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Open Poetry #2
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Grandma's Prayer
| Open Poetry #2 |
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Grandma's Prayer |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA 
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(This poem is dedicated my two grandmothers, who are now both gone...To see them hold my two boys when they were babies was always such a joy, I often wondered what they thought, them at the end of their lives and my children at the beginning of theirs, what words of wisdom would have they given them in their moments alone) Grandma’s Prayer Baby dear with angel eyes, How does it feel to know no lies? How does it feel to know no pain? Oh baby dear, please explain. Baby dear with hair of gold, How does it feel to not be old? How does it feel to be so new? Oh baby dear, I wish I were you. Baby dear with smile so bright, How does it feel to have your sight? To see each day with open eyes, To be filled with wonder and surprise? Baby dear with skin so pink, Oh baby dear, what do you think? Simple thoughts and simple joys Mama’s love, food and toys. I’ve been around, I’ve seen it all It’s been years since I was small. The things I’ve seen, the things I’ve done; I can not say life’s not been fun. Of baby dear, let me hold you near, Whisper stories in your ear, Touch your softness, drink in your youth, See your first steps and your first tooth. Let me enjoy you for a while, Talk to you and make you smile. For life moves quickly day by day, And time will come that I go away. Time goes on, it does not stand still, And change happens as it always will. Remember this and hear me well; Your life is a story yet to tell. An open book for you to write, An unsung song, an untold plight, An empty page before you stands, You hold your life in your two hands. May your life be full of joy and grace, May God look softly on your face. And baby dear as I hold you near; Remember this your grandma’s prayer. ------------------ "Nobody has measured, not even poets, how much the heart can hold" ~Zelda Fitzgerald |
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| © Copyright 1999 Ruth Kephart - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Pepper Member Elite
since 1999-08-19
Posts 3079Southern Florida |
exquisite.....this is one of the most beautiful poems I've ever had the pleasure of reading...... ------------------ May your days be filled with lots of sunshine and your nights lit up by golden moonbeams |
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Tara Simms Senior Member
since 1999-08-12
Posts 1244Honea Path, SC USA |
hoot, this was beautiful. it's the same kind of thing I imagine my mother would say to my children, had she lived to see them. |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Pepper and Tara, thank you very much...I had the pleasure of having two wonderful grandmothers ------------------ "Nobody has measured, not even poets, how much the heart can hold" ~Zelda Fitzgerald |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
I am in 100% agreement with Pepper. This was the most awesome thing I have ever read. If you don't mind I would like to print this one out! Dang Hoot, there are no words to describe to you how good this really is!!! |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Whtdove...please feel free to print it out and thank you, I'm truly blushing at your overwhelming response to this piece ------------------ "Nobody has measured, not even poets, how much the heart can hold" ~Zelda Fitzgerald |
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moonmoon Member
since 1999-08-13
Posts 277TX , USA |
Yes Hoot, very well written..Goose bumps here..Such a profound poem...Thanks..  |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
Oh hoot, this was ever so beautiful, it brought tears to my eyes, thank you for sahring it with us. So beautifully written ------------------ What comes from the heart goes to the heart. Samuel Coleridge |
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Julie Senior Member
since 1999-08-20
Posts 739Houston, TX |
Hoot, you have us all in tears. That was so beautiful. BRAVO! BRAVO! ------------------ Julie ------------------------- Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. Marianne Williamson |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
moonmoon, Dark Angel and Julie....thank you all for your kind words ------------------ "Nobody has measured, not even poets, how much the heart can hold" ~Zelda Fitzgerald |
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Andrew Scott Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558Redlands,CA,USA |
Lady Hoot: That was one of the most beautiful pieces I've encountered. In the best possible way I am envious of your words. This one is a treasure. Thank you for sharing it. |
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Sue Member
since 1999-08-04
Posts 383France |
Enchanting! |
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INclan Senior Member
since 1999-07-20
Posts 1024Indiana, USA |
Hoot, OUTSTANDING!!! You have out-done yourself. To bring me to tears is quite a feat. I shall indeed print this out as it MUST be saved. I will store this one in a book to find again at a later date. I have been blessed to see my children in the arms of their great grandmothers and one with her great great grandmother. I am also blessed by your talent, Hoot. Thank you sooooooo much. INclan |
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stoney1 Junior Member
since 1999-09-09
Posts 12Wooster, Ohio, Wayne |
