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Whittling - Roy Jerden's Blog

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Whittling

Blog Posted:8/18/2013 8:51:00 AM

Not writing much right now, just enjoying summer travels and my hobbies. I started a couple of poems which I might post soon. I thought about writing a poem about those old-timers from my youth who used to sit around the courthouse square, tell stories, and whittle. I did a bit of research and came across this poem, which I think kind of tells most of what I wanted to say anyway, and likely does a better job of it. I'm still considering writing one, but I'm a little deflated now in view of this fine one.

"The Whittler" by Charmaine Lanham

The Whittler sat in the old courthouse square
Carving some cedar in a red rocking chair
What are you making, old friend of mine?
He smiled and told me, “I’m Making Time”

I’m “Making Time” in my old age
My life’s work is over, I’ve made my own way
With a knife and some wood there’s little to say
I’ll whittle away the rest of my days

All of my memories are of times that are gone
When I sat round the table with my wife and my sons
The long days of work with the crops in the fields
The chores getting done in time for a meal

You are a young man, your future’s ahead
While I am an old man, waiting for rest
My children are scattered, my farm has been sold
And my dear wife, my one love, is a memory I hold

The whittler walked from the old courthouse square
In the fading grey dusk, with wind in white hair
At my feet were his shavings of cedar so fine
What are you making?
I’m Making Time

Post Comments

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Andrea
Dietrich

Date: 8/19/2013 2:40:00 PM

this is lovely, but you can take the theme in a different direction and do just as well!! (whose is this, by the way?)

Isaiah
Zerbst

Date: 8/19/2013 10:37:00 AM

Timeless poetry here. Much enjoyed.

Carol
Eastman

Date: 8/19/2013 9:39:00 AM

This is an amazing write... But would love to hear things from your memories and your point of view.

Mandy
Tams The Golden Girl

Date: 8/19/2013 12:48:00 AM

You know you can do as well if not better Roy, although this is a good write your can sit at least by the side of it... go for it. xx

Seren
Roberts

Date: 8/18/2013 2:28:00 PM

that is a great poem Roy, I am sure yours will top it ...Seren

My Past Blog Posts


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Kiss of the Eagle Date Posted: 7/20/2019 7:35:00 AM
Tim Ryerson Date Posted: 4/27/2018 7:09:00 PM
Life in Hell by Matt Groening (creator of The Simpsons) Date Posted: 11/6/2016 5:17:00 AM
Family Reunion Date Posted: 5/20/2016 7:29:00 PM
Lucifer Gets the Gig Date Posted: 3/9/2016 9:45:00 AM
Rindersella and the Pransome Hence Date Posted: 3/1/2016 1:45:00 PM
Spoonerisms Contest Date Posted: 2/27/2016 7:45:00 PM
In Defense of Critique Date Posted: 2/22/2016 3:21:00 PM
I felt wrinkly, so I did some irony. Date Posted: 2/13/2016 8:11:00 PM
Having some fun with Photoshop... Date Posted: 1/8/2016 8:05:00 AM
Thanks for your support Date Posted: 6/3/2015 6:42:00 AM
Hosting multiple open contests. Date Posted: 5/12/2015 8:23:00 PM
A Sonnet for Pansy Date Posted: 5/5/2015 8:50:00 AM
My story was published this month Date Posted: 5/2/2015 9:09:00 PM
Pi Day 2015 Date Posted: 3/13/2015 3:05:00 PM
Foodies - Part 2 Date Posted: 1/7/2015 11:30:00 AM
East Jesus Contest Judged Date Posted: 1/2/2015 9:21:00 AM
Happy New Year to the World of Poets Date Posted: 12/31/2014 6:23:00 PM
Merry Christmas to the World of Poets Date Posted: 12/25/2014 5:54:00 AM
Foodies - Part 1 Date Posted: 12/20/2014 2:01:00 PM
How kids perceive their grandparents Date Posted: 12/19/2014 5:55:00 AM
Got Writer's Block? Date Posted: 12/6/2014 8:10:00 AM
Clean and Clever Limerick Contest Update Date Posted: 11/17/2014 7:51:00 AM

