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Open Poetry #19
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JamesBowie
Member
since 2000-11-25
Posts 252
big old Bangor Maine up by the shack

0 posted 2002-04-03 10:53 PM


The old man winces slightly in response
to an unrelenting arthritic stiffness that
at night, settles into his joints like
ravenous worms burrowing deeply, seeking
the succulent core of a rotting apple

I response to the undulating waves
of pain, his face gravely contorts, creating
deep frown lines that look as permanent
as river valleys carved in the granite bedrock
by eons of powerfully coursing water

Then as if by some unseen smoothing hand
his features relax as he turns to his wife
who is as beautiful to him as the day
he first saw her playfully tossing a stick
to an aging chocolate Labrador retriever

Whistling softly so as not to wake his wife
he summons his bounding young pup Charlie
from his piles of quilt bedding on the floor
patting him affectionately before turning to
grasp his wool lined winter coveralls

Drawing on a pair of aged leather boots, he
gathers his bucket of shiners and an old
railroad pry bar he will use to break the thin
coating of ice that would have formed over
his fishing holes during the long winter night

Pulling open the door, his arthritic pains now
becoming just a dim memory, he shuffles out onto
the ice after his playful pup Charlie both excitedly
anticipating the first of many fish to be caught
on this beautifully clear morning


© Copyright 2002 James Bowie - All Rights Reserved
Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
1 posted 2002-04-03 10:59 PM


James,
A delightful write and read. Enjoyed

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
2 posted 2002-04-03 11:53 PM


James

I loved this!  I wrote one once about ice fishing, but mine didn't have this tender charm you have created.  Very enjoyable reading!

ThisDiamond
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-02-22
Posts 9353
Michigan, USA
3 posted 2002-04-04 12:00 PM


This was just great!
The best of life keeps us young.
All there is to living well. Bravo! ThisDiamond

Krawdad
Member Elite
since 2001-01-03
Posts 2597

4 posted 2002-04-04 01:18 AM


Ah yes, a pup, an Old Man and his ice fishing.  A special charm all its own.

"As soon as the generals and the politicos can predict the motions of your mind, lose it."     Wendell Berry


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