Parlor Portrait

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9/17/2024 for The Picture On The Parlor Wall Poetry Contest sponsored by Craig Cornish

When Grandpa died and his clock still ticked,
he fell from a ladder by a tree -
nor could that clock on the wall predict
when I died at age twenty-three.

A traveling artist, who, out of luck, 
implored gramps (...how'd he know his name?) 
My grandpa was kind.  A deal was struck.
Soon his picture was in a frame.  

The parlor portrait's eyes would follow
me, conveying every feeling.
Kindness and cheer, I could swallow,
but remonstration sent me reeling.

A frisbee stuck in a tree, so high,
Grandpa said he'd retrieve it for me.
Just hold the ladder, please, small fry?
and that's all that he asked of me.

Nobody knows that story but me.
I sway gently as the wind does blow,
from a branch on that sycamore tree, 
but the eyes on the portrait know.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2024



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Date: 10/21/2024 11:04:00 AM
Truly a pensive family secret revealed in your poem, David. Congratulations on your win. Blessings.
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Crandall Avatar
David Crandall
Date: 10/21/2024 8:21:00 PM
Thanks, I appreciate it Sam!
Date: 10/8/2024 5:10:00 PM
Congratulations on your placement!
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Crandall Avatar
David Crandall
Date: 10/8/2024 6:23:00 PM
Thanks Karen!
Date: 9/22/2024 1:15:00 PM
Spooky Dave. Frightening for a child. :)
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Fowler Avatar
Linda Alice Fowler
Date: 9/22/2024 6:15:00 PM
LOL. That would be cool...:)
Crandall Avatar
David Crandall
Date: 9/22/2024 2:07:00 PM
Thanks. I was thinking of one of those TV s hows or movies where the portrait has real eyes.
Date: 9/17/2024 3:42:00 PM
Very unique way you approached the topic, David. Good luck on the contest
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David Crandall
Date: 9/22/2024 2:06:00 PM
Thanks Andrea!
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