My Recent Poems

Date Posted	PoemTitle	Form	Categories
2/28/2023	Texas Springtime	Sonnet	nature,spring,
9/22/2021	Happy Hour	Light Verse	drink,
9/22/2021	Fartasia	Rhyme	word play,
3/23/2016	One Hit Wonder	Quatrain	art,poetry,
3/18/2016	But Her Bruises Were Green	Limerick	humorous,
2/27/2016	Pussycat Paean	Rhyme	cat,
2/24/2016	That Dog Don't Hunt	Limerick	poetry,
2/9/2016	Rewind World	Quatrain	sorry,
2/7/2016	Lucifer Gets the Gig	Prose	heaven,satire,universe,
2/5/2016	Return To the Sea	Free verse	beach,death,sea,
1/30/2016	Omg, That's So Cliche	Rhyme	poetry,satire,
1/24/2016	And When You Look At Me	Quatern	love,romance,
1/23/2016	Way Back Then	Rhyme	humor,humorous,nostalgia,
1/22/2016	The Virgin Witch of Moulineaux	Villanelle	love,magic,valentines day
1/13/2016	Table Hogs	Limerick	satire,
1/3/2016	Another Trip Around the Sun	Sonnet	new year,
7/6/2015	The Waning of Dreams	Couplet	depression,sad,wine,
5/26/2015	Poetic Ambitions	Quatrain	art,poems,poetry,
5/4/2015	A Song For Pansy	Rhyme	history,
4/17/2015	English Lit	Rhyme	humor,
4/10/2015	Scratch	Rhyme	childhood,humor,nostalgia
11/29/2014	But I Must Stay	Villanelle	sad,
11/29/2014	The Pedicure Virgin	Prose	humor,
11/14/2014	One Tolkien Over the Line	Rhyme	tribute,
11/5/2014	Message of the Moth	Couplet	angst,longing,
10/25/2014	Pi Day	Rhyme	humor,
10/15/2014	Halloween On the Dark Side of Town	Rhyme	holiday,satire,
9/15/2014	The Empty Quarter	Alliteration	earth,nature,stars,univer
8/5/2014	Pickett Tupp and Poteeta Whey	Quatrain	child,children,
7/22/2014	A Brush of Wings	Verse	bird,
7/8/2014	Willow: a Fable	Rhyme	children,death,dream,fant
6/30/2014	Ragnarok: the Storm	Epyllion	weather,
6/28/2014	Dante's Path	Quatrain	spiritual,
5/26/2014	Albert Einstein	Clerihew	humorous,science,
5/7/2014	Jonah Falcon He's Not	Limerick	funny,
5/6/2014	The Well Traveled Linguist	Limerick	humorous,
5/2/2014	The Devil Can Cite Scripture For His Purpose	Rhyme	hate,religion,slam,
4/1/2014	My Thunderous Wondrous Electric Toy Train	Rhyme	christmas,nostalgia,
3/11/2014	Premature Exoneration	Limerick	holiday,humor,
2/10/2014	A Series of Unfortunate Darwin Awards	Limerick	death,humorous,silly,
1/23/2014	Ancient Dance	Sonnet	love,
12/28/2013	The Whittlers	Rhyme	growing up,nostalgia,
12/19/2013	Redneck Santa	Rhyme	christmas,parody,
12/17/2013	The Tomb of the China Poblana	Epic	history,
5/15/2013	The Conceit of Poetry	Couplet	philosophy,universe,
3/23/2013	Tiger's Wood	Limerick	sports,
2/17/2013	All Hat and No Cattle	Cowboy Poetry	humorous,old,time,,wester
2/10/2013	Dark Temptress	Sonnet	food,humorous,passion,
1/30/2013	Icebox Days	Rhyme	childhood,growing up,humo
1/26/2013	The Angel Inside	Rhyme	allegory,angel,art,beauti
1/22/2013	Call Me Tex	Cowboy Poetry	home,humorous,me,satire,,
1/10/2013	Bobcat Moon	Rhyme	autumn,friendship,loss,mo
12/9/2012	Six Man Dance	Rhyme	autumn,football,nostalgia
8/27/2012	Kiss of the Eagle	Rhyme	adventure,space,travel,
8/23/2012	Delicacy of Leaves	Rhyme	happiness,nature,time,
8/10/2012	Keep It Turnin' To the Right	Rhyme	day,earth,funny,life,love
8/10/2012	Cruisin' the Drag	Rhyme	car,funny,growing up,high

My Photos

Fav Poems

PoemTitle	Form	Categories
Oh, Heavenly Night	Lyric	heart,night,
Amazement	Free verse	life,places,voice,
A Voice In the Wind	Rhyme	imagination,nature,
Pearl Diving	Quatrain	love,
Slow Movin Tights	Ballad	me,red,women,
Sailing the Seas In a Pecan Tree	Rhyme	adventure,old,
Falling Upward	Rhyme	anger,angst,bereavement,b
Soul of the Poet	Quatrain	farewell,poems,poetess,
Generations	Epic	birth,death,hope,life,
No Longer Mourn For Me When I Am Dead	Lyric	death,faith,religious,
Muse	Free verse	words,writing,,Lullaby,
Ashen Snow	Villanelle	sad,september,

Fav Poets

Poet	Country
Mark Peterson	United States	Read