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Walk Tall

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Walk Tall" is a country music song written by American songwriter Don Wayne. It was a number 3 hit on the UK singles chart in 1964 for Irish singer Val Doonican, becoming Doonican's first British chart success and the lyrics of the song inspired this poem.

I was born and raised in a little town by the name of Calder That was just twenty miles south of the Canadian border As a boy I enjoyed going to school and was doing really well Mom sang my praises to all her friends; she was proud you could tell. My folks were quite well to do; my father owned a large factory And he wanted me to take over from him when I finished university My mother always encouraged me since I was knee high She'd say "Walk tall and always look the world right in the eye". Everyone makes mistakes in their lives; often crossing a line It was in the summer of sixty-eight and that's when I made mine I started hanging out with some kids from the roughest part of town I started drinking and taking drugs my father warned me I'd go down. Some nights we'd go off to the woods and party until sunrise Then I'd go home to sleep it off telling my folks a pack of lies One of our gang called Jed suggested we rob an out of state gas station We stole a car and put on masks and put Jed's plan into action. I'll never forget the look on the girls face as Jed pointed his father's gun Nervously she handed over the cash and then we went on the run We were laughing hysterically and Jed drove us to the liquor store We got drunk and I suggested that we go back and get some more. Jed was driving us back to the woods and was swerving side to side We all thought it was great fun and were all enjoying the ride He failed to see a highway patrol car who gave chase and was on our tail Jed tried to outrun it and saying "If I don't lose it we're all going to jail". He sped down our main street and crossing the road was an elderly man He'd tried to swerve but hit him head on then crashed into a van Jed died too with the impact and had gone through the windscreen Along with two girls who'd been in the back with me, they died at the scene. I spent four long months in hospital recovering from my injuries Then went before the judge in court to answer all the charges I owned up to stealing the car and being at the gas station robbery But I hadn't held the gun or drove so those charges weren't pinned on me. Drug possession was another charge and drinking whilst under age Our local paper had a field day with the story and it made the front page At the end of the trial the judge passed sentence and I got fifteen years I remember glancing at the public gallery and saw mom and dad in tears. Two years later mom passed away whilst I was doing time inside I wasn't allowed to attend her funeral and just broke down and cried And I'd often think back and remember what she said when I was knee high "Son walk tall and always look the world right in the eye". Thirteen years later they released me; and finally I was free And outside the jail was my father, who had come to meet me Tears were streaming down his face and all I could say was "Sorry" And I vowed to put right the wrongs I'd done in honour of mom's memory. I went to night school and studied business and eventually got my degree My father decided to take early retirement and I took over the company Because boredom played a part in my downfall and I ended up doing time I opened a youth club for the kids in town to help steer them away from crime. I volunteered to speak at local schools telling them about my life of crime Warning them of the dangers and that like me they'd end up doing time I'd always finish with mom's wise words and said "Hold your heads up high Walk Tall be proud and always look the world right in the eye". Written on 7th August 2023

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Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 10/29/2023 8:55:00 AM

Wow Tom. Impressive that you got so much form that song. Stories with good endings are nice to read. :)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/29/2023 1:51:00 PM

Thank you very much Linda, I'm happy you enjoyed it. Was looking for inspiration and the song provided it. Three weeks today my op should have been done, I'll keep you posted. Enjoy your week ahead. Tom

Mona Ebel

Date: 9/26/2023 3:59:00 PM

OMG! That was really good! I love poems like yours... rhymes and tells a story from beginning to end. You did awesome. Is it a true story?

Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/26/2023 10:26:00 PM

Thank you very much Mona, I'm happy you enjoyed it. It was a fictional write inspired by the song Walk Tall. Welcome to poetry soup. Tom

Panagiota Romios

Date: 9/13/2023 1:28:00 PM

A magnificent POTD, Tom? Walking tall is an important lesson. And hardest to do when facing specific life challenges, other than crime, Great POTD Pangie. + Elena

Panagiota Romios
Date: 9/13/2023 5:24:00 PM

How awesome…

Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/13/2023 5:08:00 PM

Thank you Pangie and Elena, wrote that one in Kos, was under the weather with too much heat and the song came to mind and it was the inspiration for it. Tom

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 9/9/2023 3:19:00 AM

Congratulations on POTD hope you enjoyed the honor, this slow coach is way behind with comments, please forgive me Tom. A wonderful poem and a good lesson for people that lose thier way, and for parents who have teenagers also. Blessings and hugs, JENNIFER

Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/9/2023 3:35:00 AM

Thank you very much for your congrats Jennifer, it was an old song that inspired the poem. Boredom plays a big part and kids look for ways to overcome it often taking the wrong path.. I'm happy that you enjoyed it. Tom

