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Open Poetry #6
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Grandpa Lee
| Open Poetry #6 |
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Grandpa Lee |
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Mike Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462 |
Dirty-thirties, Kansas plains, Scratched the dirt, devoid of rains, Wheat don't grow in rock hard soil, Doesn't matter how you toil. Four small children and a wife, Dirt-bowl farm, ain't much a life, Breaking horses to survive, Thank the Lord, poor but alive. Boiled potatoes, rendered lard, Still got to eat, when times are hard, Flour sacks, a young girl's dress, Bottomed out, and then there's less. Locusts come, as bible's plague, Instead of stallion, broke a leg, Will make things do, as children cry, Ain't gonna beg, would rather die. Painted shoes with house paint black, Corn and green beans, grown out back, Grey haired man, frail aging wife, Neighbors said, peculiar life. No restaraunts, no movie shows, Wood stove warmed in winter's snows, Called by all, bicycle man, Who can fix? the old man can. Picked 'em up from piles of junk, Took 'em home, old Chevy's trunk, Fixed 'em up, and sold for cash, Making money, other's trash. Small girl came and rode away, Said grey haired man, no need to pay, A smiling child, if truth be told, More gave away, than ever sold. As I grew up, would often see, Grey haired man, grandpa to me, Walked with a limp, I knew not why, I thought him odd, I will not lie. Did what it took, to survive, Thank the Lord, poor but alive, Pews were filled, as people came, Bicycle man, Lee was his name. |
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| © Copyright 2000 Mike - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Grandparents are special people, aren't they? I like these tributes I'm seeing here... It keeps them in a close warm spot for us, ya know?... This is a good'n, Mike..  |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Mike--What a wonderful, tender story of strength and endurance and a lovely memory of your grandfather. I wish I had known him, and now I do through your poetry. Thank you! |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
This is a beautiful touching tribute, Mike! Denise |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
This is wonderful, Mike!!! Looking back on what others have endured can change my complaining into counting blessings in a heartbeat! *S* |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
Poignant and well told tale, Mike. Corinne |
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Local Rebel Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767Southern Abstentia |
nice tribute... great story!!! Thanks...!! |
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Mistikman Senior Member
since 2000-01-10
Posts 682San Jose, CA, USA |
Excellent tribute Mike, More people should be like your grandpa(morals, not economic situation) |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Mike~ This is so wonderful. Brings my long, tall, lean and lanky Grandpa to mind. Thank you for the memories. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ [email protected] |
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Mike Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462 |
Thank you all kindly for the replies. They are muchly appreciated. |
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