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Open Poetry #17
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Trail Of Tears
| Open Poetry #17 |
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Trail Of Tears |
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John Yaws Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 860Texas 
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Trail Of Tears Twenty bucks in quarters in the pockets of my jeans- My Daddy’s trophy buckle, just last week I’d turned eighteen. I kissed Mom in the kitchen, she knew I had to go… To hitch my wagon to a star, and follow rodeo. I made a lot of small shows, those were the hungry years. I learned to know, and ride them all, and how to calm my fears. I bought a Permit, then a Card, and I was on my way- I’d finally gotten good enough, to make my passion pay! I got broke up in Prescott, when I drew a spinnin’ bull- I ached too bad to sleep at night, from muscles I had pulled… Those all night drives, and motel beds, too quickly took their toll- Then one day I realized, “Hey, stud, you’re gettin' old!” I drove out to the fairgrounds, last week in my home town. I parked my old Suburban, then got out and walked around… The sun was shining brightly, but I saw arena lights- And heard the cheering of the crowds, like on those bygone nights. I doffed my hat and stood there, a tear formed in my eye- It’s such a mournful feeling, when your dreams dry up and die… What have I got to show now, for nearly fifty years- But hair gone gray, my aching bones, and a lonely trail of tears. [This message has been edited by John Yaws (edited 12-05-2001).] |
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| © Copyright 2001 John R. Yaws - All Rights Reserved | |||
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CocoBaci Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 3043 |
John, it's the first time I've come across a poem you have wrote here, and I'd like2extend2u a friendly welcome2this place of the sweeeeetest poetfriends in the whole wide world... I enjoyed reading your poem and will look 4ward2reading more... Smiles2u *~coco~* |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Reminds me of 8 Seconds...which was a real tear-jerker, and even worse to think of the young man who in real life also wanted this very trail, and was cut down too soon.... Thank you for this... |
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LadySofia Member
since 2000-05-16
Posts 238FL., USA |
I thought this was very clever. One day I hope to see a real rodeo (ack I haven't left FL but once in my young life). Hopefully it will be just as enjoyable as your poem! Kudos! ^_^ LadySofia |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Another excellent expression, John! It's hard when the dreams die, isn't it? I guess that's the time to dream new ones! |
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jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas |
Hey John, ya may feel that's all you have - 'trail of tears' but your writing says otherwise...it says you LIVED and have the memories, the tears and more to show for it, and you still live to look back on every bit of it. Enjoyed the write, mucho, me friend - very nice slice you've given us. jwesley |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
It’s such a mournful feeling, when your dreams dry up and die… What have I to show now, for nearly fifty years- But hair gone gray, my aching bones, and a lonely trail of tears. Such realizations aren't easy to accept... no matter what the dreams were. This is superb, John... I enjoyed it much! |
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N orth Carolina Girl Senior Member
since 2001-12-04
Posts 962NC,USA |
John,some excellent rhyming in this poem.Isn`t it amazing how fast the years go by?   :bouncing:  Juanita |
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