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Open Poetry #48
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Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania

0 posted 2012-08-22 10:03 AM




How can I say no to a shore without end
Where light houses pose for an old faithful friend
Where New England clam chowder’s hot on the fire
And senses awake with a burning desire

Who could say no to the eternal roar
Of restless sea waters that crash on the shore
A sound that can capture the soul of a man
With a pulse of sweet permanence pounding the sand

Who can say no to the colors that thrill
Poised to burst forth in an October chill
To garnish the little town squares of Cape Cod
Where white steeple churches point upward to God

I must say no to the ache in my heart
To the essence of dreams many miles apart
This time the sands are a little too deep
And old weathered steppingstones slippery to leap

This time the winds are a little too cold
And memories of moments too misty to hold
This time it’s closer to home I will plod
For I must say no to the shores of Cape Cod

Elizabeth Santos

© Copyright 2012 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
1 posted 2012-08-22 10:15 AM


What a divine, sad poem, Elizabeth. I sense memories too precious, or maybe too heartbreaking which came from Cape Cod. Memories, for whatever reason, that stand in the way of you and that distant, memorable shore.

~*~ If they give you ruled paper write sideways. ~*~

jwesley
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563
Spring, Texas
2 posted 2012-08-22 11:28 AM


Absolutely excellent write, my friend... enjoyed every word, several times.

j.

Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
3 posted 2012-08-22 11:59 AM


Oh, but this "no" inspired a wonderful poem, dear Elizabeth. Really enjoyed your exquisite composition.

Margherita

JL
Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128
Texas, USA
4 posted 2012-08-22 12:38 PM


"I must say no to the ache in my heart
To the essence of dreams many miles apart
This time the sands are a little too deep
And old weathered steppingstones slippery to leap"

I felt this entire write, but this verse
culminates the visual and thoughts with a sigh.
Love this write!!

JL

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Maranatha!

Startime1955
Senior Member
since 2012-04-22
Posts 1072
Alberta, Canada
5 posted 2012-08-22 06:58 PM


*sigh*...this poem is filled with such deep feelings that they are easy to feel...I ache for you and your memories...*BIG HUGS*

*may our dreams ever be magical*

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
6 posted 2012-08-22 10:52 PM


Enjoyed...James
OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
7 posted 2012-08-23 03:09 AM


Though the ravages of time prevail, memories ensconced in one's heart, are paradoxially there to both prod and comfort the ache by reliving them, but we must never forget to create continually new memories, no matter the time, company, location or anything else, to add to the treasure chest.

Owl

Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
8 posted 2012-08-23 08:04 AM


Good morning, dear Lizzie..

You'll be dearly missed in September.  Maybe we can call and chat while our friends are here.  We've had wonderful times in your earlier visits, haven't we?  Promise me, though, that you'll encourage your family to come up for another excursion.  Just let me know what week, and I'll set it aside for all of you.

This is yet another great write, of course.  You're just amazing!

Love you,
Nan


Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
9 posted 2012-08-23 02:12 PM


Oh Liz...time takes and it gives.  Your poem left a tear and a smile.  Love you!!

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
10 posted 2012-08-23 03:06 PM


What a bittersweet beauty this is! It is so hard to say no to the heart... or to the person/place that beckons to it.

I must say no to the ache in my heart
To the essence of dreams many miles apart
This time the sands are a little too deep
And old weathered steppingstones slippery to leap

Simply exquisite!!

BluesSerenade
Member Patricius
since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549
By the Seaside
11 posted 2012-08-23 03:42 PM


Your poem permeates the air and fills the senses with a special kind of beauty.

You took me there, all the way down to the shoreline and back.

Lovely writing!

Tim
Senior Member
since 1999-06-08
Posts 1794

12 posted 2012-08-23 05:10 PM


As per the norm, a wonderfully written poem which I enjoyed.
However, I do have to admit to tad different recollections of Cape Cod.

Connie and I flew across this great nation,
To Cape Cod, Massachusetts, to enjoy a vacation,
Hyannis, Nantucket, sand, beaches and surf,
Could there be a more beautiful, place on this earth?
Except when it rains, and it rains and it rains,
By the way did I mention, except when it rains,
A Nor'easter they called, the wind blew and blew,
As it was raining, did I say the wind blew?
Day after day, and night after night,
Did I bother to mention, it rained day and night?
I would not find it, particularly odd,
To find out that Noah, lived on Cape Cod,
The weatherman said, one night on TV,
T'was the Cape's wettest June, since 1903,
We had planned to go boating, out to see whales,
Whale boats don't go whaling, in thirty foot swales,
No Nantucket day trip, no stroll on the beach,
'Cause it's hard to go strolling, when you can't see the beach,
Soaked to the skin, our vacation ended,
Back home to Kansas, my wife and I wended,
Crossed the Sagamore bridge, our vacation now done,
Just as the clouds parted, and out came the sun.



Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
13 posted 2012-08-23 05:15 PM


The trick is to live here, Tim..


Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
14 posted 2012-08-23 06:05 PM


I recall sitting on the beach on the forth of July to view the fire works launched from a boat, the oject being to see the fireworks and all the reflections in the water. It rained almost the whole time, and I wondered if it was worth it to sit in the downpour to see something I had seen so many times before. As the show began, they played the National Anthem and Then I saw the "rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, and I got a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye and I realized that it was the meaning of the event, not the convenience that mattered. Nan can attest to the fact that every time I go to CapeCod I end up writing about Cape Cod, there's something very nostalgic that inpires me and I do so regret not being able to join you there. I appreciate your wonderful comments and poems -most enjoyable to read.
By the way, Nan, grandson Alex volunteered to escort me to your house. I might have taken him up on it if not for a terrible fall the other day. I am still recovering.
Liz

Toerag
Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622
Ala bam a
15 posted 2012-08-23 10:21 PM


Awe Ms. Lizzie, you're still the best gal
Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
16 posted 2012-08-23 10:42 PM


What a wonderful poem.  The stark contrast from the first stanzas giving a beautiful tribute the cape to the utter ache of the last stanzas is amazing, and met without missing a beat.  It's so nice seeing you posting again.  Hope to see more from you soon.  

Michael

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
17 posted 2012-08-25 03:17 AM


A very touchung poem, Elisabeth from someone who understands what it means to have to say no.
                               Ida

Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
18 posted 2012-08-25 11:27 AM


Beautiful as always, Liz..Cape Cod brings back nice memories for me, too. Was there another get together planned???? The one we shared was awesome......always wonderful to read your writings....
Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
19 posted 2012-08-25 04:33 PM


Just hoping for a reciprocal visit, Mike - When we have another grand gathering, you're first on the list.  I'll have to put up a flagpole first, of course..


ebonygirl
Member Elite
since 2011-07-14
Posts 2000
California U.S.A
20 posted 2012-09-03 02:54 AM


Cape Cod sounds like a wonderful place.
I hope you will be able to return to it again.
Enjoyed,
Ms. E

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