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Open Poetry #47
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He Laughs
| Open Poetry #47 |
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He Laughs |
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Gunslinger Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 901TX, USA 
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I stepped into my past today- And quite by accident- As memories came flooding back Of years and days we'd spent. What took me back?I'm glad you asked- Twas just a photograph. Old and faded, scratched from use- The people in it laughed. Three of us were standing there- Beside my brother's car. My wife and I, and Ronnie- Not knowing just how far... Nor fast, our lives would take us- For he was just nineteen- And I'd not yet seen twenty two I guess you'd call us green. Now four and twenty years have passed And many friends have gone- And all I have which touches him Is one cold, granite stone. And memories that I take out- Like some do photographs- We relive all those times we had And in them he still laughs. Ah, we were tough, and we were brave And smart men called us fools Our poor old, grey-haired Granny, said We were the Devil's tools. We fought and drank, and shared our things As we went down life's path But in the scenes I cherish most He looked at me and laughed. But bitterness entombed his smile Behind a bitter frown- While drunken and carousing A coward shot him down. Our camaradrie,s over For we traveled different paths But when I stop and reminisce- For me he always laughs. |
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| © Copyright 2011 John R. Yaws - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Lori Grosser Rhoden Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202Fair to middlin' of nowhere |
Straight to the heart with tears to follow. What a beautiful tribute to your brother. Outstanding work as per usual. Lori |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
I am enjoying your words, John, I sometimes run through old photos, too, missing. M |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Aching with you, John, for your loss, no matter how long ago, especially as he was younger than you, and especially as that was such a hard way to lose him. This is such a wonderful way to remember your brother - not just in your poem, but in your thoughts. I love the fact that the theme of his laughter came into the body of your poem, and the climax of it at the end and in the title. I am glad you had a brother, and that you had good times with him. Owl |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Fine writing...James |
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