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    Parker Owens
  • Parker Owens
  • Author
  • 09/20/2016
  • 456 Words
  • 1,869 Views
  • 12 Comments
Poetry posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

Occasional Poetry - 45. Wanderer: a Tale in Seven Stanzas

em>A line that refused to let me go. I'm sure there are errors and problems. But you will forgive me for them, I hope.
Wanderer
 
I studied for years and was bored to tears
in my gown and its matching black cap;
and it seemed, my dears, I was in arrears
for the government gave me a slap;
'cause the loans I owed were so overgrowed
I'd be paying 'till seventy three;
so my lone abode was the open road,
fancy free, and with nowhere to be.
 
Out of college I flew, with naught to do,
and no income of which to dispose;
bidding friends adieu, toward the west I blew,
hitching rides, I would go with the flows;
on a day it snowed, into town I strode,
for a meal I was beggared, you see,
and my lone abode was the open road,
fancy free, and with nowhere to be.
 
One place I tried to be coffee-and-pied,
but the manager hustled me out,
while I nursed my pride, I saw at my side
someone else who felt sorry, no doubt;
for his pace had slowed, but his face sure glowed,
as I walked in the gutter's debris,
but my lone abode was the open road,
fancy free, and with nowhere to be.
 
He said, "Seems you need a good friend indeed,"
and I nodded, what else could I say?
So I took the lead, "I could use a feed,
for I haven't yet eaten today."
To his house I was towed, hunger my goad,
where my stomach was filled to a T,
yet my lone abode was the open road,
fancy free, and with nowhere to be.
 
My plate just had specks, and I watched him flex,
as he gathered my dishes to clean;
I wouldn't be vexed if he'd asked me for sex,
'cause I owed him, you know what I mean?
But he took the high road; instead he showed
me a place I could rest privately,
but my lone abode was the open road,
fancy free, and with nowhere to be.
 
My mind was confused, 'cause he'd not abused
opportunity knocking out loud,
in the dark I mused, maybe he'd been bruised,
kinder hearted, and yet well endowed;
I tried to decode what his smile bestowed,
and why fate might be laughing at me,
for my lone abode was the open road,
fancy free, and with nowhere to be.
 
It was then I spoke when the morning broke,
as I wanted to pay for the night;
thought he's almost choke as I heard him croak,
"You believe in a love at first sight?"
It was then I knowed I could lay my load,
and I knew that my heart would agree;
the open road was no more my abode,
for I fancied I'd somewhere to be.
 
i>Leave a review or reaction, if you like. Your comments always make my day.
Copyright © 2017 Parker Owens; All Rights Reserved.
  • Like 10
Poetry posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 
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Chapter Comments

skinnydragon

Parker, you've outdone yourself. I wish I had been on earlier, because when I began to write this review, I saw Gary had quoted the very same line I had copied and was about to paste!!

 

That line tickled me more than most anything every has. Was that the line that wouldn't leave you, or was it my own abode was the open road?
Doesn't matter--really entertaining work here, my friend!

Parker Owens
On 09/21/2016 01:04 AM, Headstall said:

"It was then I knowed I could lay my load," Too funny!! :) . Excellent telling of an amusing tale. I felt like I knew this guy... nice to see your skill at work in this way... thank you for making me laugh... I needed it this morning... cheers, Parker... Gary....

Such amusing things happen as you run desperately out of usable rhymes...and the tale was an old one, but a good one. Many thanks for saying blushable words, here. I turned a shade darker to read them. Glad this gave you good cheer when you needed it. Thanks so much...P

Parker Owens
On 09/21/2016 04:00 AM, skinnydragon said:

Parker, you've outdone yourself. I wish I had been on earlier, because when I began to write this review, I saw Gary had quoted the very same line I had copied and was about to paste!!

 

That line tickled me more than most anything every has. Was that the line that wouldn't leave you, or was it my own abode was the open road?

Doesn't matter--really entertaining work here, my friend!

I found the the tale ran on longer than the original supply of rhymes I'd scouted out. What to do? But such fun, anyhow. The original line that grabbed me was "my lone abode was the open road..." And I'd planned to write something bleak and sorrowful. But it didn't happen that way. I am so glad you liked this, as it was fun to write and conceive. Best time I've had in study hall in a while...

Parker Owens
On 09/21/2016 05:20 AM, dughlas said:

We should all be so fortunate to "wander" into the place we are meant to be.

Thank you for this. It was fun to read and reminiscient of long ago hobo tunes.

Yes, the hobo tunes resonate...and so does Johnny Cash, maybe...but even as the poem got under my skin, I recognized, as you do, that the Wanderer figured out that he had arrived where he was meant to be. Thanks, Dugh.

AC Benus

One thing that stands out, and I think several reviewers have mentioned it before me, is how song-like this is. You've done a modified Ballade form here, and it only makes sense that its lyrical roots would come through so loud and clear.

 

The stanzas have amazing flow, and like the best sort of Country song, there's a wonderful story here. I love the happy ending, and somehow it seems natural and befitting too.

 

Great job. Loved it.

Parker Owens
On 09/21/2016 12:07 PM, LitLover said:

Isn't it fortunate that all of that wandering took him to the place he was meant to be? The whole time I read this I heard "the wanderer" by Dion playing in my head ;)

You too! The old song just kept coming back to me from time to time as the poem came together. But then again, so did the sound of Johnny Cash, and the still older voices of singers from my childhood. But Wanderer found his way home, and that was the best part of all.

Parker Owens
On 09/21/2016 01:34 PM, AC Benus said:

One thing that stands out, and I think several reviewers have mentioned it before me, is how song-like this is. You've done a modified Ballade form here, and it only makes sense that its lyrical roots would come through so loud and clear.

 

The stanzas have amazing flow, and like the best sort of Country song, there's a wonderful story here. I love the happy ending, and somehow it seems natural and befitting too.

 

Great job. Loved it.

It seemed to become more and more songlike in my mind the longer and longer the idea took hold. And for once, the conscious notion that this was a sort of ballade came to mind. Someone (do you know him? ;) ) may have planted that idea once upon a time. The story altered itself as the song became more apparent, until the last stanza was practically shouting at me to get itself down on paper. Many thanks for the kind and generous words.

Parker Owens
On 09/21/2016 07:36 PM, Emi GS said:

I have to agree with Ben. Its so song alike and felt such a love story. I don't have words to say more than the others. They all covered everything I wanted to say.

 

Its lovely and very heart touching, in a good way, and I loved it a lot. Wonderful love story Parker... :)

 

~Emi.

I am glad that Wanderer touched you, Emi. It was fun to write, and the ending came together so naturally, it must have been waiting for me to wake up and realize it. Thanks so much!

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