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

[Robbie~xoxo~]

"When the iced wind blew through the trees
and the cold air kept us all down
We warmed each face, at Farley’s place
where he entertained half the town"~ This is a wonderful ending...from the beginning to the end you have captivated me! This a wonderful Tale, Tate. Yes, I have known a Farley... :)

[eatmills]

I know of a Farley, that now goes by the name of Foley Huck. Tells me all sorts of interesting tales during the days he played in a band. I do believe that you've got yourself set on the Paget Meter and are about to level off - Good on you Tate. You seemed to have learned well.

[...]

This was a wonderful tribute to all the Farley's we meet and blessed to know! Loved it, Tate :)

[Michael G.]

A brilliant write and a wonderful tribute. We all know a Farley. Yours may be the original. And the movie Forrest Gump made him real.

[The Refined Poet]

wow. An excellent write. Makes me feel as if I could see Farley standing before me.

[*** Hey Jude***]

You my Friend, are the teller of truth, “as time goes by”. A chronicle of life, woven with wonderful lyrical expression. The Paget Meter, I Like That! Your poems never cease to please Tate! ~ :-)

V V V V V V V V
You guys crack me up! :-D

[Tate Morgan]

I love you as well!!! So does Dave

[*** Hey Jude***]

Grateful for both of you being a Genuine part of the WC!!! Keeping Love Alive ~ :-)

[spiritwind]

Oh, how I loved this man wherever I met him in my life. He was my Grandfather Frank. He was my favorite cowboy down at the barn. He was a man sitting across from me on a bus taking me far from home. Thank you, Tate, for bringing him back to mind in this reincarnation. Your kind heart shines through your words about a man some would not care for. Thank you for pointing out the inner workings of your poem... you might educate me yet! It is nice to know WHY a poem leaps gaily along like a shallow stream rippling and dancing over the smooth round pebbles.

[joshua deathdealer]

You capture this perfectly. Wow. Nice work.

[Mic]

Had an uncle much the same. He could mix an ounce of fact with a pound of fiction and produce the sweetest tales. One of those that seemed to never have had a bad day in his life. Thanks for the memory...

Well done.