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Open Poetry #7
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House Fire!
| Open Poetry #7 |
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House Fire! |
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netswan Senior Member
since 2000-03-28
Posts 1369Washington |
House Fire! Fire was shouted loud and clear as people ran to stop the blaze fire - black smoke billowed through the air then reality set in -----as it blew glass flying everywhere the night air shown bright bringing spectators to the sight we stared with mouth's agape wondering if it would stopped before it was too late hours flew by as the smoke did swirl black - ebony - red ashes --- fear if the trees caught on fire all would be lost houses and the surrounding forest hours and hours they did fight, the trees were saved and not the house we stared at the simmering scene barefeet, no clean clothes soot sticking up our noses no purse, no wallet - only a car key buried 'neath the scorched mighty oak tree in the car we all did pile 'til we realized we had no place to be Off to camp we did make it through the night bathing in the cold river - waiting for the sun to dry the minimum clothes we all had on. hungry bellies shouted out so to the bank we tramped to get cash out the friendly teller knew who we were and whispered sorry as she doled out money Hotel room ----breakfast at last - store to buy shoes and clothes for our backs Hot shower ----calling the insurance company and we awaited our fate Two years have gone by since that date - a night that I could not even write To tell about what it is like to start over from scratch - with barely any clothes on our backs To remember the things that we had lost antiques that were dusted by grandma's loving hands My unpublished novels -- poetry from 35 years, thoughts, journals, pictures -- stuff saved from the past so that our memories would last For a year we shopped ---til we dropped a very true expression for whatever we reached for was naught, and I still reach for things that I am sure we have nothing there to be grabbed. My biggest pain is my children's baby books filled in with such love for each of them and the stories I wrote for them and their school work. Little hand prints forever gone -- In thanks to those neighbors that pitched in bringing boxes and boxes of necessary things and in memory --we hear the word fire in our town -- and boxes and boxes we bring down We cannot replace what was once lost, but we can keep extras around for those that are stuck - down on their luck Sometimes, things in life suck In memory of the night our house burned down and the wonderful people who helped us out and -----thumbs down at how long the insurance took -- if we had no money in that bank who happened to know who we were --- we would have sunk -- and that is for sure. Under insured we surely were so - read your policies carefully put your special things in a fire box and copies of them in a bank vault This is a poem written in pain that yes, life we did not lose and are grateful - yet memories of past things -lay silently in death ------ashes to ashes it truly is a sorrowful thing netswan |
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| © Copyright 2000 Teresa King - All Rights Reserved | |||
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ESP Member Elite
since 2000-01-25
Posts 2556Floating gently on a cloud.... |
How awful. Especially losing all your precious memories- My unpublished novels -- poetry from 35 years, thoughts, journals, pictures -- stuff saved from the past so that our memories would last... memories of past things -lay silently in death I am so sorry you had to go through, I can't even imagine how absolutely terrible that would be. Love and hugs, Lizzie "Poetry is the true expression of my soul, it is my ultimate means of communication. It is my rainbow of delight." |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
NetSwan~ This was a morning eye-opener for sure. Fire's finality can write it's own sorrow in the losses. I've been with people whose cherished mementos and belongings were wiped out by fire ... it is not a pretty picture. So sad. So permanent. You did a credible job in penning a heartbreak in your life. Bless you, my friend. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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FadingSun Member
since 2000-05-01
Posts 76Southern California |
Netswan, I can't imagine the heartbreak of all those losses. But your poem brought me close to the pain you felt and the tears you cried. It made me wanna give ya a great big hug !!! ~S |
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Brandyn Sand Member
since 2000-04-21
Posts 82Columbia, SC |
Loss & pain so eloquently penned, with a valuable lesson for all. Caused me to reflect on that which I tend to take for granted. Thank you. |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
This had to be truly devastating for you - It's so firmly etched in your memory, you've relived it in your words here... I'm glad you could vent you feelings here - and very grateful that all of you were safe... Nice work, netswan..  |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
What a tragedy. Through your words I could feel the utter devastation. I'm very sorry for your losses for those special things that can never be replaced. Denise |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
Swan... you have done an incredible job with this. I am so touched by this... the losses of the keepsakes is so tradgic... my sister knows this loss and it is life altering to say the least... thank you for sharing this with us... you speak honestly of the lessons learned... hopefully someone else will learn from your losses and not have to go thru it all. very well written work here. take care, jm |
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Jeffrey Carter
since 2000-04-08
Posts 2367State of constant confusion! |
Teresa, WOW!! This is very deeply touching. I know your pain all too well. When I was 7 our house burned also. It was many years ago yet I can still see it so very clearly. ((((HUGS)))) to you m'friend 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 |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
netswan, your loss and the shock of that night are so haunting...you write of them so vividly and you make me think of all the treasures, the most important, life, was saved. You also offer some good advice...thank you! |
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pen of passion Member
since 1999-08-11
Posts 234 |
When I was reading this, I felt I was standing on the lawn watching the fire and weeping. Afterwards, I looked up and thank God for all my blessings today. I am sorry for your loss. Very poignant work. |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
netswan, I'm sure this must have been difficult for you to write. I hope writing about it helped to heal. I've lost someone to a house fire, so, in reading this, I felt your pain, but was also glad that no one was hurt. Peace. Corinne |
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netswan Senior Member
since 2000-03-28
Posts 1369Washington |
Thank you all. It was Jeffrey who told me I should write about it. I found it long and so much more to say -----then decided what can one say when -- things are lost forever? Yes, I have healed for the most part -- and Corrine I am sorry for the loss of your friend -- fire is so darn deadly. One day though, when I am feeling creative I shall write the funny side to the comedy of errors of our fire department. netswan [This message has been edited by netswan (edited 05-04-2000).] |
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