Sandra L. Weiss

Date: 9/7/2023 8:55:00 AM

This is a beautifully written verse, telling a heartfelt story. So much meaning within. You did it again Tom. Couldn't wait to read the next line. Congrats! A well deserved POTD,! Hope you had a lovely summer!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/7/2023 9:01:00 AM

Thank you very much Sandra, im happy you enjoyed it. Had a bit of a washout summer but the gulf stream has shifted and it's finally arrived. Hope you're keeping well. Tom

Beryl Edmonds

Date: 9/2/2023 12:28:00 PM

Marvellous Tom, don’t know how I missed this poem, it’s excellent as your poems always are. A fantastic story/poem, enjoyed the read very much indeed. Congratulations on receiving the honour of poem of the day… Belle

Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/2/2023 12:37:00 PM

Thank you very much Belle, glad you enjoyed it. Greetings from Bournemouth. Hope you're both well and enjoying the weekend. Tom

Gordon Mcconnell

Date: 8/26/2023 12:12:00 PM

Such a really fine penned piece Tom, congratulations on the POTD, I remember well the big hit of Vall Doonigan ' walk tall' as this brought back the memories. Have a blessed weekend, Gordon

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/26/2023 12:23:00 PM

Thank you very much Gordon, my mom was a big fan and I'd often heard the song, It was the inspiration for it. Hope you're keeping well and enjoying the weekend too. Tom

Duke Beaufort

Date: 8/22/2023 1:19:00 PM

I usually have trouble reading anything long, but this was not a problem with this story. It was powerfully written and told with real feeling. Thanks for providing the opportunity to go on this journey.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/22/2023 1:26:00 PM

Thank you very much Duke, I know long poems are not everyone's cup of tea but I do try and make them interesting, I've often combined history in my writes and that is something I love doing. I'm happy that you enjoyed it. Tom

Mark Koplin

Date: 8/19/2023 7:37:00 PM

Another wonderfully written masterpiece my friend! Congratulations on potd!!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/19/2023 10:35:00 PM

Thank you very much for your congrats Mark. I hope you are keeping well, I'm happy that you enjoyed it. Tom

Robert Lindley

Date: 8/19/2023 6:27:00 AM

My good friend, giving you a belated POTD congratulations on this truly excellent new creation. Iwas around crooks, thieves, bad types from age 15 to age 27. Never did Igo with them to steal or do any other bad crimes. They always begged me to go but I always said, hell no! Many of them went to prison. Some went twice! Great poem you poetry always is! A fav.. God bless.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/19/2023 11:42:00 AM

Thank you very much for your congrats Robert, like you I tried to steer away from those that chose a dark path, many got in trouble with the law and I followed my own path, never saw them again after leaving school. Hope you're keeping well Robert. Tom

Bj Legros Kelley

Date: 8/18/2023 6:19:00 PM

This is an incredible story, so sad! There was a youth in our area once, he was a terror to our local tiny gas station/store. The area was so safe till he began his swaggering bullying, his car filled with the like of him. The storekeeper had a sweet young daughter, he wanted her, and her family didn't approve of him, he gave them trouble! One night he crashed his car DUI, I heard several of his friends died, and he was blinded. His parents were respectable, devastated. His life? All regrets.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/19/2023 2:48:00 AM

Thank you very much BJ, many take the wrong path in life and pay the price, thankfully many see the error of their ways and go on to lead respectable lives. When kids are growing up they can be easily swayed by their peers. Wanting to be part of the gang and boredom play a big part in their downfall. Sadly discipline is in decline in the home and schools, had the cane a few times and I never made the same mistake again. Tom

Tom Woody

Date: 8/18/2023 6:05:00 AM

This is a fascinating and terribly real poetic tale. I could see myself in some of this. I was a wayward youth and it all came to a head when we broke into a neighbor's house and stole some things. We only got arbitration but could have been much worse. Anyway, I truly enjoyed this tragedy that turned into something useful in the end

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/19/2023 2:41:00 AM

Thanks Tom, I'd often heard of similar cases and many realise the error of their ways and manage to turn their lives around for the better. If we get a second chance we should always take it or its a downward spiral to misery. Tom

Christina Bowring

Date: 8/17/2023 3:56:00 PM

What a great, absorbing narrative poem Tom that flows so well. Wonderful story telling. Congratulations and warmest wishes.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/17/2023 9:58:00 PM

Thank you very much for your congrats Christina. I'm happy that you enjoyed it. Tom

Gershon Wolf

Date: 8/15/2023 7:43:00 PM

Looks as if I missed one of your wonderful narratives/POTD's here, Tom. Belated congratulations. Cheers, Gershon

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/15/2023 9:21:00 PM

Thank you very much Gershon, I've heard of similiar cases in real life where a quick shock puts them on the straight and narrow and they put right the wrongs they've done. Tom

