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Withered
| Open Poetry #10 |
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Withered |
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Wilfred Yeats Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704Wilmington, Delaware 
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Withered (Inspired by a am Anne Sexton Poem) I think It's something like dry rot I remember looking At a used cabin cruiser once Up on blocks in the boatyard Thirty-five foot The price was a steal Less than half what it should be Sure it needed some paint And it wasn't anything like new The engines were warranted Below decks I learned A poke with a pocketknife Said dollars Lots of them One look at me Tells you no more Still stand tall Eyes still clear Voice strong But neglect has taken its toll When we were new Love was vibrant And alive My decks were firm Gunnels shiny and polished We bounced over the waves Over and through Took on no water The wind was music Through the transom The salt air Our aphrodisiac As if we needed one Did I get old Lack originality Or was it the shine Of the fiberglass and teak Were those new lines sleeker So I sat in the slip Getting musty Resting the gulls I didn't get a glance In September When the yardman Lifted me out Stowed me back in the corner A small sign of care You could have opened my petcocks But you were gone And I'm withering ~You have to have a dream so you can get up in the morning. ~ Billy Wilder |
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| © Copyright 2000 Wilfred Yeats - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Great analogy, but why do I believe you could still slip along the waves if there were a slight breeze in your sails? |
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SEA 
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676with you |
WY~ this is just so sad.......excellent write.  -SEA |
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Marsha
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423Maidstone Kent England |
I like this, great writing, it's really good. I've always loved the sound of the sea myself, I find it soothing. Yes Wilfred a very good poem, I can almost smell the sea air and hear the gulls. Great read Marsha |
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Dee Member Elite
since 2000-08-19
Posts 2330Queensland, Australia |
Such a sad story, Wilfred, but told with such charm. Dee |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Bill--I really like this...and to my way of thinking the beauty of the old ship...that creaks a little and has a crack or two...tells a story to my heart that shine can't impart...This is one of my favs of yours, and you know I like them all. |
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Wilfred Yeats Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704Wilmington, Delaware |
Karilea- I started with a cabin cruiser - and like you - thought of a Sailboat half way through when I brought the wind in through the transom- but I remained true to the dryrotted old tub I didn't buy. And I do slip through the waves still Thank you so much- sincerely.SEA- yeah - there's a sad aspect to it - but life does go on - even for old tubs thank you Marsha - I used to live in Michigan where a good friend has a 25' sailboat I joined him on frequently. I miss it. Thank you Dee- I got the analogy idea in my head - and could not let it get away - Thank you Martie - With fans like you - I'll always be inspired to write - Thank you so much |
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lucky Senior Member
since 2000-01-17
Posts 1601Idaho |
looks like somebody came in with a pressure washer and cleaned those decks and put down a nice shiny new coat it may have cost a buck but your worth it. I think I'll bump it to another page... yea page 4 is no good. lucky me to see... |
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Wilfred Yeats Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704Wilmington, Delaware |
au contraire Dale - Lucky me to have won you for a friend! thank you so much (for the wash and the kick up AND the thought! |
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Kethry Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082Victoria Australia |
Wilfred, I would have opened your petcocks. Great poem. Keth Growth demands a temporary surrender of security. Gail Sheehy |
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Sunnyone Member Ascendant
since 2000-07-06
Posts 5334Staffordshire, England |
~~~ Wilfred ~~~ I agree with Sunshine!! You are still a sleek, and polished sailboat ready to embark on turquoise oceans, 'neath an azure sky with the gentle tropical breezes caressing your sails..........if you need extra crew members, let me know!!  Follow your dream! |
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Victoria
since 2000-08-12
Posts 5869 |
Well if you ever get that yacht billy..next time i come back to Delaware..you will have to take me for a cruise along the atlantic..and this time youre buying the lunch captain... A poem is never finished, only abandoned. - Paul Valery (1871-1945) |
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Paula Finn Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546missouri |
Nothing you can say will ever make me believe that you arent ready for an around the world cruise... |
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jinxed Member
since 2000-09-27
Posts 86 |
this is excellent, love the flow...really enjoyed it |
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Rosemary J. Gwaltney Senior Member
since 1999-08-26
Posts 997northern mountains, Idaho |
I think this is a brilliant analogy, and an excellent poem. I think it's refreshing when a man writes of growing older - very few people do, and for some reason, most of those who dare, seem to be women. Time passing is a fact of life. Poets usually leave no stone unturned in subject matter - except this one - they seem to steer clear of this one - and they shouldn't. Wonderfully done! Bravo! |
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Wilfred Yeats Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704Wilmington, Delaware |
Kethry- I could say something more about petcocks - - but I won't Suffice to say I appreciate your thought - Thank you very much  Sunny1- I prefer sail - but this was a stinkboat before I learned of sail - still I can see a crew - "cast off bow lines" "take the wheel - steady as she goes..." - Got a pilot's liscense? thank you - you're on the list Vicky- Yes - I owe you lunch - and if you come east again you shall have it - as for me owning a yacht - I haven't won the lottery yet Thaknk you Paula - A world cruise? - that's a 5 figure item - but sure sounds nice. thanks for the thought. Jinxed - Me flow in free verse? - Wow - thank you Rosemary - Thank you - your words mean so much - (humble bow) |
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