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Open Poetry #16
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the old man by he fire
| Open Poetry #16 |
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the old man by he fire |
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arthur Senior Member
since 2001-08-14
Posts 678england |
the old man by the fire Don't mind him The old man by the fire He is not there but someplace else His mind his going They smile Leave him alone Let him be He seems to smile He is at the Saturday dance The music is inviting It says join in , leap and prance The girls swirl by A riot of colours Blue ,black, green and red Laughing, bright eyed,inviting lips The music ends and the chattering starts The girls stand in small groups Twos , threes and fours Never alone, never accessable He has watched her all night The swell of her bodice The turn of her leg She seems a nice girl A friendly sort Not as pretty as some But not plain No not plain,just nice A kind face Now is the time to be bold In his best black suit and white shirt kept for funerals and dances Lovingly ironed by a caring mother It takes courage To cross the floor from the boys side to thiers To stand behind the chosen girl Her friends stop talking in mid word They stare at him and seem to say How dare you interupt Destroy our sisterhood Choose her and not us She turns and loks at him He does his best to smile tentatively , shyly ,she smiles Silence , panic ,what now? Neither knows the rules The music plays he offers his hand She takes it Fits herself to him They swirl off Part of the moving mass Margaret and Michael He looks down at her golden hair She looks up into his blue eyes Dance after dance Swirling and turning Ever closer, ever more together "Walk you home" She tells her friends They dont approve, she doesn't care Hand in hand,silent on the trolly bus Her street, ,so empty and quite. The fumbled first kiss The first of thousands A drink of which he nevers tires He reachs out to stroke her hair Silver now, hbut he doesn't care The watchers grin and nudge each other They see the old man stroking the air A wistful and lost expresion on his face They wink, grin and touch thier foreheads He doesn,t notice nor would he care They do not exist for him He has his own world Only he and dear dead margret live there Arthur |
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| © Copyright 2001 michael bennett - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Michael...You know how I love this one!! I am so glad you decided to post it...it is so sad and yet so true of many who live in nursing homes and yet their minds are elsewhere. I really enjoyed this one. To the top it goes! ~Hugs across the pond, Nancy~
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Arthur~ I could not have read anything more touching on this day~ Thanking you so much for the gentle caress of your thoughts~ *Hugs* ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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sunshinemist Senior Member
since 2001-09-29
Posts 595Fl. sunshines early mist |
Arthur, a very wonderful tribute to the elderly. Much enjoyed!  ~Marie~ |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Very tender and touching write, Arthur. I enjoyed this very much. |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
We should all be so lucky, to be either a Margaret or a Michael in someones memory. This is a very tender and loving poem. Thanks. |
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catalinamoon
since 2000-06-03
Posts 9543The Shores of Alone |
Hi, yes, I like this very much. Reminds me of my Grandma. Thanks, most touching. Sandra |
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Trew Member
since 2000-06-10
Posts 365Ottawa, Canada |
An enchanting look in, Arthur. To keep me captivated through each turn is no small feat. Very well crafted and a wonderful flow! |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Arthur, A good write, enjoyed |
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MARK V SHELDON Member Elite
since 2001-06-21
Posts 3015In a corporeal internship... |
Intensely powerful, Arthur -- the form took me on a winding journey which had me questioning the destination but resolved for me with a very strong scene and concept. It reminded me of the ending to "Somewhere In Time" when Richard Collier is completely in another world, sitting comatosed in his chair from the heartbreak of losing his love, Elise... I like the way you filmicly "disolved" from now to then and back again while commenting on the reactions of those who are oblivious to circumstances... Well done! -MVS "Learn to let go of fear, doubt, and disbelief..." --THE MATRIX |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
Oh Arthur ... this is absolutely wonderful. You kept me mesmerized, deep within this story throughout. Very nicely written indeed ... you tugged my heart with these visions. Best wishes, /Kit |
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Lone Wolf Member Ascendant
since 2000-03-16
Posts 5842Lansing, MI USA |
Wonderfully romantic tale, Arthur. You tell it very well. All writing comes |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
very poignant writing, Arthur. We all daydream and, when we do, the rememberances bring peace and comfort. As our lot in life gets harder, the memories become more life-saving. That is why Alzheimer's is such a horrible disease....it robs us of the one thing we need more than any other...our memories. Now....back to my memories....  |
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Tracey Member Elite
since 2001-08-29
Posts 2808where insanity meets breeding |
This is so beautifully touching. Such lovely memories. A lovely story. Is this your story Michael? If she who dies with the most toys wins, then can I have some toy boys please? |
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Tennessee Angel Senior Member
since 2000-06-03
Posts 661Tennessee |
I really don't know what to say. This could be the story of my grandfather. I often look at him and know that he is lost in his memories of my grandmother and I'll just sit back and enjoy the smile on his face. I know this poem touches many hearts. |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
A wonderful story poem...much enjoyed the tenderness. |
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arthur Senior Member
since 2001-08-14
Posts 678england |
thankyou arthur |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Arthur,Have not read anything as touching in a long time.Thank you for sharing. best,marty |
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