Janice Canerdy

Date: 8/15/2023 6:24:00 PM

Tom, you are the master of the narrative poem! This is really excellent. CONGRATS on POTD ~~ well-deserved! Janice

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/15/2023 9:18:00 PM

Thank you very much Janice, I'm happy that you enjoyed it. Tom

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 8/15/2023 8:52:00 AM

Pity I could not read this well-written tale, which after all is not so uncommon Forgiveness is a great act of kindness,

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/15/2023 10:03:00 AM

Thank you Victor, although a fictional write I've often read about similar cases, learning from your mistakes is the only way to earn a second chance. Tom

Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 8/14/2023 3:01:00 PM

Belated congrats Tom, for this well-crafted poem. A richly deserved POTD! :)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/14/2023 3:14:00 PM

Thank you very much for your congrats Linda, I'm slowly making a come back. Tom

Judy Ball

Date: 8/14/2023 10:10:00 AM

PS Congrats on POTD

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/14/2023 10:49:00 AM

Thank you very much Judy.

Judy Ball

Date: 8/14/2023 10:09:00 AM

Tom your story is a very poignant piece and you are so great to share it so that others may learn from your mistakes. Well done my friend. Your mom and dad would be so proud. God Bless, JB

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/14/2023 10:50:00 AM

Thank you Judy, I hadnt written in quite a while and the lyrics of the song inspired it. Hope you're keeping well. Tom

Valsa George

Date: 8/13/2023 7:32:00 PM

I am so sorry, I missed seeing your POTD. You were always the first to let me know of my POTDs. These days, I am too busy with my first grand child being born into our family. So with much coming and going... I am held up. A great poem as ever dear Tom! This fictional piece sounds more real than real . I am sure this will be an eye opener to those addicted to drugs ! So happy to see one of your great poems after a long break ! Congratulations dear friend !

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/14/2023 1:20:00 AM

Big congratulations to you Valsa, grandchildren bring you so much joy. Thank you for your congrats, I'm just back from travelling again and hoping my inspiration has returned. Tom

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/13/2023 3:06:00 PM

You have succeeded with another splendid tale, one of redemption. Congrats on that POTD too.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/14/2023 1:17:00 AM

Thank you very much for your congrats Andrea,I'm happy you enjoyed it. Hope you're keeping well. Tom

Joanna Daniel

Date: 8/11/2023 1:27:00 AM

Another wonderful story with a moral from your pen, Tom, congratulations on POTD:)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/11/2023 2:33:00 AM

Thank you very much for your congrats Joanna, finally I managed to write something. Tom

Charles Messina

Date: 8/10/2023 4:18:00 AM

There's always a piece of history to be learned by your writes, Tom, Excellent story/poem. Belated Congrats on POTD! Charlie

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/10/2023 4:21:00 AM

Thank you very much for your congrats Charlie, I hadn't written in a long while and that song was the spark I needed. Greetings from Kos in Greece. Tom

Heidi Sands

Date: 8/10/2023 3:30:00 AM

Excellent story. Congratulations for POTD too. I hope all is well Tom :)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/10/2023 4:07:00 AM

Thank you very much for your congrats Heidi, I'm well and hope you are too, greetings from Kos in Greece. I'm travelling again. Tom

Michael Tor

Date: 8/9/2023 1:01:00 PM

Tom I went and YouTubed the song. What a story. Ironically in my high school there was a young man named Dick who I played soccer with and his brother went on to play professional soccer as I. Dick somehow got into the wrong crowd and robbed a gas station. He got caught and sadly he embarrassed the whole family. He was never the same afterwards. His family was a proud German descent family very strict. Another friend George before graduation drove drunk and two or three people lost their lives.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/9/2023 10:39:00 PM

Thank you very much Michael, I wrote this on my phone but when I get home I'll put the song with it via the computer. I think we all make mistakes but learning from them makes us better people and everyone deserves a second chance. Sadly for some they don't change and end up in a downward spiral. I'm happy that you enjoyed it. Greetings from Kos in Greece and hope you're keeping well. Tom

Michael Tor
Date: 8/9/2023 1:07:00 PM

George was never the same. You could tell that his guilt followed him everywhere. His joking personality was gone. He became introverted and I think he felt shameful for his actions. Reading this I thought of those young man. I am sure they learned from their mistakes and went on to be much better individuals. The apostle Paul was a murderer, he killed Christians, but his change of heart made him one of the greatest and loving human beings that ever lived. There is hope in mankind and all who repent, and become outstanding individuals. Tom your story telling is Superb my friend. Congratulations on receiving such a high honor, of POTD glad to see you are posting and taking time off from traveling the world. You are indeed one of my favorite writers. God bless you Tom and thank you again for posting and sharing your great work...