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Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
| Open Poetry #8 |
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Who Wants to be a Millionaire? |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA 
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So there I sat - my head was hot, sweat streaming down my face. Ten million eyes were on me as I sat there in my place. My nerves were taut - my stomach ached from acid indigestion As I heard Regis read to me the million dollar question. I'd fought and clawed my way right through the questions, up to now And knew that, if God gave the chance, I'd answer it somehow. A sense of panic struck me, though I tried hard not to show it 'Cause when I heard the question I was sure I didn't know it! Regis knew my quandry - sensed my feeling of despair, Saw me squirm uneasily upon the cushioned chair And just when I thought that the silence there would never end He said, "You have a life-line. Would you like to phone a friend?" My life-line! I had plumb forgot! How stupid could I be? I felt a wave of great relief come washing over me. I had a buddy - Bill - the smartest man I ever knew. If anyone could help me I knew Bill would get me through. The call was made-Bill on the line-the question had been read. I prayed that somehow Bill could find the answer in his head. Then, just when I had given up all hope, I heard him say "No problem, Mike. The money's yours. The answer is the "A"." "Bill, are you sure?, I said. "I mean, I know you're one smart guy But I can leave with half a million now if I don't try." "Go for it, Mike", he told me. "You can wipe all doubts away. You'll have a house on easy street. The answer is the "A"." Then, suddenly, within my head, there shone a brilliant light And I knew then, beyond a doubt, that my friend Bill was right! No shred of doubt was left in me...the dark clouds blew away. I said without the slightest hesitation "It's the "A"." "Your final answer, Mike?" said Regis and I nodded yes. I felt a calm and peace inside without a trace of stress. The certainty of being right ran through me loud and strong.... Then Regis shook his head and said "I'm sorry, Mike. That's wrong." I sat there stunned and unbelieving that I hadn't won. The first thought that came into mind was "NO! What have I done?" I'd been so sure that Bill was right I'd wagered all and more... and realized it was a thing I'd never done before. It dawned on me throughout my life, I'd always been reserved And gave my all to no one, even when it was deserved 'Cause if you never give your all, the fault's not really yours If all your plans go down in flames, which normally occurs. I'd never placed full faith in anyone. It made no sense To open up completely with no wall of self-defense. The, when my lovers left me, I could smile complacently By knowing I had not allowed them to hurt 'all' of me. Hell, even in religion, I could say that I believe But disregard the things I am unable to conceive And, through my bible studies, I am thought to be well-schooled But, if there's nothing up there, I can say I wasn't fooled. A dog will view an open hand as kindness or a trap And be prepared for anything from biscuits to a slap. That's how I lived my life, with feelings I could always hide... Accept the pats but never once expose my underside. Yet, on this silly game show, although it had turned out bad, I'd put my faith in Bill completely - everything I had And, though it hadn't turned out well, a smile came to my face. I felt a calm tranquility at what had taken place. At last I'd given everything. I'd let my feelings out And realized that this was what life really is about. The wall had finally tumbled down. My life could now go on. I'd given everything I had and, though I lost, I won. |
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| © Copyright 2000 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
You wise wise man you....thank you for this...you do spin a fine tale. and of course the answer would be "B"--for Balladeer... |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
This is so cool! It starts out as just a poem about being on a game show and ends with one of life's truths. Very well done (as usual!). LOL-I was watching Who Wants to be a Millionaire once, and some guy was using his phone-a-friend lifeline, and the friend picked up--and asked Regis to hold on because he was at dinner, or something! It was so funny, and I thought of that when I read this poem.  Elizabeth< !signature--> I'm grabbing my hat and coat I'm leaving the cat a note Quick call me a ferry boat-getting out of town! [This message has been edited by Elizabeth (edited 07-11-2000).] |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
You should have listened closer to the camera that was there, Showing in painful detail your every lock of sweat-soaked hair. For on the other side of that unforgiving lens, Was crusty old Long John, your only true trusted friend. Yes, I was there for you, pounding on my TV screen, Yelling out the answer, hoping you could hear my screams. "Don't choose 'A'" I was shouting, because the answer's 'D'! Why don't you know the answer that is so clear to me? "What was the final question?" our fellow poets ask, "What could have stumped old Balladeer, when he was called to task?" "What target does ol' Long John's wooden leg so often love?" 'A) Kitties B) Puppies C) 'Deer D) All the Above' Great poem, 'Deer - you always have a way of bringing an important lesson for living into your poems. I really admire that. [This message has been edited by LngJhnAg (edited 07-11-2000).] |
