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Open Poetry #25
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Father Gene
| Open Poetry #25 |
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Father Gene |
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wranx Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689Moved from a shack to a barn 
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On Tuesdays and Thursdays When I emerged from the kitchen And entered the bar I’d be greeted by Gene With a tip of his drink “Father Gene” to his flock a gentle man of the cloth who wore his vestments of black and white as easily as I wore my own of denim and flannel And we’d talk Of this and of that Discuss the topics That we’d found in the news Debate the merit of books That we’d read in common Argue the taboos of varying cultures These dialogs over bourbon and scotch Were always Earnest and honest And open to others To any that cared To add to the pot But all of our talks would end in a “draw” The days went by And we learned of each other The weeks went by And he learned something of me His “happy hour” habits Had made him quite privy To those closest to me And still, we met To discuss and debate And argue our points Until, One day, in the mail I received the most Remarkable thing Inside a wax seal An embossed invitation With illustrated letters To the National Cathedral To celebrate Genes’ Installation as Bishop In the Church that he served (“Ain’t this a bitch?”) ("I drink with a Bishop!") The next time we met “Rumor has it” I said “That you’re getting promoted” He tipped his glass toward me And replied, “And a raise” Some time after our mid-week chats ended I received, yet another illustrious letter But, this one conveyed In a simpler manner That the ceremony was cancelled And Gene had taken “Sabbatical” Due to matters…….uncertain Months later I saw Gene at the bar And without asking what happened He told me he’d “cracked” The weight of the Miter Was too much to bear [This message has been edited by wranx (02-28-2003 01:39 PM).] |
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| © Copyright 2003 E.F.Rose - All Rights Reserved | |||
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the_loner_23 Member Ascendant
since 2002-06-08
Posts 5479Jacksonville, Florida, USA |
This is a awesome write. This has a lot of truth in it. Cold hands means a warm heart |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
you certainly tell a story well... |
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Cpat Hair
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793 |
Our imperfections and percieved failings at times are but the way we shift the weight from one shoulder to the next. Our decisions...sometimes the result of indeed finding we would rather sit in quiet discussion than lead raucous debates. as always Ed... you do it as well or better than any I have ever read.. |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
wranx...I don't know how to tell you how much this touched me. Some pages you hold on to and put down reluctantly because it is the end of the book, but still you feel bereft...it was like that. |
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wranx Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689Moved from a shack to a barn |
I was just trying to "thumbnail" my friendship with this man. The distance between what I wanted to say, and what was said....is vast. In a way, I still feel that the "Church" ruined a perfectly good human being. "The shortest distance between two points is.....sometimes intolerable" |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
This story was simply told in a way that reflects your relationship with him. I'm glad he took a step back and realized he needed some time and space. He sounds like a wonderful man - and I'm sure he values YOU. |
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wranx Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689Moved from a shack to a barn |
Gene and I saw eye to eye on very few things. Cepting of course, those....fundamental. He retired (to who knows where) soon after his sabbatical...never saw or heard from him again. |
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BluesSerenade Member Patricius
since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549By the Seaside |
I think we've all had cold feet at one time or another. I'll bet you attract all walks of life and learn a little, lot of something along the way. Enjoyed your story wranx~ |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
I swear I wish I could just curl up with glass of B&B and let you tell me stories all night... your characterizations are intimate, but have the studied posture of "people watcher"-- I'll say it again...you amaze me, yeti.  |
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Aenimal Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350the ass-end of space |
Ed the church has ruined many a good man. As an aside, you talked of writing as Bukowski? My friend you do and that's the honest truth. |
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Greeneyes 
since 2000-09-09
Posts 9903In Your Poetic Mind |
Heart hugssss.....hopefully you will find the answers you seek..(about your friend)..Peace... Lauren~ Take me where the tides start |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Ed, you've painted a fantastic mini-portrait of your bourbon buddy, Father Gene here. You've allowed us a glimpse of two very real souls, alive and dynamic, a blending of opposites that prove the rainbow theory. This is stunningly beautiful and artfully written. |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
Wranx - wow how I can relate to this - truly touched my heart - TY - I have seen one too many a good person decay under the thumb of organized religion - as always excellent |
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Tiersdin Member Elite
since 2000-11-17
Posts 2364east coast |
So cool to read this, Ed Special. I enjoyed it from start to finish! ~Tier |
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