Ditch the ads, upload images and much more - upgrade today from 5.95/month!
Read • Contests • Groups • Learn • Forums • Store • Help
 

Only A Dime For A Rhyme

Feeling the dime
pressed into his hand
he spits out a rhyme
because he still can

his last...

" Roses are red,
violets are blue"
this beggar is pleading
for what he can from you

as his tears fall...

Fading banner,
dangling around his head;
" Only A Dime For A Rhyme"
is what the sign said...

yet today, as always
very few takers...

Lost in his thoughts
as they wander back in time,
he reaches out
to retrieve his " prime"

moments gone forever..

Words used to be
his salvation, his nourishment,
holding him together;
like a rainbow pressed against
the sky.
Now the only colors
he sees
are the darkened reflections
illuminating from the pain,
deep within his heart.

They named him " the lyricist"
all who knew him,
keeping their delight alive
with the mere stroke of his pen,
and the gentleness in his words.
He was the one without pain,
absent of sorrow,
free of dejection
the one who offered up
a verse

to lighten the darkness...


His own dictation,
once the only reason to survive,
began to unveil the disguise
he was hiding behind,
the one masking
the true meaning
of his cadence

and his secret...

now open to all...

Putting the fresh
twenty dollar bill
into his empty basket,
the young man stepped forward,
with anticipation and warmth,
whispering into the
startled ears or the beggar

" Thank you Dad.
I have always loved you.
I never stopped searching,
or believing;
your words kept me close to you.
I was always here beside you,
providing the rhymes
when the spirits hid them from you;
you were never alone."
" Tonight we are finally together"

For eternity...

" Sugar is sweet,
and so are you"














    : , Your review:

    Comment Suggestion: What is your your first impression?
    • Line numbers  • Invite them to read
    : no Cost: 0 free left 0 points, You have (?)

Comments

1 - 28 of 28

  • smitaanand
    October 9

    Edit | Reply
    The happy ending in this story like verse makes for a smile of satisfaction.The words flowlike a river of nectar and emotion hurls to match those of the beggar very touching to read and makes one pause to think.Thanks for sharing,take care...


  • LadyLavender gold member
    September 28
    Edit | Reply
    your pen flows smoothly as does the words and thoughs. I truly enjoyed this; wow, there is a great deal of talent here.

  • petre666
    September 27

    Edit | Reply
    i found you because of what the former individuality said about you and this is the first poem ive read by you and well im trying to cut down on letting too much emotion out through comments about how much a writers poems have touched me because i realize each poem touches me in a different way and well so far the way you write is... is beautiful in a newer more refreshing way to me. since ive joined this site ive simply read poems from the same people occasionally readin a different poets writings and coming back disapointed and getting lost in poems by my favorites but im impressed by the way your writing style just brought me out of my routine long enough for me to god im sorry its hard for me to think of the right words and i tend to ramble but whether it be through the pen or through the keyboard whatever i write seems to me to be a aimpler cheaper knock off to my vocal speech causing me to try correcting myself in hopes of making you understand how i feel about your style ill always think my attempts are foolish because there are no words to express how an old writers words affect a new reader or how a new writers words affect an old reader but im rambling again sorry i liked your poem it touched me not by what it said but how it said it and im gonna end this now to keep this from continuing for many many more lines


  • Night Hope gold member
    September 16

    Edit | Reply

    I liked how you began by rhyming this piece, then branched out into free verse. I don't often write rhyming pieces, preferring the relative freedom within an unstructured form. Another good one, Poet. You have a solid voice.


  • Pamela A Lamppa silver member
    July 23

    Edit | Reply
    Very creative with the pull at the heart string ending. It is good to find a happy ending now and then, but in life, it is not always the case. Many wonderfully visual lines in this presentation. I enjoyed this. ~Pamela


  • awannabepoet
    July 21

    Edit | Reply
    This is an excellent write as I have grown accustomed to from your pen, a bit long in the tooth for me at times yet well penned nonetheless.

