Homework week ending 10/12/12 'The Lonely Years'

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Fri Nov 30, 2012 2:59 pm

I haven’t done anything for a while but noticed one of the promps more or less fitted a few lines I had started a few years ago, so I’ve fiddled around with them a bit for this.
The idea came from staying in caravan parks where I often saw lonely old men who seemed to have no families or at least had lost contact with them.

THE LONELY YEARS
The days seem ever longer as he moves from place to place,
to keep ahead of loneliness, but it’s an endless race.
He saw so many others; mirror images of him,
old men who now had reached the age when life at times seemed grim.
They spend their lives in caravans, alone until the last,
except for faded memories, of loved ones from the past.

He’d often see them chatting to another lonely bloke,
or anyone who’d listen to their stories or a joke.
But some like him kept to themselves to spend each passing day,
while others craved for company, to while the hours away.
The tedium hung heavy in odd moments of despair,
and thoughts would turn to Mary and the life they used to share.

The evenings were worst for him, with too much time to think
and almost envied some he knew who’d lose themselves in drink.
He wished there had been children he could cherish now he’s old,
but they had not been blessed that way; through problems they’d been told!
But still they’d had each other and he couldn’t wish for more
and in his dreams, when sleep did come, he’d dream of life before.

--------------

© T.E Piggott

Maureen K Clifford · Post by **Maureen K Clifford** » Fri Nov 30, 2012 4:14 pm

Great use of the prompts Terry in this sad but beautifully told story - I guess you would see a bit of this on your travels around. I think there are a lot of people who this description fits sadly and not only out in the bush - so many lonely people in our cities and towns as well. Life is not always kind.

I see you MC was thinking of his Mary - was his name Bob by any chance

and did he steal a horse?

A good write Mate - thank you

Cheers

Maureen

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Sat Dec 01, 2012 12:04 am

Thanks Maureen,

Yes you see them almost everywhere you go and sadly people often try to avoid them and their stories, sad though isn't it.

This would probably would benefit from a bit of a polish, might have to have a bit more of a look at it.

Cheers Terry

ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Homework week ending 10/12/12 'The Lonely Years'

Homework week ending 10/12/12 'The Lonely Years'

Re: Homework week ending 10/12/12 'The Lonely Years'

Re: Homework week ending 10/12/12 'The Lonely Years'