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Ratleader
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0 posted 2007-02-14 07:49 PM



Waiting At The Nursery Window

You are the gentlest invasion,
and I find myself here,
find myself
while
here at the window
looking in
surprise, forever in surprise
into your antiseptic room
find myself
here.

I wonder if your eyes
will be like hers some day,
your voice mine I know already;
I heard you,
you’ll know some day,
I’m sure I’ll tell you,
heard you in that first cry
finding breath,
heard your voice within
and knew  
my own.

You won’t know me until
I teach you who I’ve found
standing here,
measuring the distance to you
in heartbeats, waiting;
some day I’ll tell you
how you caught me
so off guard
after all the waiting
and I found myself
found my self here,
outside this room.

In thirty years or so perhaps
we’ll trade our inevitable places;
you outside then
looking down into
some antiseptic room,
or just inside
for visiting hours,
wondering whether this time
I will know your voice,
your eyes so like hers now,
and if I do,
you’ll find me as I am now,
finding myself in you.

© Copyright 2007 Ed Ratledge - All Rights Reserved
Sunshine
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Listening to every heart
1 posted 2007-02-14 08:35 PM


If a parent could send a Valentine's greeting
to a child...

it would be in the form of this poem.

And I think I have just the daughters
in mind for such a gift.

Thank you, Ed...for a lovely reminder,
of what results from, for, and because of this day.

Eternity.




Ratleader
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2 posted 2007-02-14 09:05 PM


Well, yer close.....lessee, December 16....minus nine.....oops, St Patrick's Day!

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
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The Lady
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The Southwest
3 posted 2007-02-14 11:03 PM




"You won’t know me until
I teach you who I’ve found
standing here,
measuring the distance to you
in heartbeats, waiting;:"

I cannot tell you how I love this...


Sunshine
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Listening to every heart
4 posted 2007-02-14 11:05 PM


Well, my first was born on 12/6, so there y'go....

but still and all...

what rings true to the heart should be carried on, and so it shall be, like seeds in a forest...

common ground for one to grow...


Ratleader
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5 posted 2007-02-14 11:50 PM


I keep thinking I should have been born on the first day of the year (you do the math)......

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______________Ratleader______________

LeeJ
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since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

6 posted 2007-02-15 08:52 AM


this bring such happy tears...I really well up when it comes to birth...what a harmonious encounter, seeing your child for the first time...and you have given us a remarkable memoir of the occassion....thank you
Ratleader
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7 posted 2007-02-15 09:16 AM


There's a story.... I did know my oldest son by his voice.

It was just before the time when they would routinely let dads be in the delivery room, and I'm out in the waiting room (aka pacing room) with the other would-be daddys. Ever so often we'd hear a "waaaahhh..." and soon a nurse would come out to tell one of the fellows about  the new baby.

Then came one that wasn't a "waaaahhh..." you could call it "WAAAAHHH...." in baby baritone. "That's mine," I said, "and a boy." Somehow I just knew.

Sure enough, a couple of minutes later out came the nurse to tell me mom was fine and I had a new son. I know," I told her, "I recognized his voice."

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
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passing shadows
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displaced
8 posted 2007-02-15 10:19 AM


this brought back memories

thank you

Martie
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9 posted 2007-02-15 10:19 AM


Dear Ed

"You are the gentlest invasion,"

From the very first line...a heart write that speaks for many while being your own.  Thank you.  

Marge Tindal
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Florida's Foreverly Shores
10 posted 2007-02-15 10:38 AM


RatMan~

And ... just to think ... that 'voice' now runs his own RatCamp !!

Adorably nostalgic, Dad~

*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but it's echo endures much longer*~
Email -             noles1@totcon.com

Ratleader
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11 posted 2007-02-15 10:50 AM


Aha, ya looked Big Ed up, eh?

Yes, he started his youth volleyball camps several years ago, and loves working with kids. One thing most people don't know is, for even longer than he's been running those camps, he's been a suicide prevention volunteer -- saved some lives very directly.

Yes, I'm a proud papa -- in spite of me, both of my sons are good men.

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
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Earth Angel
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Realms of Light
12 posted 2007-02-15 10:50 AM


An exceptionally tender and touching Daddy write for his son.

I could literally feel your love in my own heart, Gentle Poet.

Giving you a loving hug for such a beautiful and loving write. ~ One which will surely be treasured by your son forevermore.

God bless you all!

Linda

Marge Tindal
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13 posted 2007-02-15 10:54 AM



Now you will remember that my son, David, and his lovely wife, Kimmie, got to see Big Ed play the Volleyball circuit here in Florida~

You should be a very proud Papa ... and ... I'd say that, because of you, not 'in spite' of ... they are fine, fine men~

Love ya' Pops~

*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but it's echo endures much longer*~
Email -             noles1@totcon.com

suthern
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14 posted 2007-02-15 11:22 AM


I agree with Marge. *S* Change that "in spite of" to "because of" PLEASE! *S*

This is absolutely beautiful, my friend... It touches so deeply emotionally that it takes another read or two to appreciate what you've achieved poetically... I think it's one of your very best!!!

The joy of peering through one window and the sorrow of that later one... and the lives that stretch from one to another... This is definitely a keeper!!!

And somehow... I'm not surprised you recognized his voice... your heart hears. *S*


latearrival
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Florida
15 posted 2007-02-23 04:37 AM


This just must go back to the top.Enjoyed. martyjo
Roniece Dawson-Bruce
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Sydney, Australia
16 posted 2007-02-23 04:46 AM


thank you for sending it to the top I would have missed it otherwise!! WOW!! WHAT AN OUTSTANDING POEM!!   RDB

Be kind at heart....for everyone you meet has their own battle to fight.........

Janette
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Chicagoland for now
17 posted 2007-02-23 08:20 AM


"you’ll find me as I am now,
finding myself in you

Beautiful!

*Clap*Clap*Clap*Clap*Clap*

always seeking joy, adventure and romance and wishing you find the same

Gentle Spirit
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since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989

18 posted 2007-02-23 08:33 AM


awww Ed!! This is touching and loving and LOVELY!  Hugs.
Marsha
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Maidstone Kent England
19 posted 2007-02-23 09:48 AM


Eddy darling man, now this is the definition of beauty, and oh how I wish I could listen to the words of your muse more often. It's not to be alas, I'm cooped up in the University library trying desperately to concentrate on Italian (Petrarchan), and English (Shakespearian)  sonnets and not getting very far at all. But I slipped out of my leg irons for a short while and slipped into here for some poetic relief. I can’t stay though I have to get this assignment out of the way before I can play for very long.

Love and warm stuff
As always
Mushy
X x x x x  

miscellanea
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since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060
OH
20 posted 2007-02-23 05:49 PM


Such tender introspection.


Sounds like congratulations are in order, Ratleader.  I'm sending some now!

As always, I've enjoyed reading your poetry.  Wish I had more time to read and write.  I'm sure I've missed lots of GREAT poetry coming from you and others.

miscellanea

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