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Open Poetry #6
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Thistles
| Open Poetry #6 |
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Thistles |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana 
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She searched her world for the perfect gift The soft cream and lavender appealed So she ignored the pain of the stickers And picked thistles from the field. She cheerfully sucked blood from pricked fingers And gathered a huge bouquet Before proudly delivering her present With her wish - "Happy Mother’s Day." No insult was ever intended But to her dismay and surprise Her offering incensed the recipient The flowers were thrown out and despised. "So that’s how you feel" she heard shouted "Giving me those thorny weeds. This garbage you’ve just dumped on me Is the last thing that anyone needs!" Perhaps no one stopped to consider That the gift was more than the flowers. The child felt her love was rejected And she cried for hours upon hours. She grew up, as most little girls do And vowed that she would be tough And never let on how it crushed her Knowing her love was never enough. But lonely’s a lousy companion So she allowed herself to pretend That someone would see she had value And her solitude at long last end. She offered her heart to a good man Hoping he’d heal the hurt of the years But he found no beauty in thistles Well-watered with her tears. So she’s again left wondering What’s her reason for being on earth When all that she is and possesses Is completely lacking worth. |
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| © Copyright 2000 suthern - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Temptress
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-06-15
Posts 7136Mobile, AL |
This is beautiful. I love the truth in it.  |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
Oh man, suthern. This moves me like few things ever could. "Knowing your love is never enough" - "all you possess lacking worth"... I am literally tearing just reading those lines. I can offer but my compassion and empathy. Beautiful but very sad poem. (((HUGS))) Michael [This message has been edited by Michael (edited 04-04-2000).] |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Temptress: Thank you very much! *S* Michael: So many times, your poems have moved me to tears... *S* Thank you for the kind comments and the hugs... both are appreciated! *S* |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
She grew up, as most little girls do And vowed that she would be tough And never let on how it crushed her Knowing her love was never enough. But lonely’s a lousy companion So she allowed herself to pretend That someone would see she had value And her solitude at long last end. She offered her heart to a good man Hoping he’d heal the hurt of the years But he found no beauty in thistles Well-watered with her tears. So she’s again left wondering What’s her reason for being on earth When all that she is and possesses Is completely lacking worth. ------------------------ suthern, i read this several times over 10 mins ago and it still effects me deeply. you have written this with such pure sincere emotion. it is of perfection. extemely moving....I feel the emotions of this in your words... the wounding of a childs soul...its scars stay forever...how well i know...as the poet here MUST too...the words cut too deep for it not to be personal thank you for sharing this. take care, jm ..."she said,I dont know if I've ever been good enough...and I'm a little bit rusty... and I feel like my head is caving in... and I DONT KNOW IF I'VE EVER BEEN REALLY LOVED BY A HAND THATS TOUCHED ME...and I feel like somethings gonna give... and I'm a little bit angry..." Matchbox20 |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
suthern, I never experienced this, and was so well loved as a child, but your words were like a thorn piercing my heart. This is so sad, but you have conveyed the feelings so well in your poetry. Very well written Liz |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Suthern girl, if you say you got no worth again, I'm gonna spank you! Oh, sure, you'ld like that!!! Too many of us know how much beauty you have within. Don't let rejection get you down. Geez, even my mother told me she just wanted to be friends! Hang in there, girl  |
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Andrew Scott Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558Redlands,CA,USA |
My dear Lady Suthern... I offer you hugs that heal for this piece of art so perfectly captures the pain that both the little girl and the woman have felt. Your words are a moving force and I shall forever be thankful for every weed my daughters bring me. I bow to you and yours for this powerful offering. [This message has been edited by Andrew Scott (edited 04-04-2000).] |
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Corazon Senior Member
since 2000-02-02
Posts 1209 |
this poem is so powerful, as yours always are....really sad touching message....but now if its about you....then I will kindly (and not so kindly if it comes to that my dear friend *puts up her dukes*) you are worth more than I can say to *me*....great writing my friend |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
