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The Prize
| Open Poetry #34 |
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The Prize |
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SPIRIT Senior Member
since 2002-12-29
Posts 1745California Desert |
THE PRIZE The old man died, It had been expected. Four sons and two daughters Quickly moved in To ‘take care’ of business. His thrift shop That sat in the middle Of a graffiti splattered block, Within the poorest part of town, Would be sorely missed, Once gone. For nearly fifty years The old man ran his business; Giving away for free As much, if not more… Than he sold. He was considered A patriarch of the community. A most diverse neighborhood, Of Immigrants from all over, A real League of Nations. I live opposite the thrift shop, I have no relatives that I know of, And although I could afford Far better living quarters, I am at home here. Everyone knows my name, They treat me with respect, And I am invited Into their homes and hearts. My past is of no importance To these kind people, And I appreciate that. The walls of my small flat, Are comforting…a haven, I have been here twelve years. Before that I was housed Behind bars…as a juvenile And as a young man. Too much time on my hands, And more temptation Than I could handle, Constantly landed me Where I did not need to be. I am surrounded by my books, And a zillion magazines. I am an author of two best-selling books, And a freelance journalist. I share my flat with Emily, My fiancé and best friend, And two Siamese cats. Emily and the cats Came as a packaged deal. Life is very good. The thrift shop has been the site Of the biggest and best Scavenger hunt… ever known. I waited until the end time, Not needing or wanting anything But curious, to see what I might find, Within the nooks and crannies Of the old building, To see what treasures Maybe, had been overlooked. The shelves were pretty much empty, But for some reason I felt compelled As if I was searching for something, But I didn’t know what. In a back room thrown in a corner, Covered with old newspapers Was a worse for wear cardboard box, Without a doubt I knew this was What I needed to find, and to have. I took the box up front, Showed it to Loretta, One of the daughters And asked “How much?“ She looked inside Didn’t recognize anything And told me, I could take it No charge! The doors were closing, At the end of the week Everything needed to be gone. I ran across the street With my treasure, My heart pounding so loud In my chest…I was surprised Everyone else could not hear it. I put the box down, excitedly In the middle of the room. Pulled down two big pillows from the couch And called for Em to come and join me On the floor, and look at my prize. She looked surprised When she saw the box, Even more so when she saw It was filled...with nothing But old pictures, newspaper clippings, Postcards and other paper Souvenirs of years long past. “This is my new book Em, My next best-seller. Can’t you see it? This is a box filled With life and memories. Shouldn’t be cast aside As if these people didn’t exist, This is my next book. This assuages my need For inspiration.” So many pictures, Obviously all connected, School records, dance cards, Autographed menus, Graduation notices and Hand-painted napkins. Even an old autograph book Filled with childish doggerel. News of the Civil War, Obituary notices Baby books with locks of hair And christening notices. Someone had cherished their life, Kept every memento And now this bounty, Well over a hundred years later Was in my hands. I would bring those past, Back into the present To give them life once again. At the bottom of the box. Layered between cardboard pieces Was the prize to top all prizes. A beautiful large photograph That someone who cared, Had lovingly hand painted In exquisite water-colors. The man bearded, possibly Late forties, early fifties Sat on a stool, holding A well-crafted walking staff Of considerable length. Dressed in grey tweed He was flaunting the air Of a country gentleman. Behind him, proudly stood His wife, one hand Somewhat possessively On his shoulder. At her side a well-played guitar, (Obviously music lovers Was my first thought.) Her white pinafore type dress, Crisscrossed with large black lines Was over many petticoats And a small straw hat sat jauntily, Atop a head of coiled long hair, Black and luxurious. They were back-dropped against Sepia toned clouds within A photographer’s studio. On the back, barely discernible The words Momma and Poppa and a date Eighteen hundred and ? It will not be a mystery for long Once I start researching For my next literary challenge. ****************** All of a sudden I have relatives. If you come to my apartment You will see. On the wall, over the couch Beautifully matted and in gold frame Hangs a magnificent picture, Of a man and a woman. Also complimenting this, Are smaller framed pictures Of the same couple And their family. In shadow boxes are displayed Mixed medleys of dance cards, Menus, and graduation invites. Another larger shadow box Holds my new best seller, Simply titled Instant Relatives [This message has been edited by SPIRIT (11-21-2004 08:33 PM).] |
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ThisDiamond Member Rara Avis
since 2002-02-22
Posts 9353Michigan, USA |
Awesome! Pulled me into every line...an extraordinary story within a story. There is a typo in paragraph 4, thrift ship...I knew what it was supposed to be. Cannot distract from the pearl you have here. Thanks for sharing this. TD |
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SPIRIT Senior Member
since 2002-12-29
Posts 1745California Desert |
Thanks for the heads up...appreciate it. I have read it so many times and didn't catch it.  |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
oh dear... how very touching dang...sigh |
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Mysteria 
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
I am not sure if you wrote this after you posted the poem with the picture your son took, but it's interesting how the two sort of link together in a way isn't it? I loved this story poem as I am the greatest collector of other people's old stuff, and have fun trying to figure out where it came from actually. Nice to see you back by the way Spirit. |
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Shelley Member
since 2000-01-27
Posts 263Ohio, USA |
I don't know what to say other then... !CAPTIVATING! I love it. Thank you so much for sharing! |
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