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Open Poetry #11
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Intangibles For Sale
| Open Poetry #11 |
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Intangibles For Sale |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada 
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Intangibles For Sale Disillusioned with my world ... alone, I formed a plan, To take a small vacation to a far exotic land; I left behind a host of tears, and saw the local sights, Relaxed by day upon the beach, and tried the clubs at night. I checked off all the highlights from the travel log I'd brought, But yearned for new discoveries of things it listed not; I hopped aboard a local tram and headed into town, In search of small adventures ... something special to be found. I wavered off the beaten path and saw a market there, With objects hanging from some tents suspended in the air; I browsed among the items searching for something unique, And suddenly I saw a little shop across the street. From windows, dark and clouded, came a glow of light within, That beckoned me a closer look ... I hesitated then ... A little sign hung by a frame in entrance to the store, It said "No Skeptics Welcome Here; Leave Doubts Outside The Door". I placed my hand upon the knob and gave a little turn, Moved forward through the creaking door where candles glowed and burned; I heard the soft metallic clang as bells behind me chimed, And turned to see the outside world fade quickly from my mind. My eyes adjusted to the light, I turned and glanced around, Saw feathers, charms and artifacts hung from the ceiling down; I made my way through beads and rope, brushed past the cobwebs there, And came upon a long, tall counter ... silence filled the air. An eerie haze hung in the room, I focused then my sights, To shelves that lined the wall behind the counter, glowing bright; I squinted at the many jars that filled the wooden boards, Each had a label beckoning my eyes to look toward. I read with fascination at the words that they entailed, Each one purported to encase intangibles for sale; Everything from self esteem, to confidence and pride, All had labels stating that these traits were held inside. I read of fortitude and strength, respect and kindness too, Independence and self-worth, all just to name a few; Love and beauty, fame and fortune, staring back at me, Happiness in bottled jars, to set a spirit free. And as I read the endless list of qualities for sale, I weighed the heavy price that each was likely to entail; Lost in thought, and wishing that I could believe my eyes, I shrieked as someone touched my shoulder, turned to my surprise ... I saw an aged, gentle man, no more than 4 foot 4, His tiny frame held tattered cloth that draped him to the floor; He smiled a knowing, ancient smile ... and called me by my name, And spoke in such a whispered voice ... I could not look away. "I'm honored you have entered here, to browse upon my wares." "Though see deep in the heart of you, some skepticism dear." His fragile arm reached over, and he put his hand in mine, He led me back behind the counter ... I could not decline. "I've been expecting you, my child. Do not have doubt or fear." "All items are attainable, to those who enter here." "You've come to me in troubled times ... I am your destiny." "An open mind is all I ask, to set your spirit free." I gazed upon this gentle man, and felt a teardrop fall, "How much can I afford?" I sighed, "I haven't much at all" He smiled a tender, knowing smile, as wisdom filled his eyes, "My dear, there is no price attached, they're free to all inside." "We're born with all these qualities ... potential I should say," "Though trials and life experience ... lose some along the way." "The price is in the losing, and the cost to you is great," "So now's the time to look within, and gather up your faith." He reached behind the counter and picked up a mirror then, He held it there in front of me, so I could gaze within; "Look past your troubled eyes," he said, "Your heart is beautiful." "You have the strength, the self-esteem ... just look into your soul." "Be happy in yourself ... allow your qualities to shine, "Be true to who you are within, and open up your mind." "We each are different, and unique, that's how it has to be," "And when you see the good in you, that's what the world will see." I clutched the mirror, pondered all, gained back my wounded soul, And felt the strength renew my faith, past jars upon the wall; And as I placed the mirror back beneath the counter there, I realized I was alone ... but now I was prepared. I made my way back to the door, equipped with all I'd need, To face the waiting world head-on ... and that was simply "me". /Kit McCallum [This message has been edited by Kit McCallum (edited 01-07-2001).] |
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| © Copyright 2001 Kit McCallum - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Quiet One Junior Member
since 2001-01-01
Posts 46Shhhhh |
My God, you can write!! fantastic read Thankyou |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Oh, Kit~ This is just the perfect gift I need to give a friend today. What a joy to read your thoughts. Each of us need to be reminded that the gifts are within us. Kit, you write such wisdomed thoughts so well. If you only knew how timely this is ... but then, that wouldn't surprise you at all now, would it ? A big hug for this one, 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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Rex Allen McCoy Member Elite
since 2000-01-30
Posts 2863Sippin a Timmy's in London |
Kit, this is a wonderful story, I wish it was a book, I could easily get lost in the fantasy of it, the theme is so descriptive and it flows like a meandering brook, as if that's not enough, it also packs a lot to think about. I like it  |
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VAS Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-16
Posts 7450Oregon |
WEll done! I've read something very similar to this a long while back. I don't recall what was for sale in that store. Well, not for sale, either, just like yours. I wish I could remember it better. |
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Marsha
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423Maidstone Kent England |
Kit love, utterly truly wonderful, naturally you have written this with beauty and wisdom, and it truly is. Absolutely fabulous. And another phoenix arises. Utterly fabulous love Take care Mushy  Take back the hope you gave,- I claim Only a memory of the same Robert Browning |
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Mark Bohannan Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269In the winds of Cherokee song |
OMG.....my friend, you have more than outdone yourself with this one. I have never read such a more beautiful piece of inspiration than this and I am not kidding about that one ounce. You know of course it is going into my library but I am also going to forward it to a few people that I think could use it right now. You are remarkable my friend to say the least. No challenge today....you deserve a break after this one. [This message has been edited by Mark Bohannan (edited 01-07-2001).] |
