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Open Poetry #8
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Elsewhen and Elsewhere
| Open Poetry #8 |
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Elsewhen and Elsewhere |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion 
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The dim lit tavern I frequent, on my long and many nights, Has often provided to me new and unusual sights. But, just when I thought I'd seen it all, a stranger happened in, Sat down two stools away from me with a melancholy grin. He ordered a shot of whiskey, and downed it with one pass, Then nodded at the bartender to bring another glass. The second went down as quickly as he had downed the first, And gave me pause to wonder at the nature of his thirst. And so I watched him closely to see what next he'd do, He then downed a third glass as quickly as the first two. My curiosity overcame me, I sensed a story there, And so I slipped on down the bar and took the adjacent chair. I said, "You've seemed driven since walking through the door," He glanced at me, nodded, then he downed his number four. "I love a woman who is beautiful, who lives to give her love, She shames an angel's sweetness, she's all I can think of." "She is the mistress of my night, the distractions of my day, She dims the sun, outshines the moon, makes my senses sway. She is the soul of my life, the reason for every breath, And yet she's bound to another, in sickness, health, til death." "My God," I said, "This is a shame. True love should never quake, At circumstances beyond our control, no matter what the stake. If she is all these things you say, how is it she is alone? If I had woman such as this, she would always find me home." He smiled half ironically at the truth I had professed, Downed his fifth shot of whiskey, and made his sixth request. He then turned back to me, "That's the saddest part. I know that she loves me, but another has pledged her heart." "The other man takes for granted what I would die to take, He chooses to leave her alone at night, causing her heart to break. She's more than a King's ransom in the happiness waiting there, And yet he spends his time away, some elsewhen and elsewhere." If only I had found someone who could move me thus and such, I know I'd not be out at night in these smoke and lights and dust. And so I told him, "Take her, while your lives are yet to share." He looked at me, shook my hand, then stood up from his chair. The last I saw of my new friend was his back going out the door, I felt I had done something right, that I had evened up my score. I had another drink or three, watched others as they departed, Then when the last call was announced, homeward bound I started. My loving wife understands me, the stressful life I've come to know, She knows I need to unwind, so she goes to bed alone. She's always there for me when I slip into bed each night, Opening her heart and her arms when nothing else is right. On the kitchen table, her folded note captured my eye, Written, though in haste, in her lovely feminine style. "My darling, I've been so lonely from the stress you're going through. He is a wonderful man. Much like you were once, too." "He says I'm the mistress of his night, the distractions of his day, I dim the sun, outshine the moon, make his senses sway. I'm more than a King's ransom in the happiness he finds here, While you spend your time away, some elsewhen and elsewhere." "And so my darling, please forgive me for failing to be strong, Please find your consolation in it is me who has done this wrong. But I couldn't bear to spend another night or another day Waiting for the man I love while he chose to be away." My heart sank low at what I'd lost through my careless deeds, Thinking only of myself and only of my needs. For I had squandered a King's ransom in the love she had to share, Spending time with newfound friends in elsewhens and elsewheres. Somewhere the sun is rising, but its glare does not break through, A loving man's happy gaze as he wakes up next to you. And somewhere the moon will cast a light that pales when its compared To the light you cast on him, the man who's life you share. And as for me, I'm sitting here, with no reason to go home. This tavern is as good as the next for a man who is alone. And perhaps I'll find that I can take some little comfort here, Away from my empty home in my elsewhen and elsewhere. [This message has been edited by LngJhnAg (edited 07-07-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Michael Waterman - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
My gawd, a rival to Balladeer's mighty pen... for this is the real stuff I've heard of where and when... as normally I only see a smiling face herein... and now I see before me, that heart that's been broken... SO SO good...more, please... |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
LongJohn~ This is without doubt worthy of placing in the running for the Voices On The Web book. Expert writing, my friend. Go to your EDIT icon - Under your name and password you should see a box that you can check that says - Would you like to have your poem considered for Passion's next book? CHECK THE BOX BESIDE IT and then submit. Your poem is now entered in the voting process for the book. Questions still about the book ... lots of places here to find out all the information about the book. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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MagnoliaBlue Member
since 2000-05-12
Posts 367 |
Hot damn! This is soooo good! I want to vote for this.  Please follow Marge's advice and don't make me beg. Do it, please! Please! (see what you did!) This absolutely has to be in the book! Wonderful!!!!!!!! ~My Skipper Jim I love you! Your Lady June~ |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
