Open Poetry #38 |
Silas Yowell (A Hard Life) |
XOx Uriah xOX Senior Member
since 2006-02-11
Posts 1403Virginia |
Silas Yowell lost his mama on the day he was born. His daddy drowned himself in fermented corn. He cussed God in Heaven and his days on earth. Nothing but grief from the time of his birth. It was a hard life. He was too hard to cry He was too mean to smile. Life was living Hell for Silas Yowell. Pain and anger filled his days. The only thing anyone can say... It was a hard life. In youth, he was tough as a stump of dried oak. Long cruel years left him bent and broke. He rose every day at the dawn of morn. Hear his old bones cracking like a coon in the corn. A hard life. His medicine was all he loved in life. Made from apples and corn and it cut like a knife. He'd open up a jug and draw a bucket from the well. A little bit of Heaven when he felt like Hell. 'Cause it's a hard life. Yeah, ol Silas lived a long hard life. Buried fourteen children and a worn out wife. Worked every day for ninety one years 'Til they laid him in the clay and nobody shed a tear. For a hard life. He angered all the saints and scared all the sinners He walked this earth for ninety seven winters They finally came and laid his body down. Took an old marble slab and stuck it in the ground. It said... A Hard Life. He never had no friends Just an Airedale pup. In his later years when he was all used up... Oft' times he could have used a helping hand, But all you're gonna get if you're a mean old man is a hard life. It was a bitter cold winter back in eighty four When Silas' body couldn't take it no more. No tears were shed over Silas Yowell. But for five days running... hear that little dog howl. Such a hard life. Most folks thought he was too mean to die. No grass grows where his body lies. Kids still come and throw dirt clods at the stone of a man who cursed his God. They'll have a hard life. |
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© Copyright 2006 Larry F. Leake - All Rights Reserved | |||
Lighthousebob Member Elite
since 2000-06-14
Posts 4725California |
I too am inspired by cantankerous old men! Flowed like a song. You're one heck of a poet and story teller to boot. Excellent writing. -Bob |
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rhia_5779 Senior Member
since 2006-06-09
Posts 1334California |
wow , that flowed really well together. it was really smooth. i like how you kept the story together with out retelling everything continoulsy. u repeated the hard life part but that was ok . |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
You have a most excellent talent for telling a story. This one is priceless! Hugs~Nancy ~Somewhere in my heart I'm always |
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StevenS Senior Member
since 2005-09-21
Posts 945L. A. (Lower Alabama) |
Uriah, I love reading your story poems and this one may be my favorite,but I'd have to think on it for a spell. :-) |
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Frank W. Torres Member
since 2006-06-10
Posts 133 |
Much enjoyed. |
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