THE GUY WHO ISN’T THERE - A COLLABORATION

Michael Edwards

 

 

This poem is a collaboration between  Coyote and Michael Edwards

and is a re-write  Coyote’s excellent original version

which he published recently here on MPS

 

 

I sat upon an old park bench

and I was unaware

of those who passed by as I spoke

to a guy who wasn’t there.


And as they passed they all gave me

a long and anxious stare

as I continued chatting to

the guy who wasn’t there.


Soon a policeman came along

and said: ‘Son come with me

you’re scaring all these people

with this guy you cannot see’.


‘I’ll take you to a special place

where you will get some care

to help with your obsession with

the guy who isn’t there’.

 


I said 'that’s okay officer

I’ll gladly come with you

but what about the folk each day

who sit upon a pew?’

 


‘You’ll find them in the local church

packed tightly like sardines

whilst talking to another guy

who’s also never seen’.

 


‘So wouldn’t it be prudent

and surely only fair

that you arrange some transport

for me and all those there’.



‘Then you can take us all away

and we can all compare

the things that we all chat about

with those who are not there’.

 

 

 

 

  • Author: Michael Edwards (Offline Offline)
  • Published: December 3rd, 2021 03:01
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 37
  • User favorite of this poem: Laura🌻.
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Comments11

  • orchidee

    A sort of 'agreeing to disagree' comment - I think of people saying prayers or 'talking to God' or to a 'god' when I read this.
    In my belief, someone is there. We may talk to someone or some thing that we can't see visibly.
    Is Miss Berles there? Can she be seen? Or is she busy sorting out the syllaberles?!

    • Michael Edwards

      Yes we all know Miss Berles is there - she supplied the sylables.

      • orchidee

        Is she short of any syllables at the moment?! Will there be any extra fee to but them from her? I would buy some, but I can't get out of this Fire Exit Door. It's gotta be kept closed at all times. Doh!

      • Goldfinch60

        Super words Michael and Coyote.

        Andy

      • Neville


        Yep .. not half bad .. and I do mean both halves .. a seamless collaboration, I can see I shall have to go check out that Coyote .... Neville

        • Michael Edwards

          I loved the idea and structuure in his earlier poem and am grateful that he agreed to this rewrite - cheers Neville.

        • L. B. Mek

          you outed hypocrisy, so eloquently

        • dusk arising

          Is it me? I haven't been on that bench you know. Am i the bloke who wasn't there?

          • Michael Edwards

            I rescall it well - I wasn't there with you - we shared a can of fizzy drink with the liquid removed.

            • dusk arising

              He always drains the can first. And we get the blame for leaving the cans around, "who left that litter...... Mr Nobody again".

            • 2 more comments

            • Coyote

              Love the re-write. Nice work Michael🙂

              • Michael Edwards

                But you did all the work plus an inspiring write. Thanks so much for giving the go-ahead to pop it on here.

              • Dove

                The. Mind holds a many good things, the heart even more

                • Michael Edwards

                  i talk to myself - can be quite embarrassing - thanks Dove.

                • SureshG

                  Most of us speak to the “guy whose isn’t there”,
                  knowing that he’s silently listening, hoping that he cares.

                  Thoroughly enjoyed

                • Laura🌻

                  Michael,

                  I’m glad I read this re-write. Thank you for penning it and sharing it with your MPS readers. I missed the one penned by Coyote.

                  I love your artwork.

                  Laura🌻
                  P.S.- My love and best wishes to your dear Jeanne. I hope she’s doing better.❤️

                  • Michael Edwards

                    Thanks laura. Good news just before Christmas. the imunotherapy is so toxic and Jeanne has been really suffering with its effects. However she's just had another scan and the main lession has shrunk by almost 50% - so there is hope in the tunnel. Hope you are also faring well.

                    • Laura🌻

                      I’m so so happy for the great news for your dear Jeanne.
                      Please give her a big hug for me. 🤗
                      I’m faring well , for now.
                      Wishing you and Jeanne a wonderful weekend.

                    • Jerry Reynolds

                      Good one, Michael.
                      A much-needed laugh.

                    • myself and me

                      Marvelous!



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