User Poetry

[kennyc]

Thank you Geoff! and for the Karma as well!

Words failing is the highest praise (IMO) for poetry.

[Vandy]

First and foremost, thank you Keny and Geoff for your kind words as well as the Karma (I assume since it skyrocketed up!) It is always a pleasure to bring a smile or warm a heart.

"Mama's Grave"

How wonderful -- a heart-wrenching and "grab you by the shorts" piece. A wonderful tribute to your mother.

I do like the word images you've used. They are quite "real" and bring the reader right to the gravesite with you.

I am especially fond of your last stanza. What thoughts, what visions those word images conjur up.
Excellent poem, Kenny. Thank you for sharing this and your vulerability.

Regards,

[kennyc]

Thanks Vandy. You can check your karma on your "User CP" (tab at the top left) - scroll down past your subscribed threads to the section "Latest Reputation Received"

Enjoy.

[Vandy]

Hi, All.

In memory of all Veterans who have served their country and, in some cases, given the ultimate sacrifice, their life, I am dedicating this piece to them. It might seem odd to you, once you've read the piece, that I would do this. However, I believe it to be the highest compliment one could pay to another who loves their country.

There is an accomanying graphic that I created for this piece and goes hand-in-hand with it.

The Greatest Sacrifice (accompanying graphic)

Gary W. Vanderbur
July 30, 2001
© Write Naturally Publishing House
... a division of VAN Enterprises

All rights reserved.
Permission is given by the author for this graphic to be used as long as the original copyright information remains intact and the graphic is used in conjunction with this written prose piece. The graphic is not to be used in a stand-alone environment.


The Greatest Sacrifice

Dawn's first light enters my barred window. I stand and let it warm my face.

"It'll be soon now".

The outer door is thrown open and the sound of booted feet echo down the hall. There is a rattling of keys, a click of a lock and the squeal of unoiled hinges as my cell door is opened. My captors stand before me.

My arms are bound and I am led at bayonet point from my stone cell. We walk through semi-dark hallways and pass through locked gates until we stand within an enclosed courtyard.

The sun's light is brighter now and shows clearly the uniformed men who stand as straight as the post in front of me. The commander tying me to the post smiles an empty, cold smile. As he raises the dark cloth to cover my eyes, I shout out, "No! You'll not take my sight yet!"

His smile widens as he acquiesces to my wish.

There are no regrets or anger in me. I was called to serve and serve I have.

The commander gives his men their instructions. They stare at me and wait. The commands ring out and I burst into song...

"Ready!"

"God Bless America,"

"Aim!"

"Land that I love."

"Fire!"

"Stand besi...


God bless our Veterans and God bless America!

Regards,

[kennyc]

Well done.

[GeoffC]

This Thread needs a boost back up the list !

Things are a bittie morbid in our house at the moment, perhaps time I finished this little morbid tale !

Death's Funeral Remembered

Not a word did he say, as that hearse passed him by.
He thought, though, long and hard as he walked along side.
A slow drive it was, to be sure; he gained on it, step after step.
The picture remained, in his mind's eye however;
the coffin top was bare.
no assortment of flowers
not a sign of remembrance for who was within.
Not a single car made to follow;
not a cortege behind,
not a walker ahead.
The hearse arrived first, he plodded on after.
There were bearers, or so it would seem.
They looked to be press-ganged, and paid just a penny.
To the chapel they staggered, and pushed open the door.
To the altar they were solemn; to the stone they placed the box.
No one was there, not even clergy, not even a mouse.
Flowers were few, and these mouldy from age.
Dust on the pews looked thick and even.
Cloth on the alter looked shabby and worn.
The cross up above; tarnished.
The sun could not shine, the clouds were a-shrouded, any glass covered in grime.
Tawdry the image.
Through an open door a screech rang out
a cackling cacophony as two stygian birds
flew in
Ravens, by their look;
or Jackdaws, maybe.
They both landed a-top of the box
and a scolding conversation they did begin
as they peeped and poked --
then a "rat-a-tat-a-tat"
as one after the other they both started
a staccato sufficient to waken the dead.
As spirit birds they knocked
as tricksters they rapped
as black as the coal in Hell's deep fire.
with gloss on their wings
and a beak of black steel
they rattled and battered
and battered and rattled
'til a splinter they raised, then a bit more.
'til a hole they had pecked, then even more.
'til 'twas all in a tatter
and did they then natter.
One looked with its eye
a long probing stare
long and hard, cocking its head, one side then the other.
Then they darted, each after the other
one had the left, one had the right.
(eyes that is)
Off they then flew
satisfied with their coup.

He was no mourner, the man passing by.
He was no watcher, of a life no more.
He was no caretaker, no one who did care.
He took the jobs no one else did want,
as a guide, as a guide, to the fore.

But now he understood
as one eye went left
the other to the right
and the views he did see
were the last
in this life.
As the birds carrying Death
flew at a mighty pace
no winner, no loser
a race without grace.

