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Open Poetry #31
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Riding the Greyhound (Moving On)
| Open Poetry #31 |
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Riding the Greyhound (Moving On) |
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jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas 
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Riding the Greyhound ( Moving On) Never saw such loneliness as when riding Big Grey Dog. You’d think solitude’s hard to find in a bus load of people, but emptiness sat in the seats staring out the window, at the back of the seat before it, or in it’s lap, seeing shadows . . . effigies of the living. Thought circled the ceiling, walked up and down the aisle, stopping at a seat here and there, like a ghost seeking the body from which it had parted, and in every eye a tear waited to fall, but didn’t. You could see emptiness in rummy faces smell it in alcoholic fumes, almost touch it behind put on smiles, and yet, there was hope for some in the next town; for others there was hope in leaving the last one, it appeared in the slight upward curl of their lips when the city limits was left behind. Between leaving and arriving spirits rose, whispers started, and soon there was talk . . . I heard a giggle, a laugh, the ghosts faded away, tears dried up. I was wrong – this wasn’t a chariot of lost souls, it was a ship of dreams, a journey of hope and prayer. These were people moving on . . . the Big Grey Dog, their ride to somewhere, anywhere, but the place they’d left. On a black-topped, two-lane road to life, they were moving on. wesley james beard, jr (c) february 2004 |
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| © Copyright 2004 Wesley James Beard, Jr. - All Rights Reserved | |||
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inkedgoddess Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-19
Posts 7392Ohio |
o the faces and places on a simple grey hound bus ride, counting the cars on the new jersey turnpyke theyve all come to look for america................ |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Jimmy...wonderful look at the real. |
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Ivy Rose Senior Member
since 2001-12-29
Posts 1300MA, USA |
jwesley, wonderful write, my friend. Such vivid images and such effective emotion in this piece. ***Ivy Rose |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
been there, done it, and this is so real |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
Yes, you made me feel like I was on that bus. This is very well penned. ... I am glad you came to the conclusion "Moving on"! I always day-dream when I happen to be on a bus. Love, Margherita  |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
jwesley A good insightful write, enjoyed. |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
spectacular words and images...well done JW. speechless here.... |
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ThisDiamond Member Rara Avis
since 2002-02-22
Posts 9353Michigan, USA |
Excellent Write Jim TD |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Well done Jimmy...very much enjoyed! Hugs~ ~ Whatever our souls are made of, |
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Grover Senior Member
since 2004-01-27
Posts 1967London, ON, Canada |
I've been on that bus... very good write! Grover. |
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garysgirl 
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
I love thiis, James. Though I've never been on a bus on a long trip, I've been on a train to and from New York. That was a longgggg ride. I had mixed emotions since it was the first time I'd been away from my parents for very long. Thanks for the memories.  Hugs  Ethel |
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S Arthur Grey Senior Member
since 2001-03-19
Posts 719woven by a poet's loom |
Right on, J! Well captured. Enjoyed. |
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BluesSerenade Member Patricius
since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549By the Seaside |
it was a ship of dreams, a journey of hope and prayer. These were people moving on . Much enjoyed this tale your thoughts have told... so true to life, this ride we're on! Really nice jwesley~ |
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1slick_lady Member Ascendant
since 2000-12-22
Posts 6088standing on a shadow's lace |
"I was wrong – this wasn’t a chariot of lost souls, it was a ship of dreams, a journey of hope and prayer. These were people moving on . . . " jim...i dont know just what to say to you about this...all i can do is read it and cry...it is one of the best things i have ever read from you...special...just special...like you...helen |
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steavenr Member Elite
since 2003-11-17
Posts 4058 |
powerfull, insightful, and to be quite honest...awe-inspiring...I love your style and the imagery you invoke |
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