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Open Poetry #14
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Abraham, Martin & John...reposted for Mushy
| Open Poetry #14 |
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Abraham, Martin & John...reposted for Mushy |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA 
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It's time to tell my story. It's been held in way too long About a skinny, gangling kid who sang a haunting song. I know that it won't be believed…It seems a fantasy But I just have to write it down, if only just for me. I was a high-school teacher in a small, mid-western school Where values still meant something and folks lived the Golden Rule. The football team was average and the school band played off-key But there was not another spot on earth I'd rather be. We held a little talent show in May of '63 Where students sang or danced or showed some small ability. The afternoon was going well. The students were quite good And then, upon the small school stage, Tom Merriweather stood. I must admit I was surprised to see him standing there In faded Levis, tennis shoes and long, unruly hair. He had few friends to speak of 'cause he hardly ever spoke. Kids laughed at him and treated him as if he were a joke. But there he stood on center stage, the small mic in his hands. I screamed out (in my Teacher voice) for silence from the stands. Then he began to sing the strangest song I'd ever heard And, to this day, my mind recalls the impact of each word. "Has anybody here seen my old friend Abraham? Can you tell me where he's gone? He freed a lot of people But it seems the good die young, But I just looked around and he's gone." He went through several stanzas, mentioned other people's names The audience lost interest and went back to childish games, But I stood there, transfixed, as if my world had gone awry By those strange words from that young boy with sadness in his eye. When the talent show was over and the school gym emptied out I had to ask young Tommy what that song was all about. I saw him walking by toward the exit down the hall. I took the young boy by the arm and stood against the wall. "Hey, Tommy. That was quite a song", I smiled as best I could. "I'd like to ask you to explain its meaning, if you would. Abraham was Lincoln. Of that, I have little doubt But who were all those other names I heard you sing about?" The skinny boy looked at me and he said, "John Kennedy - Killed in Dallas in November, 1963. Martin Luther King, the next in line to meet his fate, Killed in Memphis, April 4th of 1968." "But, Tommy," here I tried to smile, "I mean, how can this be? In case you hadn't noticed, this is May of '63! Is this some sort of fantasy, imagination wild, Or can you tell the future?" Here I winked an eye and smiled. The small boy raised his eyes. His glance pinned me against the wall. The hall was full of kids. I barely noticed them at all. His eyes bore right into my soul.I felt a winter chill, Reality forsook me as if forced against its will. He turned around then, walked away and left me rather shook, My mind still reeling from the path our conversation took. "You mentioned Bobby!", I called out. "So who was Bobby then?" But Tommy turned the corner and we never talked again. A few days later I erased the whole thing from my mind, Just passed it off as foolishness and left it far behind. School graduation came and went, the summer quickly passed, The registration and a brand new school year came at last. My thoughts were of the weather and Thanksgiving and the lot When news came on the radio that Kennedy was shot. The cold chill that shot through me was not due to bleak November, But from the image in my mind that I could still remember. Has anybody here seen my old friend John? Can you tell me where he's gone? He freed a lot of people, But it seems the good die young, But I just looked around and he's gone. I looked for Tommy everywhere. I checked the Records Hall, But it was if that skinny lad did not exist at all. He'd graduated, went his way and could be anyplace. Although I searched quite thoroughly, I couldn't find a trace. It had to be coincidence! That young boy could not know That Kennedy would be shot down - a lucky guess!- although It made my nerves quite ragged and it filled my mind with doubt Of how that boy knew things that he could not know things about. The next four years were quite uneasy - I had marked the date The young boy spoke of - April 4th of 1968, Then heard the news on radio in Memphis, Tennessee That Martin Luther King had been shot on his balcony. Has anybody here seen my old friend Martin? Can you tell me where he's gone? He freed a lot of people, But it seems the good die young, But I just looked around and he's gone. So here I sit, just two months later, June sun overhead, Teardrops fall on paper from the headlines I just read. My question has been finally answered, I am sad to say… Bobby Kennedy shot to death last evening in L.A. Has anybody here seen my old friend Bobby? Can you tell me where he's gone? So that's the story. Now I have the whole thing written down. I'll send it to a friend of mine I used to know in town. I've heard he's made a song or two and has a good voice, too So, Dion, take it if you want and see what you can do. And, Tommy, don't know where you are or who you were back then, Nor do I know if I will ever see your likes again, But, thank you son, for what you shared before you traveled on And, when you reach your final stop, please say hello to John. I thought I saw him walkin' Up over the hill With Abraham, Martin and John. |
