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For Free

Only a dime a dozen for these broken dreams, a free wooden nickel with each pack of lies. A jar of hoodwinks, flimflams, and bumfuzzles, a bucket of lost hope, and a box of how time flies. A Brooklyn bridge, a few penniless thoughts, next to some wasted time and that mirror and smoke. Some dirt-cheap hooks, lines and sinkers, a bunch of fake smiles, and a couple pigs in a poke. Some bamboozles and a few hornswoggles, a pile of ashes from some bridges I’ve burned. A sow’s ear, some silver thread and a gold needle, a silk purse filled with the lessons I never could learn.

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Brian Sambourne

Date: 8/24/2023 8:39:00 AM

Such an inventive, original poem Jerry. You are a word-craftsman. Creative thought-provoking lines like "a pile of ashes from some bridges I've burned." You take common expressions + give them poetic punch. Congratulations! Brian

Jerry Brotherton
Date: 8/24/2023 9:35:00 AM

I humbly thank you, Brian. Your words give me the encouragement to keep writing.

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 8/22/2023 1:20:00 AM

You have such a gift for word-playing! "A jar of hoodwinks, flimflams, and bumfuzzles," as evidenced by this alone. The rest too is pure genius, Jerry.

Jerry Brotherton
Date: 8/22/2023 9:34:00 AM

Oh my, Caren. I am honored to receive such praise from someone with your tremendous talent. Thank you.