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Open Poetry #9
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A Family Heirloom
| Open Poetry #9 |
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A Family Heirloom |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania 
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A Family Heirloom Sorting through some family heirlooms I happened on an old worn book At first I put it to the side Then chose to take a second look There was no bookplate in the cover A book not worth it’s weight in gold But in among the yellowed pages Was a girl a century old A photograph so dearly saved Tucked safe inside a worthless book A girl so lovely and so tender With a sweet alluring look A foto taken in a park About a hundred years ago But unfamiliar was her face Of all the ancestors I know Then I determined the location Where she stood beside a stone A place just on the edge of town A little park that I have known I looked to find a name or date And written on the other side Were words of love so neatly scrolled I felt a rush of chill inside It said you are my life, my love The very lifeblood of my heart And I will love you til the death Though we will always be apart Fear not, my love, I’ll meet you here Our love’s a secret no one knows And all I want for you to give Is now and then a velvet rose Then at the bottom was her name A girl so delicate and fine Had written neatly in her hand The lovely name of Caroline An old but lovely photograph Though black and white, you see the rose Of blushing cheeks and pounding heart And love about to bloom and grow The picture radiates in love The colors burst into your eyes A dress of blue and ribbon, too To match the blueness of her eyes Two puckered lips of ruby red A hat of straw with velvet band A locket strung around her neck And a velvet red rose in her hand This secret love was never known Inside this book was tightly kept For never had this lovely girl Into old family stories crept I’ll never know to whom was given This picture from dear Caroline But for a moment I was swept Into a love, long lost in time Elizabeth Santos [This message has been edited by Elizabeth Santos (edited 08-05-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved | |||
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poutprincess Senior Member
since 2000-07-06
Posts 735Perth, Western Australia, Australia |
*shiver* this gave me chills...it was a beautiful haunting story...this is a wonderful read! youve truly touched me with this one. |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Oh you got my attention on this one...A lovely enjoyable poem...fantastic...James |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
What a wonderful trip back into the past just with the discovery of this photograph. A long lost love that was obviously deep and devoted. A mysterious affair wrapped up in a reflection of a time when acceptance of such a love would be strictly taboo.........but as usual Elizabeth you bring out the depth of this love with such fine well framed pictures. I love how the poem leaves you wondering what kind of a life this poor heart struck maiden lived, trapped in a secret love affair. ...well done! [This message has been edited by ethome (edited 08-05-2000).] |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Elizabeth, Another wonderful poem that some day you will publish into a book. Love Sy |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Elizabeth~ Such a Victorian elegance to this one. You're remarkable ..... and I second Seymour's reply ! !  ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Yes, a book this page will lay inside where a long lost love dwelt to abide So wonderful, Elizabeth... |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
my god this is SO exceptional ... every line...every rhyme... the story--its conception--is emotions this poem is a family heirloom and so is the poet whose grace penned it you are amazing Liz Santos.. dont ever doubt it... take care my poetic queen love ya jm There are places inside our souls - that have never been touched. There are places inside our hearts - that need to be loved this much. ~jm~ |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Liz--this poem and the story that it holds is more precious then any rose Wonderfully romantic...supurb writing! |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
poutprincess, We must have had the same chills James, Glad you enjoyed this and thank ou ethome, Another very generous response from you. I aoppreciate it very much. Thanks for taking the time to read and respond in such detail. But you are right, a picture a note like that make you want to know more about their lives Sy, thanks, but if you would kindly allow mw to write the introduction to yours, that woould suffice Marge, Lovely remarks, Thank you Sunshine, Thanks ,dear, glad you liked it Janet Marie, Your enthusiasm never subsides. Thank you, dear poet Martie, Thank you, my elusive friend. Your comments mean so much Liz |
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RainbowGirl Member Elite
since 1999-07-31
Posts 3023United Kingdom |
Heck Liz, how do you do it? I was spellbound once more never quite knowing what I would encounter next but hoping it would end... happily ever after I shake my head in admiration and I would guess the story relates to us all, sometime in another's future this story will be told and the girl will be one of us...I hope the storyteller then is as eloquent as you... Love you kiddo.. HUSG< !signature--> "If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them." [This message has been edited by RainbowGirl (edited 08-05-2000).] |
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Mark Bohannan Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269In the winds of Cherokee song |
Liz-I got so wrapped up in this one that I found myself in a daze picturing every little detail that your wonderful words brought out. Your ability to bring out the imagery through words is so SUPERBLY done that I stand in amazement.(well actually sitting). Absolutely a treasure this one is. |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Very very lovely, Elizabeth! Amazing piece of writing! Denise |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Rainbow, I loved your remarks. I'm not leaving a diary , just pictures, they'll have to figure it all out, hehe Thanks, dear Mark, Thank you for your very kind comments Denise, Thank you neighbor Liz |
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Lakewalker Member Elite
since 2000-08-05
Posts 3289On the streets w/ people |
It's breath-taking the way you made me see the picture in my mind. What a great poem! |
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Auguste
since 2000-02-16
Posts 3953By the sea |
Elizabeth, This one was so lovely I didn't want it to end. Truly a work of art Auguste |
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Kellsue Member
since 2000-05-06
Posts 210Waukesha, WI USA |
What a wonderful and vivid poem! When your pen touches paper, magic happens!! I love all you write! ~Kelly  You can give without loving but you cannot love without giving There is no danger of developing eye-strain from looking on the bright side of things |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Lake walker Auguste And Kelly You comments are very warming and very much appreciated Thank you very much Liz |
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BSC
Moderator
Member Elite
since 2000-02-04
Posts 2919New York, USA |
Liz, As lovely as the velvet rose! Reading this I felt as if I were right there looking at this old photo too.... As always, simply amazing. Bonnie |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Bonnie, Thank you for you very kind comment. What inspired this poem was that I just had developed over 150 negatives of our family from the 1030's and 40's and what a tresure. I found pictures of my parents at periods in their lives that I had never seen. That spurned this poem Liz |
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Sudhir Iyer Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943Mumbai, India : now in Belgium |
Liz, Please enrol me... please enrol me  .... our usual fun apart, this is one fantastic poem... am I being too repetitive?... but then what can I do... you write with such flourish and in such a beautiful way that I can't help but use the same adjectives... next time I will keep a thesaurus next to me, I promise... regards, sudhir |
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