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Open Poetry #18
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How Are You, Jenny Lou?.............................Open 1
| Open Poetry #18 |
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How Are You, Jenny Lou?.............................Open 1 |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA 
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When we were only six years old, you lived just down the street And, though I wasn't much on girls, I thought you pretty neat. You always had a happy smile; your hair hung down in curls. You liked to punch and run around, not like the other girls. When we were nine, my dad got transferred down to Cooper's Glen. I said goodbye, not knowing I would not see you again. I sit here now, at fifty, and your face comes into view I wonder how you've lived your life - How are you, Jenny Lou? Did you do well in high school? I remember you were smart. Did you perfect that happy smile to break a million hearts? Or were you more the shy type, one who never spoke at all Who buried feelings strong and deep behind a concrete wall? How often did you fall in love? Were you married? Surely so And, if the marriage ended, did he leave - or did you go? Did you spend nights crying hopelessly to take the pain away Or did you find that perfect man that you're still with today? Did you have any children? Was the childbirth smooth or hard? Did you grow up religious...go to church and praise the Lord? Do you still have that smile I loved when you were only six Or are you scarred by broken dreams not even time can fix? Did you grow to be beautiful? I remember as a child The world seemed to be nicer each and every time you smiled. Or did things not turn out so well for that child I once knew And so I wonder, once again, how are you, Jenny Lou? I know what's happened in my life - events that I've gone through, The joys, the woes, and on it goes....the death and sickness, too. We all have hills to conquer in our effort to survive. Had you had strength to conquer yours? Are you even still alive? I can't believe that, somehow, after forty years has passed Your smiling face and bouncing curls have come to mind at last. I wonder if you've thought of me for some brief spell or two Recalling happy times we had - How are you, Jenny Lou? |
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| © Copyright 2002 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
Mistletoe Angel 
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
  (smiles) Oh Michael, this is soooooooo heartfelt and beautiful, this made me cry in joy to feel the love shine from your heart in memory of all the happy times you share with her and so many more you are destined to! (big hugggssssss) We all love you so much, sweet friend, this is sooooooo wonderfully delightful, I LOVE IT!!! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Balladeer, thank you for sharing!   May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton |
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Startime Member Ascendant
since 2000-10-03
Posts 5918Canada |
Oh gosh, Balladeer...leave it to you to write such a tender memory as this is...Yes, it made me *sigh* **big hugs**  Love I leave with you whether it is in your life now or yet the essense of your dreams. |
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strbbux Member Elite
since 2001-12-19
Posts 3859 |
OOOOOOOh this is so sweet Balladeer..so very nice, remembering someone after all that time.. floria |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Balladeer, I do this all the time...I mean daydream about old classmates, not that they are old mind you...you know what I mean. Thing is that now you can search on the Internet and find almost anyone!  *Giggles*Great write! ~Hugs, Nancy~ ~Love is the realization of a beautiful dream~ |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Michael--You might be able to chase her down on the net. I found an old love of mine that way...but that's another story. Love this sweet memory of yours and the tender recall. Now, if you find her..I'd like to know how she is as well. I also think when she was six she remembers you were swell! |
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Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
Balladeer, Boy can I relate to this! What a great write. Brings back a flood of emotions. Well done again.  |
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Victoria
since 2000-08-12
Posts 5869 |
Oh this was great Deery..loved it..  although i dont believe in digging up old stones..because nothing can ever be the same..enjoyed~Victoria~ |
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Irish Rose Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263 |
This is probably one of my favorites, if I could pick a favorite. Maybe I'm too sentimental? Kathleen--(Kay) |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Michael...I don't know how you do it... but you are the master of the ballad... and this was a beautiful one...For I too once had a girl that I often thought and wondered about....I was 9 then, she was 8...she moved to New York...And I used to watch the Today Show (Way back when) to see if she was standing at the window looking into the studio...I did that day after day...always watching, wondering.. Thanx 'deer for bringing back the memories.. |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
You know, I remember this from Open 1, way back! And it's still a favorite of mine. I love it. Hope you get the answers to your questions....I've been thinking of searching for someone I once knew. Good luck.  God bless America, my home sweet home. |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
*library* |
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Duncan Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455 |
Sometimes I'll remember someone from my neighborhood or school and wonder much the same things. Though not as eloquently...lol. Really love this, Balladeer! It brought back alot. |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
This is nice Balladeer...James |
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Ariana Senior Member
since 2000-10-08
Posts 571Orlando, Florida |
Michael: What a lovely story and maybe, just maybe, Jenny Lou will find you. You are the best story teller. |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Balladeer, You are a weaver of believable stories, If not true than one wishes they were. Excellent |
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Nightshade
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962just out of reach |
Balladeer, I was just looking at a photo of my Grade Five class the other day and wondering where all of those bright and innocent faces might be now. Let's pray that each and everyone of our childhood pals are just fine. Thankyou for this, and into the library it goes!! Chris Life is not measured by breaths you take, but by moments that take your breath away. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
This reminds me of a ballad that the Oak Ridge Boys might do... seems to me that they would have sung of Sweet ol' Jenny Lu... I would think they would have looked upon her like the way you now recall and fondly sing of all the times she sang in concert halls for this is not a simple story of a man and some memories but more of a young girl's stepping light to his reveries... |
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Marsha
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423Maidstone Kent England |
’Deer dearest heart you did it again, you went and fetched one of my favourites from the archives and posted it here to refresh and rejuvenate our souls. As always you are a wonderful storyteller, but it’s not that or its not just that reason this is sooooooo wonderful. Yes as always the flow and the rhyme are perfect, but it’s not that either. I couldn’t tell you why this is utterly utterly perfect unless it’s because you’ve hooked into that part of us all that has a memory. A memory that we have, something cherished and fondly recalled. Mmmmm whatever it is this is truly wonderful. YOU really are an outstanding writer. No one ever writes like you do, YOU are superb Somewhere there’s a place of mind Where age isn’t real and souls are kind Some when within our hearts a town Where love lives on without a frown A haven of peace and calm is there Where freedom rules with love to spare And when I finally find my happy place I’ll leave behind this sad rat race ~ ~ ~ Is this good? Does the earth spin in space and time? Do birds sing? Does the sea always touch the shore? Yes? Then YES this is utterly utterly fabulous As always Mushy   To give light to them that sit in darkness..... to guide our feet into the way of peace St John ch2 v1 |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Thank you, poets, for your replies. I think we can all recall a Jenny Lou or two from way back when. I went back home to St. Louis last year for the first time in 37 years, since I graduated from high school. It was so interesting. One minute I am seeing friends graduating from high school and the next time I see them they are nearing retirement. They went from "What will you be?" to "What were you?"...and the ones I didn't see? What happened to them? What did they do with their lives and where did they wind up? It provides a lot of food for thought....and wondering. Jenny, I hope your life went well....... Thank you all again |
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