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Meadowmuse
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since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263


0 posted 2000-05-02 07:17 PM




He Used to Brush My Hair



He used to brush and braid my hair
in darkest night, in morning fair
When tears would well with sting of pain
he'd pull me to his lap again
and slowly, with each stroke, he'd lay
my frightened thoughts so far away

He used to sing me lullabyes
in scented sheets of sonnet's sighs
When gathered stars would sprinkle gold
he'd kiss my forehead as he told
his tales in song, weave sleeping's wrap
and lay with me within my nap

He used to walk and hold my hand
and talk about our other land
and we would smile and share the tales
of Irishmen and linen sails
His roughened voice a brogue of silk  
a whiskey's taste to my sweetened milk

He used to teach me how to sing
the songs my heart could only dream
and jubilation found its way
into my life, with him those days.
He used to breathe my every breath
and I knew life... before his death.  


Dear LadyClaire



© Copyright 2000 Meadowmuse - All Rights Reserved
Marge Tindal
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since 1999-11-06
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Florida's Foreverly Shores
1 posted 2000-05-02 07:27 PM


Claire~
This one brought tears to me ...
I can scarce imagine what his memory
brings to you.  What loving memories
to stroll through.

Your heart is strong with memories
of many loves ... you bless those
memories with your verse.

Truly sad ... but truly loving.
Such tender memories for you to hold
close to your heart.  
To have known this love ... has to be
very, very special.
*HUGS* to you, my sweet lady.
Love ya'
~*Marge*~

Cool font !


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


Denise
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Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

2 posted 2000-05-02 07:32 PM


This is so tender and touching, Claire. Those memories will always be there to bring you comfort. Very well written.

Denise

Martie
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Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
3 posted 2000-05-02 07:37 PM


Claire, this poem touches me so much...you seem to be able to pull such harmony from a feeling that I am in awe.
Michael
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Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
4 posted 2000-05-02 07:42 PM


Aye, Claire, very well done.  A wonderful tribute.  I know how much he meant to you...
and though he no longer lives amongst you, he will always live within you.  And in us all through your poetry.  This was beautiful.

Michael

Sven
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since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937
East Lansing, MI USA
5 posted 2000-05-02 07:50 PM


Simply beautiful Claire. . . this one touched my heart. . . and he will always live on through and in you. . . and his memory will forever be. . .

--------------------------------------------------------

 That which gives light must endure burning
--Victor Frankl


JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
6 posted 2000-05-02 07:58 PM


Claire this is enjoyable to read...you have expressed so much love and appreciation within these words...thanks for sharing how your heart was touched by this special man that has helped to make you the special person you are today.  James
Meadowmuse
Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263

7 posted 2000-05-02 08:15 PM


Thank you, Marge, for everything. I think of him sometimes and cannot believe so much time has gone by...sometimes it feels like yesterday that he was with me. But God provides us with a lifetime in which to nurture many loves, and on we must carry, yes?  (and thanks for the "cool")

Denise, thank you for reading and, as always, for such a gracious response. I do find comfort in the memories, especially when days seem to be missing something.

Martie, I thank you. I'm still working on bringing my free verse together as well as you, my friend.  

Michael, if I can but share a small glimpse into the man he was, I will be happy. Thank you, friend o'mine, for your kind words this evening.

Sven, your heart is a tender one, and I am pleased to have been able to make a soft impact there tonight, even if only with my words. Thank you...

James, you are always so sweet. Thank you for reading this and for letting me know that you enjoyed it.

~ Claire

 Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?......Henry David Thoreau

warmhrt
Senior Member
since 1999-12-18
Posts 1563

8 posted 2000-05-02 08:27 PM


Claire,

These are very well written thoughts and memories that will bring you closeness and comfort, and hopefully, peace. The words were so very touching. If they touched me, they must be felt a hundred-fold by you. If you can express with such beautiful words, you do still live, and share with those who read your lovely writing.

warmhrt

 the poet's pen...gives to airy nothing
A local habitation and a name ~ Shakespeare

Rex Allen McCoy
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since 2000-01-30
Posts 2863
Sippin a Timmy's in London
9 posted 2000-05-02 10:15 PM


Beautifully done Claire ... I wish you all the best

Rex

Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

10 posted 2000-05-02 10:32 PM


Claire...
this is exceptional and touches me in ways I have no words for...
as I read it I recalled an earlier poem of yours about him...that effected me the same way.
You are such a gifted and extraordinary poet.
I am daily awed by your work, and inpsired by it and your grace.
Thank you for that.
(I also have such poet envy) *smile*
take care,
jm

Butterflies_dont_cry
Member Elite
since 2000-03-06
Posts 3733
Michigan
11 posted 2000-05-02 10:39 PM


Claire* This is so beautiful, your talent is amazing and the last line...."and I knew life before his death" took my breath away this was a remarkable piece of work.

 Hold me for yesterday
Kiss me for tomorrow
But love me for today.


Jeffrey Carter
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since 2000-04-08
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State of constant confusion!
12 posted 2000-05-03 12:31 PM


Oh Claire,
I don't know what to say. I can tell you loved him very much. Just remember as long as you have him in your heart you will always be together.

((((hugs to you))))

All my love,
Jeffrey

 I lie awake in a world filled with dreams,
but dreams can be so real when you don't know you're asleep

Meadowmuse
Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263

13 posted 2000-05-03 11:52 AM


warmhrt, thank you...I find your words full of comfort today, and am glad you found beauty in my writing.

Rex, thank you.  I am alright...it's been so many years now, but there are times when an especially lonely evening can bring so much to mind. Thanks for reading this one.

Janet, I'm smiling from your words...thank you!

Butterflies, I'm glad you enjoyed reading this one...thank you for letting me know.

Jeffrey, thank you. Yes, I did. And I do. And I will. And hugs back to (((you))).  

~ Claire




 Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?......Henry David Thoreau

Marina
Member Elite
since 2000-02-10
Posts 2245
Pickering, Ontario
14 posted 2000-05-03 03:49 PM


Claire, this was absolutely stunning! Quit possibly your best.  Breathtaking.

Marina

Rosemary J. Gwaltney
Senior Member
since 1999-08-26
Posts 997
northern mountains, Idaho
15 posted 2000-05-03 04:07 PM


This is breathtakingly exquisite and filled with beauty and sorrow.  Such memories, written in such a loving and haunting way - so poignant, and the last line nearly made me cry.  You've write the most beautiful poetry!
I'm so sorry, too, for your loss.

pen of passion
Member
since 1999-08-11
Posts 234

16 posted 2000-05-03 11:10 PM


You are so good with words.  I like the way you write, subtly, with a slight surprise.
Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296
Purgatorial Incarceration
17 posted 2000-05-03 11:15 PM


Half of me wishes you would stop, the other half begs you go on.

Claire, you've rendered a heart-wrenching tale. And tug the strings you did, e'en though throughout the bright images and cheery descriptions, I knew something "went wrong," byt he mere fact of a single phrase. "He used to..."

My friend, I think he still does...

Alwye
Moderator
Member Elite
since 1999-06-16
Posts 3850
In the space between moments
18 posted 2000-05-03 11:24 PM


The ones we love live on within our hearts and within our words.  And you have shown how much this person obviously meant to you.  Filled with powerful love, tender sorrow, and so exquisite.  Another masterpiece, Claire.  

 *Krista Knutson*

"Lonliness is the human condition."
*Mark Twain, in the book "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn"*

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