BRAVO, BRAVO, VERY NICELY WRITTEN, Very heart warming. Thank you very much for this work of art. It has touched many hearts. Of that I am sure.------------------ Harold Amstutz |
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stoney1 Junior Member
since 1999-09-09
Posts 12Wooster, Ohio, Wayne |
BRAVO, BRAVO, VERY NICELY WRITTEN, Very heart warming. Thank you very much for this work of art. It has touched many hearts. Of that I am sure.------------------ Harold Amstutz |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
The talent in this forum never ceases to amaze me... but sometimes a poem just reaches out and grabs... this is such a poem, Hoot! And I'm glad to give it a piece of my heart for it has so much heart to give... Lovely!!! |
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JTF Member
since 1999-08-09
Posts 319France |
My 2 grandmothers are still alive ... and they have 6 great grandchildren (from 9 to 1)... I wish they understood English so that I could have them read your poem hoot ... beautiful .. |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
Thank you Hoot! Again, this was absolutely just beautiful!!! |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
I am amazed at the overwhelming response to this poem....I want to thank each one of you. It really means a great deal to me as this is probably the last poem I wrote 16 years ago when I stopped writing, my husband (Ex-husband now) told me how stupid it was and that I was wasting my energy. I'm glad to know others think differently. It has only been in the last year and a half that I have begun to write again...to think of all those wasted years. ------------------ "Nobody has measured, not even poets, how much the heart can hold" ~Zelda Fitzgerald |
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Billy Junior Member
since 1999-09-05
Posts 25 |
I loved this one. I'm not a mother yet and your words are so beautiful I find myself yearning even more for that experience. |
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Deb Lynne Member
since 1999-08-19
Posts 180Where blue skies meet blue ocean |
This poem captures the look I see in my Mother's eyes when she looks at my daughter. This is simply beautiful!!!! |
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Toerag Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622Ala bam a |
Hoot...I know I'm usually just a smart ass...And I guess that's heredity...but this is superb....I still have a letter my grandmother sent to my dad during the war...the last sentence in that letter read: "Son, nobody is that mean....you be nice to those Japanese kids and they'll be nice to you."...And this really came from her heart, as this lady knew no evil..and couldn't believe that anyone would respond with "evil" if you showed none.....Great work! |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
Hoot, this was so beautiful-you can really feel the grandmother's love in the poem-did your grandmothers see it? They would have loved it. And by the way, who cares what your ex thinks? What a jerk. Don't let him get to ya! ------------------ *Elizabeth* "Dwelt a maid belov'd and cherish'd by high and low, But with autumn leaf she perish'd, long time ago..." |
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Isis Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-06
Posts 6296Sunny Queensland |
Beautifully touching, they wait so long to be grandparents and love every minute of that time. Not only an honour to your Grandmother's but all grandmother's everywhere....: ------------------ Words that enlighten the soul are more precious than jewels. ~Isis~ |
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caroline Senior Member
since 1999-08-16
Posts 1218http://members.xoom.com/belladona123/index.htm |
hoot, this is the BEST. I couldn't begin to describe how it made me feel...it is a treasure. ------------------ The only man worth your tears will never make you cry... |
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Saxoness
since 1999-07-18
Posts 1102Texas |
Hoot, I can't say anything that hasn't been said....cept ditto! lol ------------------ "Glory remains unaware of my neglected dwelling where alone I sing my tearful song which has charms only for me." -Charles Brugnot |
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beowulf_26 Member
since 1999-06-29
Posts 183 |
It's so funny how I was just discussing that it's the little things that matter most in our life. Such things should be the topic of our best works. Far too often such weighty topics as love are sought after by writers unsuccesfuly. It's through such quaint images that you've beautifuly painted that those lofty topics truly shine. Kudos. ------------------ Opinions are like bellybuttons: eveybody's got 'em and they're good for nothing. |
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johnt300 Member
since 1999-09-12
Posts 214san diego, ca. |
Just awesome. Every line just perfect. You really have come along way since I saw your work last, and it was great then. Please keep it up. Tyson |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Wow...thanks each and everyone of you. I amazed at the response this piece has generated. Thank you all. Tyson, thanks your a dear! ------------------ "This world is not conclusion. A sequel stands beyond, Invisable as music, But positive as sound." ~Emily Dickinson |
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Angel Rand Member
since 1999-09-04
Posts 134London UK, and Zurich Switzerland |
