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The old man by the fire
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The old man by the fire |
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arthur Senior Member
since 2001-08-14
Posts 678england |
The old man by the fire. Don't mind him, The old man by the fire. He is not there but someplace else. His mind is going. He will not notice us. They smile, Leave him alone, Let him be. He seems to smile. He is at the Saturday dance. The music is inviting. It says "join in,leap and prance". The girls swirl by, A riot of colours. Blue,black,green and red. Laughing,bright eyes,inviting lips. The music ends and the chattering starts. The girls stand in small groups. Twos,threes,even fours. Never alone and accessable He has watched her all night. The swell of her bodice. The turn of her leg. She seems a nice girl. A friendly sort, Not as pretty as some, But not plain. No not plain,just nice, A kind face. Now is the time to be bold. In his best black suit and white shirt, Lovingly ironed by a caring mother. It takes courage, To cross the floor from the boy's side to theirs. He stands behind the chosen girl. Her friends stop talking in mid word. They stare and seem to say, "how dare you interupt, destroy our sisterhood, choose her not us." She turns and looks at him. He does his best to smile. Tentatively,shyly,she smiles. Silence,panic,what now? Neither knows the rules. The music plays. He offers his hand. She takes it. Fits herself to him, They swirl off. Part of the moving mass. Margeret and Michael. He looks down at her golden hair. She looks up into his blue eyes. Dance after dance. Swirling and turning Ever closer,ever more together. "Walk you home?" She tells her friends. They don't approve,but she doesn't care. Hand in hand ,silent on the trolley bus. Her street ,so quite and empty. The fumbled first kiss. The first of thousands. A drink of which he never tires. He reaches out to stroke her hair. Silver now,but he does not care. The watcher grin and nudge each other. They see the old man stroking the air. A wistful and lost expression on his face. They grin ,wink,and touch their foreheads. He does not notice them,nor would he care. They do not exist for him. He has his own world. Only he and his dear dead Margaret live there arthur re-post as requested |
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| © Copyright 2003 michael bennett - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
So hauntingly beautiful Michael..you know I love this!  |
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Mistletoe Angel 
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
 (big hugggsssssss) Oh Michael, this is so very sad but beautiful, sweet friend, I understand this kind of loneliness and my heart goes out to all lovers who have to cope with losses and live on holding their love and courage at heart! (sigh) This is so very heartfelt, sweet friend, God Bless You, you again have my vote, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Michael, 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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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
nice progression! an old fashioned tender love story, beginning to end |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Yes, arthur...as requested! |
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Charisma
since 2000-09-30
Posts 5906lost in blue pages |
Beautiful!! Charisma |
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garysgirl
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
This is stunningly beautiful, Arthur. I thouroughly enjoyed reading it....  "Love makes the world go around" |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Arthur, this was a nice story and a beautiful poem, good luck to you. |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
arthur You got my vote. |
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BlueEyes Member
since 2002-08-30
Posts 152TX, USA |
The fumbled first kiss. The first of thousands. A drink of which he never tires. He reaches out to stroke her hair. Silver now,but he does not care. Oh my, this was so beautiful... I can only wish to have a love as true as this in this lifetime. Thank you so much for sharing... I, too, am casting my vote! BlueEyes |
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brian sites Senior Member
since 2002-06-25
Posts 1475usa |
yes I remember this one... this is a favorite of mine good..... |
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SPIRIT Senior Member
since 2002-12-29
Posts 1745California Desert |
Wonderful! My vote happily cast. |
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wranx Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689Moved from a shack to a barn |
arthur? I thought, I had commented and voted om this. Is this one the server ate? Voting again. |
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WhiteRose Member Elite
since 2002-07-23
Posts 3208somebody's dungeon |
An incredible write  |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Michael...I know I can't vote for this again.. But wanted to pop it back up for more to enjoy. This is so well said and so very true to life. You know it was and still is my favourite. |
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Justbleu Member Elite
since 1999-08-31
Posts 3329Oregon, Originally From Alaska :) |
