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Open Poetry #3
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Papa
| Open Poetry #3 |
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Papa |
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H. Arlequin Member
since 1999-08-23
Posts 210 |
Papa Rumpled and sweat-stained that seersucker suit, too short the trousers, too tight in the boot, made to be machine-washed and hung up to dry like the nylon white shirt, and the dacron blue tie, all part of his ensemble, every day of the week. He'd wash one and wear one, enough for the meek of the kingdom, to wear those identical two pair, was plenty and to spare, His teachings declare. Not in the elbows and neither in the knees were signs of their age, as new as you please a seersucker lasts like threads made of steel and looks as good as its touch makes you feel! The rich and the famous, middle class and poor, Sunday-meeting-clothes, summer heat to endure, made the more bearable, light weight and wearable to the ladies desirable, to the men folk reliable. So Wednesday or Sunday he'd dress just the same as if clothes made the man and blessings all came to the prim, the proper, well-dressed and enduring, the image, all important to the eye, reassuring. On the inside of propriety, other threads made of steel had woven the tapestry of his character--strong seal of approval etched on the nature of his heart, for the family--a reassurance he would stoutly impart. It was not unusual at the close of the day, to find him in the garden, dressed the same way, shirt sleeves rolled up, collar open at the neck with tie still in place, fussing at the wreck potato bugs or bean beetles were making of the crop, chopping at the weeds 'til no light made him stop or pushing that old plow, the sweat flowing free... hard work and long hours feed a big family! Before supper, he'd wash up, taking off those clothes soaking them, while at table, giving thanks for what grows in the garden, in the home, in His kingdom in the world, allegiance to the flag in the corner, unfurled. Six of us at that table, gathered home for the night, the aromas of common food, pleasures of its sight a bounty for the hungry, satisfaction for the cook, and papa was happiest after reading the book. But papa's gone now, we laid him in the grave in his eighty-fourth year. The family, being brave, gathered to honor him from the corners of the world. Paying respects to him...universal praise was hurled from unknown directions, from each of us, the neighbors, acquaintances, school chums, close friends, co-laborers, the multitudes he had touched...to this pastor, our dad, enrobed not in seersucker, in heaven's purest clad. --H. Arlequin . . . . Poems From the Goober Tree http://nathoo.wustl.edu/goober_tree.htm |
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| © Copyright 1999 H. Arlequin - All Rights Reserved | |||
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caroline Senior Member
since 1999-08-16
Posts 1218http://members.xoom.com/belladona123/index.htm |
Beautiful tribute...reminds me of my great uncle, a very fine man.  ------------------ "Tread softly, for I have spread my dreams under your feet"~~William Butler Yeats |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
What a touching tribute to Papa. I believe that love displayed such as this is the greatest blessing there could be to a parent's heart! You can be sure he's smilin' down on 'ya! ------------------ Denise |
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Pepper Member Elite
since 1999-08-19
Posts 3079Southern Florida |
What a wonderful "papa" and what wonderful values he possessed! H A, you must be very proud. I loved this tribute very much. Very touching and very beautiful. Thank you for sharing this with us. ------------------ May your days be filled with lots of sunshine and your nights lit up by golden moonbeams |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
This work is truly a wonderful work and tribute to the man. He would be honored. |
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Soleil Member
since 1999-06-12
Posts 113 |
A fitting tribute. |
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snow in summer Member
since 1999-08-28
Posts 67 |
This is simply astonishing in its crafting as well, of course, as the sentiment. |
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Skyfyre Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906Sitting in Michael's Lap |
Warm sentiments wrapped in excellent verse. Very well done. Nocht ------------------ "Nunc lento sonitu dicunt, morierus" (Now as I hear this bell tolling softly for another, it says to me, "Thou must die.") |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
What a wonderful tribute and so well done. You made him come alive again in your d-description. |
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Watcher666 Senior Member
since 1999-10-13
Posts 1606 |
Wonderful tribute.Well done. ------------------ Illusion...what we see and what we do...it's all up to you. |
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Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
I'm glad I found this one. : ) |
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