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Unsayable Experience

Painstakingly I gathered shrapnel from grandpa’s fields, sold them to the metal man who came on horse & cart. Alas, disaster struck...the sixpence, fruit of my hard work, slipped through my fingers, forever lost in the soil! A young entrepreneur’s euphoria evaporated into thin air. My heart painfully shattered beyond repair by the shrapnel of irremediable loss, anger and bitter disappointment. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Contest: Unsayable (7 lines) Sponsor: Nette Onclaud Placed 2nd © 24th November 2017 Years after WW II ended, shrapnel from exploded bombs was still to be found in all the area where my grandpa’s farm was - in the vicinity of Hal Far military aerodrome. A man used to visit from time to time, with horse and cart, buying anything made of metal; we called him the metal man.

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Jai Bankson

Date: 1/13/2018 4:18:00 AM

Just wanted to say hello old friend.. ,Love the work as always.I lost my pen for almost a year and half besides two I put for what reason I know not...Could use some advice...Regards,Justin Cole

Paul Callus
Date: 1/13/2018 9:39:00 AM

Thank you for stopping by, Justin; pleased to see you back! Inspiration cannot be forced; once you start writing again you'll quickly get back into the groove! Regards // paul

Anand Parmale

Date: 12/7/2017 1:48:00 AM

It sounds so real as if it's happening before my eyes...Lovely write..

Paul Callus
Date: 12/7/2017 1:03:00 PM

I am pleased you enjoyed it, Anand...thank you. Regards // paul

Ricky Muse

Date: 12/3/2017 6:19:00 PM

Excellent example of prose poetry. A finite form that I hold dear. Thanks for sharing...............peace!

Paul Callus
Date: 12/4/2017 4:17:00 AM

I agree with you, Richard; this fits prose poetry better than free verse, though the sponsor requested that it be entered as such. Thank you for your positive comments. Best regards // paul

Faye Gibson

Date: 12/2/2017 11:20:00 AM

Such a bittersweet experience on several layers; beautifully written, as always, Paul. Congratulations.

Paul Callus
Date: 12/3/2017 3:21:00 PM

Thank you for the most welcome comments, Faye. A pleasure to have you stopping by. Regards // paul

Susan Ashley

Date: 12/1/2017 2:10:00 PM

Paul, returning with congratulations on your well deserved win with this beautifully written bittersweet poem. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Paul Callus
Date: 12/3/2017 3:13:00 PM

I appreciate you coming back with more comments and congratulations, Susan...thank you. Warm regards // paul

Maria Williams

Date: 12/1/2017 3:44:00 AM

The simple things in life Paul, some of the best memories are the bittersweet ones. I love the way you have written this, and I see Congratulations are in order in this impressive win. ... Maria Hugs

Paul Callus
Date: 12/1/2017 9:52:00 AM

Thank you, Maria. Childhood memories are amongst those most clear in my mind (I don't know if that is a good or a bad sign!) Regards & hugs // paul

Eve Roper

Date: 11/30/2017 5:44:00 PM

Wonderful , Paul, ..Congratulations on your win Hugs Eve ~`*

Paul Callus
Date: 12/1/2017 10:14:00 AM

Thank you, Eve. Your winning entry was one that I can relate to:) Hugs // paul

Joseph May

Date: 11/30/2017 2:47:00 PM

I've heard similar stories...I know you searched hard for that sixpence Paul...Congrats on your win

Paul Callus
Date: 11/30/2017 3:16:00 PM

Thank you, Joseph. I did search in vain for it, but instead, in the process, I found some glass marbles (they were used as bottle tops). Regards // paul

Arthur Vaso

Date: 11/27/2017 5:46:00 PM

I liked this one Paul, stories from the past! great write.

Paul Callus
Date: 11/29/2017 2:34:00 PM

Thank you, Arthur; pleased to have you visiting. Regards // paul

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 11/27/2017 3:39:00 PM

wow, Paul, I love the succinct way you told this sad story!! Also it works for the contest of hurt for the emotions contest.