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Mark Bohannan Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269In the winds of Cherokee song |
I so enjoyed reading this. It is captivating from the title on down. Brilliant piece of wisdom. Thanks for sharing it. |
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Sudhir Iyer Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943Mumbai, India : now in Belgium |
The master story teller is at it again... Enjoyed greatly... regards, sudhir |
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doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
This is.....exquisite.... yep. It is. I would enjoy hearing this recited..... it holds so much truth and honesty. The way you can take a simple story and weave it into a tapestry of wisdom is...... awesome. Really awesome. oh, yeah, btw.... did i mention that i LOVE it?  |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Oh, you had me guessing, which "friend" it would be Toe or LJA, would they be a friend in deed? But here you go and call old Bill, a trusted friend to you and instead a lesson learned, a day you'll never rue! Loved it! Honestly thought you'd call on one or the other...but then, well, we can see where that might have ended up, had the answer been right, Toe coming in with his brood, LJA taking his share and heading for the high seas... Ah well... Sunny ~~~Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. Helen Keller ~~~ When you want to be loved, look within...KRJ |
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ma miller Senior Member
since 2000-07-11
Posts 806 |
A great turn of events ... Enjoyed reading it and will read it again ... Had to get the "Final Answer" in there somehow ... Great work ... |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Great one, deer, enjoyed every word! |
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RainbowGirl Member Elite
since 1999-07-31
Posts 3023United Kingdom |
I love this sweetheart... HUSG |
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brian madden Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374ireland |
Ah I have seen the english version of this program. I hate the way he asks them are you sure you want to take the money? A wonderful tale Balladeer, some times we have to risk to truely live. excellently written as always my friend. "I've been too honest with myself I should have lied like everybody else" faster-Manic street preachers. |
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Jamie Member Elite
since 2000-06-26
Posts 3168Blue Heaven |
Well the audience says "E", For Excellent. It won't get you a million dollars, in fact it won't get you any, but in the what it's worth department, the audience thinks you said plenty. Jamie Tu ne cede malis, sed contra audentior ito. - Virgil. "Yield thou not to adversity, but press on the more bravely". |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I love the tale you've woven here, I really must admit But you'd have had the money too, that is the shame of it. By now you should have realized, for all you want to know Forget ole Bill, he ain't too smart. You should have called on Toe! *G* |
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Irish Rose Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263 |
I need a T-shirt printed with the last line of this wonderful ballad, front and back because it just says it all!!! fits me to a T. |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Balladeer~ This one is a  ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ [email protected] |
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Dr.Moose1 Member Elite
since 1999-09-05
Posts 3448Bewilderment , USA |
Balladeer, You most certainly have a way with words that eludes most of us . All taunting aside , I really do enjoy your works, and in time hope to grasp the insight and flair with which you tell your tales . Doc |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
What can I say that hasn't been said already? Oh yeah, you're the GREATEST!  Denise |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