LJA, if you value your skin, you'd better heed Marge's advice...[and if you need help, let me know, 'cause I can FIX it!] [This message has been edited by Sunshine (edited 07-07-2000).] |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
OK - I submitted it, but please don't let the word get out that I'm "submissive" - OK? Lorelei gets very excited when she hears these kinda things - lol. |
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kat Member
since 2000-05-20
Posts 387 |
This kept me focused from beginning to end. Beautifully written! An unbelievable poem that in someways I can relate to. *sigh* I'm glad you've submitted this one. You've got my vote! kat |
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MagnoliaBlue Member
since 2000-05-12
Posts 367 |
Good thing I came back to read it again. I just voted!  ~My Skipper Jim I love you! Your Lady June~ |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
Somewhere the sun is rising, but its glare does not break through, A loving man's happy gaze as he wakes up next to you. And somewhere the moon will cast a light that pales when its compared To the light you cast on him, the man who's life you share. And as for me, I'm sitting here, with no reason to go home. This tavern is as good as the next for a man who is alone. And perhaps I'll find that I can take some little comfort here, Away from my empty home in my elsewhen and elsewhere. -------------------- talk about "Class"....right back at ya babe this is SO COOL.. so well written and so wisdom kissed awesome Long John...truly thank you for the sweet reply to my post today kind pirate.. glad to see you sailed back our way later-cool-poet-gator jm |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
A smooth read and a powerful message...I'll remember not to hang out in the bars after I'm married...when I'm married...if I'm married...or ever if I have a girlfriend I adore...James |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Well now - Aren't you submissive... I mean impressive - This is wonderful, my friend... Voting here...  .."V |
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Tennessee Angel Senior Member
since 2000-06-03
Posts 661Tennessee |
Consider me a Voter!! Excellent piece. --You can either take me as I am...or you can watch me as I go.-- |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Why, you old sailor in the grass! I can see right through ya, barnacle belcher!! I get a couple of nice comments from nice people appreciating my ballads and you sneak in here with one of your own to try and grab a little of the spotlight!  Well, it ain't gonna work! I don't care if it is a good story and I don;t care if the lines are excellent and display a good amount of poetic ability! You ain't getting away with it. I'll start writing about barbequeing cats and see how you like that!!! God work, ya pirate |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
My goodness!! A great poem! Glad you fixed it so I can vote for it.  |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Superb job, sailor!!! |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
LongJohn~ To save your hide we won't call you 'submissive' ... just Well-trained to follow orders !  Good job, Lorelei ! Now - what was I doing here ??? Oh - yeah ! ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
No wonder Lorelei is a very happy person...you old submissive thing, you... |
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Lorelei54 Member
since 1999-07-27
Posts 458 |
Well, I was going to ask "How do I vote?", but the reply took care of that for me...sooooo...yes, I am a happy woman, and I think the world of my man, poetry or not...but, it is sweet when I know I inspire him. [This message has been edited by Lorelei54 (edited 07-08-2000).] |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
LJ this is tops buddy! Excellent story, and very captivating! Hooked me from the beginning. Now, don't mind that ol' Balldeer, he's showing his jealousy I'm glad you submitted this...tis excellent! *V* |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
Excellent LJA!! voted! Yes, I am here, but I am dead, not alive, my body goes on, my spirit has died and I though alive, feel dead inside. "Rose Petal" |
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Toerag Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622Ala bam a |
I seem to remember this name?...Hmmmm? Lessee, there was this girl named Molly, yea, and Sally?....And this sailor....geesch! This sure does ring a bell?...Sailor...sheep...Sally....bbq felines?.....I just can't seem come up with a silly sailor that writes such great poetry.......WAIT A MINUTE!! I know you....you used to Thrive on this serious stuff? Why....why....yes! You're LongJohn...Longjohn the sissy sailor!!! I saw you at Hooters one time ordering "two" of everything!!! Yes....the sailor of poetic fame!.....The sailor that made everyone forget about Popeye and Barnacle Bill!!! Well how in the health are ya mate?....Nice work here for sure....I think Lorelei did an excellent job with your spelling and grammer and punctuation!!!! Take care my friend!!! |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
ROFL-ing along here at the many relpies about my subissiveness - it was a pleasure writing this poem - and, even though that reprobate 'Deer exclaimed it was on a par with his ballads, I have read many of his ballads and they are benchmarks - every one of them. Thank you one and all |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Long John--You held me captive with this story. Excellent writing!! |
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doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
*tears* ....seriously.... this is absolutely captivating... what a storyteller you are, my friend!!! my vote's in here.... |
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