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Street Heart
Member
since 2002-09-05
Posts 349
Pennsylvania,USA

0 posted 2002-11-22 02:22 PM


Back in March of 1991,I had the honour of being asked to be one of the support assistants for a regional AIDS quilt exhibition which was brought to Lehigh Valley College in Allentown,PA.This was to be my first and only contact with that incredible memorial to so many lives which were prematurely snuffed out by an out-of-control epidemic.I am a little ashamed to admit this.I was so overcome by the astounding artistry,the amount of lives that were taken,but mostly,by the astounding Love which was poured into all those offerings by those who missed their loved ones,that I was practically rendered non compos mentis.Emotions overtook me.I was stunned.Be that as it may,there was one panel that struck me particularly hard.With exquisite artistry,it depicted a baby held in the palm of, seemingly,God's hand,with a beautiful white lily
over her head.It stated that she was one year,one month,one day old when she died.The tears just rolled down my face.The next morning while I was still asleep,I had a dream.In the dream,I was by a river...and this little baby bird flew down and landed in my hand.As I looked,this little one curled up within my palm as if to quietly sleep and so gently died. Suddenly,I heard the sweetest music,just a segment,words and all,that went,"...and she never stopped smiling when the angel came and took her away."With such strong emotion,I awoke and promptly went to the piano.The following is what I wrote.It is in 3/4 time.I am currently arranging and recording this.I wish I could share the entire song with you,but the words will have to suffice.
Peace...




1st Verse:

One day you looked in my eyes.
I dream of the way you slept in my arms
But visions of slumbering never do comfort me now

Byways and weeks hasten by
I dream of the days you played by and by

Scenes of you smiling...always are riling me
mile after mile how my Heart travels far...

Chorus:

       Sleep under willows
          where flowers are crowning you
       Riding the waves of Sweet By and By
       Never in shadows
          Rivers meandering...
       reflecting the clouds that were swept from your eyes

(...and she never stopped smiling when the angel came and took her away...)

2nd Verse:

Years fly and seas gently foam
when tossed by the winds we call Father Time
Ever reminding me,your Love's still finding me now

Someday,when searching the skies
I'll look toward the stars just to search for your eyes

Scenes of her filling me...never are stilling me
Time after time...all the time slipped away...

2nd Chorus:

           But sleep under willows
              where flowers are crowning you
           Riding the waves of Sweet By and By
           Never in shadow
              Rivers meandering...
           reflecting the clouds that were swept from your eyes

(...and she never stopped smiling when the angel came and took her away...)

3rd Verse:

Someday I'll look in your eyes
We'll live all the days within Sweet By and By
Ever together...never apart again
Dream after dream seems to gleam of the time...

Final Chorus:

             when we'll sleep under willows
                where flowers are crowning us
             Riding the waves of Sweet By and By
             Never in shadow
                Rivers meandering...
             reflecting the clouds that were swept from our eyes

And you never stopped smiling when the angel came and took you away...

March 4,1991

Geoffrey Sonnen

            



[This message has been edited by Street Heart (11-23-2002 10:56 AM).]

© Copyright 2002 Geoffrey Sonnen - 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 2002-11-22 02:59 PM


This is truly beautiful Geoffry.  I wish I could hear it sung.  You have a tender heart.  Love, Joyce
Dark Angel
Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095

2 posted 2002-11-22 03:38 PM


I wish I could hear this sung as well... It's absolutely beautiful Geoffrey.

hugs

Maree


p.s still waiting for that email

[This message has been edited by Dark Angel (11-22-2002 03:39 PM).]

Marge Tindal
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Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
3 posted 2002-11-22 06:59 PM


Oh,Geoffrey~
It is no wonder you go by Street Heart~
My dear man ... this is so touching~
Your preface as moving as the song itself~

Certainly would love to hear it ... but am humming it softly as I write this~
Lovely, sir~
*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

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

Street Heart
Member
since 2002-09-05
Posts 349
Pennsylvania,USA
4 posted 2002-11-22 07:53 PM


Goodness...you know,I don't know how to put this,but you ladies are so nice.You actually have me blushing here,lol.You don't know how good it is to have you enjoy this.Thank you Joyce,Maree,and Marge.
I wish I could have you hear it.It's a guitar piece,mostly.Some things in life are just simply unavoidable...they will impress upon the deepest part of you...that soul of souls within.So happy I could share this.

If a man has not discovered something he is willing to die for,his life is not worth living.

Martin Luther King,Jr. Detroit,1963

Street Heart
Member
since 2002-09-05
Posts 349
Pennsylvania,USA
5 posted 2002-11-22 08:08 PM


Maree,my Dark Angel...why did I miss the fact within regarding the reference to the angel.A little blind and deaf there,I am .
Maybe one day,Maree...who knows...I AM working on finally making a cd...one day you might find the song being shipped to Australia .

Peace,your friend,Geoff  

If a man has not discovered something he is willing to die for,his life is not worth living.

Martin Luther King,Jr. Detroit,1963

Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

6 posted 2002-11-22 08:34 PM


Geoff, this has moved me to tears. The love and care permeate every word. I'd too love to hear the music that goes with it one day. Thank you for sharing this touching piece.

Denise

Trillium
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Member Patricius
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098
Idaho, USA
7 posted 2002-11-22 10:24 PM


This is so tender and loving, it must move everyone who hears it, or reads it. How compassionate you are!

Betty Lou Hebert

aries_luv_ppl
Senior Member
since 2001-09-20
Posts 1448
Universal Mind
8 posted 2002-11-25 05:36 PM


Oh this is just touching! Just how compassionate you are I glad that I've met you here.

Eliza Simmons
~Sometimes when I look back at what I wrote, I don't recognize the 'Me' in the past anymore.

Street Heart
Member
since 2002-09-05
Posts 349
Pennsylvania,USA
9 posted 2002-11-25 05:41 PM


Thank you so much,Denise,Betty and Eliza.I am glad that you enjoyed.

From my Heart,Geoffrey

If a man has not discovered something he is willing to die for,his life is not worth living.

Martin Luther King,Jr. Detroit,1963

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
10 posted 2002-11-26 12:22 PM



Bless you.

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