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Trillium
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Member Patricius
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098
Idaho, USA

0 posted 2001-05-25 06:56 PM


Am I the only one to lay
Some flowers on your grave today?
It's almost evening, but I see
There's no one else around.  Just me.
I know that people do forget.
It does no good to come here, yet,
Some inner need is satisfied,
To stand, remembering, beside,
This spot where you were laid away.
So, on each Memorial Day,
I come and walk beneath these trees,
To keep alive the memories
And if some others don't recall
And come here seldom, if at all,
As long as one soul thinks of you
And brings you flowers, will that do?
We all react in different styles
To grief and passing time beguiles,
So each of us new doors explore.
But I'll remember, evermore!


Betty Lou Hebert

Published in Ozark Muse Magzine, May, 1996

[This message has been edited by Trillium (edited 05-25-2001).]

© Copyright 2001 Betty Lou Hebert - All Rights Reserved
Joyce Johnson
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Member Rara Avis
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912
Washington State
1 posted 2001-05-25 08:36 PM


Well done, Betty.  I put flowers on 18 graves today that everyone seems to have forgotten.  Maybe they just know I will do it, so they don't bother.  Love, Joyce
deleeme
Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 1766
NEW ENGLAND, USA
2 posted 2001-05-25 09:10 PM


Betty,
This is so touching and beautiful!
If only more, would take just a few minutes out of their busy day, and full week-end to to do as you have shown here.
A 21-gun salute though more loudly heard, and calling attention to itself-  could never come close to the simple, yet meaningful tribute which you faithfully render.   I Bravo your Poem & fine attitude of Grattitude!
       David


No Better Place do I know
Than where Hearts knit as
one,
For in that grand
experience,
The Better ALL become.

God Bless us All!!!

[This message has been edited by deleeme (edited 05-25-2001).]

Trillium
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3 posted 2001-05-25 10:04 PM


Dear Joyce:  It is a special work of love, to me, to visit the graves of those no longer with us and leave some flowers.  I try to do this on a seasonal basis.  I use artificial flowers in the fall and winter though, so they'll stay bright during the dull days. I applaud you for visiting so many!

Betty Lou Hebert

Trillium
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4 posted 2001-05-25 10:06 PM


Dear David:  Thank you for all your nice comments.  It is hard sometimes to go to the cemeteries, but it's harder not to!

Betty Lou Hebert

2dalimit
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since 2000-02-08
Posts 2228
Mississippi coast
5 posted 2001-05-26 08:13 AM


Your actions and poem are to be commended.
Melton

Denise
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Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

6 posted 2001-05-26 08:39 AM


Wonderful poem, Betty Lou, very nice. When I visit my parents' grave I often look around at all the 'empty' graves lacking any tokens of remembrance. I suppose some have no living relatives left to put anything on the grave and perhaps some just can't bring themselves to visit their loved ones in a cemetary. Whatever the reason, it leaves me feeling a bit sad.
Trillium
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7 posted 2001-05-26 06:47 PM


Melton:  Thank you very much!

Betty Lou Hebert

Trillium
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8 posted 2001-05-26 06:50 PM


Denise:  Thank you for your nice remarks. I know what you mean about the unadorned graves at the cemetery.  It does make one feel sad and I always wish I had carts of flowers so I could decorate the empty ones too.

Betty Lou Hebert

Marge Tindal
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Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
9 posted 2001-05-27 12:06 PM


BettyLou~
You reminded me of why I do what I do ...

When visiting the cemetery ...
I place a small bow on gravesites,
otherwise void of declarations of remembrance.

And I offer this prayer -

Lord, please let this someone know
that they were thought of today.

It isn't much ... but it makes me feel good.
~*Marge*~

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

Trillium
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10 posted 2001-05-27 12:38 PM


Dear Marge:  What a wonderful idea!  I will do that too from now on.  It will certainly make me feel better about walking past grave sites that have nothing on them.  Thanks for sharing.

Betty Lou Hebert

Red_Feather
Member
since 2001-01-19
Posts 131
The Vagabond Sea
11 posted 2001-05-29 10:52 PM


I too commend your show of respect and care for those past, but for me personally, the grave is not a place of closeness to those lost. I try to carry them always in my life, to honor them with my life. I would not want their graves to be neglected, but the show we make of death is really for the living, not the dead. It is the first inadequate way we try to cope with such devistation. Those with unattended graves are not necessarily forgotten.

One's not half two it's two are halves of one EE Cummings

Trillium
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12 posted 2001-05-30 01:10 AM


What you say is very true.  I would rather not go, but I hate to think of the graves being without a remembrance. As you say, that is for me, not those gone. Some part of me feels they know I care enough to go.

Betty Lou Hebert

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