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Cpat Hair
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793


0 posted 2003-04-10 08:40 AM



The sign said Rock City
And I had passed it dozens of times
As I had made my way down 23.

The old truck was running hot
And there was a large lot in front
Of Rock City so I pulled in.

I raised the hood to a cloud of
Sweet sick antifreeze steam
And saw right away I was going
To need to entertain myself while
All the scalding burn of too many miles
Cooled itself down and I figured out
Whether I could patch it together
Or was going to have to call
A tow.

An old bent man with grey beard
Shuffled in stooped casual out the gate
Marking entry to his abode and what the sign said
Was one of the marvels of the mineral world
And with half raised hand asked if I needed
To use the phone or maybe a bucket of water.

I straightened up from my bent over fender posture
And stuck out a hand, “Name’s Travis.” I said,
“Not sure what I need until the old thing cools off,
but may take you up on one or the other when they do.”

He smiled a gap toothed grin, met my hand with
“I’m Francis, owner of this place.”
“Why not, come on in, let me show you around
while you wait.”

He led me then through the gate and into a large yard
Covered in discarded cable spools, old tables, oil drums,
And Stones.

“This one,” he said as he picked up a blue black round
“came from the Rockies.”
“Granite with a quarts inclusion band”

“Here,” he continued “Marble from Italy,”
“I picked it up while I was there in 46.”
He chuckled.


We wandered around to an oil drum
Rusted top holding a pile of small stones
Mostly brown

“These, all have holes.” He almost whispered.

“Of the billions of stones on this earth,
a few end up with holes all the way through them.”

I picked up an odd shaped one about the size of a quarter
And turned it in my hand.
Near the edge was a small natural hole

I grinned and asked, “Why you collect rocks with holes in them?”

“Son, they are just like us.” He said while looking at me
with rheumy blue eyes and a serious set to his jaw.
“We all have holes in us, and these, well they remind me of people
I now know are gone.”

“This one,” he said as he picked up a chipped edge piece of grey
Reminds me of my brother.”
“It’s rough around the outside but see how smooth the center?”
“He was like that, ragged outside but when you heard him talk
you knew the inside center of him was smooth, ‘cause the words
just slid off his tongue.”

“This one,” he said when he picked up a piece of smooth limestone
that had a hole, probably from a fossil now missing,
“this one is you.”

I laughed…
Then asked, “Why me?”

“Pretty obvious isn’t it?” he grinned
“you got layers of old bones laid down in you and here where the hole is,
is the place you lost that skeleton you held on to for so long.”

All I could do was chuckle with an uneasy sort of smile.

“I better check on the truck.” I replied after an awkward moment or two.

“there’s water by the house, you fetch what you need, son.”
He offered and turned, but stopped two steps later and faced me
“Here.” He said as he tossed the piece of limestone to me.
“You keep it.”
“I think you need reminding.”

I caught the stone and headed back to the truck.

I got lucky,
It was a lose hose clamp
And twenty minutes later was back on the road

Holding a stone in one hand
Remembering
and thinking about holes
inside


© Copyright 2003 Cpat Hair - All Rights Reserved
Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348
Florida
1 posted 2003-04-10 08:47 AM


Ron,

Not surprising, this particular story line had been on my mind as well...very well done..I am but a mere grasshopper...

Susan

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
2 posted 2003-04-10 08:58 AM


Excellent storyline development Ron..
Much enjoyed the morning read..
for more than one reason..
You see,   I collect rocks.
~Hugs~

~Somewhere in my heart I'm always
dancing with you in the summer rain~

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
3 posted 2003-04-10 09:03 AM


“Pretty obvious isn’t it?” he grinned
“you got layers of old bones laid down in you and here where the hole is,
is the place you lost that skeleton you held on to for so long.”

All I could do was chuckle with an uneasy sort of smile.

~*~

Sometimes, "they" just know....

and there's always a reason for us bumping into the likes of "them"....

always.

More, please...

