Charlie

Can you hear the cicada's Charlie?

It was the trees and the breeze, and the thunder

Charlie did Charlie things and never looked up

His wisp of gray hair a toy in the wind

The first drops made their heavy sounds on the deck

But you always had to wait to see if it was going to get worse

One hit Charlie in the nose and he never flinched

Electricity and the smell of rain mixing for atmosphere

The clouds were heavy above the valley, the river

That day was made for waiting and seeing 

I never knew if Charlie waited and saw, but he didn't cry

Not like in the facility on Eleanor Lane in the city

Do you want to go in Charlie?

He never answered, friends asked if he heard the question

I knew he did, I knew he was happy

This was Charlie's place, happiness is on the inside

Reviews

[MissEnigmas]

I read this and imagined Charlie Chaplin...this reads like a silent movie. Great piece Crowley!

[DAH]

Yes, and excellent write, Charlie. You've made so much sense with this poem,
and to live on the inside, yes, why not?!

There's a level of playfulness in these words, as well as the truth of getting old
and/or being too physically sick to handle one's own life, so, in steps the alternative:
"Do you want to go in Charlie?"

Nicely played!
DAH

[Gypsy Warrior Queen]

Aren't we all Charlie on some days at some point in our lives? Its much safer on the inside :)

[Crowley]

Truth....sometimes the world just takes its toll.Thanks Q, hope you are well!!!

[Robert Trakofler]

Man Crowley I have read this so many times now I'm just gonna go with my feelings on this and ignore my self editor. For a few years I ran a home for mentally retarded and mental health folks. Maybe this is just me projecting these feelings but Charlie reads to me like somebody that fits in those parameters. I have had some residents that fit this scenario to a T and often got misunderstood in there behaviors we tend to catalog there experience with that of what we deem to be normal and in doing so actually end up hurting them. I was also a behavioral therapist and I often had to dig really deep into these guys to get to the crux of things so it is my nature to do so. to find the catharsis of something when the player is not communicative can be much like reading a poem. seems you have that gift in writing and reading people too:)

[Crowley]

It is genuinely depressing to watch people talk to people with issues or people who are dying. I remember a good friend had cancer and could not talk the last couple of months, and watching people come in and take to here constantly like a hard of hearing third grader drove me batty. I went into her room sat down and said, honey, I am not going to talk to you like you are deaf and stupid, and she started laughing In the haste to live our lives. I thought I was killing her early...lol. We really do forget the human side of the equation sometimes while living our hectic existence. Thanks for the review BB I really appreciate it.

[Robert Trakofler]

wow Crowley do you mind if i use what you just described in a poem this response just struck a chord in me? boom boom boom

[Crowley]

Absolutely! Glad I could jog the dendrites!

[Crowley]

Not sure how you read that review its pretty chopped up as I started typing new thoughts amongst the old...sorry.

[Robert Trakofler]

No it’s perfect:)

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Crowley... I found your poem to be a revelation.
My mother and father did not leave long enough to be
in a "home" where they could socialize. God has planted
my husband and I in a "home" where we can grow.
We do not know what the future holds, but we embrace
the present and poetry. truly, Pat

[Patricia Wedel]

My mother and father did not Live long enough to be in a "home" where they could socialize.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

This portrait of 'Charlie' existing in himself seems to suggest someone who is now detached from reality, perhaps mentally ill or demented? The facility on Eleanor Lane perhaps a nursing home or hospital? Charlie blissfully unaware simply exists in his own memory. Very poignant and visceral, I can feel the oppressive feel and the smell of the storm.

[Lorry]

I couldn't help but relate Charlie in my mind to the character in flowers for Alger non, although by the end I thought more of age and what it takes from us as the connections in our brain don't all have a lifetime guarantee.
I have some experience of the effects on people the mind conjures, my mother has both alzheimers and age related dementia. Whether Charlie has, or some other affliction is irrelevant, the results are the same.
I truly hope he could hear them and that whatever the reason, he remembers his past. Maybe he is on the inside for good reason.
Excellent.

[kentuck14]

A simple and touching portrait of a man living in his own world . . . seemingly content with what he knows or understands. Excellent piece Crowley. Thanks.
Tom

[Crowley]

Thanks man!!! Hope you are well!

[Mrudula Rani]

The title curiously called up to me and I didn't expect the gripping human condition in this emotional poem. You introduce Charlie as he is. Without melodrama, because of that your poem makes maximum impact on your readers heart and mind. This is extraordinary writing! And will be thinking about Charlie for a long long while.

[Crowley]

Thanks!!!! I was on a weekend at a friends cabin and the first thing I did was sit down and write this on the deck overlooking the trees and river. I really appreciate the reviews!!!

[Mrudula Rani]

Sounds like you had a marvelous weekend. Uma abraço.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

for a few, the home might actually be a better place, with socialization etc. It was for my dad...but for a couple years he stayed with my sister...wasn't understood, was pretty much not engaged...not talked to because he repeated so much...but it is so much better when a person can remain in his or her own environment...what's comfortable...and that person may not be able to communicate that contentment verbally...but it's there...we can feel it.
this poem made me think so much of my dad...
thank you for it.
j.

[Crowley]

Glad you could identify...Thanks for reading!