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Irie Senior Member
since 1999-12-01
Posts 1493Washington State |
Kit....what a fantastic story you've put together, and it was put together perfectly. The message that bursts out of this piece is a powerful one indeed! Thank you so much for sharing ~Sheri "The things that come to those that wait may be the things left by those who got there first" |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
I gazed upon this gentle man, and felt a teardrop fall, "How much can I afford?" I sighed, "I haven't much at all" He smiled a tender, knowing smile, as wisdom filled his eyes, "My dear, there is no price attached, they're free to all inside." "We're born with all these qualities ... potential I should say," "Though trials and life experience ... lose some along the way." "The price is in the losing, and the cost to you is great," "So now's the time to look within, and gather up your faith." He reached behind the counter and picked up a mirror then, He held it there in front of me, so I could gaze within; "Look past your troubled eyes," he said, "Your heart is beautiful." "You have the strength, the self-esteem ... just look into your soul." "Be happy in yourself ... allow your qualities to shine, "Be true to who you are within, and open up your mind." "We each are different, and unique, that's how it has to be," "And when you see the good in you, that's what the world will see." ==================== Kit.. you have taken your writing to a new level with this wisdom and grace kissed piece This is AWESOME and enchanting ... and as several before me have said...this needs to be shared with other friends who are in the same place emotionally. In the mean time .. take a bow me girlie ... you shine center stage in this showcase of cadence kissed poetic talent. later me beautiful & wise gator jm Am I loved by my words Will my vows weather the tide Bended knees can forsee all the rhythms of life And a heart can be held without pride ~Vante |
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Stan Member
since 2001-01-01
Posts 120Inland Empire Southern California |
Kit, This is one of the loveliest poems I have ever read. You have a deep sense of wisdom. These words compel all the benefits of unconditional self-acceptance in a captivating flow of images and thoughts. |
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Irish Rose Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263 |
Kit, This is a fine poem and I'm proud of you. You not only have a talent and a wisdom but a keen sense of emotion and the flow was in excellent ballad form. I say BRAVO!! "Every man dies. Not every man truly lives." Braveheart Kathleen |
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Kethry Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082Victoria Australia |
Kit, I loved this! I truly did, but I wanted it to be intagibles as the title originally said. I wanted it to be about about all those things that exist that you can't put a name on. Oh well next time! I wouldn't have missed this one and it lived up to my expectations so well, oh yes indeedy! Write on Keth Those of us who refuse to risk and grow get swallowed up by life. Patty Hansen. |
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BloomingRose Member Elite
since 2000-08-09
Posts 3092Florida |
This is just what I needed today. The gift of life that's what this is. Thank you for allowing yourself to be open to the gift of writing so others like me, can be touched by the wisdom and beauty of it. Deb |
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catalinamoon
since 2000-06-03
Posts 9543The Shores of Alone |
Oh Kit, this is so wonderful, I can think of no new words for you about it, just THANK YOU. I am taking it to heart. Sandra |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Kit, please allow me to smile for an hour or two at how you have written this poem so masterfully....you are awesome. This poem is very true. All you ever have to be to face and beat the world is just....be you. You are that special..... |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
~QuietOne: Welcome to Passions QuietOne ... and thanks so much for the enthusiastic response, much appreciated! ~Marge: I take your kind words very much to heart dear Marge ... and thank you so much for sending me the special notes. It continues to amaze me how we connect my friend! ~Rex: That was so lovely Rex ... "a meandering" brooke ... what a beautiful compliment ... I'm so very grateful to you! ~VAS: I'm sure there's been a few poems with kindred themes in one way or another over time ... I hope I kept this unique in my own way, and thank you for the wonderful words VAS! ~Marsha: You are so sweet Marsha ... indeed the Phoenix's are rising, thank you so much for these words! ~Mark: You are far too kind to me Mark ... but I love every word of it, and I'm not kidding about "that" one ounce either. Many hugs for this beautiful response, dear friend! ~Irie: Thanks so much Irie ... I'm so glad you enjoyed as much as I did in sharing it! ~JanetMarie: Oh how I do love your responses JM ... they have a way of just bringing the biggest smile to my face. Love ya gator-girl, and thank you! ~Stan: Thank you so very much Stan, for these beautiful words ... they mean a great deal to me, and I'm ever so appreciative! ~Kathleen: Yay! The flow, the flow ... how I love when someone likes the flow! Thank you so much Kathleen, I'm so glad you enjoyed! ~Kethry: LOL @ the original title! A little birdy pointed out my typo Kethry so I fixed it up. I understood what you meant though about "tag" ... hmmmm, another poem lurking there perhaps indeed! Thanks for the kind words Keth! ~Deb: Responses like this are why I enjoy writing so much Deb. The thought that it touches someone in that way is such a wonderful reward ... thank you so very much! ~Sandra: And to heart it shall go Sandra. Thank you for these sweet works, and you are so very welcome! Hugs to you ... ~Balladeer: Smiling right back with you Michael ... it's the least I can do for all of the hours and days of smiles you bring to me as I read "your" wonderful words. You are a special part of my poetic world, and I am so sincerely grateful for "you"! Much appreciation to all, /Kit |
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2dalimit Member Elite
since 2000-02-08
Posts 2228Mississippi coast |
I must agree. This is very profound. Thank you for lifting my spirits. Melton [This message has been edited by Melton L. Culberth (edited 01-08-2001).] |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Thank you for ALL of your gifts...you share them SO well... |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
~Melton: You're so very welcome Melton, I enjoyed writing this one, many thanks to you for the kind words! ~Sunshine: Awwww ... that was so sweet, thank you dear Karilea! Much appreciation to you both, /Kit |
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Honeybee Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-26
Posts 5372Ontario, CANADA |
Wow - Kit,  You write like no other! Of course, my library must have this Melissa~ |
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