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Open Poetry #10
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Double Pickin', Guitar Playin' Dude
| Open Poetry #10 |
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Double Pickin', Guitar Playin' Dude |
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Bill Charles Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619highways, & byways, for now 
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“DOUBLE PICKIN’, GUITAR PLAYIN’ DUDE” The day this kid was born, I can remember it well, he seemed to make a lot of noise, from what I could tell… He was about ten years younger, than what I was, I always picked him up when he fell, just because… The early years went by, now most of them are blurry, then one day he wanted to play, a guitar just like me… I joined the Navy, and he practiced all day and night. and when I came back, together we practiced by candlelight… He could pick and strum, with the best of them all, double pickin’ and slidin’, I was always in awe… Then one day we decided, to form a four-piece band, and we strummed together, were always in demand… Him a pickin’, and me doing most of the singin’, damn he could play, and I was always admirin’… He would play lead guitar, and I would play rhythm, we had a great sound, just a strummin’ and hummin’… We hung around quite a bit together, almost like glue, went fishing and did many things, that good friends do… Well one day I was offered a job, it was out of town, I had to accept it, as my finances were pretty broken-down… He taught himself the keyboard, and played it like the blazes, I heard him play those keys, in many different places… Oh, he was first-rate on the ivory, he really did excel, but never as fine, as the notes he played, on that Gretsch guitar, he loved so well… The years passed, and then one day I heard from he, telling me on the phone, that he had the big “C”… I cried for him that day, when I heard the news, the pain was very deep, as I knew in the end, he would lose… Then one day, the good Lord had an interlude, and came to take him away, this kid, with the musical aptitude… So we laid him down, in his final resting place, and now the sounds of his music, can never be replaced… But in heaven we’ll meet, and strum together once more, making all that sweet music, as we did once before… “Stephen Charles” was his name, guitar picker of magnitude, I do miss him terribly at times, for he was my younger brother, The “Double Pickin’, Guitar Playin’ Dude”. Bill Charles 09/23/00 |
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| © Copyright 2000 Bill Charles - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
This wasn't at all what I expected when I opened it, Bill... Instead of light entertainment, I found a wonderful tribute to an obviously very special person... Nice job, my friend - You've done your brother proud..  |
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vlraynes Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229Somewhere... out there... |
bill- wow...what a beautiful tribute to your brother. so sorry you lost him too soon. thanks for sharing this.  -vicky "...until you have read the verse on his heart, you have not truely met the poet." -vlraynes |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Bill~ Nothing touches the heart more tenderly that a tribute to one we love. This touched me and I want to offer my condolences in the loss of your brother. You've told his story with tenderness. *Hugs*, my friend. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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Sunnyone Member Ascendant
since 2000-07-06
Posts 5334Staffordshire, England |
Bill.... This is a wonderful tribute to your brother, and such lovely memories too. Glad I had a chance to read this today!  Today is a gift.... That is why they call it 'the Present'! |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Bill I am sorry to read about the loss of your brother Stephen.. These tender words show all of your love and affection for him...James |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Excellent work, Bill. You definitely touched the right chords with this sincere writing... |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
Bill I'm left without words! This turned out sad, and I was thrown off guard. The music plays on in the heart of those he loved, and loved him. What a tribute Bill! |
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Bill Charles Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619highways, & byways, for now |
Good evening Nan, Thanks for visiting and reading this little tribune. The title is one of the special ways that I remember him. And yes, he was a very special person to me. Thanks again Nan. Good evening vlraynes, Thanks for coming by to read this writing that I did for him. I do appreciate it. Good evening Marge, Marge, for some reason I had him on my mind today and decided to write this. He is sorely missed, and I still can hear that Gretsch guitar of his singing. Thanks for coming by. |
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Bill Charles Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619highways, & byways, for now |
Good evening Sunny, Thanks so much for coming by to read this tribune to Steve. He was quite a kid brother, and guitarist extrodinare. Thanks Sunny. Good evening James, I do thank you for your sincere remarks, and appreciate it very much. He is missed. Thank you James. |
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Jenn E Senior Member
since 2000-08-02
Posts 589Kelowna, BC, Canada |
You have this way I have noticed........of writing the un expected.......this was very beautiful and the love in your heart for him shines as bright as the sun. You are so very talented...... Fondest regards Jenn E |
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Irie Senior Member
since 1999-12-01
Posts 1493Washington State |
Bill, I have tears and a smile on my face. Tears for the sadness of losing such a good friend and a brother. Smiles for the memories you've shared and knowing that you'll be together again someday. This piece strums perfectly in my heart. Great Big warm hugs!!! Beautiful tribute ~Sheri |
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Bill Charles Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619highways, & byways, for now |
Good morning Balladeer, Thank you for your kindness. I know that Steve would have played quite a few chords for you. Good morning WhtDove, Nice to see you, and thanks for the most gracious comments. Yes, his music does play on within me. I believe he would have loved the poem, and really gotten a kick out of the title. Thanks again WhtDove. |
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Bill Charles Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619highways, & byways, for now |
Good morning Jenn E, Thanks for coming by and reading this writing I have done for Steve. You are very considerate in your comments, and I do appreciate it very much. Thanks again for reading this little tribune. I know that he is smiling right now. Good morning Irie, Thank you for dropping in, and I also know the different emotions that you have expressed. It is very kind of you to feel them, and I appreciate it. Thanks again. |
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Mark Bohannan Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269In the winds of Cherokee song |
What a wonderful tribute to someone that has touched your life. Excellent penning from your heart. |
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Gareotemsti New Member
since 2000-09-24
Posts 6 |
Nicley done sir, I too love my pickin' on my old friends, (not LongJohn and Balladeer), but my old Martin and my Gallagers....just don't have time to play much these days...nicely done! |
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Chanson Senior Member
since 2000-08-19
Posts 1559Up Creek w/Out Paddle |
The Big C. I know all too well how it steals our loved ones. You credit your brother with a touching-my-heart tribute, Bill. ...chanson~ Music, tonal clear & pure, Caresses the harshest of curves. -Song of Gesture |
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Bill Charles Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619highways, & byways, for now |
Hi Mark, Thank you my friend for your kind reply to this tribune to a great younger brother. Hi Gareotemsti, Thanks for coming by my place, I do appreciate it. I too, love to pick, and will be again, as soon as my newly purchased guitar arrives. Of course, I too, do not know when I will practice and play, for my time is so severly limited. Perhaps if I don't sleep I will find the time. Hi chanson, Thank you chanson for your considerate reply. That damn big "C" is a robber baron to the utmost degree. But perhaps one day it will be conquered, never to cause pain again. Thanks so much for coming by. |
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ddgoose Member
since 2000-07-25
Posts 250Baltimore, MD, USA |
Bill A beautiful tribute to an obviously wonderful person. I am happy that you were able to spend some time with him "pickin & strummin". didi |
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Bill Charles Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619highways, & byways, for now |
Hi ddgoose, Thank you once again for coming by. I treasure the years that I spent with the "KID". Thanks again. |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
What a wonderful tribute! |
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Bill Charles Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619highways, & byways, for now |
Hello suthern, Thank ya all for a comin' on by. I do appreciate it. |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
This was a fine tribute, Bill. I can see the you in it, and I think I know how you feel. My brother is still alive, and I love him dearly. Thanks for the wake up call. |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Into my library, Bill...with hopes you'll let me use this for the newsletter! I'll be "e"ing you!  |
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