Magpie Tales 11: Cane
Posted on: 04/25/2010
Elegant walking stick, cane
Magpie Tales is hosted weekly by Willow. Visit her for more poetry, prose that have been created by using her photo as a prompt.
Cane
Can the cane!
I’ll walk by myself,
And don’t think I can’t
Just because I’m ninety-three
And can barely see your face.
I imagine your frown,
A blight on your forehead,
Those features I loved
So well, and so long ago.
– Harvee
17 Responses to "Magpie Tales 11: Cane"
04/25/2010 at 8:42 pm
Old people are only old in their bodies. In their minds they are still 18 or 21 years old. What need have they for a walking cane? You tackled this subject very well Jane and I love your explanation.
Star
04/26/2010 at 3:33 am
That’s a fabulous opening line, Harvee. I’m so glad to hear that you’re enjoying the Mag!
04/26/2010 at 4:26 am
I loved the strength in his words. He wanted to let go o his weakness and to carry on by himself. I also loved the last two lines. beautiful poem
04/26/2010 at 4:03 pm
nice harvee…to be free of the constraint and know once again you can do what you once did…i hope he walks and proves that face wrong…smiles. nice magpie!
04/26/2010 at 11:46 pm
yet another way to approach the prompt! Very unexpected, but enjoyed it!
04/27/2010 at 2:42 am
Independence is a good thing to hang on to, especially at that age and to be a curmudgeon, too! Nice read!
04/27/2010 at 4:58 pm
Great harvee, I loved the last two lines “Those features I loved
So well, and so long ago.”
marinela x x
04/27/2010 at 7:18 pm
It’s nice to know our guy has lived and loved. Well done Harvee.
04/27/2010 at 7:48 pm
My neighbor is like that — he is 87. Love Jane’s interpretation too. A really nice poem — said in a few lines but it captures a life time lived. Amazing really.
Joanny
04/27/2010 at 8:25 pm
What fun! I can just see that recalcitrant old gent tossing the cane aside.
04/28/2010 at 3:19 am
“can the cane” (and anyone that gets in the way)!!! Love it-great magpie!
Thisandthat 
04/25/2010 at 12:15 pm
Dear Harvee: An unrequitted poem of love. To think a 93 year old “poop” would be thinking of his loved one so many years down the road is more than amazing; it’s nigh impossible magic! I relish in how the man remembers the imperfections of his remembered love with an everlasting love. For the man realizes now and perhaps far too late, how these little somewhat insignicant imperfect things matter little, in the Big Picture; as far as True Love is concerned. The imperfections so much more powerful than fraility, etc they are a mark of “life lived” a tattoo maybe. For the old man, now that time has come so close to it’s expiration date he is remembering what was truly important. Also, I see the cane as an analogy for a “crutch”; as in he doesnt want a prop no matter what he’ll die with his “boots on” type of guy. For this old pop is a stubborn yet still loving geezer. Funny how this “stuff” works! (stuff = love magic).Excellent poem!
04/25/2010 at 3:59 pm
Jane: I love your interpretation of my poem. You’ve explained it well, even to me! Thanks for your insightful comments.