navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #39 » Uncle Bob's Pocket Knife
Open Poetry #39
Post A Reply Post New Topic Uncle Bob's Pocket Knife Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
Ratleader
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026
Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass

0 posted 2006-11-01 05:12 PM



Uncle Bob’s Pocket Knife

It felt important, like a gift from just
an apple peel, no special thing at all,
and his cheap pocket knife, too old to rust;
he’d strip it in one long and lazy spall.
It didn’t seem to matter that he’d cut
fish baits and leaders in the afternoon
the day before, or that he’d scratched his butt
while clowning like the dunce in a cartoon
and may have washed his hands, or maybe not.
He kept it sharp, an oilstone by the sink
made from a broken chunk of flower pot.
He’d strip that peel so thin the red looked pink,
and then, after the pleasant mess he’d made,
cut me a wedge; I still can taste that blade.

© Copyright 2006 Ed Ratledge - All Rights Reserved
Interloper
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-06
Posts 8369
Deep in the heart
1 posted 2006-11-01 05:23 PM


I have the same memories of my Grandather's knife and I now own that very knife
Well done!

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
2 posted 2006-11-01 05:25 PM


Ed....I have my father's knife...unused, not even sure if he used it...still I treasure it.  Great poem, with just the right heart touch!!  
Ratleader
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026
Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass
3 posted 2006-11-01 05:31 PM


Bob Eccles....he wasn't really an uncle, except in some super-subtly related way I never actually understood....but so much a part of the extended family that he got the title....

Psst....Karilea....some of your friends or neighbors may have known him....he lived where you do, and for a while over in Parsons.

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________

The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
4 posted 2006-11-02 12:13 PM




Ed

I like to stay
with your poems awhile

kinda visit with them


passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
5 posted 2006-11-02 07:46 AM


thanks for the story...brought back some memories
Ratleader
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026
Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass
6 posted 2006-11-03 12:42 PM


Sometimes even I, give in to the urge to write a sonnet.....but I try not to make it too obvious!

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
7 posted 2006-11-17 03:11 PM


I swear... *S* You're the only one who can write a sonnet and make it flow so smoothly that I don't realize I'm reading one... no forced rhyme from your pen! *S*

You've painted him so vividly, I feel I know him... and don't blame you for choosing kinship. *S*

Magnus
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA
8 posted 2006-11-19 07:49 PM


Oh...so can I ... so can I...

Thanx Ed, this was/is great!  

Magnus
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA
9 posted 2006-11-19 08:23 PM


So, when are U going to write that sonnet?

Huh?  

Pressie
Member
since 2006-11-14
Posts 157
Oklahoma
10 posted 2006-11-19 11:05 PM


Reminded me of my dad. He had an affinity for knives. My uncle hand made a number of excellent pocket knives many years ago.

Thanks for the trip back down memory lane!

Well done!

VAS
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-16
Posts 7450
Oregon
11 posted 2006-11-19 11:37 PM


Yep, the things we survive...germaphobic though we may sometimes be, we seemed to have withstood things that are hard to believe.

"spall" is a new word for me; going to have to look that one up. Was that your intent? Make me smarter, by chance?:=}

I had totally missed that it was a sonnet. At least now I know why it stopped so soon. Wanted to hear more, I have to admit.

Whether on the shoal or on the shore,
I'll seek the lighthouse evermore.

Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #39 » Uncle Bob's Pocket Knife

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary