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Open Poetry #46
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gilead
Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067
nevada, USA

0 posted 2010-03-07 08:04 PM


April 27, 1980

In my father’s house, is quietness tonight.
So deathly quiet, one can hear the sound
Of utter stillness.

Father is gone now. And while I stood neigh his bed
Of final, earthly slumber, he made the crossing
Into that mystic plane the living cannot know.

My brothers, my sisters, come; we must go now,
And disturb the silence; we must attend what was left
Behind, and we shall touch it with tender care,

For it is holy . . .

[This message has been edited by gilead (03-08-2010 09:54 AM).]

© Copyright 2010 arthur chapman, jr - All Rights Reserved
gilead
Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067
nevada, USA
1 posted 2010-03-07 08:15 PM


After the passing of years, the pain has subsided, but the memories flow like a gentle stream in a quiet wood. Dad was a good man, a legend in his own time.

Art

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2 posted 2010-03-07 08:59 PM


Art,

This is very touching.  Your Dad must have been a good man.

My father was a good man too.  I don't visit his last house.  I was able to make him happy when my Uncle Joe and I visited him, and Uncle Joe was able to tell him I had never been to prison.

Bobby

gilead
Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067
nevada, USA
3 posted 2010-03-07 09:33 PM


Hello, Bobby -- thanks for the visit and the kind words. I am alone this Rainy Sunday evening, but the memories are sweet.

Regards,

Art

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
4 posted 2010-03-08 05:40 PM


Nice...James
Klassy Lassy
Member Elite
since 2005-06-28
Posts 2187
Oregon
5 posted 2010-03-08 08:09 PM


Your poetry settles on my mind, and calls my heart into my throat... words of respect and remembrance, and tenderness. It calls me into the depth of years when my soul was blessed with joy for those who have gone before me.  And I feel that same gift here in your father's legacy so succinctly written and poignant.  What a beautiful poem.  ~Karen

  

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
6 posted 2010-03-09 01:23 AM


I always enjoy your poems about your father,
Art. This one is especially touching.
                                   Ida

gilead
Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067
nevada, USA
7 posted 2010-03-09 12:30 PM


Thank you, "Klassy lassie", your kind words soothes my heart! Thanks for the reading, and these beautiful words I'll never forget.

Art

gilead
Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067
nevada, USA
8 posted 2010-03-09 12:31 PM


My heartfelt thanks to you, James.

Best wishes --

Art

gilead
Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067
nevada, USA
9 posted 2010-03-09 12:34 PM


Thank you, Ida. We have shared many memories in the time I've come to know you, and I look to an enduring friendship as time goes by.

Love --

Art

threadbear
Senior Member
since 2008-07-10
Posts 817
Indy
10 posted 2010-03-09 04:38 PM


In moments when spoken words fail
there is always the heart-ways
of memories in poems.
Sad but touching, Gilead,
Jeff

gilead
Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067
nevada, USA
11 posted 2010-03-09 06:01 PM


Thank you Jeff, my friend and fellow poet. "heart-ways", what a wonderful expression; don't be surprised if I should borrow it, and ease it into a poem!

Highest regards --

Art

LindsayP
Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410
Australia, Victoria
12 posted 2010-03-12 08:36 PM



That is a poignant heart touching poem Art

and to have happy memories is a real blessing. A delight to read my friend.
Take care.

Lindsay

gilead
Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067
nevada, USA
13 posted 2010-03-13 11:48 AM


Thanks for the read, and taking time to make a kindly comment, Lindsay. Have a wonderful day!

Art

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
14 posted 2010-03-13 07:47 PM


I feel much the same for my own mother
and father, Art. It is good to see that
others remember their own, and share
the quiet.




Earl Brinkman
Senior Member
since 2010-03-03
Posts 1183
Osaka, Japan
15 posted 2010-03-13 08:11 PM


It is evident to all that read this poem that you loved your father very much.  I know that the parting of a loved one is a natural part of life but inside of me is a strong feeling of denial and frustration.  Your poem shows me that I can come to terms with it someday although it will not be easy.  Thank you for sharing this with me.
gilead
Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067
nevada, USA
16 posted 2010-03-14 12:19 PM


Thank you, sunshine. It is good to hear from you, and to share those enduring things that make life the ever unfolding wonder it is.

Wishing you the very best---

Art

[This message has been edited by gilead (03-15-2010 09:23 AM).]

gilead
Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067
nevada, USA
17 posted 2010-03-14 12:24 PM


It is hard to let go sometimes, and I came across a quote from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow,
and it helped me to chart a course toward healing:

"Look not mournfully into the past, it comes not back again. Wisely improve the present, it is thine. Go forth to meet the shadowy future without fear and with a manly heart." -- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

A singular wise saying is not a heal-all, but it can often orient the mind to better deal with the emotions that make healing so hard.

Thanks for sharing your kindly thoughts, Earl, my friend.

Art

Billie Cullimore
Member
since 2009-03-27
Posts 315

18 posted 2010-03-14 10:58 PM


  I read your poem with much feeling. I wonder if you by chance read my poem awhile back "OUR DAD" It is in the archives. I sent it to PIP About a year ago.

Billie C.

latearrival
Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
19 posted 2010-03-14 11:03 PM


Very Touching. I also loved my DAd this much.And I feel any son or daughter who had these feelings toward their father is blessed indeed. Not everyone could think these things let alone share them. Thank you for this. latearrival
gilead
Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067
nevada, USA
20 posted 2010-03-15 06:31 PM


Hi, Billie. I searched for your poem "OUR DAD" but was unable to pull it up. I am still learning to navigate the PIP site, and I'll inquire as to how to retrieve your poem, as I am looking forward to reading it. Thanks for your kind comment, and I shall get back to you as soon as I locate the poem.

Regards,

Art

gilead
Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067
nevada, USA
21 posted 2010-03-15 06:39 PM


Thank you, latearrival. I am pleased that the poem resonated in a good way with your thoughts and memories. Moms and dads are the first notion we have of the God experience, and it takes time to come to grip with the fact that there are earthly gods that die, and leave us hurting and feeling emptiness. But the legacies abide with us, and we poets can ease the pain through the healing powers of the art. Thanks so much, and I look forward to reading your poetry and sharing my thoughts.

Art

Honeybee
Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-26
Posts 5372
Ontario, CANADA
22 posted 2010-03-15 08:09 PM



I'm very sorry for your loss.....this is a beautiful and poignant tribute to your dad...

Intellectually I know that Canada is no better than any other country. Emotionally I KNOW that Canada is the best country in the world!

Oldwarrior
New Member
since 2010-03-15
Posts 1
USA
23 posted 2010-03-15 10:01 PM


This was very sweet and I could tell it was written from the heart with the soul.


gilead
Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067
nevada, USA
24 posted 2010-03-16 10:07 AM


Honeybee, your kind words are much appreciated. We do our best to go on with life after great loss, and seek to honor those who were pillars in our lives by being the best we can be.

Best wishes --

Art

gilead
Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067
nevada, USA
25 posted 2010-03-16 10:10 AM


From an old warrior to another, thanks my friend for your kind sentiments, and I wish to welcome you to the family of poets and friends at PIP. I look forward to reading your poetry.

Highest regards --

Art

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