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Open Poetry #13
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Deer Lesson...
| Open Poetry #13 |
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Deer Lesson... |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA 
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My grandpa was a brilliant guy - no one could call him dumb. He taught me lessons that I'd heed for many years to come. He had a way of putting moral teachings into view Such as this one that I would like to share with all of you. When I was only 5 or 6 and loved to run and play My gramps and I were walking through the woods one sunny day When, out of nowhere straight ahead, a deer came passing by! He stopped right there in front of us and gave us both the eye. How beautiful the young deer looked...his red fur shining bright. I put a cookie in my hand to offer him a bite But, as I stepped toward him, just imagine at my shock..... When grandpa picked a large stone up and hit him with the rock!! He threw another! Then another! "Grandpa, NO!", I cried. I saw the growing stains of red upon the young deer's hide. But grandpa was relentless as he threw stone after stone Until the deer had disappeared and left us there alone. I didn't say much after that - I was a mixed-up kid. I couldn't seem to understand why gramps did what he did So, later at the dinner table, I just had to know. I said, "That was a fine young deer." Gramps answered, "Yes, I know." "You don't like deer?" Gramps said, "Oh, no! I love them very much. Their manner is majestic with fur silky to the touch. Their eyes have so much beauty they can take away one's breath..." "But, gramps!!", I cried. "You picked up rocks and pelted him to death!!!" Gramps said, "There is a saying that the Indians all know And it is practiced from the Sioux down to the Navajo. The redmen have a strong respect for every living thing And it is woven in the songs that tribal leaders sing.........." The kindest way to treat a deer Is throw a rock to teach it fear. That night I didn't realize the point that grandpa made But later, as I went through life and saw deer heads displayed In hunting lodges, high on walls, it made me understand That I was looking up at deer that had no fear of man. Then, later still, as years went by, I found it very clear The lesson grandpa taught me was not solely meant for deer. Sometimes in human interaction those same words hold true Maintaining proper distance is the only thing to do. If we feel it is bad for them for us to have them near We must forget our own self-interests - treat them like the deer. That doesn't mean we have to look around for rocks to throw!!! But, even if we love them, we may have to let them go. Sometimes we know, though love exists, the future isn't there And we are headed down a road not going anywhere. It's better we chase them away so they can stand up tall Instead of being just a hunting trophy on the wall. Yep, grandpa was a real smart man - the wisest that I knew... Seems everything he taught me had a way of coming true. I don't know where he is - up there in Heaven, I suppose I'd like to tell him that I learned.....somehow, I think he knows. [This message has been edited by Balladeer (edited 04-02-2001).] |
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| © Copyright 2001 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Just A Woman Senior Member
since 2001-03-10
Posts 507 |
Oh excellent!!!!!! A lesson not voiced often, though it should be. My sincerest compliments.
