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Runners
| Open Poetry #49 |
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Runners |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
"I don't even know what I was running for - I guess I just felt like it." ~J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye  We were runners toward life Reveling in daedal plots Of unshocked grain--rye heads uncut; Short sighted frolickers Giving the finger to a world That saw us as sheaves to bring in; A world that stomped our spirits Because the harvest that was us, Was growing on elysian fields. And we had no fear of their cliffs' I worried all of my gains away, Nothing seemed to last but chaff and stems; Because my catchers teeth made pulpy grist Of my immature displays, They surely thought would be my only yield. I stayed shy of girls, and their Demeter breasts Which made my guides relax their frowns; They loved the reluctance that held me back From falling off the edge of the field, Into the pit of lust, and out-of marriage sex. At parties, I loved the bevies As soon as I saw them grouped, Even The awkward-the pimply ones- All of them in different states of ripening Dancing with each-other to Fabian and Elvis; But I never made approach. It's not like they were the enemy, or something It's just that the blood in my veins Was made yellow by warnings Of principals and parents, So I lied by acting cool And pretended I wasn't a coward. The race ran on through fields of time; Sunny days dried tears of angst That fell in rains of shame and guilt Instilled by punishing chaperones That tried to guard my growing self From things I loved the most. |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Awww . . . I pretty much felt the same about the girls I went to school with, Ice. I shied away from them. It was only after I joined the Air Force that I overcame this fear(?) of the opposite sex. After that I devoured them, one and all. ~ My inner world is my paradise and I am its keeper ~ |
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Ticklefingers Senior Member Posts 710 Louisiana |
During those times, the cover was 'torn off the ball' which I was having. Things to be respected were not and being the ever explorer (and exploiter), no attention was paid to them. Life on the blocks were clearly defined 'territories', which were small towns of their own. If a girl (usually with a friend) was walking around them on a Friday after school (as they loved to parade for the boys) with curlers in her hair and a scarf, you knew she was already claimed for a date. Having a flirt with her [them] meant you were heading for fist city. There's not a single thing in what I just said that I'm proud of. Just sayin'. I made efforts to clean up my act and then enlisted. Your eloquence in recording and relating your experiences made many recollections appear before my mind's eye. I haven't yet decided to curse you or bless you for that.  88's friend She told me "play one for your supper Danny and maybe you'll get breakfast". [This message has been edited by Ticklefingers (12-06-2015 01:40 PM).] |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
Thanks JP " I devoured them, one and all." lol...I like that, and so would Holden. Tickle.. Love your reply...:-) I tried to speak here in the choppy, teenage venacular of Holden, as well as capture, and compare some of his narrated feelings with my own..we were not too far apart, on many things. But not all. Thanks [This message has been edited by ice (12-05-2015 06:39 PM).] |
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rainyday Member Posts 304 Heartland USA |
I remember getting frustrated with that same old pattern at dances..boys hanging out on one side, girls on the other, while I'm wondering..what's the Big deal..in asking one of us to dance,no one was a professional, but only a few attempted. Oh..those tender self- conscious everything's wrong with me days! Enjoyed reading this Honest..coming of age write ice. rainy J [This message has been edited by rainyday (12-06-2015 12:25 PM).] |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
Rainyj I didn't participate at dances, sat on the side and watched-a wallflower of sort. But I do have another poem on the subject. About ninth grade dancing lessons in the gym Maybe I'll post it sometime thanks for reading and the reply. ice [This message has been edited by ice (12-06-2015 06:30 PM).] |
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Cari Member Posts 411 Englnand |
I liked the honesty in this piece, it’s usually the other way around when men tell of their success with the opposite sex, i.e. believe half of what you are told and you are still likely to be wrong. I was pretty comfortable with girls, having the advantage of three sisters, but when talk got around to rings and things, I ran scared. Never married till my early thirties. This poem is thoughtful and well written constructed, I enjoyed reading. |
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