and realized it was a thing I'd never done before. It dawned on me throughout my life, I'd always been reserved And gave my all to no one, even when it was deserved 'Cause if you never give your all, the fault's not really yours If all your plans go down in flames, which normally occurs. I'd never placed full faith in anyone. It made no sense To open up completely with no wall of self-defense. The, when my lovers left me, I could smile complacently By knowing I had not allowed them to hurt 'all' of me. Hell, even in religion, I could say that I believe But disregard the things I am unable to conceive And, through my bible studies, I am thought to be well-schooled But, if there's nothing up there, I can say I wasn't fooled. A dog will view an open hand as kindness or a trap And be prepared for anything from biscuits to a slap. That's how I lived my life, with feelings I could always hide... Accept the pats but never once expose my underside. Yet, on this silly game show, although it had turned out bad, I'd put my faith in Bill completely - everything I had And, though it hadn't turned out well, a smile came to my face. I felt a calm tranquility at what had taken place. At last I'd given everything. I'd let my feelings out And realized that this was what life really is about. The wall had finally tumbled down. My life could now go on. I'd given everything I had and, though I lost, I won. ------------------ *sitting here shaking me head in respect and awe* the wisdom and grace of this poem touch me in a place few poems ever do the heartfelt honesty is so damn perfect and so real... and could only be written by someone-- who has lived it and learned it the hard way YOU ARE WORTH YOUR WEIGHT IN GOLD... I say to hell with Regis... why I bet he cant even write poetry later-poet-soul-gator jm |
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MagnoliaBlue Member
since 2000-05-12
Posts 367 |
This is simply wonderful so is lngjhn's response to it. Keep doing what you do so well! MagnoliaBlue ~My Skipper Jim I love you! Your Lady June~ |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
A good message here, Balladeer, but next time, call Hillary, not Bill, she's the one with the brains!!! Corinne |
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Rosebud1229 Senior Member
since 2000-04-05
Posts 1813North Carolina |
excellent and quite true, how often we are reserved with ourselves if in fact we would give all at least we know we tried to our utmost. |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Serenity...Thank you. I can't imagine what the question would be! Elizabeth...That is funny! thanks for reading!LongJohn...if that had been the question, I certainly would have known the answer. Besides, it was call a friend, not fiend. Great response, ya old salt Mark...and I thank you for your kind words. Sudhir....always a pleasure to please you. Thank you, sir... Doreen...I'm just an old sew and sew. Yes, you did mention it. Please don't stop SUnshine....call either one of them? You kidding? The object is to call somebody SMART!!! hehe. (good idea, though) MA Miller...yep, wouldn't be complete without it. Thank you for enjoying... Martie....and every word enjoyed being read by you Rainbow....It's so special when I see you around. Thanks from then cheeky one Brian...Yep, it's the old risk and reward syndrome. I hate that same part Thank you..Prometheus...what it's worth is more to me than the millions, believe me. Thank you kindly Suthern...I love to see you but....call on Toe? What number should I use? That bum keeps hiding! Besides if he doesn't snap you up, he can't be that smart.... Irish Rose...Yes, that is the most important line...and I can imagine you being that kind of girl. Thank you, Rose Marge...Graphics Gertie strikes again!! Well, you should know about winners 'cause you sure are one in my book! Doc...Those are very generous words and greatly appreciated. I thank you.... Denise...One of the greatest rewards of writing is having YOU as a fan. I appreciate you.... Janet Marie....you are something else! I love you, girl! Yes, experience did play a little role in this one....the Hard Knocks degree hangs on my wall. Thank you, pal of mine Magnolia...Thank you....I will (ain't smart enough to do anything else!) Yep, that LongJohn is something, ain;t he? (not saying what) Corrine...Don't even think about getting me started on that subject!  Let's just say they deserve each other Rosebud....yes it is sad but true. Thank you very much for reading and responding ... |
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Alicat Member Elite
since 1999-05-23
Posts 4094Coastal Texas |
Mike, this is....well, it's kinda...huh...WHOA!!!! I don't know how you do it, 'Deer. Wonderful, witty, deep, poignant, slice-of-life, relative, profound...all in one. In fact, there is only one tiny thing I found wrong, in the verse: "I'd never placed full faith in anyone. It made no sense To open up completely with no wall of self-defense. The, when my lovers left me, I could smile complacently By knowing I had not allowed them to hurt 'all' of me.". Should line three be 'The' or 'Then'? Just wondering. Your Persnickety Poet-Pal, Alicat, the Persnikitty |
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kat Member
since 2000-05-20
Posts 387 |
This was great! Very profound. I usually go through life with a few walls up but mine come down pretty quick. I don't believe you can experience life to it's fullest by keeping them up so I don't. Yes, it makes you more vulnerable and yes I've gotten hurt because of it but I would have never experienced what I have with them up. I really enjoyed this and all the wisdom in it! Great writing! kat |
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Gemini Senior Member
since 1999-12-15
Posts 1203Wisconsin, USA |
As always, I'm in awe, this one was worth a million just for the read. Take care my friend. |
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