Thornbirds

He took his place in cassock clad. The yearning unchecked, her chances slim The veil she clasped around her head She knelt at the box where light fell dim Confessing the love she had for him. The choice was made and rings changed hands Obstructions and doubts were shoved aside. In upstairs room the wardrobe stands Where parts of his life discretely hide Limp cassock for years has hung inside. ----------------------------- Contest: English Quintain Sponsor: Janice Canerdy

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Julia Ward

Date: 3/25/2015 3:56:00 AM

I am envisioning an alternative last line where you put "stern cassock", indicating the man had made the wrong choice... Hugs, Julia, xx

Paul Callus
Date: 3/26/2015 11:21:00 AM

Interesting alternative, Julia! Goes to shows that great minds do not necessarily have to think alike:) Hugs // paul

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 7/23/2014 3:53:00 PM

you are still one of the best... :)

Cherl Dunn

Date: 7/8/2014 6:38:00 PM

A very interesting write, I remember the series the thorn birds, this is really a well written work here my friend, you like honesty it's not a favorite but I did enjoy it. Thank you for your comments I really appriciate you stopping by my site and reading a few.cheri

Paul Callus
Date: 7/9/2014 7:52:00 AM

Thank you Cherl. I love honesty and I believe that it's the basis of constructive criticism. I appreciate you reading some of my work, too. // paul

Hija De La Luna

Date: 7/7/2014 8:00:00 AM

Congratulations, PAul!

Paul Callus
Date: 7/7/2014 2:24:00 PM

Thank you Hija for the wishes and visit! cu // paul

Greg Hoffman

Date: 7/5/2014 9:56:00 AM

Congrats on your win Paul,nicely done

Paul Callus
Date: 7/5/2014 2:13:00 PM

Thank you Greg. You did extremely well with your entry, finishing in top place! cu // paul

Olive Eloisa Guillermo - Fraser

Date: 7/5/2014 4:25:00 AM

Congratulations Paul..:) so busy that I can not even say my congratulations..:) hope not too late..:)

Paul Callus
Date: 7/5/2014 4:54:00 AM

You are never too late, Olive_eloi:) My door is always wide open..:) cu later. // paul

Mohan Chutani

Date: 7/4/2014 11:38:00 AM

Nice emotive write Paul and congrats for the win

Paul Callus
Date: 7/4/2014 2:31:00 PM

Thank you Mohan. I enjoyed your entry as well; gave me more insight into Indian culture. cu // paul

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 7/4/2014 9:57:00 AM

Paul, WOW... This is deep, Congratulations, life's all about the hard choices we face on a daily base. Have a happy 4th of July... LUV LINDA

Paul Callus
Date: 7/4/2014 2:33:00 PM

I like that 'wow', Linda! Thank you for the comments and wishes. Happy Independence Day to you. /x/ paul

Dr. Upma A. Sharma

Date: 7/4/2014 9:12:00 AM

Very different wonderful take Paul ! Choices u hv n decisions u take,, n for righteousness courage is required, follow the truth n listen to inner voice , makes life worthwhile,, that's what I hv learnt as of now ! Congrats on huge win !

Paul Callus
Date: 7/4/2014 1:26:00 PM

Hi Upma! in life we take many decisions; some choices are harder than others...that's when wisdom comes into it. Thank you for your 'sensible' comments and wishes. Have a nice weekend. // paul

Dr.Ram Mehta

Date: 7/4/2014 8:22:00 AM

A unique write on the Hard Choices and fine Rhyming, Congrats on the win in my contest, Paul

Paul Callus
Date: 7/4/2014 1:12:00 PM

Many thanks Dr. So glad you found this poem to your liking, and very pleased with being highly placed on your winners' list. // paul

Jslambert Mister Roboto

Date: 7/3/2014 1:40:00 PM

I appreciate the message you bring in this write! I must admit to being severely undereducated. three terms I MUST look up to fully grasp the piece~cassock clad, limp cassock, and last but not least and more like first, THORN BIRDS. Sadly, I don't know what the title means, but I have a good guess, which will remain unearthed at the moment, in order to retain some sort of dignity. :). I've check out some of your stuff and do enjoy it so far. KeeP writing sIr!

Paul Callus
Date: 7/3/2014 5:15:00 PM

Hi JSL I appreciate your honesty! Once this write was ready I needed a title, and I hit on that of a film which I had seen many!! years ago (similar topic). Txs for reading my stuff....paul

Carrie Richards

Date: 7/2/2014 9:10:00 PM

The title drew me in, and I was not disappointed. I loved your poem of choices made, and such a complex tale it was....beautifully written! Good luck with this one, Paul !

Paul Callus
Date: 7/3/2014 10:49:00 AM

There were a few topics I could have tackled, but eventually the choice fell on this one...thought it might be a bit different. Thank you, Carrie; glad you enjoyed it. // paul

Charmaine Chircop

Date: 7/2/2014 4:00:00 PM

Decisions of life-The way they should be taken,wisely and without any doubt,otherwise our future would not be blissed with serenity.Great thoughts expressed in your wonderful verses,and love the title.I read that book in the maltese version ,and even in englsh.Watched it on t.v as well,a great story that was..indeed a gem.

