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Billy's Guitar

I was looking in the Penny Saver,
It was just another day,
Didn't really need a thing,
I was just passing time away,
And I came across a little ad
That said, "Used guitar. It's free.
Please, just come and take it.
It ain't no good to me."

I called the number printed there,
Got some lady on the phone.
She said, "It belonged to my son, Billy,
But he's not here. I'm all alone."
I said, "I'll be right over,"
And I hopped into my car,
And I drove it to that woman's house
To get my free guitar.

I got there and I rang the bell,
And she opened up the door,
And she smiled the saddest smile
That I'd ever seen before.
"Hello, young man," she said to me,
And a tear fell from her eye,
And then she said, "Oh, dammit,
I didn't want to cry."

"Is there something I can do," I asked her,
"Is there anything at all?"
"No," she said, "just take it.
It's right here in the hall.
Please," she begged me, "take it,
I can't look at it no more,
My Billy used to play it,
Then they killed him in that war."

So I took that guitar home with me,
And it's brought me joy for many years
But every time I play it
I think about her tears
And I think about her sad, sweet smile
And the son that she had lost.
And that used guitar she gave away?
Well, I know how much that cost.






Author notes

This is for all those parents, spouses, and children who have given so much.



A contest entry

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Comments

1 - 14 of 14

  • liquidmindforever
    June 12

    Edit | Reply

    ENTERED

    Dear Poet,

    Welcome to Round 2 PREWRITES FOR BRONZE &
    SILVER FINALISTS.

    Touches the heart every time.

    Wishing you the best
    until then
    stay,
    liquid
    finalist


  • liquidmindforever
    May 30
    Edit | Reply

    Touching

    Dear Poet

    Thank you for entering PREWRITES FOR BRONZE & SILVER TROPHY WINNERS

    Wishing you the best
    liquid
    finalist


  • Rheea gold member
    May 5

    Edit | Reply
    Cup of Joe passed the link on to me for this he treasures the poem and now I will. The poem in its self is priceless to people like us it is beautiful. the for parents and children and maybe wives could be inserted? who have given so much. My mind is on Vietnam. Thank you for this.

    • Strangedaze
      May 5
      Edit | Reply

      Rheea,

      The change has been made. I used the word "spouses" rather than be gender specific. Sacrifice isn't. Thank you and God bless.


  • hisaddiction
    May 1
    Edit | Reply
    you deserved gold..this is absolutely brilliant.


  • glenn shannon silver member
    April 30
    Edit | Reply
    congats on silver i thort this was golden myself good on ya

    • Strangedaze
      May 1
      Edit | Reply

      Thanks, Glenn.

      Gold. Silver. Bronze. Nothing at all. Doesn't matter. It's all about the words.


  • Cup-a-Joe
    April 30
    Edit | Reply
    Gold


  • sweet arrival gold member
    April 30
    Edit | Reply
    so beautiful and a wonderful use of the prompt. thank you

    • Strangedaze
      April 30
      Edit | Reply

      Thanks.

      When I began, I had no idea where it was going. You're keeping me awake at night.

  • glenn shannon silver member
    April 30
    Edit | Reply
    really goo d story here enjoyed the whole plot

1 - 14 of 14