Topic: The First Mile Together
scoundrel's photo
Tue 01/27/09 04:26 PM
Edited by scoundrel on Tue 01/27/09 04:28 PM


We walked one mile

“Come along, dear, and let’s walk for a while.”
She said those words, and we walked for a mile.
It was not a mile at the start, just being together.
We walked thru a small park in chilly weather.

Not much was said for a while, but I tried twice.
When I spoke, she just gave me a look as of ice.
It was a walk for a talk; a decision she’d made.
Beyond the park, we stood in deciduous shade.

“It’s time for a talk, out here, in the open.”
Her words stated fact; deliberately spoken.
“This isn’t the life that I want, to be this way.
You cannot provide for us, so what do you say?”

“What shall we do, and where will we be?
What shall become of us, and of you and me?
I need more than this, and you just don’t care.
You work, making little, and going nowhere.”

“Don’t answer. Not yet. Let’s walk further on.”
I kept silent, yet open in faith; as calm as dawn.
I considered her questions; the unfinished talk.
We walked toward the trail’s end, at a canal’s lock.

Along the way she stopped, demanded an answer.
I shook my head, refusing to be her dancer.
“Leave, or walk beside me, or stay. You choose.”
She stood firm, silent, resolved not to lose.

“What will you say there? Say it to me, here.”
Her question puzzled me. “What do you fear?
Is that this pretext? To be public, in distrust?
You fear me, my darling? You earn my disgust.”

Disgust became anger. I strode up the trail.
Leaving her awkward; her will did not fail.
“This is your plan. Not mine. I am here for you.”
My words carried to her, and to other ears, too.

Shamed; her ploy failing, she said not to yell.
I laughed, and more loudly, now feeling well.
“You can divorce. I will grant it. Now all know.”
Turning to leave, I heard her ask me not to go.

“Choose. Choose, or take your time. I wait there.”
She said that she just needed to know that I care.
Across the canal, I looked, into shade of a tree.
There stood a man, with a gun, looking at me.

Husband of her mother, come to guard her life.
“Me? For me? You doubt my love for my wife?”
Resolute and firm, unwavering, he nodded.
“We have to know how you act when prodded.”

A moment of stillness became five minutes long.
“If you think she doesn’t love you, you’re wrong.
This is my idea, but others are also involved.
We need to know. How is your poverty solved?”

“Hire me. Train me to be a cement mason, as you.
I return your challenge. Prove your own love is true.”
He quailed, and failed, and I turned away in tears.
“With God as witness, ‘tis not God sent these fears.”

Unhurried, yet not stopping, I walked to the end.
I heard her coming, calling, seeking to amend.
Fire of pain grew strong, burning up my heart.
Screaming inside, silently ripping me apart.

Across the gate I look, see him standing there.
“Tell me, you guardian, do you think that I care?
Each turn that I take, each work that I tried,
False rumor precedes me. Each job is denied.”

“I could do evil, and worse evil, and gain wealth.
Even evil men avoid me, fearing for their health.
Word travels quickly. The wise seek no fame.
Destiny is my shadow. Havoc makes my name.”

“This test is not yours. God tests all in my path.
Tested, like silver and gold refined by His wrath.
I am as wicked, or worse, than ever you fear,
Yet this power can protect those I hold dear.”

“I promise no happiness, nor heaven or its stars.
I promise she shall feel only love amidst her scars.
My work is for God, and I head to that valley,
Fearing not death, for I walk with it as an ally.”

“If you want more an earthly man than God’s tool,
Your wants matter nothing to my Master’s rule.
I do unto others, yet not they unto me, as thee.
You withhold wealth and help, so go from me.”

He just shook his head. “I’ve got the gun.”
I laughed. I laughed hard and fearfully at him.
“It will not work upon me. You are not the first.
You will not be last. Like them, you are cursed.”

“You know of her former, who aimed at my head.
You know of his destiny, as I gave him his dread.
You know of others, their fear and warning,
You came because they fear this very morning.”

“You knew not what will be, nor comes hereafter,
Nor shall you ever recall this time with laughter.
Take your gun there. It will work upon the fools.
Tell them, as they die, to avoid all God’s tools.”

“Then let them survive, by a whisker, that close.
Escape! Keep your life! This is my path chose.
This happened. Go home, the way you’ve come.
It happened to them, but they stay faithless scum.”

Another moment, he stayed, measuring my stance.
At last he departed without a backward glance.
She came to me there, at the canal’s rusty gate.
“Let’s go home. Anything else can surely wait.”

“Wait? Why wait? This event is for you, my love.
I am not scared or scarred by God’s working glove.
I am the tool, as I’ve told you, and proved over.
We married, and yet remain each other’s lovers.”

And by that gate, where the canal meets the river,
We discussed life anew, except a transplant liver.
For her daughter was ill, sickening worse daily,
Full of loving faith and sunshine, living gaily.

The End.

Many other stories could be told, and all real,
The lives that I’ve lived, as God’s tool’s ordeal.
Another time, perhaps, maybe more I’ll share.
When it is time, in God’s will, I’ll meet you there.

LAMom's photo
Tue 01/27/09 07:54 PM
Left me speechless yet wanting more

Bravo,, Beautiful flowerforyou

scoundrel's photo
Wed 01/28/09 02:42 AM
I appreciate your enjoyment.flowerforyou
Sincerely, I do.
Thanks.

DeKLiNe0fMaN's photo
Fri 01/30/09 12:25 AM
Amen, I see we write from a similar prospective on who's runnin this show called life. Have a peek at my writing "a tale worth a 1000 words" I think you'll enjoy it. This was cool I'll look for more from you.

lurchs_sister's photo
Fri 01/30/09 10:57 AM
Your words and emotions strike home.
I don't know whether to be sad or at peace with this.
This world will fo His way in the end.
:heart:

no photo
Fri 01/30/09 05:28 PM
I was totally caught up in your poem. What a great storyteller.:smile:

scoundrel's photo
Fri 01/30/09 05:53 PM

Your words and emotions strike home.
I don't know whether to be sad or at peace with this.
This world will fo His way in the end.
:heart:


Peace, within yourself, and with God, my friend.flowerforyou
His shall one day end all sadness...His own foremost.brokenheart

scoundrel's photo
Fri 01/30/09 05:54 PM

I was totally caught up in your poem. What a great storyteller.:smile:


Thank you, for your praise. blushing :banana:

no photo
Fri 01/30/09 07:56 PM
:heart: drinker Very well written and very sweet for such a scoundrel like you,,,wink,loldrinker drinker