          Karilea - If I whisper, will you listen?...

scorpio
Member Ascendant
since 2002-10-02
Posts 5178
right...there
4 posted 2003-04-10 09:09 AM


A granite write with the luminosity of quartz...fill the holes with memories...well written Ron..

believe in what your heart feels...

1slick_lady
Member Ascendant
since 2000-12-22
Posts 6088
standing on a shadow's lace
5 posted 2003-04-10 09:44 AM


we are all full of holes...the secret to life is...how we fill them...h
Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

6 posted 2003-04-10 09:48 AM


“Son, they are just like us.” He said while looking at me
with rheumy blue eyes and a serious set to his jaw.
“We all have holes in us, and these, well they remind me of people
I now know are gone.”

“This one,” he said as he picked up a chipped edge piece of grey
Reminds me of my brother.”
“It’s rough around the outside but see how smooth the center?”
“He was like that, ragged outside but when you heard him talk
you knew the inside center of him was smooth, ‘cause the words
just slid off his tongue.”

“This one,” he said when he picked up a piece of smooth limestone
that had a hole, probably from a fossil now missing,
“this one is you.”

I laughed…
Then asked, “Why me?”

“Pretty obvious isn’t it?” he grinned
“you got layers of old bones laid down in you and here where the hole is,
is the place you lost that skeleton you held on to for so long.”
=================================


Well first of all...next time youre broke down...no need to call a tow...I know a mechanic that looks really hot in coveralls. *L*
and second of all...this write of soul-born-wisdom is cooler than a mere moth has words for so in keeping with your theme...
YOU ROCK and it rolls me

Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
7 posted 2003-04-10 09:57 AM


Holding a stone in one hand
Remembering
and thinking about holes
inside

--------

Ron,
you know you are so very good at writing these...

enjoyed muchly...

regards,
sudhir

wranx
Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689
Moved from a shack to a barn
8 posted 2003-04-10 10:14 AM


And skeletons lost
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
9 posted 2003-04-10 10:26 AM


Ron...Excellent message of pain and healing written into this wise little story.  Loved it!
regards2you
Member Elite
since 2002-10-01
Posts 3940
California
10 posted 2003-04-10 12:08 PM




Given Martie's reply one can't help but wonder now what since 'the healing' has taken place....

interesting...so enjoy your writing..

Hugs, Pat

..without surrender, be on good terms with all persons..
        "Desiderata"

vandana
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Patricius
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463
USA
11 posted 2003-04-10 12:11 PM


enjoyed
Marshalzu
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2001-02-15
Posts 2681
Lurking
12 posted 2003-04-10 12:26 PM


Wow, this is such a excellent write, thank you for sharing it with us.

Andrew

Robert Frazier
Senior Member
since 2003-02-06
Posts 1014

13 posted 2003-04-10 12:30 PM


i do enjoy these trips with you.

Rf

NewEnglandlazurlu
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-01-04
Posts 7470
A Mountain Paradise
14 posted 2003-04-10 12:38 PM


Ron I can't begin to tell you just how much I loved this. I collect rocks and like your story, have them from all over the world. I would never have thought to get some with holes in them.

I can assure you, the next time I go 'rock picking' I will look for ones with a hole.

Your are such a delight and this is definitely a keeper and will be printed and put in my special book of favorite poems.

Hugs for peace ... Marti

Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts.  A.Einstein

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
15 posted 2003-04-10 12:38 PM


This was a very compelling read with an interesting moral--or two!--to the story!

P.S.
I love rocks! I actually mine my own minerals and crystals with my trusty little pickaxe in hand! I am sure that your poem will come to mine whenever I see rocks with holes in them!

Love & Light,
EA

Duncan
Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455

16 posted 2003-04-10 06:44 PM


'
“This one,” he said when he picked up a piece of smooth limestone
that had a hole, probably from a fossil now missing,
“this one is you.”

I laughed…
Then asked, “Why me?”

“Pretty obvious isn’t it?” he grinned
“you got layers of old bones laid down in you and here where the hole is,
is the place you lost that skeleton you held on to for so long.”'

Hmmm...guess that explains doughnut holes too!!  

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