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Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

0 posted 1999-09-01 11:28 PM

(this is probably the worst poem I will ever write, mechanically, and the best I will ever try to write, emotionally. For the first time, I find myself unable to fully express my true emotions in a poem. Please try to see them among the words.....)

They say that Open 1 is gone.
How foolish can they be?
For every word on every page
Is here in front of me.

Although the pages are not there
For me to really see
Their words will live forevermore
Within my memory.

Look! Right here! Page eleven
That's where my entrance began
A rescue from obscurity
By the ever-seeking Nan.

Responses that were given me
Gave me a sense of pride.
They opened up their friendly door
And welcomed me inside.

Page 32...the poems we wrote
For Independence Day,
Displaying love of country
In a beautiful array.

Now here's a poem that made me laugh
And that one made me cry.
I tried to answer every one
With some sincere reply.

And look how we replied!
We shot our poems back and forth!
On fellowship we shared in here
I cannot place a worth.

Page 62 is special. It's
Our first Community Poem,
A valiant joint endeavor
By the folks who call this home.

Here's PoetWheel coming by
To see us his first time.
He cracked us up and teased us with
The way he wrote his rhyme.

You can trace a poet's progress
From his first time posted rhyme
And watch as he matured and grew
Up to the present time.

A poet's life could be displayed
For everyone to see.
Let's take, in point, the simple case
Of sea of OKC.

Now sea, he posted poems of love
And Lady sea did, too.
After a while, our buddy, sea
Just disappeared from view.

Then Lady sea came back and posted
sea's old poems, alone.
All in a row, she posted them
(With comments of her own).

The sea of OKC came back
And posted on his own
Some poems of loss and emptiness
And being on his own.

So she was here and he was here,
Then they fell out of touch.
The she came back - then he came back..
This place is just too much!!!

We got to know our poets well.
We got to know them through
Emotions and experiences
That they put in full view.

We sympathized with failing health,
With lives that had gone wrong,
And, through our words of caring, we
Helped make each other strong.

Toerag showed up on #83
With Suthern right along.
Not far behind was Lorelei
Along with her Long John.

So many poets came and went.
So many poets stayed.
So many voices formed a wonderous
Passionate parade.

And now Book one is history.
It's faded now from view.
We find that we have moved along
To Open number two.

But memories it left behind
And friendships that it made
Will rest so deeply in our minds
That they will never fade.

So...out with the old - in with the new
Is the song we now must sing.
There was so much fun with number one
Let's see what two will bring!!!

Denise

Moderator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-08-22

Posts 22648

1 posted 1999-09-01 11:35 PM

I love it!!!

------------------
Denise

WhtDove
Member Rara Avis

since 1999-07-22

Posts 9245
Illinois

2 posted 1999-09-01 11:40 PM

Very well put Balladeer! In our memories they will linger on!

Lucie
Senior Member

since 1999-06-20

Posts 1077
Houston

3 posted 1999-09-01 11:56 PM

:: sniff, sniff ::: I'm gonna cry! Excuse me ... I'll be back.. gotta go get some toilet paper (THAT ROLLS FROM THE BOTTOM!!!!) to blow my nose. :::sniff, sniff::::

(can anyone guess where I spent my day?)

[This message has been edited by Lucie (edited 09-02-99).]

Miss Behavin'
Member

since 1999-06-16

Posts 84

4 posted 1999-09-02 12:07 PM

It's OK, deer Balladeer - I have the entirety of Open#1 copied on a roll of toilet paper - that rolls from the TOP - and I've strategically hidden it in an secret alcove in the men's room of a clashy restaurant......

PhaerieChild
Senior Member

since 1999-08-30

Posts 1787
Aloha, Oregon

5 posted 1999-09-02 12:10 PM

Even though I am a newbie (been here for 3 days) I am sad to see open #1 go too. I actually was tickled pink that others would read my ramblings and have something to say in a constructive way. I feel very accepted here and hope to become part of this family. I love your piece Balladeer. It really is emotionally wrought. Mechanics isn't everything though in this case it still works.

------------------
Words lay dormant in the recesses of the mind til called forth to a labor of love. By WildChild

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

6 posted 1999-09-02 12:16 PM

Thank you all for the warm comments. So the toilet paper battle continues! Miss Behavin', what does a clashy restaurant look like..? hehe

WildChild, we welcome you gladly and look forward to your participation. Thanks for giving us a try.

