Open Poetry #38 |
Ghost Town |
Lighthousebob Member Elite
since 2000-06-14
Posts 4725California |
Ghost Town I close my eyes and fade away Into the dreams of yesterday When miners mined and dealers dealt And walked the streets that once were felt Could pave a path of golden dreams But turned to dust they’ve all it seems And nothing else remains On these parched and fruitless plains But arid fields of tumbleweeds That follow where the dry winds lead And settle down to plant their seeds Where once the living stayed In homesteads now decayed By time and elements of wrath That judged the sinful aftermath Of brothel life and dark saloons Where gunshots rang and lives where strewn About like rag dolls on the floor But now as ghosts live evermore To coax the weary traveler stay And close their eyes to fade away. Lighthouse Bob |
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© Copyright 2006 Robert E. Michaud Jr. - All Rights Reserved | |||
Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Wonderful imagery Bob.. Great visuals of the 'then' and 'now'. Well done! Hugs~Nancy ~Somewhere in my heart I'm always |
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skyshine
since 2002-02-07
Posts 3058Beneath the northern stars |
Thank you for the trip back through time. Wonderful visuals in this. sky I hope someday you get the chance to live like you were dying.... |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Much enjoyed. - Owl |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
I know it wasn't meant to be, but your story reminded me of Ireland, during the days before & of the potato famine... Excellent write, enjoyed.... |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
There are still places where those old row houses stand. Very interesting and pefectly written. martyjo |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
wow Bob...much enjoyed! |
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Klassy Lassy Member Elite
since 2005-06-28
Posts 2187Oregon |
Loved your rendition of the Old West's ghosts. TV has really romanticized it, but it was a harsh life, which still sounds a like the American Dream today. Lust and money, and self-destruction. Not all, but some. No wonder the ghosts linger. ~ Klassy |
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Snowflake From Hell Senior Member
since 2003-07-10
Posts 777My own little Icey Oblivion |
i agree with nancy great imagery of the then and now, i enjoyed this one Hollow heroes seperate as they run...Shadows linger in your pain dead and done |
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Startime55 Member Elite
since 2003-04-05
Posts 2148Alberta, Canada |
Absolutely stunning....You bring to life the ghost towns you write about and make me think of the visions Louis L'Amour must have had when walking the trails that became his books....Stunning...I love the whole feel of this poem...**big hugs** |
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CastleGuard Senior Member
since 2003-04-30
Posts 760Alberta, Canada |
A vivid trip to times by us unlived... CG |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Bob To be able to feel the past as you have done in this poem, is a blessing, for it teaches much about the future. Loved this! |
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Debo Member
since 2006-04-18
Posts 321Texas U.S.A. |
Well this one reminded me of a Texas Ghost town called just that. Where they once mined for Cinnabar. (Mercury ore)I once lived there in that desert heat. Thanks for the fond reminder. Debo |
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Bonnie j Senior Member
since 2003-06-27
Posts 1588Ohio |
What a tale these Ghost Towns would tell. Maybe if we listen real close- We will hear the voices of old on the wind and hear the distant laughter that used to be. Liked the write you have expressed in poetry. Good Jobber Hugs BonBon |
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Lighthousebob Member Elite
since 2000-06-14
Posts 4725California |
Thank you everyone for your kind comments. Smiles. Unfortunately, unlike Louis L'Amour and many of you, I did not have the opportunity to visit a real Ghost Town nor rubbed shoulders with real live cowboys from the wild wild west. This poem was actually first inspired by my watching the Disney animated film named "Cars." I loved the small town in the movie that had been left abandoned. From that movie, I started researching Ghost Towns and fell in love with the pictures and history of a Ghost Town here in California by the name of Bodie. So... from the movie, "Cars," and my research on Bodie, the poem, Ghost Town, actually evolved. Thanks again. -Bob To learn more about the California Ghost Town named Bodie click here. |
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Bonnie j Senior Member
since 2003-06-27
Posts 1588Ohio |
Hi You might like this one. It is called History Of The Old Wooden Bridge. /main/forumdisplay.cgi?action=displayarchive&number=83&topic=002226 BonBon |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
You drew me right into those vivid scenes and I actually felt as though I was living them there and then! What a writer! What an imagination! ~ Especially appreciated since you had no prior experience with them. I checked out the link you gave us and I was quite intrigued! Thanks for this wonderful post, Dear House of Light! Love & Light, EA |
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JL Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128Texas, USA |
I could hear the boomtown, the expectations of a gold rush town, then as hopes of a big gold mine fades the settlers leave almost as quick as they came. Leaving behind them a town almost intact, as if someone unseen still lives there. Great write. JL |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Bob...I love Bodie!! |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
You rendered the atmosphere of a Ghost town powerfully with your well chosen words. I strongly perceive the impermanency of existence in the impressive picture you painted. Thank you, dear Bob. Love, Margherita |
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