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Mineral Wealth
| Open Poetry #25 |
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Mineral Wealth |
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Cpat Hair
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793 |
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 |
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| © Copyright 2003 Cpat Hair - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
Ron, Not surprising, this particular story line had been on my mind as well...very well done..I am but a mere grasshopper... Susan |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
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 |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
“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... |
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scorpio Member Ascendant
since 2002-10-02
Posts 5178right...there |
A granite write with the luminosity of quartz...fill the holes with memories...well written Ron.. believe in what your heart feels... |
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1slick_lady Member Ascendant
since 2000-12-22
Posts 6088standing on a shadow's lace |
we are all full of holes...the secret to life is...how we fill them...h |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
“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  |
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Sudhir Iyer Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943Mumbai, India : now in Belgium |
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 |
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wranx Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689Moved from a shack to a barn |
And skeletons lost |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Ron...Excellent message of pain and healing written into this wise little story. Loved it! |
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regards2you Member Elite
since 2002-10-01
Posts 3940California |
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.. |
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vandana
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463USA |
enjoyed |
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Marshalzu
since 2001-02-15
Posts 2681Lurking |
Wow, this is such a excellent write, thank you for sharing it with us. Andrew |
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Robert Frazier Senior Member
since 2003-02-06
Posts 1014 |
i do enjoy these trips with you. Rf |
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NewEnglandlazurlu Member Rara Avis
since 2002-01-04
Posts 7470A Mountain Paradise |
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 |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
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 |
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Duncan Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455 |
' “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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