Harper's Place | Teen Ink

Harper's Place

August 15, 2011
By BreeTayler PLATINUM, Carlisle, Arkansas
BreeTayler PLATINUM, Carlisle, Arkansas
30 articles 0 photos 57 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Where there is love there is life." --Ghandi


Met an old man down at Harpers place
He had clothes made from rags
But a kind face
He smiled up at me and waved his hand
I was a little frightened
But soon realized he was a friend
“Come on over.” He said to me.
“There’s something I’d like for you to see.”
That’s when the old man got up and walked away
I followed him and what I saw, changed my whole day

I saw the neglect of a mother to her daughter
I saw the homeless sweating their lives away
As the day grew hotter
I saw the drunk stumble to his knees in shame
I saw the wife of the drunk who was doing the same
I saw the prostitute cry out for help when she was alone
I saw the child who was starving in his own home
I saw the mourning, the deception, the pain
I saw it all with the man who lived this way

I asked him why he wanted me to see
He said it was because the truth would set me free
I grew angry and I grew cold
The expression on the mans face began to unfold
He said, “Listen here, son. You can face the truth.
Or you can run. The answer is simple,
It’s like reading from an open book.
Go ahead. Would you like to take another look?”

I saw the gambler throw his life away in hours
I saw the expression of a fed up mother turn sour
I saw the tears of an unborn baby boy
I saw the blood spilt over a small girl’s toy
I saw a family who seemed like they were doing alright
I saw a total of five deaths after one fight
I saw the mourning, the deception, the pain
I saw it all with the man who lived this way

The old man said, “It will all change one day.”
He said all the tears and the hurt will go away
I looked at him and asked, “How are you so sure?”
He just smiled and said, “You have a nice day, sir.”
The man headed back to Harper’s place
I told myself I would remember his face

I once asked Harper about that old man
He said he wouldn’t let a homeless bum live on his land
So I thought it through, thinking the old man was a fraud
Turns out, I had spent the day with God



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This article has 8 comments.


Lexie96 GOLD said...
on Nov. 9 2011 at 8:56 pm
Lexie96 GOLD, Havana, Illinois
11 articles 0 photos 378 comments

Favorite Quote:
Now Cinderella don't you go to sleep, it's such a bitter form of refuge, oh don't you know the kingdom's under siege, and everbody needs you. - The Killers

I loved this so much, I kind of had a feeling the end was coming, but all the same it was great! Amazing writing... shows great talent on your part!

Think you could please check out my work sometime?


on Aug. 18 2011 at 11:17 pm
Readqueenz7 SILVER, Oak Park, Illinois
6 articles 9 photos 16 comments
This is a really great piece! I love the twist at the end. Sometimes I felt the rhymes were a little forced, but other than that I totally loved it! Great message too.

on Aug. 18 2011 at 9:34 am
Garnet77 PLATINUM, Sinagpore, Other
31 articles 6 photos 577 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Everything&#039;s a triangle.&quot; ~ My mother<br /> <br /> &quot;Write what you love, write what you care about, because sometimes, it&#039;s the easiest way to be heard.&quot;

I love this! Great flow and excellent word choice! :)

paige14 GOLD said...
on Aug. 17 2011 at 10:01 pm
paige14 GOLD, Portsmouth, Ohio
17 articles 0 photos 50 comments

Favorite Quote:
Say what you need to say--John Mayer

This is really good! It has great description and makes you think. I do agree that the title isn't all that interesting but the writing more than makes up for it. Well done

on Aug. 17 2011 at 8:15 pm
SecretFlame PLATINUM, Portland, Oregon
20 articles 1 photo 373 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;I have a life. I just choose to ignore it.&quot;<br /> -one of my friends

I love this poem! It has great description and great feeling. My one critique is that you might want a more interesting title "Harper's Place" doesn't really draw me. Just a thought. Great piece! I don't know what else to say!

on Aug. 17 2011 at 8:00 pm
CarrieAnn13 GOLD, Goodsoil, Other
12 articles 10 photos 1646 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.&quot; --Douglas Adams<br /> <br /> &quot;The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.&quot; --Marcus Aurelius

Wow, this is a great poem!  You kept the rhyming scheme consistent throughout and told an amazing story as well.  I especially like the ending! :)

on Aug. 16 2011 at 12:56 am
BreeTayler PLATINUM, Carlisle, Arkansas
30 articles 0 photos 57 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Where there is love there is life.&quot; --Ghandi

well thank you:)

on Aug. 15 2011 at 11:34 pm
Jessi_suarez1 GOLD, Kissimmee, Florida
16 articles 0 photos 98 comments
omg i actually feel honored you liked one of my poems. this was truly amazing ! well done !