Open Poetry #33 |
Just One Day |
Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Abandoned by years of silence, a week’s stubble itching a weathered face. Lost in yesterday’s memory, struggling to take a step forward before falling backwards into a quagmire of forget. He walked the gutter’s edge softly, downcast eyes hoping to spy the last dime that he had. Silent tongue rubbing toothless gums, shaking hands grasping for a borrowed smoke. He was once a man, standing dapper and tall. His heart beat gallantly until that spring day when rains mixed with life’s tears and stifled sobs were heard by no one. Standing silent beneath an oak’s umbrella as gentle drops fell upon a wrinkled and weathered neck. He wore no watch, though he always knew the time. His last pair of underwear long since forgotten in the back of some alleyway where empty wine bottles clinked lazily toward a fly infested dumpster. Home was a door where a weathered paper spoke of condemnation... A place where paint faded into rotted wood and rats ran the attic as a single dead bulb swung lazily in the chilling breeze. An old man, not nearly as old as his features painted him. The glow of his eyes steadily dimming as months passed. Time was nigh the reaper’s harvest, and his only wish slowly disappeared with the sun’s last glimpse... They found him, cold as the ground he lay on, clasping a note scribbled on cardboard.... Asking only that someone might know him, and let him be their grandfather, if but for just one day...the day that Potter's Field took him home. |
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© Copyright 2004 Barry J. Tackett - All Rights Reserved | |||
Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Darn, I should have posted a Hankie Alert for myself...sheesh... |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Magnus No matter what the topic you write well. Enjoyed the read. |
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Margot Member
since 2003-10-04
Posts 154 |
Excellent Margot Love is something eternal, The aspect may change, But not the essence.- Vincent Van Gogh |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
yu always know how to touch the heart |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Such a vivid, touching picture you've painted of this day... you opened all our hearts wider with this one, my friend. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
I want to see some expounded lines in Prose, sir... 'cause you can DO it! |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
"Potter's Field" as meaning a public burial place for poor and unknown persons is a passage from the Gospel of St. Matthew (27:3-8): sighing~~ a very touching write Barry M |
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Gentle Spirit Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989 |
sigh... beautiful. just beautiful. |
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Susan Member Ascendant
since 2004-03-27
Posts 5104walking the surreal |
That's right, Sir - this one should've had a double hankey alert - tear my heart out and throw it on the floor! You painted this so very well, with such pigmented sorrow - Susan Happiness isn't something that happens to you, it's created from within you. Joy is a state of mind. |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
Thank you Maureen up there, I was going to ask what Potter's Field was and Barry? Lost in yesterday’s memory, struggling to take a step forward before falling backwards into a quagmire of forget. My God, I feel this way quite often . . . I guess we can all relate a bit here . . . |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
This is so poignant, Magnus, it rains with it. Corinne |
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Gentle Spirit Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989 |
I had to come back to revisit this.... and tell you again how much I enjoyed it. Oh, email sent too. |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
I feel that if I could paint this scene, he might breathe again, 'till someone comes for him, before his last moment. |
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Copperbell Senior Member
since 2003-11-08
Posts 956 |
powerful you gave someone we so often ignore and shy away from dignity...that we could do that more on the streets where we live |
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EvocativeVerse2 Senior Member
since 2003-09-10
Posts 1279 |
Hi Barry. FANTASTIC! Oh my you have raised the bar with this one sir. I can feel this so close to my heart. Reminds me of the days of old when I use to wander the streets of Toronto, Ontario. I seen so many people that could have fit this description. Such sadness excisting in a big city all too often goes unnoticed. Glad you painted their story for all my friend. Remember, if you're not part of the future, you're history! |
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E S West Member
since 2004-08-31
Posts 116California |
seems that I have seen this person.. maybe in a mirror..... Great write...... E S West |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Very real imagery, BJ. Now....where's my tissue?..... good write........jo |
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