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Open Poetry #13
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Headed For The Keys.......
| Open Poetry #13 |
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Headed For The Keys....... |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA 
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Today is Easter holiday,a very special day A day for friends and family to bow our heads and pray Tomorrow, though, dear Nan and I will catch a southern breeze, Fill up the gas tank, grab a bite then head down to the Keys. We'll zip right through Key Largo when the sun is rising high Wave to Bogey and McCall as we go flying by Then through a dozen smaller Keys that show up everywhere Across the Seven Mile bridge by noon and we'll be almost there. Hemingway's house we'll see for sure...it's really quite a place Adorned with countless pictures of old Ernie's smiling face. The flavor of those years gone by since his time still abound And one will get the feeling that the Man is still around. A separate building in the middle stands two stories high And every time I see it I feel tears form in my eye. The second floor is just one room...a table, desk and chair.. A special room, for Hemingway did all his writing there. In my imagination's eye, I see him there alone Pecking out his stories which would come to be world-known. Leopards, bulls, old men and soldiers, tales of war and doom All got their beginnings in that solitary room. So, after spending some time there, the next thing, I suppose Is go to have a drink or two or ten at Sloppy Joe's Then over to Marguaritaville, Jimmy Buffet's place, His "cheeseburger in Paradise" puts a BIG smile on your face. Then we'll pose at the monument where the plaque so proudly states You're standing at the southernmost part of these United States. Then over to the fishing pier with clowns and booths and fun And marvel at the beauty of the sea at setting sun. Key West has it's own atmosphere..laid-back is not the word The world may go to hell but Key West goes on, undeterred. It lives a hundred years ago, a town mired in the past Where rum flows freely night and day and folks just have a blast. Then afterwards, we'll come back home..vacation time is through... Nan will head back to Cape Cod to things she needs to do While I go back to killing bugs and playing golf and such. Her friends will ask her why the heck she's smiling so darned much! When one leaves Key West there's a sign out at the edge of town Which has a special way of thanking folks for coming down. She'll smile because she'll know the words on that sign are so true..... "You can leave Key West but Key West never will leave you." |
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| © Copyright 2001 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Don't forget the six toed cats... |
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Rex Allen McCoy Member Elite
since 2000-01-30
Posts 2863Sippin a Timmy's in London |
After reading this, I feel as if I've been there This was like a virtual tour ... so how many of those drinks are going to be Nan's?  |
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Temptress
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-06-15
Posts 7136Mobile, AL |
YAAAY!!! FUN! FUN! FUN!  Cute poetry, Deer Man. still d-i-s-c-o-n-n-e-c-t-e-d |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
Wonderful Michael! Perfect rhythm and flavour you've crafted into this vacation tale! It's been soooo many years, but I still remember my visit to the Keys (I was only a young teenager, LOL), and still have old family pictures including a few at the infamous "southern most point" sign. We were travelling in an old, big boxy motorhome that took up a full lane, and I remember the terror of crossing over those loooonnng thin bridges, over and over. I was sure one wrong move and we were going in the water! I'm sure I left fingernail imprints in the back! Thanks for the journey back in time Michael, it got me smiling and remembering ... have a fantastic time, and say hello to Nan! Best wishes, /Kit [This message has been edited by Kit McCallum (edited 04-16-2001).] |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Oh, you two have a most marvelous time! And Nan...make sure 'Deer picks you up from the floor after those ten drinks you've consumed and makes sure you get back on the plane in a timely manner.... your children [those at school AND at Pip!] cannot do without you! |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
I'm smilin' already, and we haven't even left yet...  Drink??? I have to drink too???.. Geesh... Have I mentioned that I LOOOOOVE this place???? Warmth is a good thing... (being without my puter isn't though... ).. and I'm NOT hurrying back - I'm NOT - I'm NOT - I'm NOT.... *kicking and screaming and refusing to get back on that silly plane*  Waft every crest upon your destined sea |
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doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
hey Nan!! have a great time!!!!!! loved the poem, Michael.... sounds like loads of fun! |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
What I want to know is how you're going to make it to Key West by noon, do all you need to do and make it back tonight? Tis a lot of driving isn't it? I hear they have some lovely bed and breakfasts in Key West..if you drink, please stay over and DON'T drive! |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Balladeer, Been there done that, but I'd do it again with you and Nan. Wonderful write. |
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SEA 
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676with you |
*humph* you were supposed to take me!!!!!!!!!!! ( can I go next time?) This is great Balladeer, even if I am jealous SEA |
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Marsha
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423Maidstone Kent England |
'Deer dear heart, so why can't I come, (Oh I suppose that just because it's a bank holiday here doesn't mean I get the time off. Not long till May love aand then I'm going to Englands southermost point. Lands End  Utterly fabulous I hope you both had a splendid time, but oh how much I wished I was there too. My virtual tour was just as good, thank you for my mini holiday! Take care love and warm stuff Bubbles  Take back the hope you gave,- I claim |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Balladeer~ Remarkable write ... and 'right on' for sure !  And THEN don't forget Mel Fisher's Maritime Museum with the recovered treasures from the Nuestra Señora de Atocha ~ Ahhhhh ... paradise is home in the Florida Keys !  And no lovelier sunset can be seen than viewed from Mallory Square in Key West. What a Sunset Celebration they have every evening ! ! Nan and Balladeer ... enjoy every treasured bit of it ! Love ya' ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
Awwwww, can't we all come along? Just think of it, we could write to our heart's delight, earn some nickels singing in local bars at night, lie on the sand all day long, sleeping and dreaming in song. Cor |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
 If it's warm, I wanna come!!!!It's cold again, and geesh, even snowing! Think of me would ya?  Have a great time! |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Now how am I going to compliment this lovely announcement of your vacation plans when I'm grinding my teeth with jealousy? LOL. Great poem, Deer one... thanks for taking us along vicariously... and y'all have a wonderful time! |
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Gentle Spirit Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989 |
I enjoyed the images immensely Deer. Thank you for the lil' vacation......I needed one! *s* Well written. *s* On the wings of words our spirits fly....and our souls are free. |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
What terrific replies!! Wow! Marge, where did you get that wonderful graphic??? I had no idea so many people wanted to go! You all come on down and we'll rent a tour bus and create our own version of "Passions Hits the Keys"!!! It would be awesome |
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Gemini Senior Member
since 1999-12-15
Posts 1203Wisconsin, USA |
Balladeer, thanks for taking me there through your words and imagery. Whew, I just landed, but enjoyed the flight. Will make this a stop when kids get bigger. Thanks! |
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