»
Archives
»
Open Poetry #1
»
The Kingdom of Lox
| Open Poetry #1 |
|
The Kingdom of Lox |
|
|
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA 
|
KINGDOM OF LOX When I was just a young boy sitting on my father's knee, I marveled at all the stories and fables he nightly told to me And one fable, in particular, stayed in my memory - About the small kingdom of Lox. Lox was ruled by a kind and gentle king Who gave his subjects everything But he had one quirk, one tiny thing Which made a paradox. He would send gifts to his subjects - precious gold and diamond rings, Porcelain vases, painting masterpieces, pottery and things But each precious gift he wrapped up, tied it with a piece of string And used a flimsy box. The recipients were proud that he had sent them such a token (Though, normally, when they unwrapped it, they would find it broken), But they considered him eccentric - not an unkind word was spoken. Such was life in the kingdom of Lox. Late last week my father left me - calmly up and passed away, A spirit so unbending lost to sickness and decay. The ticking of a heart with strength to take one's breath away Stopped .... like a rusted, battered clock. And me, I spend time contemplating life and death and things And who will win the pennant - will the grass return in spring? How beautiful the moon looks when I hear Frank Sinatra sing - And about the small kingdom of Lox. Now, when nighttime falls and crickets sing I wonder and ponder on why MY king Placed such a very precious thing In such a fragile box. |
||
| © Copyright 1999 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
fjones Member
since 1999-06-07
Posts 98MS |
I understand the feelings you had when writting this poem! |
||
|
Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
I was rereading some of your poetry and decided to bring this to the front of the line....here you go - - - - - |
||
|
thursdayschild Member
since 1999-07-01
Posts 169Houston, Tx. |
This is a wonderful work of art, with such a powerful message. Really love this poem.....Thanks for sharing, truly inspirational. |
||
|
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
....and thank you, thursdayschild. It's one of my favorites. |
||
|
doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
A+++.l Bravo! |
||
|
Andrew Scott Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558Redlands,CA,USA |
A reminder of how lucky I am to still have my father about after two double by-passes. My sincere thanks. |
||
|
Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
My deer, this is one of my favorites of your works - and I never commented on it.... That's two today....  .. ...So, here's another for these fine folks to savor....  ..  ------------------ Nay, if our wits run the Wild-Goose chase, I am done: For thou hast more of the Wild-Goose in one of thy wits, Than I am sure I have in my whole five. ~ ²1592 Wm. Shakespeare ~ Romeo & Juliet ~ ii. iv. 75 |
||
|
Pretender New Member
since 1999-08-13
Posts 9Roseville, CA 95661 |
It has such great meaning and it truly has heart. You paint a good picture with those words. |
||
|
Fred Hobbs Member
since 1999-06-08
Posts 329Tallahassee, Florida, US |
Balladeer, I missed this the first time, I'm not here much. Poems like this one are the reason all here look up to you. Another great work. sandman |
||
|
Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
I thought I commented on this one. It's one of my favourits. Thank you for sharing it with us. |
||
|
Skyfyre Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906Sitting in Michael's Lap |
Rarely does a poem touch me as this one has. The "flimsy box" reference was brilliant. I should like to say it was cleverly written, but I don't believe that does the poem nor its author justice ... so instead I shall just say "wow". |
||
|
Lost Dreamer Member Elite
since 1999-06-20
Posts 2464Somewhere near the Rainbow |
Balladeer, Well I guess I missed this one for a long time,I guess better late then never holds the key here. I have to say this is another one of your masterpieces. |
||
|
Sue Member
since 1999-08-04
Posts 383France |
A wonderful thought, exquisitely written. Balladeer, you brought tears to my eyes, please don't ever stop! |
||
|
~one voice~ Senior Member
since 1999-07-08
Posts 664Billings, MT USA |
Balladeer, this is such a fascinating piece! It must have been posted before I found this place, otherwise, I would have commented on it sooner! I have loved your work since I first came across it, Balladeer! I'm glad this was brought up to the front! ------------------ ~onevoice~ "She looked at her life like lines, never-ending, constantly forming, reforming and bending." |
||
|
Terri Member
since 1999-08-08
Posts 82Turtle Creek, PA |
Oh Bal...how beautiful Life is all the more precious because we are so fragile |
||
|
Toerag Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622Ala bam a |
That was great my friend.....I could write a zillion poems of what my father told to me...but none as well as you.... |
||
suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
'Deer.... incredibly beautiful! |
||
|
aziza Member Elite
since 2006-07-09
Posts 2995Lumpy Oatmeal makes me Crazy! |
I love this. Alison |
||
|
Artic Wind Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 8080Realm of Supernatural |
enjoyed ARCTIC WIND |
||
|
latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Precious. latearrival |
||
|
Klassy Lassy Member Elite
since 2005-06-28
Posts 2187Oregon |
So alluring I found the Kingdom of Lox I, too, found treasure in the King's box brighter than diamonds, softer than pearls, roses dew-kissed where petals unfurl, night skies filled with flotillas of fire laughter and music~~ soft auras inspire myriad patterns, kaleidoscope art, legacies of life, no stop and no start, ~ a journey of wings no box could contain, the empirical rise of a heart in refrain, bright glories of eons, such patterns to thrill broke all the boxes so heaven could spill the magic of legends, voice velvet, whereof, I'm captive audience to a Balladeer's love. ~K Lassy 5/24/09 A soft touch of memories, Michael. |
||
Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
You stole my breath. May I have it back? A |
||
|
GBride Senior Member
since 2009-07-02
Posts 538 |
You poem is an inspiration to me as I never knew my father. When he died I had to attend his funeral. I can remember thinking how happy I was that I would never have to have anything to do with him. I was always resentful of male attority and had little respect for men. You poem has given me an insite into what could have been. Thanks |
||
|
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Thank you, GBride,for such a touching response. I appreciate it....and welcome to Passions! |
||
|
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
My first reading of such a precious thing... and now we all know why you're such the king of all we hold dear... in all that we hear.  One day, I shall go on a treasured hunt! |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
