Ole McGarty "In Honor of Gentleman Jim"

"You know boys" he would always say "why if there's one thing I am not" "Attention grabbing back stabbing" "but I've won every fight I've fought"

Jim McGarty 84 yrs old Picture from 1985 Quad City Downs.

McGarty twisting a new tale

his feet on the pot belly stove

There in the barn, he'd spin a yarn

piling on like a treasure trove

"You know I don't think I told you

how I won the second World War

Ole Ike, needed help with the Reich

and he looked to me and the corps"

 

"Now the country had called on me

Ike wanted us to break the line

So I told Dwight, schedule a flight

just drop us this side of the Rhine

Then my men and I took the field

laying waste such a German swath

Led all the men, yep there and then

survived only on bread and broth"

 

"Well we sought no recognition

I let Ike spin his fairy tale

We were fine, drinking Hitler’s wine

just happy to blaze the trail"

Jim had a weakness for the blondes

touting one on each of his arms

"Easy to see, why they like me

they're after me lucky charms"

He had claimed many a patent

while inventing all the great things

Held universities, degrees

knew all the heads of states and kings

Jim served in World War One and Two

circumnavigated the globe

Hung out on the Nile, for awhile

invented Nasa's first space probe

 

 

"You know boys" he would always say

"there are a couple things I'm not

Attention grabbing, back stabbing

though I've won every fight I've fought"

When the iced wind blew through the trees

we would gather ourselves around

That smiling face, McGarty’s place

where he entertained half the town

Author's Note

Gentleman Jim:Teller of tall tales and whimsical dreams. He was the epitome of our childish inner selves.Take a bow McGarty. You were one of a kind and the worlds greatest storyteller.

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

we all know someone like this...we smile with sadness when we listen to his tales because stories are all he has left of himself now.

he is a past, having done it all...i see a streetperson here...unfortunately having not been taken care of since he came back from the war...two wars...a man who had dignity and who had taken care of us country...but now his country has left him in the streets, with only the pride of his past to hang his hat on...

and most probably wouldn't believe his stories are true...But i would.

what a read!

jacob

[Manpreet]

Lovely story beutifully expressed with great details. Thanks for sharing Tate!

[TPK Stories]

wonderful story....

[Priyankaabhilaashi]

You can surely write a novel..!! Great efforts..!!

[ElizabethRaine]

Wow. One; the song is beautiful and two; This is a wonderful piece. It makes me want to know him, but it seems with the story behind this poem, that I do. You really have a powerful way with words, wonderful job.

[Barbara Walker]

Great tribute, Tate! I think we have all run into a Farly in our lives! But your Farley sounds a lot more entertaining than mine.

[KAREN]

Love the story in this poem. People like that tells great tales and make awesome friends.

[Bridget Mcmaken]

very amazing poem Tate. Your an amazing writer. Love this poem a lot wonderful work.

~Bridget Lynn~

[Lisa Ring]

I think we've all known a man such as Ole Farley. A man who lives in the past and can recall every detail as if it happened yesterday. Historically, the role of story-teller or poet/bard was a teaching method; not to teach the facts, but instead, values. I'm afraid there aren't many Farleys left, now we turn on the t.v. Very well written, Tate.