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Open Poetry #37
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The Last Words of Mary Dodd - with Audio
| Open Poetry #37 |
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The Last Words of Mary Dodd - with Audio |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA 
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The funeral had been quiet - just the family - nothing more They'd laid her in her final resting place the night before. He sat now, going through the things that she had saved through life This woman who, for fifty years, had been known as his wife. The clothes he placed into a pile - the perfume for the daughter. He smiled at all the trinkets and cheap jewelry he bought her And, way up on a shelf where he had never thought to look, He reached his hand up high and came down with a ledger book. He opened it...saw birthday dates - some cooking recipes, Some facts of little consequence - some homemade remedies Then, way back on the final page he happened to explore, He saw some notes she'd written down who knows how long before. She wrote them in a quite strange way - not like a diary... It read more like a news report or some biography. He read the first line, then the next, then sat down on the bed, His eyes refusing to believe the poignant words he read.... My name is Mary Dodd I am 55 years old I am 5'1" I weigh 155 pounds I am vain enough to believe I carry it well. I have known one man in my life. My husband is a decent kind hard-working man. I have birthed two children. I have never made love. My satisfaction has never been a priority or concern. "What gibberish was this?" he thought. She'd not made love indeed! He gave her years of pleasure every time he felt the need! He almost tossed the book aside like more junk to discard But her next words jumped off the page and hit him very hard..... I have corresponded with another man. He is warm and caring makes me laugh makes me feel special cherished desired puts a smile on my face. I will lose 15 pounds then send for him. He will come. He will want to make love. I will allow him to do so. He will take me to a darkened room where I will surrender myself unashamed to his touch. I will experience one time all joy and pleasure unoffered to me until now. I will do so without guilt without regret without fear. He will guide me and I will follow willingly eagerly happily like a child. I will smile laugh cry most importantly I will feel wanted. Afterward I will lay in his arms quietly for a time then get up dress touch his lips with my finger. He will know that this will be the only time. "The dirty rotten slut!", he screamed. His voice was filled with rage. He had to force himself to not tear out and burn the page. He never thought her sexy or not even good in bed And, all the while, she passed it out to other men instead! My life will continue. I will wash cook iron clean be the perfect wife I have always been. On rare occasions that I am called upon to perform I will function capably doing what I must to validate my man's opinion of himself. Occasionally when burdens of the day become overly heavy I will release from my treasure chest of memories those precious moments of that day then when I lay amid rumpled sheets a desired fulfilled complete woman. My husband will never know. By now nighttime had fallen and her words had hit their mark. He sat alone, a huddled figure weeping in the dark. He thought of how he treated her-his lackey, fool and slave And never realized her worth til she was in the grave. "I'm sorry, girl", he whispered to the book. "I should have known It wasn't right ignoring you and leaving you alone." Had these words been a fantasy or did she really go? In that regard, she'd been correct - he'd never really know. [This message has been edited by Sunshine (09-16-2007 07:32 PM).] |
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| © Copyright 2006 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Oh, I remember this. One of your finest poems ever. You've done right by this one...and we will all thank you for it. Well done, Sir. . |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Balladeer One of your very best. |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Excellent, Michael. Very well done! |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
Wow! |
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elfin_tigress Member
since 2002-05-15
Posts 101Someplace |
I agree with Seymour. Definitely one of your best. By far. Wow... just... wow... |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Deer, this is really something....I shouldn't have read it before I go to sleep though 'cause now it will haunt me.  |
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Charisma
since 2000-09-30
Posts 5906lost in blue pages |
Oh yes I do remember this one, and its very nice to hear your voice reading one of your finest poems. Glad I came in to read and hear this one. ((hugs)) Charisma |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Captivating! A very compelling read, Sir Raconteur! You have talent dripping straight from your rack, Dear Deer!  Linda |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Most excellent 'Deer!! Hugs~Nancy In the midst of winter, |
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Edward Grim Senior Member
since 2005-12-18
Posts 1154Greenville, South Carolina |
I think the others really said it all but this really is an epic. Wonderful poetry. Cheers - Ed Momma says, "Life... is like a box full of chocolates, you never know when you're gonna get one with a nut in it". |
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Toerag Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622Ala bam a |
As much as I hate to post this you prick...this is exceptional!!!!! |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Great poetry, Deer!! What a story!! |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Deer Man, you said it all for many women I know. How come you are so all knowing? Sadly, a lot of these woman are young ladies who never really knew the real love a man can offer. (And I am sure the reverse can apply ). Neither ever knew the joys of courtship before love (I mean sex) either. best to you, martyjo |
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Gentle Spirit Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989 |
 Whoa Michael, I ADORE this.  Excellent write, and wonderful story! Methinks it's a |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Sunshine...thank you for remembering.. Sy...glad you approve, kind sir. Denise...always a pleasure to see your name!! The Lady...three little letters that say a mouthful...thank you! elfin_tigress...thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed.. iliana...we must haunt the same places! Thank you! Charisma...I'm always glad when you come in. Thank you for liking it... Earth Angel...talented racks are my specialty! (and who are you calling a raccoon tour??)  Enchantress....most appreciated! Edward..Thanks for the read and enjoying my work. I appreciate it.. Toerag...must hurt like the devil! I appreciate your pain...and your kind words.  Martie...a story with one foot in truth for some. Thank you, flower lady! latearrival..I'ma great student of human nature....and that goes for inhuman nature, as well! ...and, yes, you are right. Gentle Spirit...I always love being kept by you!!! |
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Titia Geertman Member Ascendant
since 2001-05-07
Posts 5182Netherlands |
You know Deer, this one went straight to my heart. What beautiful words you've penned down here. Remind me to hug you if ever we'll meet again to thank you for this precious gift. TitiaLike scattered leaves...my words will flow |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
strange how right before us is our whole world, yet we take it for granted, not realizing the importance, until it's no longer there... Deer, this was immeasurable... thank you |
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luminosity Senior Member
since 2005-11-18
Posts 813 |
yep, I remember too, one of your best, it gives me chills, and it amazes me how you write mary's perspective with such insight... |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Will we? A sequel perhaps pahleeze? Now I have to know who it was? |
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garysgirl
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
Goodness gracious, Michael!! Every time I open up one of your poems, I know it's going to be wonderful, but, my friend, this is beyond words!! What a story!! I'm Keeping it to read over and over again!! Hugs, Ethel |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Titia...it always pleases me to please you. Thank you! LeeJ...you could not be more right. My thanks for enjoying... luminosity...perhaps I was Mary in another life?  Who can say? Thanks for the read..Mysteria...a sequel? I hadn't even considered one. I will now! Ethel...comments like yours keep me writing..thank you for so much kindness |
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playing.with.crayons Member
since 2006-01-02
Posts 362Neverland |
Oh a sequel please! this was fantastic. Kept my eyes right on the screen. If anyone came if they would have thought I was staring at something quite unseemly. Such a wonderful write. I will read it more than once. xxxxxxx farewell the ash-tray girl |
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Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
Michael, Yup I like it... If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again. [This message has been edited by Larry C (09-17-2007 04:09 PM).] |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
I love it !!! ~*The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but it's echo endures much longer*~ Email - [email protected] [This message has been edited by Marge Tindal (09-17-2007 05:49 PM).] |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Fixed. |
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Artic Wind Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 8080Realm of Supernatural |
LOVE IT ARCTIC WIND |
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