Questions Observing An Old Man

How to Join	Member's Area	Private Library	Search	Sanctuary		Login
Main Forums	Discussion	Tech Talk	Mature Content	Archives	A home without a wall, Our haven without ends, A circle we all call Our Family of Friends!

RSWells
Member Elite

since 2001-06-17

Posts 2533

0 posted 2002-12-01 12:55 PM

The old man's cane no more than a prybar
to wrench his ancient feet from the cement,
bare was his advance, legs seem stuck in tar
swaying, low set metronome bowed and bent.

This half a block becomes his Normandy,
to cross a street now his imperiled beach,
it's passage alone no fait accompli
a summit of a curb awaits his reach.

Have I the right to pain at his affliction?
The urge to carry or to question him?
His burden is the end of life's restriction,
is freedom there death's wink at synonym?

Old man where is it you just have to go?
Or is your tortuous trek to evade?
While your will's immense your motion slow,
minute your progress as each step is weighed.

I watch your back and wonder of your face,
it's visage fear and pain or one of grace?
cow'ring crab on inclined glass, just turtle's pace?
Does death pursue or is it life you chase?

Will you survive another heartless winter,
or earth's icy grimace crack, entomb your bones?
The first snow falls, my bus arrives, I enter
a spryer sprawling death dirge of my own.

"Happy people have no history" - French Proverb

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean

since 1999-07-07

Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla

1 posted 2002-12-01 01:02 PM

RSWells
One of your best and laced with a Gordian knot.

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

2 posted 2002-12-01 01:11 PM

Richard

Your poetic eye is graced with much compassion. You are rich, for that.

MARK V SHELDON
Member Elite

since 2001-06-21

Posts 3015
In a corporeal internship...

3 posted 2002-12-01 04:28 PM

Richard -- simply amazing. Flattery aside, this will be classic literature, given the chance...

-MVS

"AS ABOVE SO BELOW"

Sandpiper
Senior Member

since 2002-06-15

Posts 738
land of flora and fauna

4 posted 2002-12-01 06:02 PM

You have, such a beautiful mind--I have read this over and over again, it is classic in every way, the sensitivity leaves me speechless.

garysgirl

Member Laureate

since 2002-09-29

Posts 19237
Florida, USA

5 posted 2002-12-01 06:11 PM

Richard, I will probably say this again, if I haven't already...
this is the best poem of yours that I have read. Although
all of them are written with excellence, this one is brimming
over with compassion and emotion. I could feel the heart of
the person seeing and questioning his mind about the old man.
I don't know if this is from your own observation or not,
but either way, it shows what a good heart you have.
Thank you for sharing your work with us, Sir.

"Love makes the world go around"
~~with love and hugs from Ethel~~

Mistletoe Angel

Member Empyrean

since 2000-12-17

Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon

6 posted 2002-12-01 07:22 PM

(big hugggssssssss) God Bless You, sweet friend, you have a true heart of gold and my prayers too are with him and many others who feel the same way he does and need our comfort! (sigh) God Bless You and have the happiest holidays, sweet friend, 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..."

Shakira

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

7 posted 2002-12-01 07:38 PM

Truly outstanding Richard! I think it is your best, at least of what I've read and I've read most you have posted at Pips.
A thought provoking poetic photo collage.

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean

since 2002-08-27

Posts 40215
Realms of Light

8 posted 2002-12-01 08:00 PM

How could anyone help but like the person behind this pen? Not only do you have the eyes of a poet, you have the heart of one as well---plus an abundance of poetic talent!

Many go through life not really seeing the world around them. They sail through life taking only cursory glances, thereby missing so much. You not only take the time to look, you really see--and care.

~ blessings to you and to those less fortunate

Linda

Enchantress
Member Empyrean

since 2001-08-14

Posts 35113
Canada eh.

9 posted 2002-12-01 08:04 PM

What an amazing person you are Richard.
And a very gifted writer as well.

Extremely well done.
~Hugs~

~ Life is too short not to believe in Santa Claus ~

Janet Marie
Member Laureate

since 2000-01-22

Posts 18554

10 posted 2002-12-02 10:47 AM

Have I the right to pain at his affliction?
The urge to carry or to question him?
His burden is the end of life's restriction,
is freedom there death's wink at synonym?

Old man where is it you just have to go?
Or is your tortuous trek to evade?
While your will's immense your motion slow,
minute your progress as each step is weighed.

I watch your back and wonder of your face,
it's visage fear and pain or one of grace?
cow'ring crab on inclined glass, just turtle's pace?
Does death pursue or is it life you chase?

================================

In A Cafe

"I watched an old man in a cafe fold a slice of bread as if he were folding a birth certificate or looking at the photograph of a dead lover."

~Richard Brautigan~

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

11 posted 2002-12-02 02:36 PM

JM got them all Richard, and your "heart" is showing. How well done this was on a sensitive subject that I ponder myself a lot when looking at older people. You nailed my thoughts exactly - are they running to or from?

Let there be peace on earth,
and let it begin with me.

	⇧ top of page ⇧
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.