he's on in years now
i've little time for his rolling stories
that always begin
'when i was your age, Levi...'
the laughter paints the room
blues and hues of purple
and he pours us all a full glass
cursing my Irish father for giving me such a name
shaggy old man, i've heard this one
at least a dozen times
and he goes on to make it a solid 13
late night lamp light illuminates
his red shirt and faded dungarees
under a felt hat atop white curls
the booming voice softens
as he walks through his life to
magnify the years
that i have never known
the substance of the stories
are lost to none of us
he is a man who salvaged faith
from deepest loss
drifts off about a fine cook wife he once knew
his eyes shine at the thought of
tasty sausage rolls and pavlova
(indulged far too often)
'all of you listen....'
he is summing up the night now
putting the polish on boots of wisdom
'find the woman what will tend ye needs
and give her your heart
but ne'er try to hold her
if she tells you she must go
A contest entry
- Name Characterization - Male by kiwigirljacks.
700 points, ended October 1, 16 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
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what a wonderful character development here, i love this...
"putting the polish on boots of wisdom" - what a wonderful line...
it's sad though..
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Ohh.. I could just picture him!! You really brought him to life here! I feel a little saddened by the title and the ending... but he really seemed such a wonderful man. Thank you for painting this picture of Issac with your words
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wow....the ending just blew me away, gave me chills (the good kind heh) this was such an awesome write! i felt like i could see the story and the old man telling those well worn stories. loved some of your imagery like "putting the polish on boots of wisdom" - awesome line.
LOVED this
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Your name is - Issac
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