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

0 posted 2000-02-28 03:02 AM


To Greener Grasses

There was a goose who thought he’d try
To choose a brand new route to fly
For he was young and at his best
And well beyond a feathered nest

In thralls of autumn’s blustery days
They gathered in a morning haze
The flock rose up with feathery grace
To find their winter feeding place

They navigated ‘cross the sky
In view of Mother Nature’s eye
In a symmetric graceful show
They left behind impending snow

But this one goose had other schemes
In thoughts of glory and of dreams
He’d leave the flock of feathered friends
And head toward the rainbow’s end

He joined their southward flight at first
A plan that he had well rehearsed
Then following his secret quest
He veered away and headed west

With dreams and visions in his head
Toward new horizons he was lead
Imagining that he would be
The very first to wander free

For every year they headed south
But he had heard by word of mouth
That there were rainbows to be found
And so his wing was westward bound

Then swirling through his little mind
Were all the riches he would find
New ponds, new grassy feeding places
Flocks of geese with friendly faces

These glorious visions didn’t cease
That he would be the king of geese
And everyone would gather round
To honor this new friend they found

But days grew colder and he found
There was no better feeding ground
And there were geese and ponds and such
But he didn’t like them very much

He shivered on the frozen ground
And not a single friend he found
The other geese didn’t mind the weather
For they were of a different feather

He quickly put his pride aside
Gathered strength from deep inside
Without a honking from his mouth
He packed his bags and headed south

Sometimes we fail to recognize
The wealth that’s right before our eyes
Perhaps this tale you’ll put to use
The senseless wanderings of a goose

Elizabeth Santos


[This message has been edited by Elizabeth Santos (edited 02-28-2000).]

© Copyright 2000 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved
Severn
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704

1 posted 2000-02-28 03:24 AM


Wow Lizzy. WOW.

This is a poem to make one think - hey, you're just too good at that!

Hugs - hope you're feeling well today.

K

 'Writing sharpens life;
life enriches writing'
Sylvia Plath

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
2 posted 2000-02-28 03:53 AM


And the point you are making would be that we have all been that silly goose at one time or another in our lives.  I feel kind of silly at this very moment.   James
First__Knight
Senior Member
since 1999-11-08
Posts 678

3 posted 2000-02-28 04:41 AM


Is this the old saying that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence?....Cause that is because the grass is planted on the septic tank    This is really really good Liz....I like it.

 There are two kinds of pedestrians...the quick and the dead. Drive it like you stole it.


paulsm
Junior Member
since 2000-02-26
Posts 48

4 posted 2000-02-28 04:46 AM


I liked the feeling, and the story line    

Paulsm

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
5 posted 2000-02-28 07:23 AM


The whole point of this, james, is when you wake up in the middle of the night and don't have anything to do, write a silly goose story
Thank you for your responses, everyone
And yes, James I also was a silly goose
Liz

[This message has been edited by Elizabeth Santos (edited 02-28-2000).]

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
6 posted 2000-02-28 09:16 AM


Elizabeth,
Magnificent story poem. Love Sy

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
7 posted 2000-02-28 09:44 AM


Such wise advice masked in the disguise of a wonderful poem  
Dennis L. White
Senior Member
since 2000-02-17
Posts 1463
Michigan, U.S.A.
8 posted 2000-02-28 09:54 AM


What a wonderful flight of fancy, tempered by harsh reality, thank God for second chances.
I loved this work!!  Dennis :^)

 Poetry is the expression of thoughts which awake the higher and nobler emotions, or their opposites, with words arranged to some accepted convention.........or maybe not! Dennis :^)

Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
9 posted 2000-02-28 10:07 AM


Greener grasses, heck, I'm stuck in a sticker bush...I'd settle for some nice comfortable weeds right about now...LOL
Seriously - this is a wonderful little tale and the message is heard loud and clear on this end.  Good poem.


