Charles Henderson Poet Quatrain

In the Cellar

In the cellar, by the stair way, is an old jug of muscadine.
It brings back sweet memories of an old friend of mine.
We used to chat and play chess to fiddle the time away.
It mattered not the undone chore, or the time of day.

Forty three year he lived mostly alone in that house by the stream.
Forty two year he tendered to me as I followed life’s dream.
I’d go back and sit once in a while, spinning that same old line.
He knew!  But he would just fill me a glass of muscadine. 

One of those times he told me a tale worthy of publication.
He married my mom not for love, but to save her reputation.
Mama died when I was born; his health began to decline.
I left home right after school, he was drinking muscadine.

I stayed in touch and tried to visit as often as I could.
We’d sit and talk, play a game, pretend that life was good.
We would walk by the stream, talk of things long benign.
While we tarried ‘long the way, to sip that old jug of muscadine.

© Apr 14 2010

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Kim M April 14, 2010 at 10:12 PM I've tried muscadine wine ...very sweet. My husband was recently given a bottle of applejack. I'm afraid to try it. The memory of playing chess to fiddle time away without a care in the world, reminds me of the barber shop in Mayberry USA. The speaker's way of speaking seems similar to Andy Griffith who would say "Nary a care in the world". Most readers may assume you stories are true, but I believe mostly you have a good imagination for telling stories.

Margaret Foster April 14, 2010 at 6:41 PM 'talk of things long benign'... Some things go without saying and I see a deep love here. Perhaps I'm wrong but thats what comes through to me... I enjoyed reading this Charles....Margaret

Linda-Marie Sweetheart April 14, 2010 at 3:24 PM I re read it Charles ..thankxxx it was breathe...not breath... oh my too many contests... appreciate... so enjoyed reading your creative write also... I lost my Mom Thanksgiving Day ... not easy to live without them...luv.. "Sweetheart"

Sara Kendrick April 14, 2010 at 2:54 PM If true, sad to loose your mother so young__ an infant..You have good rhyme and rhythm in this one with good flow...Keep the creative pen flowing. Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my work...Sara