Voices on the Web |
The Cycle |
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
They enter through the arches in the early morning light. Young, healthy bodies move along with faces just as bright As spotlights, pouring out enthusiasm as they make their way. The workers at McDonald's have begun another day. Although it is a menial nook, you'll hear no one complain Or have an incongenial outlook similar to pain. Their whole lives lie before them and, like many, they've begun By serving skinny burgers on a sesame seed bun. Our future doctors fix the fries and nurses pour the shakes. There is no pharmacist alive who doesn't know it takes Three seconds for the meat to thaw or how to fill a cup, Our future lawyers serve it - future bankers ring it up. They're going to be successes, each and every single one And, if you ask, my guess is they will say before they're done, They will all be rich and famous. Isn't that what Life's about? The world is waiting patiently and they're just starting out. So there they stand. The innocence of youth is on parade. No possibility of failure lies in plans well-laid. Amid the fries and apple pies, with ketchup on their hands The leaders of our country's newest generation stand. * * * * He enters through the arches in the silent dead of night. His uniform is threadbare and a badge reflects the light From streetlamps bouncing off the valleys of a time-worn, wrinkled face. In motion and emotionless, the store guard takes his place. He checks the doors around the store, makes periodic rounds, His ears long since accustomed to all strange, nocturnal sounds Then settles in a back booth near the corner of the wall And lets his mind roam aimlessly on nothing much at all. If one could turn the pages back, oh, fifty years or so To see the lad that this man represented long ago One could have seen a bright, young boy set out to make his mark Instead of this aged, huddled figure sitting in the dark. But something passed along the years he did not understand And adolescent dreams did not turn out as he had planned. His hopes to turn the world around were met and neutralized By resentment and indifference in Humanity's cold eyes. No audience applauded as they did for picture shows Depicting heroes conquering unconquerable foes. No background music played to guide him - not one single song, No happy endings out of novels ever came along. His goals turned into gallstones as the years passed endlessly. Opportunity knocked at times but he had lost the key. Enthusiasm turned to spasms only seconds long That left behind a bitter man who wondered what went wrong. His anger turned to hatred as the years went marching on, Then hate turned to indifference-then even that was gone. Now, sitting in the back booth with his head slumped to his chest, A previous leader of our current generation rests. They enter through the arches in the early morning light. He opens up the doors for them, smiles vaguely, says goodnight Then shuffles down the sidewalk of a lonely, one-way street, Arrives at home and goes to bed - the cycle is complete. [This message has been edited by Balladeer (edited 06-26-2000).] |
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© Copyright 2000 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
Another fine poem from our finest poet! *Applause*... wonderful! I love this...! |
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SEA
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676with you |
Balladeer~ I wonder if you know how amazing you write....the way you tell a story...... FANTASTIC!!! -SEA Live,Love,Laugh :) ~SueB |
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Jeffrey Carter
since 2000-04-08
Posts 2367State of constant confusion! |
Balladeer, You do know how to make it hard for someone to have a favorite by you don't you? So, I guess they are all my favorites All my love, Jeffrey |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
Fantastic Balladeer, you have my vote. My grief lies onward and my joy behind (Shakespeare) |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Balladeer~ What an awesome piece. You are blessed with the talent to present a story in it's finest light. I marvel at your ability. My hat's off to you sir. Again, this is awesome ! Love ya' ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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linda munday Member
since 2000-06-17
Posts 315Adelaide, Australia |
Round and round, I sure hope this isn't me your describing. "Opportunity knocked at times but he had lost the key." As always, a master weaver of poetic truths, so well described that i voted for it. Linda M. |
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Sudhir Iyer Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943Mumbai, India : now in Belgium |
Another fantastic poem from you Sir Balladeer... Simply Brilliant regards, sudhir Death, be not proud, though some have called thee, Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so; - John Donne |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
"His hopes to turn the world around were met and neutralized By resentment and indifference in Humanity's cold eyes." So beautifully told Balladeer (though you've taught me to expect nothing less from you). I'm amazed at how you are able to view the images of life and weave them into such fanciful tales while still maintaining the poignant messages you convey. Magnificent (click) Best wishes, /Kit |
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Alicat Member Elite
since 1999-05-23
Posts 4094Coastal Texas |
Balladeer....wonderful job. Hmmm...you haven't also pulled your time in Burger Hell, have you? BTW, in the last line, should 'Arrives at home and goes to be' be 'Arrrives at home and goes to bed'? Just curious. Alicat |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Mike, Always loved this one, you got my vote. |
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Mike Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462 |
one more vote. Nicely written. |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
you rule... poetic king of weave you rock too LOVED this ones WISDOM and heart jm |
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Colin Senior Member
since 1999-06-05
Posts 596Callington, Cornwall, England |
What a contrast between the two! What a good poem too Eric. "We are the music makers and we are the makers of dreams." - Willy Wonka. |
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Corazon Senior Member
since 2000-02-02
Posts 1209 |
smiling and voting |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Ah, yes. Another great one sir! |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Again, my heartfelt thanks to you all for your replies. Alicat... I CAN GO TO BE if I want to!!! hehe. Shoulda know nothing escapes the eyes of a 'cat. Thanks, my friend In order to keep a true perspective of one's importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him. |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
An unforgettable poem. I'll think of this guy every time I see those arches. You have just personalized an impersonal American landmark. BRAVO Liz |
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X Angel Senior Member
since 1999-11-07
Posts 1521Oregon |
And now for the chapter in VotW by Balladeer, only 399 of the 400 pages in this dang book! *wink* Ya brat quit writing these goodies! I'm jealous and wonder how many poems of yours I vote for til all my votes just negate the other votes... ????? ~Heather |
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JP Senior Member
since 1999-05-25
Posts 1343Loomis, CA |
Voting... 'nuff said? Yesterday is ash, tomorrow is smoke; only today does the fire burn. JP "Everything is your own damn fault, if you are any good." E. Hemmingway |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Just gonna vote for them all, 'cause they are all so darn good, that's all! |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
...another of my fav's... and another one for the Deer... |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
This poem has always been one of my favorites. The first time it was posted, I printed it, and I still have that copy somewhere. Elizabeth You cling to your ways and leave mine to me. Suum cuique. ~Elizabeth |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
Just putting it in my library. Elizabeth |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
*trying to get this to stay in my library* |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
*trying to get this to stay in my library* |
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SmartChick Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081On A Journey To The Unknown |
Dear Balladeer, Sir, you know I think this is just a wonderful story. You always tell the best. |
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