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| © Copyright 2001 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
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vlraynes Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229Somewhere... out there... |
WOW! this is incredibly powerful! it gave me chills. i think i'm going to have to read it again now...i just don't know what else to say...WOW! this is awesome!! thanks for sharing it with us.  ~vicky "...until you have read the verse on his heart, you have not truely met the poet." -vlraynes [This message has been edited by vlraynes (edited 06-22-2001).] |
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wayoutwalt Member Elite
since 1999-06-22
Posts 4870TEXAS (it's all big) |
i know i love this'in |
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rosepetals25
since 2000-05-31
Posts 3076PA |
balladeer, Wow. I'm so used to seeing you wonderful sense of humor.. I sometimes forget your other side. This is just amazing.. I'm at a loss what to say. I can say I'm very happy you re-posted it. This one is DEFINATELY going into my library.TaraB |
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bslicker
since 2000-12-04
Posts 2321state of mind |
This is true amazing, for I grew up in this whole era and in like a town you discribed also in michigan. And a lot of stuff happens in small towns. |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Well yanno you amaze me right? ~*~ Tell someone you love them today, as tomorrow may never come ~*~ |
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Interloper
since 2000-11-06
Posts 8369Deep in the heart |
Wonderful. |
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forevernbluejeans Member
since 2001-04-05
Posts 76 |
This is just left me speechless |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Balladeer~ Thank you ... Always was and always will be my favorite, as you well know. What a beautiful way to start this day. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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Watersign6 Senior Member
since 2001-05-25
Posts 823Hurricane,WV |
this is incredible,it has to go in my library  |
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Marsha
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423Maidstone Kent England |
'Deer dear heart, what did I say? You see, there is as much impact as much value in a repost as something brand new. This is outstandingly wonderful, You know I love this don't you absolutely fabulous. This is why you're soooo good you have range, and quality and it shows. It really shows, well done, and thank you. love as always Mushy    Take back the hope you gave,- I claim |
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Lady In White
since 2001-02-12
Posts 2799USA |
There is a Hall of Fame. Your picture is there. |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Balladeer, Always loved this one. Sy |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
Spooky, this, and you are a great story teller! Corinne |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
I remember this well Your poetry does leave a lasting impression THis one is great Liz |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
My thanks to you all for your wonderful replies....and a special thanks to Mushy for talking me into going back into the archives to bring something back. It's a pleasure being in your albums and writing for such a special group of people...I thank you all. |
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Auguste
since 2000-02-16
Posts 3953By the sea |
Deer, I remember those days quite well and you brought back some truly haunting pages in this nation's history. This is excellent writing and I enjoyed this well done piece. Thank you. Michael Michael Auguste~ |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
Loved this the first time I read it Michael, and enjoyed it tremendously again. An incredible and historic story ... woven as only you can do so splendidly. Most excellent sweet poet! Best wishes, /Kit |
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Titia Geertman Member Ascendant
since 2001-05-07
Posts 5182Netherlands |
 am I glad Mushi talked you into reposting this beautiful piece.Really enjoyed reading. Titia A rose is a rose is a rose...I guess... |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
One of the threads I've enjoyed most was a request in the lounge for us to list our favorite passions poets and the best poems they've written. Now you know I'm blonde, indecisive, and a nobel prize winner in dithering. *G* But there was never any doubt you'd be on my list... just the dickens of a time choosing my favorite poems from the incredible collection you've shared with us. This one made the cut. *G* How could it not when every read leaves me with shivers? *S* Excellent work, Deer one... and what an understatement that is! *S* |
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