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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley

0 posted 1999-06-21 08:50 PM


Often in life, we don't take the chance to tell someone they affected our lives in some way. It's sad, but true. I would like to take this opportunity to submit this tribute to someone whose poetry inspires me and whose wisdom and kindness to others is a testament to the kind of person he is...

He strolled into our small town that day
a hat shading his face from the sun
little did I guess, as a child of ten,
through him, my life had just begun.

He was a stranger, dusty from travel
his boots were little more than soles
he carried a bulging pack on his shoulder
wore a gray shirt and jeans with holes

He came to our little run down motel
and rented a room for a week
I passed him on the way to school
he nodded, but didn’t speak.

I saw him sitting under the walnut tree
next to Jim, the mechanic’s shop
I stared at him as he wrote on a pad
he looked up but didn’t stop

My mom asked him to supper one night
he wore clean clothes, was freshly shaved
I watched his every movement
wanting to see how he behaved.

He said he spends his life on the road
no job, no home, no family
working at odd jobs just to exist
living his life totally free.

Later, I watched him as I did homework,
an essay for English class,
The stranger glanced at me once or twice
over the rim of his drinking glass.

He asked if he could read my work
and I handed it to him with dread
and when he finished, he smiled at me;
he told me he liked what he had read.

He told me he was a traveling poet
roaming the country trying to find
inspiration for his soul and
stimulation for his mind.

I asked to hear some of his work
though I thought all poetry was dull
but when he spoke I was lifted up
as I listened to his chronicle.


He recited to me, almost til dawn
words creating a world that was real
his intricate rhyming took me away
my heart opened up, my head began to reel.

Soldiers and knights, maidens fair and foul
were paraded before me that night
his voice soothed my childish heart
his stories set my restless soul alight.

Each night he stayed, we sat together
he regaled me with poems of every kind
fascinated, I sat transfixed
at the words that came from his mind.

One day I awoke to find he had gone
a farewell note stuck under my door
like any performer, the drifter knew
to leave his audience wanting more.

He told me to always remember him
to find joy in the written word
to be happy, and kind and always
remember the stories that I heard.

Since then I have a love for words
for poetry with and without rhyme
I hear them in the drifter’s voice
remembered in that far off time.

To this day, I treasure the gift of poetry
as I write, I’ll always hold it dear
and I often reread that wonderful note
signed, poetically, the Balladeer.


© Copyright 1999 Poet deVine - All Rights Reserved
Lucie
Senior Member
since 1999-06-20
Posts 1077
Houston
1 posted 1999-06-21 09:16 PM


BRAVO... I THOUGHT SOMEONE WOULD HAVE DONE THIS LONG AGO.. I REALLY LIKE THE STORIES I READ IN THE WORDS OF MY FAVORITE POET HERE TOO. HE INSPIRES US ALL.. AND I BOW TO HIM.
Sally S.
Senior Member
since 1999-06-07
Posts 847
Ohio
2 posted 1999-06-21 09:57 PM


Well done Ms. deVine!!
A lovely sentiment to a man who has touched many people with his gift. Now, lets figure out how to get him published, shall we?!!!




Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
3 posted 1999-06-21 11:13 PM


Poet deVine....In response to several of my poems, you have created little tears on the page. I can't do that but please know this. The tears are here.....and real. I don't know what to say. This poem will be hanging on my wall, framed, proudly displayed. It will remind me of how lucky and blessed I am to have a friend like you. Thank you.
Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
4 posted 1999-06-22 08:49 AM


Balladeer, I think you have many admirers here that feel the same way about you. There is so much talent in this place and yours shines so brightly I have to wear sunglasses when I read your poems. I'm glad Nan found you and brought you 'home'.




sea_of_okc
Senior Member
since 1999-06-15
Posts 568
Oklahoma City, OK, USA
5 posted 1999-06-22 04:15 PM


HEAR HEAR! A fitting tribute to one who inspires us all!
Krystal
Member
since 1999-06-19
Posts 140
Shelton,WA USA
6 posted 1999-06-22 04:22 PM


WOW!! First of all, Poet de Vine... this is a wonderful poem, it grabbed my attention, and boy, was I in for a surprise at the end!
How was I to know that wonderful poet you met up with would be Balladeer??? I guess it's kind of a small world after all. And we are all lucky to have both you AND Balladeer in it... you both are so talented!

------------------
Shannon D. Montgomery
("Krystal")

poetFemmeFatale
Member Elite
since 1999-07-25
Posts 2646
Arkansas
7 posted 1999-08-15 12:53 PM


What a fabulous piece this is - bringing it back from page 60-something...!! I know there are many newcomers who would like to experience this one....I sure did! Back to the top it goes !! Fabulous piece - I'll say it again....I liked your message at the top the most I think.....

------------------
- poet FemmeFatale

"The strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone..." Henrik Ibsen (1826-1906) Norwegian dramatist lyric poet


Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296
Purgatorial Incarceration
8 posted 1999-08-15 01:05 AM


speechless, a first.

------------------
...the things I did not know at first, I learned by doing twice.
-Billy Joel

Terri
Member
since 1999-08-08
Posts 82
Turtle Creek, PA
9 posted 1999-08-15 01:16 AM


Do we ever really know to what extent we touch each other's lives...how a simple twist of fate can choose the path we walk? Bless you, deVine, for bringing this realization back into my life. It had been gone so long, I didn't know it was missing. Many heartfelt thanks!
Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
10 posted 1999-08-15 10:25 AM


How is it that I never responded to this?
I could never improve upon deVine's eulogy, so I'll just tell you all a TRUE story instead...
I meandered onto another "poetic" site one day.... and onto their forum, aptly named "The Slam Pit". There, lost amongst a brigade of (mostly poor) poetry, was a flawless poem called The Dummy by some character who called himself Balladeer. I felt impelled to respond, as he seemed to be foundering alone in a sea of mire - so I told him "I know that YOU know that I don't have to tell you how GOOD this is!!"
In an email that day, he told me that this had been his FIRST online posting..... So, I shamelessly Deer-napped him... and brought him here for sanctuary...
Thank you, Michael, for joining us - and for being not only a phenomenal poet but also the wonderful friend that you have become...

Nancy

btw - The administrators of the "Slam Pit" removed his poems because they weren't getting positive feedback......(truth)




[This message has been edited by Nan (edited 08-15-99).]

Sue
Member
since 1999-08-04
Posts 383
France
11 posted 1999-08-15 11:12 AM


I'm so glad this was brought back, I didn't see it the first time round. Fantastic!
Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
12 posted 1999-08-15 11:33 AM


Poet deVine, This must be Balladeer week. A wonderful and fabulous tribute to a grand master. He has lit many a dark place for me.
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
13 posted 1999-08-15 01:18 PM


Poet deVine did a wonderful job on this piece. No thanks need come my way, Nan. I count my lucky stars daily that you guided me to such a wonderful place filled with so many poets and good, kind people. May the Passion never end!
WhtDove
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245
Illinois
14 posted 1999-08-15 01:39 PM


This was wonderful deVine! A great tribute to a good person! You both are so talented!
Glad to see the tributes that are well deserved. What a place to call home!

passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
15 posted 2004-04-18 04:42 AM



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