Paul Callus Poet Free verse

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.

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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 January 13, 2018 at 4:18 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 January 13, 2018 at 9:39 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 December 7, 2017 at 1:48 AM It sounds so real as if it's happening before my eyes...Lovely write.. Paul Callus December 7, 2017 at 1:03 PM I am pleased you enjoyed it, Anand...thank you. Regards // paul

Richard Evans December 3, 2017 at 6:19 PM Excellent example of prose poetry. A finite form that I hold dear. Thanks for sharing...............peace! Paul Callus December 4, 2017 at 4:17 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 December 2, 2017 at 11:20 AM Such a bittersweet experience on several layers; beautifully written, as always, Paul. Congratulations. Paul Callus December 3, 2017 at 3:21 PM Thank you for the most welcome comments, Faye. A pleasure to have you stopping by. Regards // paul

Susan Ashley December 1, 2017 at 2:10 PM Paul, returning with congratulations on your well deserved win with this beautifully written bittersweet poem. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan Paul Callus December 3, 2017 at 3:13 PM I appreciate you coming back with more comments and congratulations, Susan...thank you. Warm regards // paul

Maria Williams December 1, 2017 at 3:44 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 December 1, 2017 at 9:52 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 November 30, 2017 at 5:44 PM Wonderful , Paul, ..Congratulations on your win Hugs Eve ~`* Paul Callus December 1, 2017 at 10:14 AM Thank you, Eve. Your winning entry was one that I can relate to:) Hugs // paul

Joseph May November 30, 2017 at 2:47 PM I've heard similar stories...I know you searched hard for that sixpence Paul...Congrats on your win Paul Callus November 30, 2017 at 3:16 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 November 27, 2017 at 5:46 PM I liked this one Paul, stories from the past! great write. Paul Callus November 29, 2017 at 2:34 PM Thank you, Arthur; pleased to have you visiting. Regards // paul

Andrea Dietrich November 27, 2017 at 3:39 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 November 29, 2017 at 2:36 PM I hope the narrative contains enough poetic flavor in it, Andrea! Regards // paul

Akkina Downing November 26, 2017 at 9:44 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 November 29, 2017 at 2:56 PM Indeed, bittersweet it is, Akkina! Thank you for pressing the 'like' button:) Hugs & smiles // paul

Kristina Whitmore November 26, 2017 at 6:31 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 November 29, 2017 at 2:54 PM Thank you for your interesting feedback, Kristina; glad that you enjoyed. Regards // paul

Carrie Richards November 26, 2017 at 5:56 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 November 29, 2017 at 2:47 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 November 26, 2017 at 1:17 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 November 29, 2017 at 12:14 PM Hi Chris...thank you for a pleasant visit:) Pleased to read a new post of yours. Regards // paul

Silent One November 26, 2017 at 6:10 AM This is one of the best I have read for this contest, I like your take on it.. Good luck.. Paul Callus November 29, 2017 at 12:00 PM Thank you, S-1. I have read some very good entries. Regards // paul

Jack Horne November 25, 2017 at 2:45 PM love this - great that you could produce such a good write about what was once such a sad thing Paul Callus November 29, 2017 at 11:39 AM Pleased that you liked it, Jack...glad to see you posting again. Regards // paul

John Michaels November 25, 2017 at 8:42 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 November 29, 2017 at 11:28 AM Thank you, John. Those emotions are a thing of the past, but the memory is still very clear! Regards // paul

Rhoda Tripp November 25, 2017 at 8:08 AM Fantastic write! Good luck in the contest. This is a winner. I loved reading the history behind your write. Paul Callus November 27, 2017 at 4:26 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 November 24, 2017 at 6:55 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 November 27, 2017 at 4:24 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 November 24, 2017 at 6:37 PM a poignant story, well-told, paul! best of luck in the contest... Paul Callus November 27, 2017 at 3:49 PM Thank you, Ilene; my childhood is full of such little stories (not all sad, mind you! :) Regards // paul

Jan Allison November 24, 2017 at 6:14 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 November 27, 2017 at 3:47 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