If this has to do with you Suthern. You have all the worth in the world my friend. You can give me thistles anytime Love ya...and ((((((BIG HUGS)))))) |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Janet: A simple "thank you" isn't an adequate response for your words... but I do thank you! *S* Elizabeth: Your heart is too dear to pierce... thank you, sweet lady! Balladeer: Really? *perk* Is that a promise? *gleeful grin* "I've got no worth, I've got no worth." Nyah, nyah. LOL. Andrew: I don't think you need improvement fathering, dear friend... I suspect you see things through their eyes on a regular basis. *S* Corazon: Feisty today, aren't you? *G* Thank you... your words mean much to me. *S* WhtDove: You dear! *S* I still think thistles are lovely... I just don't pick them anymore. *S* |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Thistles really do have their own special beauty... and there are some who appreciate them... You'll find them - I'm sure of it You've got some potent words here, my friend - You don't post often, but when you do, it's bound to be a good one...  |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
This touched me deeply, Suthern. How very sad that a child's gift of love was not seen for what it was. This is an excellent piece of writing. HUGS Denise |
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Tara Simms Senior Member
since 1999-08-12
Posts 1244Honea Path, SC USA |
Suthern, the pain in this poem is heartwrenching. I'd rather receive a bouquet of weeds clutched in the grimy hands of my children than a dozen perfect roses any day. |
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RainbowGirl Member Elite
since 1999-07-31
Posts 3023United Kingdom |
I walked the fields this morning and picked sun drenched daffodils carried them with me by the lake and then as I struggled uphill Couldn't stop Snoops from eating one and the horses were hungry as well I lost two to some sheep and a lamb fell in a cow patch and boy do I smell My bouquet is now a single daffodil the colour blessed with sunshine the tears in your eyes as I hand you with love - this offering of mine. Got to go, I'm late...love you MotherHen HUSG If I could, I would and if I didn't, I should have! |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
And here's another daffodil. Now you have two. Liz |
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hsystems Member
since 2000-03-28
Posts 319Murray, UT, USA |
Suthern, this incredible poem haunts me - lovelier than any thistle, but also more thorny. It pricked my heart, and brought tears to my eyes. Your beauty shines through in your poetry, just as the beauty of the thistles can be seen. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before someone comes along who is willing to endure the thorns, for the chance to grasp the lovely thistle!  Troy Beautiful, Thought-Provoking Poetry http://www.h-systems.net/p1.htm |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Suthern~  The lovely Thistle guarded with thorn cannot match the beauty in your heart worn. The beauty within the flower so elegantly borne. Why, even the rose is guarded with thorn. Behold ! I have seen the rose of your heart. And you bloom with beauty. ~*Marge*~ |
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Corazon Senior Member
since 2000-02-02
Posts 1209 |
the comments here touch me as much as the poem did, am glad everyone here also sees in you what I see |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Nan: Thank you! *S* Your words are greatly appreciated! Denise & Tara: This is one of those poems that was wrenched forth after festering for many years... thank you for receiving it so kindly! Rainbow: I love you, too! *S* Thank you for the beautiful poem and the daffodil.... *S* That's my very favorite flower! *S* Elizabeth: Thank you... now I have a pair of lovely flowers from a pair of loving ladies... all are beautiful! *S* hsystems: Thank you very much for your kind words! Marge: The rose is beautiful... as are your comments... thank you! *S* Corazon: They touch me, too... very much. I lack the words to express my appreciation for the kind reception the poem and the poet have been given. *S* |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Suthern...this one brought me to tears. Your talent shines in the swriting of this piece, but your heart shines in its messages. Wonderful work |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Hoot: This heart thanks you. *S* |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Suthern, you brought back a painful memory but in your sharing, made me realize that "things happen". I was brought up with love, but a child doesn't always know that what is beautiful to him or her, looks like something the cat drug in to others. Your words are remarkable, as are you. Hugs, Sunshine Look, then, into thine heart, and write ~~~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow |
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Tom Sawyer New Member
since 2000-04-04
Posts 9 |
suthern, This is very moving. It reminds me of a dear friend with a heart full of love, whose heart has been crushed so many times she no longer believes in her own worth. It is the saddest thing I know, and your words express it beautifully. The metaphor of the thistle works beautifully here, and the story of the child's rejected gift ties in perfectly with the later events related. I am grateful to you for you sharing this. It is obviously deeply personal. Catch the witness, catch the wit, Catch the spirit, catch the spit Lee-Lifeson-Peart |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Sunshine: I still look like something the cat drug in! LOL Thanks for reading! Tom Sawyer: My heart (and understanding!) goes out to your friend... Some of us carry so much baggage it takes a parade of porters and it's not designer dresses! *S* Thank you for your kind comments! *S* |
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