Open Poetry #22 |
The Gift of the Guitar |
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
The Gift of the Guitar With willing hands he would help young and old and all never a color barrier with him that’s why he stood so tall never a racial injustice never a bone to pick the only thing he ever knew was that friendship should always be thick never a thin day did he have when it came to helping others every woman was his friend and he gathered ‘round many brothers a young couple of Hispanic descent waylaid by the road one day soft and gentle were his words, “May I help you on your way?” and help he did, and with a smile to see they would continue their miles and when it came time to say goodbye the young man looked my Dad in the eye “Senor, I have no dinero with which to you repay” and my Dad, he grinned in that great lopsided way “Son, just be careful in all you do and take care of the family that belongs to you.” and the young man with soft brown skin came fearfully close his insides crying “Senor, you have helped me, it is so, now we will travel far, please, take as a gift from me this slightly used guitar.” Into my father’s hands was placed a wondrous thing of beauty and when he looked in the young man’s face he could see this gift was a duty. Honor it is, in men of strength and travel they will to any length so that there is no beholding left behind and they may leave with unencumbered mind. When my father returned home that night he held up the guitar under a favored light beauty came from the steel guitar soft gleamed the beauty from out and within he strummed the strings a wee bit soft and then he began to sing… O this guitar, so fine a piece of workmanship and crafted wood a steel plate within it gleamed at the resonating sound, all quietly stood... some years later, it came known to us the value of this treasured guitar had the young man known of it and sold it, he could have traveled far but perhaps the Dobro itself was meant to be in the hands of my Dad for when he gave it to his son there was never a happier lad. [My brother, who supplied the photograph of the Dobro, continues to treasure this old, beautiful guitar, as it was his entrance into the world of music.] ©Karilea Rilling Jungel 1 September, 2000 reposted 2 September 2002 |
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© Copyright 2002 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved | |||
Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Isn't it amazing what a small unselfish and caring act can grow to be in lives of more than just one or two.... I can tell that this gift is now more than just a gift...it is a part of your souls.. |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Karilea~ Three months ago, Bill and I had the pleasure of listening to a musician strum a beautiful Dobro ... and this past Saturday evening Bill sat in with the same band~ It was delightful and made me think of your poem from before~ Ahhhhh .... the instrument is so lovely, and very much like the one you've pictured here~ Not only is the instrument a beauty ... it plays a fabulous tune~ *HUGS* ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Karilea This is such a touching story...and so interesting the way things come around to where they are. I'll bet good fortune came to the man, anyway..because of his heart. |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Beautiful story expressed as only you can Karilea. Much enjoyed .... very much. I'm showing this one to my son as he plays guitar and will really appreciate seeing the picture as well. ~Hugs~ |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
I pop in to read your poems because I know that I will enjoy them, but this title especially caught my eye. I've been having a love affair with my guitar for years and it is a veritable extension of my soul. (Gosh, almighty---that sounds like the "M" word for self love!) Seriously speaking (there I go with that alliteration again!) I was truly moved by this extremely touching story. So eloquently expressed! My one daughter has a passion for guitar as well, and it warms my heart, that someday my guitar will go to her loving hands when my days are done...Which won't be for many a year...God willing!---It's only the good that die young, right? Thank you for this wonderful poem! Linda [This message has been edited by Earth Angel (09-02-2002 04:24 PM).] |
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vandana
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463USA |
nice |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
(big hugggsssssss) Oh my gosh, this is such a wonderful gift any father could carry on to his son, it too almost feels as though it was just introduced to the world of music and a whole new song being unleashed at that very moment the legacy is handed on! (smiles) I love guitar and I own an Ovation Acoustic-Electric model which I always love writing songs with, this is a beautiufl dedication, I love it, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Karilea, 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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Nightshade
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962just out of reach |
Karilea - truly a heartfelt story. A treasured gift from a total stranger!! Enjoyed this. Chris Life is not measured by breaths you take, but by moments that take your breath away. |
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