Michael

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
10 posted 2000-02-28 10:21 AM


This is just wonderful Liz!
wave
Junior Member
since 2000-02-21
Posts 12

11 posted 2000-02-28 01:21 PM





The Goose, A Variation


This one touched my heart too much
The tale of the lonely goose of such
farfetched dreams of furthest stretch
straying away towards the west in haste
and leaving behind his boyhood bunch

What went on in the brain of a bird
to make him doubt his mother’s word
and think he was of a different breed
and to fill his heart with lustful greed
for the spoils of a land of a different herd ?

But he did choose
To the west to cruise

So…

The goose turned loose
the wings of a king
to lift him aloft
in a swift rising

He hoped his flight
would find its way
by the star of night
and the bright of day

But the sky of day had darkened black
by charcoal clouds in thickened stacks
and the night star light was brute attacked
by a lightning strike and a thunder crack
A tempest blew in his face
And our lonely goose lost his track

But by the will of the One
of boundless grace
the storm died down
and for the clouds,
No trace

Again there was light

And as he flew
all he would see
was the blue of the sky
and the blue of the sea

But he had found his way…
The goose felt wings
themselves to beat
Not to the South
but duly East


Captain


Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
12 posted 2000-02-28 02:20 PM


I really enjoyed all of your replies. And wave, I think you have described the youth of this wandering goose. Yeh, I remember that storm very well, but luckily I survived. Thanks for the poem
Liz

RufffRyder
Member
since 2000-02-25
Posts 143
<------Over There------>
13 posted 2000-02-28 02:36 PM


You sure have a nice way with word`s  
I too have been this goose that you`ve written about here.
Thank you again Elizabeth for another wonderful read



Meadowmuse
Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263

14 posted 2000-02-28 02:41 PM


A wise and graceful message, Liz...beautifully written.

Claire

Also to Wave...lovely poetic expression.
~ Claire

Paul Hoekman
Member
since 1999-12-28
Posts 382
Harwinton Ct. U>S>A>
15 posted 2000-02-29 03:33 PM


AS ALWAYS!
YOU ARE THE BEST
and always,always,always............
am honored to read your work.

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
16 posted 2000-02-29 03:40 PM


This is superb, Elizabeth! I'd hate to wish sleepless nights on anyone... but if this is the result, you're making it tempting! LOL

And wave, I like your poetic response!

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
17 posted 2000-02-29 04:58 PM


Paul, I am humbled, and to all, thank you for your nice comments. I almost didn't post this because I thought it was too silly, but not sillier than the shoo fly pie verse.
Thanks
Liz

Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
18 posted 2000-02-29 10:03 PM


Silly? Could be...and brilliantly done. I love it! Those silly geese are still headed south. We call them tourists!  
HelmutB
Senior Member
since 2000-01-06
Posts 964
Canada
19 posted 2000-02-29 10:09 PM


Liz what a poem you've created
Such beautiful message wrapped in your words
Love it

 The ability to describe life with words is similar to painting a picture; both can be powerful tools.


John Yaws
Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 860
Texas
20 posted 2000-02-29 10:26 PM


Ah, milady. I doff my hat in your honor. What a wonderful depiction of my life.

and like this goose upon his quest-
A youthful "I" once headed West...
To wander the southwestern plain
And were I young I'd go again.
To search for fabled rainbow's end,
To find, as yet, unthought of friends.
for geese like me, that is the "biz"
A toast to talent...My dear Liz.

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
21 posted 2000-02-29 11:24 PM


Balladeer and Helmut, two gentleman poets who throw such sweet bouquets. Thank you

Gunslinger, from one goose to another, my thanks for a wonderful response. Loved it!
Liz

ESP
Member Elite
since 2000-01-25
Posts 2556
Floating gently on a cloud....
22 posted 2000-04-28 07:50 AM


Lol....to think what wisdom we can find in the story of a discontented goose!! This is a terrific poem story to be sure!

Love and hugs,
Lizzie


 "Poetry is the true expression of my soul, it is my ultimate means of communication. It is my rainbow of delight."

passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
23 posted 2004-06-06 06:53 PM


oh this is adorable!
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