friend.

Michael

JL
Member Ascendant

since 2004-04-01

Posts 6128
Texas, USA

6 posted 2012-01-02 04:23 PM

""A bitter man, but brave."
No flowers by his tombstone-
No eulogy they give-
No woman weeping for him-
His kind die, just as they live."

Hard hitting results to a hard life.
Enjoyed the read.

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!

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis

since 2007-09-16

Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California

7 posted 2012-01-03 02:49 AM

Glad to see you back, John and with such a powerful and thought provoking write.
Ida

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

8 posted 2012-01-16 12:08 PM

I've missed your words... You don't just take me on the journey you write... you send me into memories... Often the paths lie side by side. *S* Loved this!

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