Charmaine Chircop
Date: 7/5/2014 7:56:00 AM

Im not disappearing again..: ) I ll be haunting PS tll the end of time ;-)

Paul Callus
Date: 7/2/2014 4:41:00 PM

Hi Charm!! So lovely to see you in circulation again! Missed your presence. Thank you for not only stopping by, but also for analyzing and commenting. So glad you enjoyed this write. // paul [...and don't disappear again:)]

Lucilla Carrillo

Date: 7/1/2014 7:37:00 PM

A Great and sad love story. I have seen the movie three times. Those are real hard choices. Good luck in the contest.... Lucilla

Paul Callus
Date: 7/2/2014 4:30:00 AM

Life is made up of choices; some are taken when we are young and inexperienced, and later on we might regret a few. That is why we must never rush into things. Thanks for stopping by Lucilla. Take care. // paul

M. L. Kiser

Date: 7/1/2014 12:47:00 PM

A lovely poem and moving.

Paul Callus
Date: 7/1/2014 2:41:00 PM

Thank you ML. I've been on your posts, which together with your lovely cat avatar seem to indicate that I'm addressing a female. Am I right or wrong?:) // paul

Mandy Tams The Golden Girl

Date: 7/1/2014 8:08:00 AM

thanks for your comment Paul, nice work here, really good xx

Paul Callus
Date: 7/1/2014 8:54:00 AM

Thank you Mandy; glad you liked it! cu // paul

Elaine George

Date: 6/30/2014 9:42:00 PM

I read the book many years ago when I was living in Vancouver and than saw the movie with Richard Chamberlan. It was such a heartwrenching story. You have written a sensational English Quintain, Paul. Sure to top the winners list. bfn Elaine

Paul Callus
Date: 7/1/2014 1:46:00 AM

Many thanks Elaine! Love your lovely comments:) I too remember the film...R. Chamberlan was very popular in those days. This poem was not inspired by this story, but the title was. Have a nice day:) // paul

Sara Kendrick

Date: 6/30/2014 10:49:00 AM

Life has many choices some can be good and some can be bad and we are free until the choice is made then we are controlled by those choices..I really like this one."The choice was made and rings changed hands Obstructions and doubts were shoved aside"..This is my favorite part of the work..I am glad that I chose this one to read today..Thanks for your visit to my page..Sara

Paul Callus
Date: 6/30/2014 4:12:00 PM

Hi Sara! I like your work, and I love your visits, too:) So glad you liked this poem. Thank you. // paul

Jadazzle United

Date: 6/30/2014 7:39:00 AM

Wow a hard choice indeed Paul - this actually happened to my RE teacher at school - he left the Catholic church, married and went on to have 5 children. Hope this does really well in the contest. Hugs jan xxx

Paul Callus
Date: 6/30/2014 4:10:00 PM

Two friends of mine (past school mates) passed through the same experience; one is happily married, the other yearns to go back to his former calling! txs for the visit, Jan /x/ paul

Eileen Manassian

Date: 6/30/2014 6:46:00 AM

Lovely. I loved the movie. I love this write.

Paul Callus
Date: 6/30/2014 7:10:00 AM

Thank you Eileen! I love your lovely comments, too ... and the new avatar:) // paul

Olive Eloisa Guillermo - Fraser

Date: 6/30/2014 5:12:00 AM

yes sure that's one hard choice anyone can make... my vive that you a kind soul Paul.:) To when will I take this choice I don't know yet but whoever will it be I hope that he'll see me beyond.. :) can't send my soupmail. having errors.. :(, olive eloisa here.. :)

Olive Eloisa Guillermo - Fraser
Date: 6/30/2014 6:36:00 PM

Thank you dearie Paul.. :)thank you really.. :) prayers.. :D

Paul Callus
Date: 6/30/2014 6:30:00 AM

Hi Olive_eloi! Yes, I hope that whoever you opt for will see all the beauty that you have within. You deserve the best:) God bless. // paul

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 6/30/2014 4:31:00 AM

Dear Paul, making a choice to marry can be very difficult. Since my late husband died decades ago, I haven't been able to find someone who could match his wit, intelligence and kindness. You must be a very devoted husband, my friend. If I end up traveling to Europe alone, perhaps I can take the boat from Spain to Malta. It would be wonderful to meet Charmaine and see her new baby. Perhaps I could meet you and your wife there as well. Love and blessings, Carolyn

Paul Callus
Date: 6/30/2014 4:45:00 AM

Hi Carolyn! Now that would be a lovely occasion!! We would be most happy to meet you in person:) There are some things in life which are irreplaceable, but we must consider ourselves lucky that we were part of them. Hugs. // paul