One Day Neil Went Away
Forewarned of his coming…
The speckled shoes
Gave him away
A flawed character
Indeed
Grew up
In a small Texas town
A flawed beginning
His sorrow
Always
With him
Loved color and paint
The smoke
The drink
…And Maggie
To see him on the road
Trudging to town
To buy the smokes
The drink
Eeyore came to mind
(Oh, where was Winnie the Pooh
When we needed him)
A giant of a man
Wise and wondrous
Dumb as a stump
Never disappointed
In his intellect
Inappropriate
More often than not
Good as could be
Worthless to a fault
Heart of gold
Full of love
Tears often
Filled his eyes…
For you…
For me…
For all that he could see
Lived life in deep
Valley of sadness
Tried to change
His fate
Without luck
One day Neil
Went away
Note: In loveing memory of my friend, Neil. Â He went away on Saturday, and is not expected to return. Â I have selected an image of Taos Mountain, Neil loved Taos.
annellannell 
oh he sounds quite like an interesting character…someone whom you def. can’t pack in a box.. so sad to see him go…
Thanks Claudia. Yes, we are all “coming and going,” some we will miss, more than others, even if we haven’t seen them in years. He lived deep, he loved deep, and he will be missed deeply. Annell Livingston HC 74 Box 21860 El Prado, NM 87529
annell@taosnet.com http://www.annelllivingston.com http://www.somethingsithinkabout-annell-annell.blogspot.com https://annellannell.wordpress.com http://www.geoform.net
oh i am sorry for your friend going…and possibly being lost…i like how you have built him in this…from the speckled shoes and a lover of color…his vices of course, but they all play together to make him….
Thanks Brian. Annell Livingston HC 74 Box 21860 El Prado, NM 87529
annell@taosnet.com http://www.annelllivingston.com http://www.somethingsithinkabout-annell-annell.blogspot.com https://annellannell.wordpress.com http://www.geoform.net
Tis sad when we lose someone we care for deeply and your words show you more than appreciate his difference. It is good that not all of us fit into the round hole.
Anna :o]
I have just had my spirits lifted by a couple of fun posts that made me smile, then I come crashing back down in the sorrow of this piece. So sorry to hear of your loss. This person sounds very unique and full of character, not much of that left in todays stereotypical world.
This is so sad… he’ll be missed, I can tell.
Thanks Laurie. Yes, he was a lovable bear in spite of his faults…I hope someone will be able to say that about me, one day. Annell Livingston HC 74 Box 21860 El Prado, NM 87529
annell@taosnet.com http://www.annelllivingston.com http://www.somethingsithinkabout-annell-annell.blogspot.com https://annellannell.wordpress.com http://www.geoform.net
Ah there are always the tortured souls, the crazy characters, the square peg in a world of round holes, aren’t there? The ones that in spite of their vices, still leave their marks on our own souls that lingers on when they leave. Like the final note on a sad song that your hear long after the music has stopped playing. Beautifully told Annell.
He sounds like a wonderful man to me, and I’d miss him terribly if I’d ever had the privilege of knowing him. This is a lovely tribute to him and your memories of him.
There’s a wonderful story in this poem. It captures the feelings of loss and appreciation of the one that was lost together, which can be hard to express. I’d actually like to read more poems about him.
Annell, this is a very heartfelt write. It is obvious you cared about him deeply. Sometimes people just can’t beat their demons no matter how hard they try. I am so sorry for your loss.
Such a poignant poem, Annell. Somethings are so hard to understand and to deal with…each person is a mystery and you have portrayed him so well.
I am sad, too, for your loss…I think I know what you mean by a gentle giant..the photo and poem are a lovely tribute to him..
Wow. What a fabulous write this is! A wonderful tribute too.
thanks. Annell Livingston HC 74 Box 21860 El Prado, NM 87529
annell@taosnet.com http://www.annelllivingston.com http://www.somethingsithinkabout-annell-annell.blogspot.com https://annellannell.wordpress.com http://www.geoform.net
Good description of a sad man, it seems, and someone who will indeed be missed … the comparison to Eeyore was priceless, sounds like someone who could not be cheered up no matter what …
http://seingrahamsays.wordpress.com/2013/02/07/little-brother/