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Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania

0 posted 2001-08-20 11:16 PM


God Takes and Gives

For everything God takes away
It seems He gives back even more
A hundred favors in a day
Of wonders to be thankful for

He took away my lively step
Perhaps I was too in a rush
He slowed me down so I could hear
The morning song of feathered thrush

So I could witness every bloom
And every bud along the way
Every petal opening
Its velvet wing to light of day

He took away my steady hand
Which wrote in fine calligraphy
But gave a keyboard full of words
To write these lines of poetry

He opened up the skies to me
And gave me friends around the world
For everything He took away
A finer gift was then unfurled

He took away the ability
To walk a distance, run a mile
But then replaced it with a gift
An inner happiness and smile

He takes the words from out my head
And slows me down in simple speech
But fills my soul with endless joy
Which always seemed beyond my reach

He slowly takes my life from me
In little steps, in little parts
But gives it back to me in love
A thousand fold to fill my heart

He’s taken all my strength from me
But gave me love to so uplift
That nothing I could ever give
Would compensate this wondrous gift

Elizabeth Santos
1/15/00


© Copyright 2001 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved
Joyce Johnson
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912
Washington State
1 posted 2001-08-20 11:35 PM


A lovely and inspiring poem.  Joyce
cpalmer
Senior Member
since 2001-06-26
Posts 977
Phoenix, Az
2 posted 2001-08-21 12:13 PM


Oh Liz,
you have so inspired me and helped me to see the things he has given me instead of all the things I feel have been taken away...thank you for this...I needed it tonight!
*BIG HUGS*
Cindi

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
3 posted 2001-08-21 05:48 AM


SweetLizzie~
This is beautiful.
And I know I share in the joy of others,
thankful that He has give you the lovely poetry you share with us.

Thank you, Lord.
*Hugs*
~*Marge*~

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

2dalimit
Member Elite
since 2000-02-08
Posts 2228
Mississippi coast
4 posted 2001-08-21 07:16 AM


Thank God He gave you the gift of poetry.
I enjoyed this very much.

Melton

sandgrain
Member Elite
since 1999-09-21
Posts 3662
Sycamore, IL, USA
5 posted 2001-08-21 08:51 PM


Oh, how I relate to this lovely poem, but I really had never put it all in such a great perspective.  Since getting rheumatoid arthritis in '96, my constant on the go nature changed to one of moving chair to chair, but I do have and spend much more time with grandchildren who are the light of my life, and reading which I never really had time to do.  Thank you so much for sharing this uplifting thought.
  Rae

Lone Wolf
Member Ascendant
since 2000-03-16
Posts 5842
Lansing, MI USA
6 posted 2001-08-21 11:51 PM


So true, Liz.  He never takes without giving something better or equal to in return.  He is all knowing and merciful.  This was a great write!  

All writing comes
by the grace of God.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
7 posted 2001-08-22 04:02 PM


I am so grateful that others could relate to this. I have Parkinsons desease which totally altered my life, but because of it, I sat down and wrote a poem one day and was encouraged to keep writing. I have had so many rewards as a result of my illness and I know exactly where it comes from.
Thank you for your kind remarks and for opening your hearts.
Liz

Interloper
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-06
Posts 8369
Deep in the heart
8 posted 2001-08-22 06:40 PM


Beautiful presentation indeed

Homepage :  http://members.home.net/excalibur2501/interloper.htm

Trillium
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098
Idaho, USA
9 posted 2001-08-22 07:38 PM


Liz:  Your poetry is always outstanding and beautiful. I'm sorry to learn that you are not totally well. You must treasure your gift for words, and the pleasure it brings to all who read them.

Betty Lou Hebert

Songbird
Member Elite
since 1999-12-15
Posts 2184
Missouri
10 posted 2001-08-22 08:11 PM


Beautiful in every way.
Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
11 posted 2001-08-24 01:47 AM


"He took away my lively step
Perhaps I was too in a rush
He slowed me down so I could hear
The morning song of a feathered thrush"

This is absolutely wonderful! I also loved the lines about the calligraphy and the keyboard. It's always good to put our "misfortunes" in perspective, but you've taken this to another level, and presented
these experiences of life as positive steps in our journey through life. This poem will stay in my heart.

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
12 posted 2001-08-24 07:52 AM


Your comments in themselves, are inspiring to me. Thank you all for your generous remarks and for injecting a bit of yourself into the response.
Liz

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