Hoot... that was one of the most beautiful thing I have ever read! I can only repeat, your Ex must have been blind and deaf... or he had no heart! Cause how can something as perfect and as moving as this not touch a heart? I loved it and will copy it into my file where I keep all my treasures. Thank you for sharing this and for not giving up on writing! Angel |
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PhaerieChild Senior Member
since 1999-08-30
Posts 1787Aloha, Oregon |
Hoot...what can I say except that this is exceptional. I hope that my own grandchildren can read this when I'm gone and know that you have spelled out my feelings for them so eloquently and perfectly. I too am going to print this out and keep with the rest of the keepsakes to my grandchildren. Thank you ------------------ Words lay dormant in the recesses of the mind til called forth to a labor of love. By WildChild |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Wild Child and Angel...thank you both for your kind words. I only wish I would have had the opportunity to share this with my grandmothers while they were still living ------------------ "This world is not conclusion. A sequel stands beyond, Invisable as music, But positive as sound." ~Emily Dickinson |
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RainbowGirl Member Elite
since 1999-07-31
Posts 3023United Kingdom |
Hoot: your time and energy are well spent, incredibly beautiful.. HUGS ------------------ You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. |
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Iloveit Senior Member
since 1999-09-02
Posts 1121NM |
well this is one more "simply beautiful" added to a long line of others, but I just couldn't help myself, as a grandmother of two, you captured my heart perfectly |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Well, what else can be said that hasn't already. I'm speechless anyway! (and crying) What a gift. Thank you so much! ------------------ Denise |
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juanita Member
since 1999-08-13
Posts 68Los Angeles, CA, USA |
I have no words to praise your work,most of them have been used up, but I await my imminent first grandchild and your poem brought tears to both my husbands and my eyes. I was additionally moved to read one of your responses as I travelled down that path as well and it took twenty seven years to open that door again. I'm glad I did and I'm glad you did as well!!! |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
I've read this many times since you posted it and 'felt' it each time. I waited to reply as I didn't know quite what to say...how to tell you that it touched me deeply. I feel my words would be inadequate. One of the best poems ever posted! By anyone here!  Don't ever let anyone tell you not to write! |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Again....thank you all!!!! Poet....I can't think of anything nicer anyone could have said to me. You are a dear Juanita...I am glad that door is closed for you also, no one should ever have to live like that God Bless ------------------ "In the depths of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
Hootessa This was terrific. I can almost see your mother and mother-in-law as they held your baby. How proud they must have been, and how proud they must be now as they look down on you and continue to bless you with their spirit. I never knew either of my grandmothers, but I'd like to believe they were as special as your baby's. |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
All right, Ruth - I see how it is - You don't come to play with us in Washington - You stay home, and you write some real awesome poetry..... |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Long John....thanks alot Nan....I pouted all day Saturday because I didn't go. I regret not going. I would have loved to meet you all and it seemed like you had such a nice time. I wish, now, I had gone. Maybe next time ------------------ "In the depths of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus |
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ONE FLEW OVER Member
since 1999-09-18
Posts 55Cuckoos Nest |
Ruth, Somehow I missed this when it was so deservingly popular, so I shall tell you now that it is wonderful. I bet there are others who missed it too, so here it goes to the top. |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
One Flew....thanks for digging this up from the basement and thanks for your comments ------------------ Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints in our heart and we are never ever the same. Thank you all for leaving footprints!! |
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miriam Member
since 1999-08-26
Posts 323glendale,ca. |
your poetry always brings such great hope to me...thanks. |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
mariam....thank you very much Everyone...I am still amazed and touched by the amount of responses this poem has generated. There are no words to express my thanks for each and everyone of you, not only on this posting but for supporting me in all my postings...thanks once more and God Bless Ruth ------------------ Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints in our heart and we are never ever the same. Thank you all for leaving footprints!! |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
Once again Hoot, had to read it! Don't be so surprised. Your poetry is always exceptional!!! Anyone who says it isn't, well you know where they can go. I'm so glad you're writing again Hoot, you truly are talented with your words! ------------------ God gave you two ears and one mouth...so you should listen twice as much as you talk. |
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