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Open Poetry #4
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hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA

0 posted 1999-11-11 04:49 PM


If I’d Have Only Known

If I’d have only known
That you would go away
I would have told you sooner
That I wanted you to stay
I would have showed you how important
You were to me each day
If I’d have only known

If I’d have only known
Your childhood wouldn’t last
And how someday I’d find myself
Clinging to the past
I wouldn’t have wished our lives away
Or let time go so fast
If I’d have only known

If I’d have only known
How one thing leads to another
How in this crazy world of ours
It’s brother against brother
And that you'd risk your very life
Just to save some other
If I’d have only known

If I’d have only known
Flag on your coffin draped around
With a twenty-four gun salute
Amidst its thundering sound
While my tears and rain drops fell
They’d sink you in the ground
If I’d have only known

If I’d have only known
How everything would go
When you went away to war
Just two short years ago
I would have made sure to tell you
How much I loved you so
If I’d have only known

------------------
Alis volat propriis
(She flies with her own wings)

© Copyright 1999 Ruth Kephart - All Rights Reserved
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
1 posted 1999-11-11 04:52 PM


Beautiful hoot and so sad.
suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
2 posted 1999-11-11 04:52 PM


We never know how long we have... and regrets are lousy lifetime companions. Well done, Hoot!
Marilyn
Member Elite
since 1999-09-26
Posts 2621
Ontario, Canada
3 posted 1999-11-11 04:59 PM


This has goosebumps on my arms Hoot. We need to tell people we appreciate everyday. That way there are no regrets. Just so that you know. I love you friend and I appreciate you....(((HUG)))
Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

4 posted 1999-11-11 09:24 PM


This is wonderful. I remember reading this before. Thanks for reposting this for Veterans Day!

------------------
Denise


Systematic Decay
Senior Member
since 1999-09-15
Posts 1301
That place with padded walls and funny people in white.........
5 posted 1999-11-11 09:28 PM


So sad....beautiful though

------------------
Thinking is just what a great many people think they are doing when they are merely rearranging their predjudices.



hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
6 posted 1999-11-11 09:54 PM


Thanks everyone
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
7 posted 1999-11-11 10:17 PM


I remember it, too....and it has lost no power. Thank you, hoot.
Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
8 posted 1999-11-11 11:01 PM


Let's show our love to those we love in every small endeavor
A precious moment lost,is lost until forever
Your poem reminds our well of love to pour forth when we forget
Unspoken words could someday fill a fountain of regret
Thank you for reminding us of our veterans
Elizabeth

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
9 posted 1999-11-11 11:12 PM


Nursing the regrets of 'if I'd have only known' can be painful for many. You've brought it to the forefront of many minds with this beautiful piece. Thank you.

------------------
~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com

Isis
Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-06
Posts 6296
Sunny Queensland
10 posted 1999-11-12 01:04 AM


So beautiful Ruth, an honour to any man anywhere who lost his life in a war. You spoke volumes my friend.

------------------
Through poetry my heart and soul truly sing...
~Isis~
(Daughter of Mystery)


Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296
Purgatorial Incarceration
11 posted 1999-11-12 04:22 AM


Wow Ruth...ever amazing you are!
Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
12 posted 1999-11-12 05:14 AM


Very weel done, Ruth. Touches the heart.

Michael

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
13 posted 1999-11-12 08:29 AM


Thank you everyone for your kind comments
Toerag
Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622
Ala bam a
14 posted 1999-11-12 08:40 AM


This subject, day, and the memories they bring are sometimes hard for me...but, all of you fine poets have done an excellent job in this endeavor...I wish all people all over the world could have this respect and thoughts for the bravery and the ultimate sacrifice our Vets have given. Sometimes, the "ultimate" sacrifice isn't just in death, but in the life afterwards if you survive!
miriam
Member
since 1999-08-26
Posts 323
glendale,ca.
15 posted 1999-11-17 01:11 PM


I don't know if i'll be able to do this...my eyes are full of tears. My youngest brother is in the ARMY. My exboyfriend in the ARMY. My best friend leaving to the Marines in less than two months. My boyfriend want to leave to the NAVY. I live in fear Ruth...and although I tell them how proud I am of them, I want to hit them all over their heads. Thank you for reminding me that I need to spend whatever time I have left with these people making memories.
hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
16 posted 1999-11-17 01:17 PM


Toerag...indeed you are right, sometimes those who have suffered most are those who have lived to tell the horrors of war, not the families of the dead, not the dead themselves, but the people who've looked death in the face and live with the memories from day to day. My respect and honor to all who have served.

Mariam, my thoughts and prayers are with you and yours
Hugs
Ruth

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