Paul Callus
Date: 11/29/2017 2:36:00 PM

I hope the narrative contains enough poetic flavor in it, Andrea! Regards // paul

Akkina Downing

Date: 11/26/2017 9:44:00 PM

A bittersweet story Paul. But so very well written, I like it a lot. Best of luck in the contest... hugs and smiles :)

Paul Callus
Date: 11/29/2017 2:56:00 PM

Indeed, bittersweet it is, Akkina! Thank you for pressing the 'like' button:) Hugs & smiles // paul

Kristina Whitmore

Date: 11/26/2017 6:31:00 PM

Such a great short poem that has historic value within. I enjoyed reading this and the aspect of an instant lost to an explosive event. Great write!

Paul Callus
Date: 11/29/2017 2:54:00 PM

Thank you for your interesting feedback, Kristina; glad that you enjoyed. Regards // paul

Carrie Richards

Date: 11/26/2017 5:56:00 PM

Again,......I'm moved and felt the heart of this poem. You always prove to dig deep before you post your words. If I haven't said it before...you are one of my fav poets on PS. I'm, quite often, in awe:)

Paul Callus
Date: 11/29/2017 2:47:00 PM

I too am moved by your lovely comments, Carrie! Thank you for an encouraging visit; you too are one of my fav poets:) Regards // paul

Chris Hagy

Date: 11/26/2017 1:17:00 PM

Great write Paul, you have captured well how we feel when we lose hard earned money. Love the history notes at the end too... amazing isn't it how we've gone from "metal man" to "Iron Man" ! haha Have great day Paul :)

Paul Callus
Date: 11/29/2017 12:14:00 PM

Hi Chris...thank you for a pleasant visit:) Pleased to read a new post of yours. Regards // paul

Silent One

Date: 11/26/2017 6:10:00 AM

This is one of the best I have read for this contest, I like your take on it.. Good luck..

Paul Callus
Date: 11/29/2017 12:00:00 PM

Thank you, S-1. I have read some very good entries. Regards // paul

Jack Horne

Date: 11/25/2017 2:45:00 PM

love this - great that you could produce such a good write about what was once such a sad thing

Paul Callus
Date: 11/29/2017 11:39:00 AM

Pleased that you liked it, Jack...glad to see you posting again. Regards // paul

John Michaels

Date: 11/25/2017 8:42:00 AM

Very nicely-penned, Paul!! We feel your pain at the loss of your hard work! Good luck in the contest. Regards, John.

Paul Callus
Date: 11/29/2017 11:28:00 AM

Thank you, John. Those emotions are a thing of the past, but the memory is still very clear! Regards // paul

Rhoda Tripp

Date: 11/25/2017 8:08:00 AM

Fantastic write! Good luck in the contest. This is a winner. I loved reading the history behind your write.

Paul Callus
Date: 11/27/2017 4:26:00 PM

Thank you for the lovely comments and the faith you show in this poem, Rhoda....maybe you'll be asked to be on the judging panel:) Regards // paul

Susan Ashley

Date: 11/24/2017 6:55:00 PM

Ohh Paul, such a heartbreaking bittersweet memory told with such beautiful poignancy. I am enthralled with your write as there is so much poetic wealth in seven wistful lines... deep, emotional and compelling poetry my wonderful friend! Love the historical and personal perspective garnered from your poet's note as well.. warmest wishes for a win!

Paul Callus
Date: 11/27/2017 4:24:00 PM

Hi Susan...the older I get the more these clips from the past keep popping up! Those were the days when we were happy with simple things and a simple life. Thank you for the lovely feedback and gl wishes. Warm regards // paul

Ilene Bauer

Date: 11/24/2017 6:37:00 PM

a poignant story, well-told, paul! best of luck in the contest...

Paul Callus
Date: 11/27/2017 3:49:00 PM

Thank you, Ilene; my childhood is full of such little stories (not all sad, mind you! :) Regards // paul

Jan Allison

Date: 11/24/2017 6:14:00 PM

What wonderful bittersweet memories. They'd use a metal detector to find things nowadays Paul ... maybe someone found your sixpence:-) good luck in the contest:-0

Paul Callus
Date: 11/27/2017 3:47:00 PM

Thank you, Jan. Yes, them metal detectors were not available when I needed them most!! On a happier note....my aunt lost a gold ring while working on the same farm; 30 years later a cousin of mine found it right next to the path! Hugs // paul