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Jon Mewett
Senior Member
since 2000-03-04
Posts 1304


0 posted 2000-07-16 12:43 PM


As I walked home down Jawbone lane
And pondering quietly on that name
The virgin snow was lapping at my feet
The sermon which I’d talked and told
Delivered in a church so cold
Not many souls had come to take their seat

I’d talked about life and death
Sin and forgiveness in one breathe
But I knew the seeds were falling on dry loam
We’d sang the songs drank the wine
Gave thanks’ for a friend of mine
I’d bid them peace and sent the small flock home

I’d slammed closed shut the huge oak door
I’d turned into the lane once more
And here I was trudging on my round
The air was sharp and icy clear
As narrow path I tried to steer
Then I saw a shape crumpled on the ground

The shape just lay there stony still
As I approached from down the hill
What it was the Lord Himself could only guess
Just by the hedge now to the right
There lay another awful sight
A motorcycle crumpled in a mess

I approached the shape the fallen man
I thought I’d do just what I can
And oh so gently…I lifted up his head
He was quite still….just lying there
With blood now seeping through his hair
It was now clear …this man was nearly dead

And then his eyes flicked open wide
I quickly left the vanquished side
And rushed to get some water from the beck
He looked as though his soul was bared
As now with flicking lids he stared
At the crucifix hanging around my neck

It seemed to lift his spirit so
His breathing now was soft and slow
And then he gave a long and lonely cry
‘Forgive me father with that jewel
I’ve been so vile I’ve been so cruel
Forgive me now this night before I die’

I lay the cross upon his head
‘You are forgiven friend’ I said
I said the things that fathers often say
He held my hand clutched my arm
And then I felt his turmoil calm
His eyes fell closed and his spirit slipped away

The scene returned to silence then
I was about to leave so sudden …when
The next thing there it made my mind unfurl
As I raised my eyes from him
In gossamer..,gaunt and thin
I saw the outline of a. ………Little girl

‘It’s over now’ she sweetly said
With golden curls around her head
In her small hand she held a cherished cup
And then outlined in frosty air
The next event I witnessed there
The spectre of the broken man….stood up

My heart stopped dead in disbelief
It wasn’t joy it wasn’t grief
As the ghost the Childs’ hand… he kissed
And then a burst lit up the sky
And before I asked the question…why?
The two dissolved into the winters’ mist

The next day after troubled sleep
I wondered back to tend my sheep
I bought my usual paper on the way
I find it hard to write this tale
For when I read my skin runs pale
But in brief I’ll tell you what the papers say

As to my face the papers hold
And reading there in words so bold
The words so big they make my being lurch
In my belief it strengthens me
For forgiveness reigned that night you see
It read
A LIITLE GIRL MURDERD NEAR A CHURCH


Jon Mewett


© Copyright 2000 Jon Mewett - All Rights Reserved
Jamie
Member Elite
since 2000-06-26
Posts 3168
Blue Heaven
1 posted 2000-07-16 01:09 AM


A story I wish were longer.
Amazing

AVANTI
Senior Member
since 2000-02-02
Posts 664
INDIA/MAHARASHTRA/PUNE
2 posted 2000-07-16 01:11 AM


Jon...I don;t think I've read you before...butI'm glad I did (better late than never)
this is very good work...
thi one has hit me...
it's very well captured and written
great!

If all was light...then I would have never learnt the dark...from which such truth evolves
from which evolves the light...
Avanti Rao


MagnoliaBlue
Member
since 2000-05-12
Posts 367

3 posted 2000-07-16 02:19 AM


This is wonderful.A great read!
I like the way you set this up
and I want to read more.  

MagnoliaBlue


~My Skipper Jim
I love you!
Your Lady June~


Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
4 posted 2000-07-16 11:09 AM


Very good story!  
Jon Mewett
Senior Member
since 2000-03-04
Posts 1304

5 posted 2000-07-17 02:55 AM


Thanx everyone,the trouble with narrative verse is they tend to be long,so chances of making the book seem distant,but your kindness inspires more.

Jon  (so here goes........)

Romy
Senior Member
since 2000-05-28
Posts 1170
Plantation, Florida
6 posted 2000-07-17 09:28 AM


Wow!  I'm glad I found this one!
Great surprise ending!
Debbie

Jon Mewett
Senior Member
since 2000-03-04
Posts 1304

7 posted 2000-07-18 02:57 AM


Thanx Debbie

Jon

Gossamerwings
Member
since 2000-07-18
Posts 207

8 posted 2000-07-18 03:28 AM



GW

[This message has been edited by Gossamerwings (edited 07-18-2000).]

Corazon
Senior Member
since 2000-02-02
Posts 1209

9 posted 2000-07-18 11:23 AM


this gave me goosebumps, really great poem wtih a great message

[This message has been edited by Corazon (edited 07-18-2000).]

Jon Mewett
Senior Member
since 2000-03-04
Posts 1304

10 posted 2000-07-18 02:31 PM


Thanx for reading......you are most kind.

Jon

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
11 posted 2000-07-18 03:56 PM


Great story, lots of the mystique in it. I enjoyed the read from beginning to end. I'd have to say it's a winner.
Yu Lan
Senior Member
since 2000-04-13
Posts 1462
New Zealand
12 posted 2000-07-19 04:43 AM


wow.. this is amazing Jon.. enjoyed this greatly..
(votevotevote!!)  


Lynne

"He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened." Lao-tsu



Jon Mewett
Senior Member
since 2000-03-04
Posts 1304

13 posted 2000-07-23 01:48 PM


Thanx Yu Lan

Your kind words are appreciated.

Jon

Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

14 posted 2000-08-06 09:48 PM


Definitely one of your best, Jon!

Denise

Jon Mewett
Senior Member
since 2000-03-04
Posts 1304

15 posted 2000-08-07 03:13 AM


Thanx Denise.
Alle'cram
Senior Member
since 2000-02-28
Posts 1816
Texas
16 posted 2000-08-08 01:00 AM


Jon, The best!! I'm lost for words.  marcy
Broken_Winged_Angel
Senior Member
since 2000-04-06
Posts 994
Small Town, Somewhere
17 posted 2005-01-15 11:53 PM


A very very late reply, but I hadn't ever seen this one before.

I have to say I love it Jon.  I'm glad I tripped over it.

BWA

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