Open Poetry #25 |
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A November Day |
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RSWells Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533![]() |
That 42 degree day found the Merrimack full and towering Red Maple's broad leaves mostly fallen and burnt in death. Yet some splay in rust with yellow veins. A pair of New Hampshire state employees walked off the late lunch of the near retired, past Franklin Pierce's grave as cool winds ushered on November's debris. One reach down to snag a leaf from the low growing Checkerberry, pinching it to draw it's wintergreen scent. A slightly warmer Scranton found young mothers pass the last school hours in Nay Aug Park. Littered with dark brown acorns it's Northern Red Oak skirted with deep furrowed bark, branches still clinging to most it's bright red, sharp point leaves. Large Fothergilla shrubs display blue-green and russet leaves. Two boys play hooky in the tallest oak after tiring of skipping rocks across the Lackawanna River. A third generation dairy farmer sat quiet on an Appalachian ridge over Henry Lake. He lean against the marbled trunk of a Paperbark Maple and watched the V shaped valley for a deer. In the lower 47 degree vale on loamy soil grew Wintersweet, sparsely displaying sulpher yellow flowers. He drew on his Lucky Strike not caring if he saw prey. He was content with the fragrance and peace of his beloved Tennessee. In Dallas it was 58 degrees. A limousine sped to a hospital with a dead man and his pretty wife. |
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© Copyright 2003 Richard S. Wells jr. - All Rights Reserved | |||
Midnitesun![]()
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
This one gave me chills. I sat in my French class, as we discussed Voltaire, Descartes and Rousseau. Screams in the hallway, instant pandemonium. Announcement over the loudspeakers. ALL CLASSES DISMISSED...the President of the United States has just been shot. Not a day one could ever forget. |
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Mistletoe Angel![]() ![]() ![]()
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
![]() (big hugggsssssss) Oh Richard, this is such a very powerfully haunting retrospective, sweet friend, I don't think anyone could have believed what they heard then and just hearing the truth could still be heartaching! (sad sigh) I wasn't living back then at that time but I too know what a great leader he was and will always honor him, God Bless You, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Richard, thank you for sharing! ![]() May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton "Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..." |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
EXCELLENT!! |
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Chanson Senior Member
since 2000-08-19
Posts 1559Up Creek w/Out Paddle |
I love your avid descriptions and stunning end. I enjoyed this piece very much! *s When you think you have heard it all, |
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RSWells Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533 |
Thanks Guys, this is a re-repost having been lost in the void during the night. |
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garysgirl![]() ![]() ![]()
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
Richard, I'm glad that you put this back so that I could vote for it again. It's just as powerful now as it was the first time I read it in the Open Forum. "Love makes the world go around" |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Thank you for reposting, Richard... |
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Cpat Hair![]()
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793 |
yes... still as good a read now as then..and the times before.. |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Wow...you have a punch in that last stanza. I was floating along on your imagery and then bam..this is wonderfully done. |
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Joyce Johnson![]() ![]()
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912Washington State |
I thought I had votred on this. Joyce |
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KristieSue![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
since 2003-01-31
Posts 1460PA, US |
a moment in history that will never be forgotten.... you've got my vote, again LOL KS |
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Mysteria![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
I hope you remember my compliment as I sure don't but this is great ![]() |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Back to revote your November repost... ![]() |
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DawnG![]() ![]()
since 2000-06-23
Posts 1494United States |
Very powerful poem Dawn |
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WhiteRose Member Elite
since 2002-07-23
Posts 3208somebody's dungeon |
Enjoyed the read. Very chilling indeed. |
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MARK V SHELDON Member Elite
since 2001-06-21
Posts 3015In a corporeal internship... |
Now that's a vote I'm proud to cast! The repercussions of your poem leave me thinking, much like the event... I wonder what would change if America knew what he did...? (By the way... you may have an unintentional typo of the line which reads: "He lean against the marbled trunk of a" Should the "lean" be present or past tense, third person...?) -MVS "AS ABOVE SO BELOW" |
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SimplyGold Senior Member
since 2002-07-10
Posts 1453 |
RSW, The images took me right there. I wasn't ready for the last two lines. Zing, Wham, took me right back. Good read, I enjoyed very much. SG |
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SPIRIT Senior Member
since 2002-12-29
Posts 1745California Desert |
Very well done - my vote is cast. |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Once again I commend you on this poetic achievement!!! ![]() ![]() ![]() Warm springtime hugs, EA |
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suthern![]() ![]()
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
This is excellent... such vivid snapshots of an ordinary day... ending with it thrust into history. Mrs. Fisher's class... stunned silence as the PA system interrupted. |
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regards2you Member Elite
since 2002-10-01
Posts 3940California |
I enjoyed the imagery and the impact of the ending. Certainly unique. Pat ![]() ..without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.. |
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Charisma![]() ![]() ![]()
since 2000-09-30
Posts 5906lost in blue pages |
Beautiful! Charisma |
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Red Member
since 2000-01-01
Posts 143Ca |
Your use of imagery is vivid and your writing is impeccable. |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
I'm sitting here thinking that I don't ever recall reading a bad poem by you Richard. Always visual and well thought out, with underlying current of meaning as well-- yes. You've got my vote. Again. ![]() |
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