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Open Poetry #33
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In The Back Yard
| Open Poetry #33 |
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In The Back Yard |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass 
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In The Back Yard I was a boy I mean, just now a boy playing man in the back yard, and the swing did it. It was only a rope around the tree branch, not even a real swing. I learned the knots in Boys' Life; They looked so good, man, so tight. I learned to swing right here in the back yard, learned to take that rope so high, man, so high; could even have learned to fly, I mean just now, if I’d had time. I could even have learned to die before my Boys' Life knot unraveled right here in the back yard. |
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| © Copyright 2004 Ed Ratledge - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Margot Member
since 2003-10-04
Posts 154 |
Excellent, I love the flow of the poem and how it takes me to that backyard, right now with the man that became a boy. Margot Love is something eternal, The aspect may change, But not the essence.- Vincent Van Gogh |
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ecrivan Member Elite
since 2001-12-10
Posts 3923my own state |
a juvenile caper to exact a thrill...good one  |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
This is kinda happy and sad at the same time.  to you Mr Rat  The clouds never expect it when it rains, but the sea, changes colour, but the sea, does not change. |
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BluesSerenade Member Patricius
since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549By the Seaside |
we grow so fast to be men and women, and only then do we consider hanging onto the rope. And that's just the beginning. Miss you, Ratleader~ |
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ShiningWindHaze Member
since 2004-09-06
Posts 138California, United States |
sweet. It makes me want to go swing on a rope just like that. - Haze |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Whoa -- maybe I'm interpreting wrongly, but I felt a whallop with the last couple of lines. Enjoyed the poem, RatL. ....jo |
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A Romantic Heart Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-03
Posts 5496Forever In Your Heart |
I love bringing out my inner child from time to time, I think we are forever young in our hearts... ~love and hugs ~ARH  |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
That flip/flop of brain/heart entered mind/soul. Excellent! |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
sheesh, now you've gone and made me want to fly off to Never Mever Land! Smiles and hugs...good one Ed..it's all in our minds...where we want to be...sometimes being men/women...long as we never forget to sometimes be children... Great write and good morning to ya |
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Gentle Spirit Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989 |
I learned to swing right here in the back yard, learned to take that rope so high, man, so high; could even have learned to fly, I mean just now, if I’d had time. I could even have learned to die just darn incredible.. Time, is sometimes a gift we have to give ourselves. Fly man, fly! Enjoyed immensely! |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
Good morning, Ed! It's good to read your writing again! The rope swing and its ups and downs, freedom and feet upon the grounds... I always liked ours, too, it transported me into a wannabe composer or playwright or something or other! Catch ya later... I can't help thinking there is more to this. Take care. Expect an e-mail. miscellanea |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
Whoops. I did it again! I am the world's worst librarian! |
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Ericc Member Elite
since 2003-01-31
Posts 4178 |
It is always a pleasure and a gift to be greeted by your words Ed. Eric |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Oh, my friend... I agree with iliana... this one packs a powerful punch!!! *S* You write of a swing... and give us a rollercoaster ride... from the soar of innocence and its boundless horizons... to the depths of a now where both feet and head can barely lift... from lighthearted to heartbreaking. And as we step off, we're reeling with sadness... as well as the knowledge that we've just read perfection. *S* |
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Pilgrimage Member Elite
since 2001-12-04
Posts 3945Texas, USA |
Ed, you can learn everything you ever need to know in the back yard. I can see forever there. Mmmm, that might get to be a poem someday. Thanks. Nan (Pilgrim variety) |
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soul drifter Senior Member
since 2004-09-08
Posts 711Colorado |
This makes me really miss my childhood, especially since we so rarely had a backyard. Wonderful poem. |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
Ed, you had me thinking of the joy I experience when I take my son to the park, thinking of simpler times - then you bring me right back to present (because I tried to jump of the moving swing thinking I was ten) *grin* I love this . . . |
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milkweed Junior Member
since 2004-09-07
Posts 42fields of gold |
There is a comment above by suthern that reflects accurately the feelings this piece left with me. You have a unique style of writing and I like it. |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Ed I think instead of jumping from the garage roof, I should have learned to tie knots. Enjoyed this bit of boy/man! |
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