Christopher

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-02

Posts 8296
Purgatorial Incarceration

7 posted 1999-09-02 12:38 PM

Hey Bal, I think this is great. And don't worry, I didn't see as how the mechanics were all THAT bad!

Truly though, your feelings surpassed any need for paltry accoutrements such as mechanical correctness!
FROM THE BOTTOM ALL THE WAY,
THAT'S HOW I LIKE TO END MY DAY.
AND THOUGH ELVIRA'S GONE, YOU SEE,
SHE LEFT A BATTLE, WHICH WE FIGHT WITH GLEE!

Miss Behavin'
Member

since 1999-06-16

Posts 84

8 posted 1999-09-02 12:52 PM

Dunno - But ShunShine Knowsh - Ashk her!!!

Severn
Member Rara Avis

since 1999-07-17

Posts 7704

9 posted 1999-09-02 02:26 AM

Balladeer - it's not possible for you to write bad poems, let alone 'worst' ones! I nearly cried. It was a shock to see that Open 1 had gone and you have expressed the sentiment so well.

LngJhnAg
Member Elite

since 1999-07-23

Posts 3508
Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion

10 posted 1999-09-02 06:41 AM

geesh - I leave this place for a measely two weeks and it falls apart. Nice poem, 'Deer... incidently, I think I came in here before that rascal Toerag and his lovely acquaintance, Belle. As a matter of fact, I was the one who sent him the addy. hmmmpphhhh.... he's already stealing the spotlight. If you've got an extra virgin hanging around waiting to be sacrificed, how about throwing in a word for me... my muse seems to have taken a summer break.

Lost Dreamer
Member Elite

since 1999-06-20

Posts 2464
Somewhere near the Rainbow

11 posted 1999-09-02 07:05 AM

Well, you thought you could make us think this was bad by your opening statement. I do not think it is in you to write something below superior. This was a beautiful, and thoughtful poem honoring all of us here, and I thank you dearly from chambers of my heart for all the inspiring poetry you have posted here, since the day you became a part of Passions.

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

12 posted 1999-09-02 07:29 AM

LJA: Somehow I knew you weren't going to let it slide that you were here first! ROFL... However, when someone does so few good deeds, I can understand their need for recognition when they do go against their nature and share. *EG* I do thank you for sending Toerag the addy... while remembering that you didn't trust me enough to send it MY way. *G* (But that's okay... sweet Toe isn't so selfish. *G*)

Balladeer: If that's the worst poem you'll ever write, your poetic pen is surely blessed...

Toerag
Member Ascendant

since 1999-07-29

Posts 5622
Ala bam a

13 posted 1999-09-02 07:38 AM

Ya mean?...All my hard work, hundreds of fine well thought out poetry is History?....Well, that's about an hour of my hard spent time shot to hell!!!......Ya couldn't have done much of a better job here Balladeer....But, whooda' expected nuthin' less from you...

[This message has been edited by Toerag (edited 09-02-99).]

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean

since 1999-07-07

Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla

14 posted 1999-09-02 08:28 AM

Balladeer,
Just to kick a good thing back to the top I'm
adding my two cents. Loved your poem but then I am always partial to your work.

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

15 posted 1999-09-02 11:44 AM

Bad, oh bad, bad Balladeer
having us somehow believe
that he couldn't spread the cheer ~
well, I think it's hidden somewhere near
and although page 1 is hidden and gone
I really do believe for
I hear its' whimsical song:

"oh follow me to the land of poets
where everyone is a fellow know-it
and they all share fun and reverie
in poem and verse and history...

"oh follow me to the land of the Sun
and where the Darkness lies within
where all great children play and run
where fancies are touched, but no sin!

"Oh follow me great writers all
and I'll forever have a place for you
where you can go when you've the call
and write, and create, all day through."

good job, B'deer

Andrew Scott
Member Elite

since 1999-06-24

Posts 2558
Redlands,CA,USA

16 posted 1999-09-02 12:48 PM

I must admit, when I logged on this morning to see #1 gone I truly felt loss not just for my own works but for some of the best-written art that I've ever encountered. I'm still kind of stunned and I'll probably be this way all day. Sir Balladeer, you've summed #1 up in a way that does it honor. Thank you for doing so. Onward and up I guess.

