Harry's Demise - v3

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FranktheFrank
Posts: 1983
Joined: 02 Mar 2016, 18:07
Location: Between the mountains and the sea

Harry's Demise - v3

#1 Post by FranktheFrank » 31 Jan 2018, 18:52

Harry adored his Fuzzy Wuzzies, seven
long feet tall, black as meteors
hurtling in from Outer Space.

He doted on them from day one,
gave them work in the camp, a shilling
a day and food. Harry brought

dainties to their camp fire, they lounged
in loose fitting jellabiya a single thread
of gold woven into their garments.

Our Toolpusher said, 'There's something
odd about Harry.' Big, boney,
sunburned headed, amiable Harry.

The border force rounded them up
after three days to deport, transport
to the unmarked douane, what's one
dune to another in a sea of sand.

Harry payed them off in silver rikesdaalders.
The guards sniggered to see him shed a tear.
His idols pass in single file. towering over him,

bow and touch hands in obeisance,
bemused that he cares so much, fond
of the last of the great white fathers.

Bernie01
Posts: 777
Joined: 30 Jul 2015, 11:14

Re: Fuzzie Wuzzies

#2 Post by Bernie01 » 31 Jan 2018, 22:46

Frank---


love this pom....


the opening lines---the opening image to die for. it is both tender, and tough....the poem is willing to trust the reader with what might be a racist image---but is in fact just a manly observation from an observer who cannot abide cliches.

...seven full feet tall and as black
as a meteor rushing to destroy Earth.



the quick, crystal clear narrative unfolds without apology or needless verbiage---what a triumph.

great job, Frank.

FranktheFrank
Posts: 1983
Joined: 02 Mar 2016, 18:07
Location: Between the mountains and the sea

Re: Fuzzie Wuzzies

#3 Post by FranktheFrank » 31 Jan 2018, 23:48

Awesome
I was kinda afraid you would not like.

A few strophe taken from my failed Geoprosco poem
of November and reworked.

FranktheFrank
Posts: 1983
Joined: 02 Mar 2016, 18:07
Location: Between the mountains and the sea

Re: Harry's Demise - Kufra Oasis (1969) v.2

#4 Post by FranktheFrank » 19 May 2018, 02:22

Harry tidied up.

BobBradshaw
Posts: 2683
Joined: 03 Jun 2016, 21:03

Re: Harry's Demise - Kufra Oasis (1969) v.2

#5 Post by BobBradshaw » 20 May 2018, 21:46

Agreed...there is good writing here...enjoyed entering this world. I like these lines as well:

Harry brought

dainties to their camp fire as they
relaxed in loose fitting jelabiya.

Kenneth2816
Posts: 1619
Joined: 01 Jun 2008, 09:17

Re: Harry's Demise - Kufra Oasis (1969) v.2

#6 Post by Kenneth2816 » 21 May 2018, 07:21

Love this Frank,I don't recall the original. Were they"deported" only after the work was done, or another reason?

I have other questions that may be answered by the original. As poetry it's
sublime but the historian in me wants some clarification

FranktheFrank
Posts: 1983
Joined: 02 Mar 2016, 18:07
Location: Between the mountains and the sea

Re: Harry's Demise - Kufra Oasis (1969) v.2

#7 Post by FranktheFrank » 21 May 2018, 11:29

Thanks Bob and Ken.

Deported as soon as complaints came in to the police.

It was and is partly racial
partly officialdom
Jobs for the Libyans
not for Sudanese.

Nubians are the most handsomest of men
tall, lean and tough fighters, even kill lions.
The Libyans, many of them, small, insignificant
by comparison, jealousy. Harry smitten of course
being a big man himself, but met his match
with those gentle warriors adorned with bangles
and wearing loose fitting garb.

Kenneth2816
Posts: 1619
Joined: 01 Jun 2008, 09:17

Re: Harry's Demise - Kufra Oasis (1969) v.2

#8 Post by Kenneth2816 » 21 May 2018, 21:13

Thanks Frank.

FranktheFrank
Posts: 1983
Joined: 02 Mar 2016, 18:07
Location: Between the mountains and the sea

Re: Harry's Demise - v3

#9 Post by FranktheFrank » 29 May 2018, 13:56

added v3.

Kenneth2816
Posts: 1619
Joined: 01 Jun 2008, 09:17

Re: Harry's Demise - v3

#10 Post by Kenneth2816 » 30 May 2018, 21:30

Better

FranktheFrank
Posts: 1983
Joined: 02 Mar 2016, 18:07
Location: Between the mountains and the sea

Re: Harry's Demise - v3

#11 Post by FranktheFrank » 01 Jun 2018, 12:36

Thanks Ken
I wish I could be more poetic, I do love it myself.
Harry was a kindly heart trapped in a big awkward
body, I'm not saying he was carnal, but he sure
loved his Fuzzy-Wuzzies.

If this poem is ever published maybe this will be
the only memory of him the world will have
like a fossil washed up on the beach, I am
sure Gunga Din was a real Hindu hero.

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