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Honeybee Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-26
Posts 5372Ontario, CANADA |
A Wonderful well-needed message for us all, I'd say that you're a wise man too~ Yep, you've guessed it, into my library this goes  Take care, Melissa~ |
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jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas |
Great write my friend...I'm gonna have to dig mighty deep to spin'em like that! jwesley |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Poor deer... He only wanted to be cared for... But no doubt he's stronger now for having met your grampa... This poem is indeed one of your most sagacious, my deer friend...  |
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Joyce Johnson
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912Washington State |
Oh very, very much I like this. I know I would have loved your Grandpa. Joyce |
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Dennis Member
since 2001-02-19
Posts 235Indiana |
Yes, it's true, sometimes the ones you love you have to let go...so they can be free to live. Good insight here. Dennis [This message has been edited by Dennis (edited 04-02-2001).] |
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2dalimit Member Elite
since 2000-02-08
Posts 2228Mississippi coast |
Bravo, my friend. Thanks for one of your best. Melton |
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Mother_Earth Senior Member
since 2000-11-20
Posts 13701/2 year Texas & 1/2 year Michigan |
Balladeer, you have taught us all a lesson, today. Not only for the deer but for the human dear, to let them know when it isn't right for them to be by us and to let them go. Your words a beautiful in many different ways. Thank you for another of Grandpa's lessons. ME |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
How insightful! Always a lesson amongst the great read! <*\\\>< |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
This is SO tight, and perfectly wrapped--positively seamless and the message is extraordinary. I am in awe. |
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doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
i loved the meter and the rhyme and the Balladeer style, but i'm afraid i don't understand throwing stones at a 'Deer..... the philosophy escapes me... and i wish i had more insight to understand it but i'm under the gun and there are hunters out for me everywhere because i'm just a Doe-ween...... and one day i'll figure it out, but until then, i say hurray for your ability to put it all down in verse and make some sense of it all... my grandfather... the night he died... came to me in a dream.... i was seven years old... he was a pumpkin... no kidding... he said, "it's me, i'm ok. no need to worry any more".... and when i woke up, the phone rang and it was the hospital telling our family he had died.... my dad... died of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) which meant that within a year of being a healthy golf player diagnosed, he was a prisoner in his own body at 85 pounds, and i was one of his primary caregivers..... what does all this have to do with your poem? i don't know... but Dad came to me in a dream, 3 days after he died and he was being taken care of by some very old man in a small house who had a long grey beard.... and Dad was looking under the bed .... and i thought he'd fallen and i said, "WAIT!! "" and begged the old man to help... but then, as it turned out, Dad got up... he was getting his running shoes out from under the bed and he was well and happy again and said to me, "See, Doreen? All things work out. I'm ok now." Well, at least your poem brought memories of survival, Love, and the absence of hurt and pain..... for what that's worth.... whatever philosophy you planned, however, i can't imagine and feel awfully stupid at the moment.... because i can't understand any motive for throwing stones at a 'Deer, despite whatever proposed conclusions you would hope would happen..... maybe i missed something.... but you write like a Balladeer Extraordinaire, a man of genius I respect, and I can't expect to get it all..... .... can i? thank you. |
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Nate Dogg Senior Member
since 1999-11-15
Posts 1658Georgia, Fulton |
I liked this poem, Balladeer...it's full of wisdom and lessons about life.....a very nice story filles with wonderful imagery..great job!! Nathan |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Balladeer - What can I say that will tell you how excellent I thought this was..hmmm...well, the lesson learned in this line is phenominal for some (but I myself have thrown many a stone! If we feel it is bad for them for us to have them near Pssst...I have trouble with the flow of this line...but...I agree with this whole stanza wholeheartedly. If it feels even remotely not a fit "Throwing stones" at those trying to "hit on you" when it doesn't feel right, is a very good idea. I say, "throw stones" but throw them quickly! I think it is also a good idea to keep them handy when you are alone in a marriage, which leads me to... But, even if we love them, we may have to let them go. I threw a ton of stones when my son left home and when I asked a husband I loved to leave because he was too toxic! You have this right too, you and your Grampa are two really smart fellers! I love the way you have expressed the "old ways" of protecting the species by teaching them fear, to the "new ways" of total disregard for the environment and wildlife by shooting them for trophies - this message is heard loud and clear, and so appreciated! Now that I have finished my book I have to tell you I absolutely loved this, and into the library it goes. Pssst...could almost hear you Wonderful! |
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Sudhir Iyer Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943Mumbai, India : now in Belgium |