One last item. Someone made reference to Ms. Elvira being gone. I've noticed her absence and thought you might be able to shed some light on the matter. Just curious.

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

17 posted 1999-09-02 02:42 PM

Such wonderful responses! My thanks to all of you.

Long John, you are absolutely right. It was wrong of me to slight you in that manner. I'm gonna return the money Toerag gave me to put him first.
Christopher, Severn, Dreamer, Suthern and Sy, thank you all.
Great poem, Sunshine.

Andrew, Elvira is like the curious incident of the barking dog.
"But, Holmes! There was no barking dog!"
"I know, Watson, that was the curious incident."
No barking dog and no Elvira. No explanation.

Toe, we've gotta lot of room now to go at it and I look forward to it. You're the best adversary a poor old balladeer could have!

Poet deVine

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-26

Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley

18 posted 1999-09-02 03:08 PM

Great poem Balladeer - shed some tears for this one! I think the fact that Numero Uno was so weighted down with wonderful words and subsequently went boom! is a testiment to our work! Think of PiP as a book. Chapter One is complete, now we must begin on Chapter Two. Open Forum #1 will be archived for all to read and enjoy, we just won't be able to respond (if I read Nan's answer correctly). So it really isn't gone, just put behind a glass case to be taken down, dusted off and read to "remember when...."

I must say it was amazing to see so many poets in shock over not having the Forum available. And now to see the outpouring of emotion over it, well, it makes my heart smile. What other group of people would mourn the retirement of a Bulletin Board? I think we need to be prepared for a second archival creation when we hit 4,000 topics on Open Forum #2. I look forward to the trip!

Toerag
Member Ascendant

since 1999-07-29

Posts 5622
Ala bam a

19 posted 1999-09-02 03:21 PM

Yea right! I hear ya Balladeer.....But I'll bet I don't have to watch my mail for that refund any time soon!!!! LOL.......

Yanno, I really do love this bunch in here....yea, even you Balladeer....it makes one's day for sure, and takes one's mind off pain, depression, and general boredom...!

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

20 posted 1999-09-02 03:24 PM

Balladeer: I didn't send you any money... but feel free to send some this way! LOL. By the way... I do hope you realize that a great deal of the praise and kind comments here are for the open poetry board???? (wide eyed innocent) I wouldn't want you to think we hold you in TOO high a regard! LOL. (even if it's the truth, I don't want you thinking it! *EG*)

Toerag
Member Ascendant

since 1999-07-29

Posts 5622
Ala bam a

21 posted 1999-09-02 03:47 PM

AND ANOTHER THING! IF THAT DAMN LONGJOHN THE SAILOR DOESN'T GET HIS ASS BACK IN HERE SOON I'M GONNA TELL ALL THE LADIES AT HOOTER'S HE'S GAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Severn
Member Rara Avis

since 1999-07-17

Posts 7704

22 posted 1999-09-02 09:21 PM

I've just had a good old rollicking laugh at you lot! Cheered me up a bit at the loss of Open 1.

grandiloquent
Member

since 1999-07-08

Posts 104
Midwest America

23 posted 1999-09-03 03:36 PM

Wow. I leave for just a week or two and everything has vanished! Lovely, lovely tribute Balladeer. Sheesh, I almost felt my eyes mist over (and feeling practically guilty that I left).

Lorelei54
Member

since 1999-07-27

Posts 458

24 posted 1999-09-03 03:41 PM

You really mean all that history we made together is gone forever? Can't you make a archieve out there somewhere so we can go visit it?

Sue
Member

since 1999-08-04

Posts 383
France

25 posted 1999-09-04 01:57 PM

And to think I nearly missed this! I swear I will never go on holiday again!

Kelly
Member

since 1999-07-03

Posts 145

26 posted 1999-09-04 02:09 PM

I wish I had copies of my favorite poems. I took it for granted that they'd always be there. Balladeer I hope you'll do some reposting!!!!!!!

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

27 posted 1999-09-04 03:19 PM

Don't worry, Kelly and Lorelie. #1 will be back as a read only site. You won't be able to post or reply but you will be able to print the poems from it. Thanks for the comments, all.

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