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Open Poetry #48
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The Old Don [People Watching, Serenity Challenge]
| Open Poetry #48 |
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The Old Don [People Watching, Serenity Challenge] |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart 
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The old Don His natural curly gray hair, peppered still with black ore strands held status over squinting blue eyes that belied some Irish in the Germanic traits he held when he took me in well, willingly welcoming the newly wed in a hug of peppermint schnapps and flecks of tobacco flakes that dandruffed his lapels… but he smelled good his hug bearishly whole, some part of his life he could still give back like a flip to a younger day for he had only loved one woman, and, never coming up to his daughter’s standards, he dwindled into his schnapps, but loved life, still, and clung to that love of one woman, long gone holding his Rose as if fresh on the lapel that now held only dandruff of tobacco leaves Somehow, we bonded, the old Don and I, for he would not let his love of Rose be lost in memory, and I could not afford to fix more than spaghetti that dinner of his first visit, as apologies preceded, that he would only eat hers, and I had only mine to offer, not hers, that, and bread, and green salad, as mother-in-law said, “he’ll not forget his Rose, or her spaghetti – he won’t eat mine, either,” in a conspiratorial effort, small, though it be, to sooth what hurt feelings I might newly muster, if I were to muster them, in my wedded bliss but he had not been counted on as guest, having dropped in like a fly into the sauce, so, un-pre-disturbed, I lifted out the thought of displaced persons, and sat him in a chair, with a “this is all I have,” an ear toward the slight sound of weighted loss, “I could only eat hers,” and understood then, that memories sometime fill well not only the soul… hoping he would survive the night on salad, and home-baked bread. He thrived. Old Don went through half a loaf of bread and butter, commenting often on the good smells in the kitchen, while folk had first, then seconds of salad, bread and spaghetti, and then, when all was cooling down, rounded stomachs happy in fulfillment, diners going into another room to sit with coffee, to sit in front of televised miracles, to memorize 1971 moments, the old Don came to me as I scoured the evening without help of one hand, asking if he could lend his, and in nod, I acquiesced his lonesomeness as he regaled me of roses and petals, and children gone astray. Then he lifted the large pot to scoop out a small remainder of threads in red sauce, and took a bite. I think it was not to let the sister-in-law hear [for he never ate hers] that he whispered, “this is as good as Rose’s” and didn’t leave any left over to put away. The old Don frequented us, after that, staying with “the kids”, and if the pot of spaghetti ever yielded enough for the refrigerator, it was never there by morning as if by a touch of Rose, and magic. (c) 8-19-03 KRJ |
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| © Copyright 2012 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved | |||
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
I was about ready to give the Old Don a few choice words, but he saved the day and his ears by partaking of your scrumptious (I just know it was) spaghetti. ~*~ If they give you ruled paper write sideways. ~*~ |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
This is completely enchanting! The old don captured my heart so much that when I finished reading, I drew a breath and started over again. *S* Simply fantastic tale, told with Sunshiney grace! |
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Startime1955 Senior Member
since 2012-04-22
Posts 1072Alberta, Canada |
Oh BRAVO!!! This story poem is pure delight...The Old Don at first bothered me but I came to love him...very well done...*BIG HUGS* *may our dreams ever be magical* |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Jerry, Ruth, Karen....my "old Don" was very dear to me. I didn't have much to lose, and all, with him coming in at the beginning of our first introduction and stating fact as fact. He was bound and quite determined never to let the memory of his first wife, who he didn't meet until well into his middle years, go...and I was fortunately romantic enough to see the treasure in his fold. He was the one to tell me one day, upon looking into my eyes upon a visit [to eat cold spaghetti and have his morning Schnapps] "you're with child", and I scoffed...I hadn't even yet begun to think that I had "missed" anything of such import. He could simply tell by looking into a girl/woman's eyes. All of you would have enjoyed him, and his stories, and his presence, very much. Thank you so much for reading not once, but twice. Bless you! |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Absolutely beguiling! I love it. jo |
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Honeybunch Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115South Africa |
What a beautiful and heartwarming story made more special by the fact that it was true. Helen |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
What a beautiful and touching story. Complete with a moral some of us stubborn ol' coots could probably learn from. I too have my Rose that I like to think none else could ever better in most regards, and that goes without saying if I never let anyone else try I suppose. If only it were that simple. That your old don enjoyed your spaghetti as much as his Rose's says soooo much. I thank you for this lovely tale. Michael |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
Quite a wonderful story, Karilea. I'll take some of that spaghetti too and homemade bread. Yummmmm. |
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ebonygirl Member Elite
since 2011-07-14
Posts 2000California U.S.A |
I loved the way, you touched His heart with your gentle style and loving heart. Ms. E |
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JL Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128Texas, USA |
"Old Don went through half a loaf of bread and butter, commenting often on the good smells in the kitchen, while folk had first, then seconds of salad, bread and spaghetti," The spirit of this story is alive and your expression of that is a delight. Takes me to a place I can only visit in memory, days so far past now. This is heart warningly delightful. This type is you, this is your niche. Truly enjoyed. 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. |
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Spiros Zafiris Senior Member
since 2002-10-20
Posts 982Canada |
..quite the success, this story/poem ..eagerly i read..>>spiros ~~ |
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Charisma
since 2000-09-30
Posts 5906lost in blue pages |
sighs how beautiful penned can feel the love within thank you for sharing love to read you again |
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