Quiet Attention

Together we would whittle sticks while chewing juicy gum We would find a place to rest beside a river green and wide The skies were blue, and tall grass would grow, and brush against my knees Where willow trees, and dusty trails and nesting squirrels would hide With tackle box on summer days, we sat in lazy pose With fishing poles, and cheerful hearts, in willow covered coves It mattered not, no lad was I, ...a girl is what he got And he seemed quite glad, to take my hand, and help me hook the bait I'd toss it in, against the wind......and sit awhile to wait It mattered not, if fish were caught, the waiting was our friend The sun felt warm, his voice could charm, and worries all seemed gone Curiosity of my tender youth, this world a puzzle, vast I would ponder things, and pick his brain, with many questions asked This kind old man, with gentle patience, and a quiet ear to lend Would tweak his mustache, and kindly hear me, without a word to bend While deep in thought, would listen well, and continue with his task As if my words were meant to hold, and mattered more than gold He'd try to find an answer, with his wisdom from the past With satisfaction we would whittle sticks, yet carving so much more When shadows fell, he'd take my hand, the young one in the old And head back home, as sun goes down, from lazy river's shore Those fishing holes, are idle now, too soon the autumn fell Although I tread the shore alone, I clearly see them all
___________________________________________________________________ 7/31/11
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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12
A   Avatar
June 30, 2015 at 6:30 PM
wow, the imagery is grand.... Love it Carrie... LINDA
Trichet Avatar
June 29, 2015 at 6:56 AM
Hey nicely told Carrie, you have some beautiful memories so gracefully told. Or simply a wonderful imagination :) congrats too...
Roper Avatar
June 28, 2015 at 1:46 PM
congratulations on your win a 7 hugs eve
Lamoureux Avatar
June 28, 2015 at 8:48 AM
Impressive, congratulations!
Lawless Avatar
June 28, 2015 at 6:49 AM
congrats on the win Carrie
Ryerson Avatar
June 28, 2015 at 3:43 AM
Soup mail...
Ryerson Avatar
June 28, 2015 at 3:20 AM
And now it's one of MY favorite poems too and you are beginning to dominate my list! I assume this was your grandpa you are speaking of? WHOEVER he was, he must have been a wonderful man and I'm sure you already understand how fortunate you are to have had such a great role model and mentor...One line that particularly struck me was: "It mattered not, if fish were caught, the waiting was our friend"...How true that is! It's the EXPERIENCE and pleasure of fishing that counts the most...
A  Avatar
June 28, 2015 at 12:32 AM
Carrie, this is an awesome poem. happy for you. SKAT
Merryman Avatar
June 27, 2015 at 5:24 PM
A beautiful portrait of a childhood memory and relationship! Congrats on a well deserved 1st place win, Carrie! Love, KIm
Konos Avatar
June 27, 2015 at 8:29 AM
Carrie Richards...YOU DUDE IT AGAIN! Congrats...
Hamilton Avatar
June 27, 2015 at 3:10 AM
loved your poem of a special relationship Carrie Congrats on 1st place hugs
Rodgers Avatar
May 1, 2014 at 2:44 PM
Congrats on your win
Beam Avatar
May 1, 2014 at 9:29 AM
congrats on win Carrie
Whispers Avatar
May 1, 2014 at 4:41 AM
congratulations on the fine win!
Dietrich Avatar
April 30, 2014 at 4:59 PM
gosh this is nice and nostalgic. Oh to have had a grandpa like this one. Or was it your dad?? Anyway, I can see why Caleb put it top of the list. Congratulations.
Hamilton Avatar
April 30, 2014 at 5:55 AM
fantastic Carrie a great winner congrats hugs
A. Sharma Avatar
April 30, 2014 at 4:37 AM
Wow Carrie this is such a wonderful write ! Congrats on great top win !
Mehta Avatar
April 30, 2014 at 2:15 AM
Enjoyed your write on fishing and congrats on the win, carrie
Gorelick Avatar
April 29, 2014 at 10:23 PM
what a beauty this one is.. congrats...BG
Johnson Avatar
April 29, 2014 at 9:07 PM
Memory's of gold to behold that you've told. Congrats on your well deserved win Carrie.
Jerden Avatar
April 29, 2014 at 8:42 PM
A real masterpiece, Carrie! Man, you can beat me even with a retread! Congratulations!
Kos Avatar
April 29, 2014 at 8:30 PM
Lovely poem which I truly enjoyed. Congratulations on your well-deserved win.
Curtis Avatar
April 29, 2014 at 6:25 PM
Congratulation Carrie on your win
Dillard Avatar
April 29, 2014 at 5:42 PM
As always, the best of the bunch. I enjoyed your cleverly designed recollection of fishing with your Dad. Those were the days....RAY
Onclaud Avatar
April 29, 2014 at 5:05 PM
wow, from a detailed perspective, this just glows, carrie,.. sweet congrats!.. huggs
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