    I like it, I like it so!


  • ionabus
    July 21

    Edit | Reply
    Very well opened, drawn in from the very beginning and maintained till the end. I really enjoyed reading this. well done. The spoken words atht eh end are really effective.


  • Clovis...Curious silver member
    July 21

    Edit | Reply

    Excellent

    'tis a very fine write, indeed, with excellent imagery. Also reminds me of my own series on homelessness. Thanks for sharing this one with us.


  • sweet arrival gold member
    July 20

    Edit | Reply
    one of my favorites of yours... wow, john, you tell a story and not only kept my attention, but told one of beauty and hope. wonderful!


  • just2write silver member
    July 19

    Edit | Reply
    John, you took us right into the world of that beggar. His life so full with regret and sorrow. You feel his fall from society and his dejection.
    I was surpised with the ending. What a marvellous turn in the story. Great words and much wisdom.

  • Susan E. Pennycuff
    July 19

    Edit | Reply
    John... I am so glad that you did not give up on your talent dear. I can't tell you how pleased I am that you continue to write because your creativity is astounding! You have the ability to weave a tale and encase the reader in a cacoon so tightly that they are unable to peek out the window to see the actual yard they are about to step into when you open the final door at the closing of your writes. You just amaze me... I am always impressed with your talent.

    I hope you never and I do mean NEVER put that pen down again.

    You are always complimenting me in your reviews on my writes, but I have to tell you that I don't stand a rats chance in hell against you when it comes to skill... you are far superior to me dear and if you ever doubt those words... stop being afraid of contest and we will enter the same one... the proof will be in the pudding!

    Love you bunches my dear friend,

    Suzi


    • John Faulkner
      July 19
      Edit | Reply
      Thank you.You can never have an idea how much you words mean to me,NEVER..

      John


  • StarEyes
    July 18

    Edit | Reply
    John,

    I love this one! There is something in this one, that really speaks to me! What a great job you did on this one!

    and love

    Nyetta


  • Kendal Palmer gold member
    July 18

    Edit | Reply
    wow! I wasn't expecting the ending to this piece. You are quite the story teller. There were bits and pieces of this tha I was sure held significant meaning to your own life...and then there was this great storytelling that I just knew came from that creative part of who you are...tell me please...how long have you been writing poetry? thank you for continuing to share this part of you with all of us...peace and light, kendal

    • John Faulkner
      July 18
      Edit | Reply
      Thank you for your kind comments. startet writing poetry over twenty years ago, mainly for my now , wife.I stopped after about a year, and stayed silent till two months ago.At first, I posted my old poems only, after I edited them.They were so raw, I needed to revise them.When I ran out of my old poems, I got a little nervous.I had to start writing again.Could I still reach up to my mind, and be able to come up with anything worth while..Little by little, it came back.I was so relieved. Now I love writing and I love this site.Reading the talented words on this site has taught me a great deal. I enjoy reviewing, and not giving fluff reviews, if you know what I mean..I am sure you do.I enjoy your work immensely. You are very talented.I appreciate the help your wtiting has done for me, and everyone elses..I have not taken part in contests yet. I am looking to join a group, just haven't done it yet. I enjoy the closeness on this site.I used to belong to ..Fan Story.. I was not happy..Too many fluff reviews, such as..Great Job.. or Wonderfull Write..You know what I mean, Kendal.Another writer on this site,Susan Pennycuff, asked me to check out this site, and the rest is history.I love her to death. The computer is new for me, so I had some difficulties at first.Who am I kidding. I still do. She took me by the hand, and walked me through it..Always baby steps.Thank you again for your interest in me..I salute you,

      Best Regards,

      John

      p. s. I am a slow and horrible typer.Have patience with me


  • Raining Kisses silver member
    July 18
    Edit | Reply
    ooooh john,,this is excellent,, just so poetically beautiful
    bravo
    T

1 - 28 of 28