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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

0 posted 2000-06-25 11:53 PM


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).]

© Copyright 2000 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved
doreen peri
Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812
Virginia
1 posted 2000-06-26 12:05 PM


Another fine poem from our finest poet!
*Applause*... wonderful!

I love this...!

SEA
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676
with you
2 posted 2000-06-26 12:14 PM


Balladeer~ I wonder if you know how amazing you write....the way you tell a story...... FANTASTIC!!!   -SEA

Live,Love,Laugh :) ~SueB



Jeffrey Carter
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2000-04-08
Posts 2367
State of constant confusion!
3 posted 2000-06-26 01:22 AM


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


Dark Angel
Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095

4 posted 2000-06-26 01:30 AM


Fantastic Balladeer, you have my vote.  

My grief lies onward and my joy behind
(Shakespeare)

Marge Tindal
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Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
5 posted 2000-06-26 02:21 AM


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



linda munday
Member
since 2000-06-17
Posts 315
Adelaide, Australia
6 posted 2000-06-26 04:08 AM


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.

Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
7 posted 2000-06-26 06:30 AM


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

Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada
8 posted 2000-06-26 07:46 AM


"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

Alicat
Member Elite
since 1999-05-23
Posts 4094
Coastal Texas
9 posted 2000-06-26 08:35 AM


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

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
10 posted 2000-06-26 10:08 AM


Mike,
Always loved this one, you got my vote.

Mike
Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462

11 posted 2000-06-26 01:14 PM


one more vote.  Nicely written.
Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

12 posted 2000-06-26 01:24 PM


you rule...
poetic king of weave
you rock too  
LOVED this ones WISDOM and heart
jm

Colin
Senior Member
since 1999-06-05
Posts 596
Callington, Cornwall, England
13 posted 2000-06-26 04:02 PM


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.

Corazon
Senior Member
since 2000-02-02
Posts 1209

14 posted 2000-06-26 04:34 PM


smiling and voting  
Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
15 posted 2000-06-26 08:24 PM


Ah, yes. Another great one sir!  
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
16 posted 2000-06-26 08:30 PM


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.

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
17 posted 2000-06-26 11:11 PM


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

X Angel
Senior Member
since 1999-11-07
Posts 1521
Oregon
18 posted 2000-06-28 02:37 PM


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

JP
Senior Member
since 1999-05-25
Posts 1343
Loomis, CA
19 posted 2000-06-28 02:58 PM


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

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
20 posted 2000-06-28 07:08 PM


Just gonna vote for them all, 'cause they are all so darn good, that's all!
Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
21 posted 2000-06-28 10:03 PM


...another of my fav's... and another one for the Deer...
Elizabeth
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871
Minnesota
22 posted 2000-10-26 07:13 PM


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



Elizabeth
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Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871
Minnesota
23 posted 2000-11-26 10:46 PM


Just putting it in my library.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth
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Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871
Minnesota
24 posted 2001-06-06 06:27 PM


*trying to get this to stay in my library*
Elizabeth
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Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871
Minnesota
25 posted 2001-06-06 06:27 PM


*trying to get this to stay in my library*
SmartChick
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081
On A Journey To The Unknown
26 posted 2002-06-28 12:35 PM


Dear Balladeer, Sir, you know I think this is just a wonderful story. You always tell the best.
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