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Ripples of Life

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The moment I got in from work my little dog greeted me His tail wagged frantically and the lead was in his mouth It was a bitterly cold afternoon, but he still needed his daily walk Barney was an old boy but we’d still amble for miles A golden glow illuminated the sky as the sun dipped below the horizon In the distance I could see a man standing on the old stone bridge The hazy light outlined his silhouette as he climbed onto the wall He stood erect and tall like a soldier My heart started pounding, I quickened my pace until I was just feet away “I CAN’T GO ON WITHOUT YOU,” he hollered Then he plunged headlong into the river below The only trace was the expanding ripples from where he had entered the water I grabbed my mobile phone Soon the emergency services were on the scene After a frantic search they pulled his lifeless body out of the water There was nothing that could be done except to ask why His wedding ring and phone were discovered nearby The final message appeared to be from from his wife, it read… Visa application final appeal rejected Ripples in the Water Contest Sponsored by Nayda Ivette Negron 08-28-17

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Constance La France

Date: 9/16/2017 5:22:00 PM

Jan congratulations on your win with this amazing and skilled write

Jan Allison
Date: 9/16/2017 5:26:00 PM

thanks Constance:-) hugs jan xx

Ralph Sergi

Date: 9/16/2017 12:41:00 PM

Sad but powerful poem, Jan: My deepest compliments!

Jan Allison
Date: 9/16/2017 1:51:00 PM

Thanks Ralph i think i surprise people with my more serious poems:-) hugs Jan xx

Moon Flower

Date: 9/16/2017 1:14:00 AM

Congratulations on your fine win, Jan!

Jan Allison
Date: 9/16/2017 1:51:00 PM

thanks Moonflower:-) hugs jan xx

Roy Pett

Date: 9/15/2017 10:18:00 AM

Congratulations on your well deserved win Jan, the thought of being deported back to place of danger must be devastating and perhaps taking their own life would seem to be their only option so sad and so well written. :(

Jan Allison
Date: 9/16/2017 1:52:00 PM

Its very sad when you read such stories in the press Roy:-( hugs jan xx

Heidi Sands

Date: 9/15/2017 10:05:00 AM

Congratulations Jan :)

Jan Allison
Date: 9/16/2017 1:52:00 PM

thanks heidi:-) hugs Jan xx

Dale Gregory Cozart

Date: 9/15/2017 8:52:00 AM

Congrats on your win, Jan.

Jan Allison
Date: 9/16/2017 1:53:00 PM

thanks Dale:-) hugs jan xx

Agnes Krampe

Date: 9/15/2017 6:45:00 AM

Strong storytelling, Jan. I don't read this as being about financial issues at all ( as some commenters below did) - as an immigrant, Visa application to me always means the paperwork required to be legally in another country. And that causes so much heartbreak and separation. Congrats on your win, glad to see this on the winners list. (Is this a true story?)

Jan Allison
Date: 9/15/2017 7:47:00 AM

It's fiction in my life but I read stories of similar things happening get when loved ones are separated and visas cannot be granted:-( hugs Jan xx

Jack Webster

Date: 9/14/2017 11:33:00 PM

congratulations, Jan!

Jan Allison
Date: 9/15/2017 1:49:00 AM

Thanks you Jack:-) hugs jan xx

Gregory Richard Barden

Date: 9/14/2017 9:28:00 PM

The ripples of financial issues and the shame it can induce is not something a lot of people find this heart-rending, but I've been there, (but for the Grace) ... wonderfully sad write, Jan ... congrats on your well-deserved win! :-)

Jan Allison
Date: 9/15/2017 1:48:00 AM

I have read some of your poems and know you have overcome your demons Greg, it is so heartbreaking when life issues get so much the only alternative is for a person to end their life:-( hugs jan xx

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 8/28/2017 2:03:00 PM

- Those who get financial problems often get deeper problems - A poem that gives a great picture on today's Ripples of Life / Ripples in the Water, Jan - Really great written ... but sad - Good luck in the contest - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Jan Allison
Date: 8/28/2017 2:28:00 PM

Thanks Anne Lise it must take an awful lot of pressure and issues for someone to end their life like this:-( hugs jan xx

Matthew Anish

Date: 8/27/2017 9:49:00 PM

I hope this is not a true story! It gave me chills! Peace & Love Matthew Anish

Jan Allison
Date: 8/28/2017 3:40:00 AM

Pure fiction Matthew i have a very vivid imagination and never know what my muse will come up with next:-( hugs jan xx

Tim Smith

Date: 8/27/2017 5:00:00 PM

This gave me the same feel as my last poem Jan... Excellent

Jan Allison
Date: 8/27/2017 5:18:00 PM

Thanks Tim I never know form one day to the next what my muse will come up with but i just go with the flow:-) hugs jan xx

Dale Gregory Cozart

Date: 8/27/2017 4:28:00 PM

How very sad. But compellingly written.

Jan Allison
Date: 8/27/2017 4:46:00 PM

Thanks Dale my fun muse must be on a bank holiday weekend! hugs Jan xx

Pat Adams

Date: 8/27/2017 3:35:00 PM

Damn Visa people!! 80) Cool story, and maybe a bit on the dark side but very real. pat

Michael Bell
Date: 8/27/2017 4:48:00 PM

Indeed a sad story , Jan - the reality of life can be so mean , well written , good luck with the contest - Mike :-)

Jan Allison
Date: 8/27/2017 3:40:00 PM

It is dark for me Pat I need to get the humour flowing again - maybe your very witty poem will inspire me:-) hugs Jan xx

Sheila Haskins

Date: 8/27/2017 3:20:00 PM

This is a very sensitive subject, the scene was beautifully set, that special evening light was vividly portrayed, the right setting to picture this heartbroken desperately lonely man. Best of luck Jan. Sheila

Jan Allison
Date: 8/27/2017 3:41:00 PM

Thanks Sheila its very different to my usual humourous style but I never know what will flow from my pen:-) hugs Jan xx

Heidi Sands

Date: 8/27/2017 2:14:00 PM

This is such a powerful poem Jan! Very well written too. Good luck in the contest!

Jan Allison
Date: 8/27/2017 2:19:00 PM

Thanks Heidi, a bit different to my usual humourous style but I do surprise with the odd more serious poem from time to time:-) hugs jan xx

Lin Lane

Date: 8/27/2017 1:51:00 PM

He was faced with disappointed and heartache he couldn't handle at that moment. I think your observance of ripples is fitting for the theme.

Jan Allison
Date: 8/27/2017 2:17:00 PM

I'm not sure if Nayda will like it Lin but my muse goes out on a limb and i just go with the flow:-( hugs jan xx

Arthur Vaso

Date: 8/27/2017 1:46:00 PM

Yikes, what a sad tale, but you have told the story so well! :)

Jan Allison
Date: 8/27/2017 2:16:00 PM

I have been studying the Arthur Vaso method of writing dark poetry:-) I'm glad it got your approval:-) hugs jan xx

Maureen Mcgreavy

Date: 8/27/2017 1:36:00 PM

Gripping write! Awesome Jan :) xomo!

Jan Allison
Date: 8/27/2017 1:41:00 PM

Thanks Mo it is probably a little off the ripples theme prompt but I never know how my poems will turn out:-) hugs Jan xx

Vijay Pandit

Date: 8/27/2017 12:51:00 PM

WOW! A good reflection on life--the last line hurts!!

Jan Allison
Date: 8/27/2017 1:10:00 PM

Thanks Vijay it is probably rather off topic for the contest but I have to go with my muse and if it doesn't place in the contest than i am fine with that:-) hugs jan xx