dear old man.

By i tremble

"I'm playing Santa
at a party tomorrow,"
he told me in his
low, often trembling voice.

"That's nice of you,"
I replied,
while cleaning off the
dirty table
where he had
decided to sit
after all.

"Yes, it is,"
he said without
looking at me.
"It's nice to feel wanted,
isn't it?"

I almost dropped
the plate that I
had taken off of his table
as I look at him
in surprise.

It was eerie how
easily that one
sentence
had struck such
a sensitive cord
within me.

Completely oblivious
to how much his
words had
affected me,
he said,
"Could I
have some pancakes?"





[This was inspired by a regular at my work. He's the sweetest old man that you'll ever meet and he comes in every Sunday. I have never learned his name, but I call him Smiley and he calls me Shy.]

Unauthorized Copying Is Prohibited. Ask the author first.
© 2007 jodeanna franks
Published on Monday, December 24, 2007.     Filed under: "Poetry"
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Comments on "dear old man."

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  • Bella Butchery On Wednesday, February 27, 2008, Bella Butchery (696)By person wrote:

    thats why i head to dive bars and not dancey dance crap clubs... you meet the most interesting, seasoned, people with so many stories... trully makes me appreciate meeting people, because it seems that people my age, only have the same things to say over and over and over and over again.

  • Sketso On Friday, January 4, 2008, Sketso (416)By person wrote:

    *insert humble applause here*

  • A former member wrote: Yum. Epiphanies with a side order of i.HOp

  • Lynaes On Tuesday, December 25, 2007, Lynaes (854)By person wrote:

    This is amazing.. I've had moments like this.. just one thing that someone says that has a big impact on you internally.. and they have no idea. Brilliant.

  • DowngradeBeauty On Tuesday, December 25, 2007, DowngradeBeauty (29)By person wrote:

    this caused goose bumps! Good show!

  • Narcissa On Tuesday, December 25, 2007, Narcissa (391)By person wrote:

    This reminds me that its the simple things that this holiday is all about - I sure envy those who can cherish the simple pleaseure of christmas. beautiful write.

  • Aunty Depressant On Tuesday, December 25, 2007, Aunty Depressant (423)By person wrote:

    A wonderful illustration to bring insight to such a common, but often ignored aspect of being human.

  • A former member wrote: This was extremely touching. Funny, how little experiences can shape us more than big ones, sometimes. You conveyed the moment and it's impact perfectly.

  • RubyXero On Monday, December 24, 2007, RubyXero (481)By person wrote:

    ouch. i can understand that reaction. especially depending on the situation. this was simple yet intense.

  • Army Barbie On Monday, December 24, 2007, Army Barbie (316)By person wrote:

    Awww how darling.

  • italianbella On Monday, December 24, 2007, italianbella (183)By person wrote:

    I really enjoyed this read it truely is amazing how easily off gaurd we could be taken just by a few words...great write hon:)

  • A former member wrote: That's sweet.

  • Six-Out On Monday, December 24, 2007, Six-Out (1423)By person wrote:

    This was marvelous.

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