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threadbear
Senior Member

since 2008-07-10

Posts 817
Indy

0 posted 2010-03-12 01:24 AM

" $1.87 "

His hands barely fit around the 50cent piece
and that is what started it all off:
Mother's birthday and that was all he had.
He MUST have $1.87 to buy the cologne at the dollar store
the one with her favorite animal on the bottle
a lamb.
He knows she must love it:
she always wore it when he was around.

There must be a way for young sons to accumulate great wealth.
So the treasure hunt began
beneath the seat cushions in the sofa:
32 cents
and under the drive thru window at Burger Biggie:
11 cents
in Dad's old suit pocket that he had outgrown in the waist:
57 cents
and a forgotten dime in his painted cigar box
a rolled away quarter shining half buried in the gutter
and two pennies tar-trapped in the road.

Wrapped in a hankerchief, all the world's gold
and it was just enough
$1.87
to buy a simple bottle of cologne
with a lamb on it

by Jeff Feezle
(inspired by The Gift of the Magi)

Klassy Lassy
Member Elite

since 2005-06-28

Posts 2187
Oregon

1 posted 2010-03-12 05:14 AM

I adore this poem. Years ago, my son made me a crayon butterfly on a piece of brown paper sack when he was in the second grade. I still have it some 30 years later. I remember how he thought it wasn't good enough or pretty enough, and my heart still melts every time I see it.

My eyes welled reading this. What a treasure.... How soon little boys fly.

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

2 posted 2010-03-12 11:46 AM

Jeff....gifts from the heart are priceless, as is this poem.

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

3 posted 2010-03-12 12:32 PM

Where there's a will...

viking_metal
Senior Member

since 2007-02-02

Posts 1337
In a Jeep, Minnesota.

4 posted 2010-03-12 01:05 PM

This is awesome.

Fall in love early, fall in love often.

latearrival
Member Ascendant

since 2003-03-21

Posts 5499
Florida

5 posted 2010-03-12 02:44 PM

I enjoyed this,Latearrival

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

6 posted 2010-03-12 03:30 PM

Ah, the tender need of wanting something
so much, just to willingly give it away.

I enjoyed this, m'friend!

Billie Cullimore
Member

since 2009-03-27

Posts 315

7 posted 2010-03-15 01:13 AM

As the mother of four little boys I understood this darling write. They are all grown up now but I still have the wonderful gifts I recieved when they were just little boys, (they made themselves)

Billie C.

LindsayP
Member Elite

since 2007-07-28

Posts 3410
Australia, Victoria

8 posted 2010-03-17 11:25 PM

You told a very heart warming story with

that one Jeff, a delight to read.

Lindsay

threadbear
Senior Member

since 2008-07-10

Posts 817
Indy

9 posted 2010-03-18 01:15 AM

Klassy Lassy hellos - there was a dresser in my Grandmother's house that kept everything that her grandchildren ever sent her. She would entertain us sometimes by reading some of the letters when we were young and goofy, and would tell us how much and why each letter meant to much to her. We couldn't remember our own actions back then, but she never forgot a one.
Jeff

threadbear
Senior Member

since 2008-07-10

Posts 817
Indy

10 posted 2010-03-18 01:19 AM

Hi, dear Martie: I'm a person that enjoys the act of giving, except to receive. When I see others participate in life this way, it does soften my heart, too.

Hey, Mike: Thanks for the look-see, and your comment means you know the Gift of the Magi story. O'Henry is one of my favorite short story writers.

Viking Guy: much obliged for your time and kind words.

threadbear
Senior Member

since 2008-07-10

Posts 817
Indy

11 posted 2010-03-18 01:23 AM

Hi, LateArrival, and am happy you are pleased.  Cool!

Hi, K Sunshine: and your quote: "Ah, the tender need of wanting something
so much, just to willingly give it away." is a perfect way of putting it! 'Zactly!

Hi Sweet Billie:  That was precisely the feeling I was hoping to emote: when parents are given a gift from their young ones that lasts, not in condition, but in duration.

Hey Mate Lindsay!  hope it struck a familiar chord with you as well.  I've had plenty of experience being a broke bloke!

Thanks y'all!
Jeff

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