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Antonio_L
Member

since 2003-12-01

Posts 110
NorthEast USA

0 posted 2003-12-17 10:51 AM

We all have had someone in our young lives who, although coming from without our immediate family, influenced us greatly. For me Roy was that man. Going to tell you a little about Roy, it's okay by him, we spoke about this again just last night.

ARRIVEDERCI, TO A MENTOR

I once knew the hard man I see in my dreams,
rangy, wore hard working clothes.
Ate his porridge standing up, no sugar, no cream,
and a wife beautiful, just like the rose.

From him I would learn, I heard myself say,
I will learn to be hard, to be good,
and I will study this man, all through my days.
study him, and grow hard like I should.

This man worked two jobs, his rose to support,
he nourished, she flourished, and she slept with Fred,
and the hard man kept working, with nary a thought,
that his rose sweetened another man's bed.

I watched and grew sad, she so untrue,
he, his whole life just a hell.
I wondered and searched, what can I do?
Then I knew it was for me to tell.

"Hard man you should know that your wife is untrue,
that your marriage is falling apart.
And for all your hard work, there is naught to show,
surely, she breaks your poor heart."

A sad little smile, on that tired and lined face,
for a time he looked down at his shoes.
Then he turned to me and with considerable grace,
said, "Young man, ah already knows.

"Ah works hard all day, for her to provide,
everythings that she desires,
and ah loves, ah really loves, my pretty wee rose,
but one man just can't put out her fires."

'Twas one year later we buried my friend,
at his funeral I wept and I said,
"Don't leave me hard man, don't make this the end,
you cannot really be dead."

But my friend never left me, for in times of great need,
by my bed he will suddenly be,
in my dreams that tired smile, and his wisdom to heed,
hard man, 'tis nice that you're free.

Ci provo Roy, ci provo.
I try Roy, I try...

Antonio_L

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

1 posted 2003-12-17 11:01 AM

A love that understands so much...

~*~

Not so many can say they possess such qualities,
but your friend did...

What a tribute!

Alicat
Member Elite

since 1999-05-23

Posts 4094
Coastal Texas

2 posted 2003-12-17 11:07 AM

The speaker in this tribute delivers one powerful punch, one that left me addled, eyes roaming back to the top to read to the bottom to get another powerful punch. Zounds.

Enchantress
Member Empyrean

since 2001-08-14

Posts 35113
Canada eh.

3 posted 2003-12-17 11:15 AM

WOW! Your words grab the reader and pull them in...
holding them entranced until the very end.
Amazing tribute...well done!
Hugs~

~Let peace begin with me...

Aimster
Member Elite

since 2000-02-19

Posts 4297
Charlotte, NC

4 posted 2003-12-17 02:06 PM

there are no words for this...again you
leave me speechless, absolutely amazing!
antonio, you have the ability to not only
tell a story but to paint it...i am left
in awe truly!
Happy Holidays,
Amy

"love is like a butterfly--
if you chase it,
it will surely fly away,instead
hold it close and watch it grow into
something beautiful"
~me~

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

5 posted 2003-12-17 02:22 PM

Antonio...A wonderful tribute, written with heart. Thank you for sharing him with us here.

Antonio_L
Member

since 2003-12-01

Posts 110
NorthEast USA

6 posted 2003-12-17 02:25 PM

Thank you so much Sunshine, Alicat, Enchantress Martie and Aimster. Your comments mean a lot to me. Roy once told me he thought his house was haunted. I asked him what he was doing about it and if he would speak in rhyme, his answer would have been like this;

"... ah have no times to fear,
things that ain't hardly here,
but if theys want trouble,
ah gives them it double...",

as he smiled and hefted the axe he kept by his bed. Otherwise a very gentle man, that hard man.

I have been trying really hard to visit the many wonderful poems in here but I am only scratching the surface. I want to comment on them all, and I want to learn from them all. I try, things are really busy here now but I try.

Tony.

[This message has been edited by Antonio_L (12-17-2003 02:28 PM).]

Magnus

Member Laureate

since 2001-10-10

Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA

7 posted 2003-12-17 09:37 PM

Tony, this is a very nice piece of poetry.
One that I doubt I will forget for some
time. And that says a lot for what you have
written.

Thank You.

Suetang
Member Ascendant

since 2001-03-07

Posts 5187
Melbourne, Australia

8 posted 2003-12-17 09:56 PM

Hello Tony

Your words brought a lump to my throat. This was such a wonderful dedication to someone who was obviously so very special to you. I have no doubt that Roy is smiling down on you.

Take care......Sue

I am in motion
I am blue
Love is an ocean
I'm anchored in you
- Shawn Mullins

ecrivan
Member Elite

since 2001-12-10

Posts 3923
my own state

9 posted 2003-12-17 11:44 PM

Interesting write and message to learn by...some will get angry and beat their wives for disloyality yet others will be less violent...

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

10 posted 2003-12-17 11:48 PM

Tony? Take your time. PiP has been around for over 4 years...I know it will be around for a long time to come.

And when you're ready?

We'll introduce you to the archives.

Antonio_L
Member

since 2003-12-01

Posts 110
NorthEast USA

11 posted 2003-12-18 06:05 AM

I appreciate that Sunshine, I just can't help feeling a little bad at not being to reciprocate more easily.

And thank you for your kind comments up there, and too, Alicat, Enchantress, Aimster, Martie, Suetang, Sea, Magnus, and Ecrivan. You are all very kind.

Tony.

Sadelite
Member Elite

since 2003-10-11

Posts 2519

12 posted 2003-12-18 02:21 PM

very nice, indeed! What a wise man your mentor was. Some people do have too much fire to extinquish by just one person! Your friend showed rose great love.

Very well written, leading my emotions all the way...
Sadelite

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean

since 1999-07-07

Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla

13 posted 2003-12-18 02:39 PM

Antonio,
An excellent write and a good lesson, enjoyed the read.

Antonio_L
Member

since 2003-12-01

Posts 110
NorthEast USA

14 posted 2003-12-18 10:55 PM

Thank you Sadelite and Seymour. It is a very nice feeling to learn that I have written something that others can enjoy. I wasn't sure I could do that before but you poets here are teaching me quite a lot about poetry, and about myself.

Tony.

[This message has been edited by Antonio_L (12-18-2003 10:59 PM).]

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