O Sire Balladeer, This is one fantastic write... from one of the best writers I have read in recent times... Excellent... Regards, my friend, Sudhir |
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Kethry Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082Victoria Australia |
Deer, you write with the soul of a poet and the passion of a surgeon (you know the one I mean) And this poem holds lessons for me that I will not forget easily. Into my library it goes for day when I'm bleeding without knowing why. Write on Kethry Those of us who refuse to risk and grow get swallowed up by life. Patty Hansen. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
To say what is on my mind would only be to ditto most everyone here... Excellent, our 'Deer....Excellent.... |
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Rosebud1229 Senior Member
since 2000-04-05
Posts 1813North Carolina |
It is so easy to give in to temptations, how often we should have thrown a stone to save our sanity but indeed instead went head first, great lesson, sometimes we do need to fear and have the courage to back away. It reminds me for some strange reason of a wolf in sheeps clothing, ummmm. All is not always as it seems. |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Balladeer, Well there goes another candle. Your place must be lit up like a ball park. Enjoyed |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
In this neck of the woods where I reside, I'm surrounded by hunters, I even work with them, bragging about how many deer they've bagged over the weekend. This is a great poem and all I can say is "Alright, Deer!" Anyway, that's how it made me feel. Corinne |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
I snuck in and read this from work in the morning Michael, but I'm not able to respond from there. So ... I've been thinking about this poem for most of the day. It really stayed with me, and that is the mark of a wonderful piece of writing ... when I just can't get your visions and words out of my mind. Really well done ... an excellent message, and told in such a way that it cannot be forgotten. Have I told you lately ... Best wishes, /Kit |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Just a Woman...no, not often enough...thank you for the compliment Melissa..I just LOVE getting into your library! jwesley...you can do it. I've seen you write! Thank you... Nan...I was aiming for sagacious, er, I think...thank you joyce...and he probably would have loved you Dennis...that's the message. I thank you... Melton...very kind words and I thank you Mother...thanks for seeing the different ways. I KNOW grandpa would have liked you Dovey..thank you, my friend Serenity..awwww THANK YOU FOR MISSPELLING WARPED! Doreen...Don't worry. You had to be there...I'm glad it reminded you of things Nate..I thank you, sir! Mysteria...yes, I agonized over the same line...oh, well Thank you for such a nice comment. I like your library Sudhir...So good to see you again! Thank you for your kindness, as always Kethry...that could be the day you get stoned.. Sunshine...your ditto is worth a thousand words..thank you Rosebud...to be more precise, all is NEVER what it seems  Sy...only when I celebrate birthdays! Corinne...I have no doubt hunters would be after you! Hey, the deer's gotta win one once in a while, right? Kit...your comments are always so special and appreciated....and yes! Tahnk you!! |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Like Kit, I was unable to post a reply after first reading this... but the vivid images and incredible message stayed with me... This one goes straight into my heart's list of favorite Deer One poems. *G* |
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Marsha
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423Maidstone Kent England |
Dear heart 'Deer, you know getting in here is so very difficult for me at the moment but no matter how hard it is I had to come. And naturally I simply had to say this is utterly wonderful, it really and truly is. I could witter away senselessly for a few hours, but apart from sending everyone to sleep, in the end all I really need to say is this is outstanding as I've said before YOU are an absoulutely fabulous writer. Never do you fail to scatter light and visions before me. This piece of yours holds a lesson that is so vital it should be written across the sky for all to read. Thank you for this one 'Deer dear heart, I couldn't let the opportunity to say how good this one is pass me by. Love and warm stuff as always Bubbles Take back the hope you gave,- I claim |
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Interloper
since 2000-11-06
Posts 8369Deep in the heart |
Well, Johnny-come-lately sez "Amazing." I had a grandpa like that too. I will write of him one day. Live for love. Without love, you don't live. |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Michael--the message in this is wonderful and you put it within such a heart warming story...I loved it!! |
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doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
thanks for responding to my response... seriously, i still don't get the concept.or philosophy.. maybe one day you'll explain it...?? it reminded me of death. of two people i loved dearly. i don't know why. it reminded me of dreams and people who died coming into my dreams in the middle of the night to tell me they were "ok" now. WHY? i have no clue!!!!!!.... LOL.... but i still say... and i will continue to say.... i'd never throw a stone at a deer....... if hurting it, helps it save it's life? and that's the point.... i disagree i guess.... i can't see hurting any living thing.... especially a living thing that you love... so... sue me.... rofl.... but explain your philosophy to me one day if you have a moment, ok, sweet Poet? luvya!!!! |
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