He was no mourner,
He was no watcher,
no caretaker who cared.
'twas was just him
now and forever.


© 30th November 2010

[kennyc]

Excellent Geoff!

and thank you for popping this thread back up. I've worked on a few but nothing finalized at the moment.

[WT Sharpe]

Very moving, Geoff!

[GeoffC]

Thank you ...

[GeoffC]

‘Cos it’s cold out there, and the snow lies deep
‘Ware the ice on the ground, take care not to slip,
Whilst icicles lengthen as by day they do weep.

Catch the hares as they race, dash and leap,
Trying hard to not fly in a backward flip
‘Cos it’s cold out there, and the snow lies deep.

Icy stalagmites grow as the stalactites seep,
When the snow on the roofs starts to melt and to drip,
Whilst icicles lengthen as by day they do weep.

Watch the wind pick a moment to sweep
Up the snow, so carefully dug, and back it does tip
‘Cos it’s cold out there, and the snow lies deep.

Beneath a white blanket all the little ones sleep
Enjoying the shelter with a welcome kip,
Whilst icicles lengthen as by day they do weep.

Feel sorry for the sheep, as they cannot weep,
Only a thickened coat against an icy nip.
It’s cold out there, and the snow lies deep
Whilst icicles lengthen as by day they do weep.

[GeoffC]

I'm not too sure about this one, but anyway, it's a starter .....



Fare ye bye little one, fare ye bye;
No more shall we see your paws
Scrabble on the window
With a rabbit for your tea.
No more walks with the dog
Running ambushes in the grass.
No more basking in the sun
Fights with your friends.

The bed will be colder now;
Our lives slightly less rich,
Your friends will rally round
We’ll keep safe and sound.

Fare ye bye little friend, fare ye bye.
In the orange of the sun
and the white of the snow.
(A perfect match for your coat; )
You waved your goodbye
In that evening’s glow.

[bjones6416]

Originally Posted by GeoffC

I'm not too sure about this one, but anyway, it's a starter .....



Fare ye bye little one, fare ye bye;
No more shall we see your paws
Scrabble on the window
With a rabbit for your tea.
No more walks with the dog
Running ambushes in the grass.
No more basking in the sun
Fights with your friends.

The bed will be colder now;
Our lives slightly less rich,
Your friends will rally round
We’ll keep safe and sound.

Fare ye bye little friend, fare ye bye.
In the orange of the sun
and the white of the snow.
(A perfect match for your coat; )
You waved your goodbye
In that evening’s glow.

And you're making me cry again. Lovely.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by GeoffC

I'm not too sure about this one, but anyway, it's a starter .....



Fare ye bye little one, fare ye bye;
No more shall we see your paws
Scrabble on the window
With a rabbit for your tea.
No more walks with the dog
Running ambushes in the grass.
No more basking in the sun
Fights with your friends.

The bed will be colder now;
Our lives slightly less rich,
Your friends will rally round
We’ll keep safe and sound.

Fare ye bye little friend, fare ye bye.
In the orange of the sun
and the white of the snow.
(A perfect match for your coat; )
You waved your goodbye
In that evening’s glow.

Excellent!

[WT Sharpe]

A nice pair of poems, Geoff, and "Fare ye bye little one" was touching. Gus would approve, I'm sure.

[Vandy]

Hi, Folks.

I've been a bit behind in responding within this thread and since I have some idle time this week (I'm in Las Vegas, NV attending a training class), I thought I'd catch up. So, go grab yourself a cuppa and settle in...

@Geoff - "Death's Funeral Remembered"

I have always had a soft spot in my heart for the dark and macabre. Geoff, your piece satisfied both itches. Wonderfully written, full of stark images that are both beautiful, painful and appalling all at the same time. Wonderful, wonderful eye candy.

I'm reminded of Elenor Rigby when I read this piece. She must have felt much of the same empty coldness that both the deceased and the passerby felt.

Excellent piece!


@Geoff - "Untitled (from 7 DECEMBER 2010, 03:00 PM)

Makes me cold just reading it -- BBBRRRrrr! Wonderful word images and an excellent rhyming pattern. The meter was a bit difficult to get initially but it didn't take long before the piece established its own rhythm.

You certainly have a wonderful way of taking the ordinary and from it, creating something extraordinary.


@Geoff - "Untitled (from 7 DECEMBER 2010, 03:01 PM)

It was quite hard for me to read this moving piece without there being a tear seeping out from the corner of my eye. What a wonderful tribute to what certainly must have been a very loved and close companion.

Once again, your vivid imagery moves the reader relentlessly from word to word, line to line with bated breath, desire and wanting for the next word. I really enjoyed this piece, Geoff, and can more than identify with the subject matter.

It is always hard whenver one of our beloved pets goes across the Rainbow Bridge. We're left with our memories and an ache in our hearts.

Thank you, Geoff, for this beautiful piece.

Regards,