Oh I love this..... Bridgette  "Somewhere, somehow, it should be possible to touch someone and never let go again. To hold someone, not for a moment but forever." Unknown |
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WhiteRose Member Elite
since 2002-07-23
Posts 3208somebody's dungeon |
A very tender write. Enjoyed the read of this.  |
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Justbleu Member Elite
since 1999-08-31
Posts 3329Oregon, Originally From Alaska :) |
Bump..... |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I remember this well... and welcome the chance to vote for it again. *S* It's an excellent story and you told it well. *S* |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
A wonderful story. enjoyed. Maree |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
"The watcher grin and nudge each other. They see the old man stroking the air. A wistful and lost expression on his face. They grin ,wink,and touch their foreheads." This made me gasp...how heartbreaking. Susan |
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SimplyGold Senior Member
since 2002-07-10
Posts 1453 |
arthur, this is most touching.  Thank you for posting. Vote is in on this one. SG |
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Justbleu Member Elite
since 1999-08-31
Posts 3329Oregon, Originally From Alaska :) |
Bump.... "Somewhere, somehow, it should be possible to touch someone and never let go again. To hold someone, not for a moment but forever." Unknown |
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kaile
since 2000-02-06
Posts 5146singapore |
Justbleu, just to say that your bump helped because it helped me find this... arthur, this was hauntingly beautiful...and your poem is so bittersweet... I saw that Nancy Lee had used my exact words..heeehhee, great minds think alike! [This message has been edited by kaile (04-04-2003 08:13 AM).] |
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Charisma
since 2000-09-30
Posts 5906lost in blue pages |
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Justbleu Member Elite
since 1999-08-31
Posts 3329Oregon, Originally From Alaska :) |
Bump..... "Somewhere, somehow, it should be possible to touch someone and never let go again. To hold someone, not for a moment but forever." Unknown |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
...a haunting and very compelling read... Love & Light, EA |
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Justbleu Member Elite
since 1999-08-31
Posts 3329Oregon, Originally From Alaska :) |
Bump.... "Somewhere, somehow, it should be possible to touch someone and never let go again. To hold someone, not for a moment but forever." Unknown |
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Justbleu Member Elite
since 1999-08-31
Posts 3329Oregon, Originally From Alaska :) |
This is one of my favorites... Bump.... "Somewhere, somehow, it should be possible to touch someone and never let go again. To hold someone, not for a moment but forever." Unknown |
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pjtalty Member
since 2002-07-17
Posts 111W.A., Australia |
A very perceptive and creative observation of a man in the Autumn of his life lost in reminiscence. It is an impressive piece of free verse that is enhanced by its partly narrative style and empathetic tone. One more vote coming up! Patrick Talty |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
In case my first vote was lost, I'm voting again! |
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Justbleu Member Elite
since 1999-08-31
Posts 3329Oregon, Originally From Alaska :) |
Bump.... "Somewhere, somehow, it should be possible to touch someone and never let go again. To hold someone, not for a moment but forever." Unknown |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
wow! I hope to see this in the book! |
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QjQ Member Elite
since 2003-04-18
Posts 3756U.S.A. |
heart felt and fabulus write |
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junemac Senior Member
since 2003-04-24
Posts 1005uk |
i want you to know that this one touched my heart. very, very beautiful. i loved the way you melted the memories back to the here and now. thanks for this one. june x |
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Tammy Blessing Member
since 2002-08-26
Posts 366PA |
This a wonderful poignant poem Arthur. You had me tearing up by the end.  |
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KristieSue
since 2003-01-31
Posts 1460PA, US |
Brought tears to my eyes the first time i read it, and it does so again... how sweet and loving. Failure isn't failure if a lesson from it is learned ~ KS |
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aaron woodside Member
since 2001-09-26
Posts 256 |
I liked this. Good write. ex animo, Aaron IN NOMINE PATRI ET FILII ET SPIRITUS SANCTI |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
so many wonderful replies to this poem...makes me wonder why it's not selected yet? |
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Lynda Member
since 2003-04-26
Posts 52Vic, Australia |
Hi Arthur "The Old Man By The Fire" A hauntingly, beautiful piece Thank you. Please check verse 7 "Neither knows the rules"- There are none. Lynda |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
came back to re-read, and vote...again a thoroughly wonderful read |
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