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Open Poetry #7
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Why?
| Open Poetry #7 |
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Why? |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania 
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Why? She sailed on the ocean a small lonely girl Not knowing what life was about to unfurl Uprooted by pain during troubling days Now forced into refuge in troubling ways With a mother’s uncertainty clenching her tight Leaving homeland and siblings in darkness of night A girl in long pigtails sailed over the sea Holding on to the promise of her destiny A compassionate lady then greeted the two When the Statue of Liberty came into view They said Ellis Island would cleanse soul and mind But the pain never left as they waited in line She started a new life of hardships and fright And the memories of siblings she left in the night But never again would she speak of her strife And she carried it silently all of her life Though laughter would fill her exuberant days Her sorrow was passed on in secretive ways For the silence of spirit was felt by her young Who lived in the shadow of quieting tongue Her young daughter’s heartaches could never be told To a mother who’s heart no more sorrow could hold So without knowing why, this girl suffered in vain Because of the phantom of secreted pain The two who had sailed on a ship in the night Have now passed through the portals of God’s Holy Light And happiness dwells in her daughter’s embrace Now with children and grandchildren lighting her face Then one day without warning the truth became known Why her mother left family to find a new home No measure could fathom the pain that I feel For a mother who’s tragedy has become real Mother, please know that I now understand Why you came here in pigtails and clenching a hand I forgive you the burden of all of my tears I just wish I had known this in your living years From my children no ghosts of my past do I hold My mistakes and my grief have been openly told Elizabeth Santos [This message has been edited by Elizabeth Santos (edited 05-24-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved | |||
Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Elizabeth, my dear friend~ A beautifully touching render that was torn from your soul. Someday, my friend ... I'd like to hear the story. Loving hugs to you. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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Meadowmuse Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263 |
A sensitive, insightful and poignantly told story, Liz. For a mother who is full of her own sorrow and secrets, as much as she may want to absorb the pain of her children from them, she simply mayn't have the capacity. I can very much understand this mother and daughter relationship, as it could easily be nearly a mirror image of my own, with my own tormented mother, now resting peacefully with God. Thank you for these compassionate, reminding tears, my friend, and for this beautifully written poem. ~ Claire Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?......Henry David Thoreau |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Elizabeth, A wonderful poem as only you could write it. But I do believe we all carry secrets with us where ever we go. Love Sy |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
Though laughter would fill her exuberant days Her sorrow was passed on in secretive ways For the silence of spirit was felt by her young Who lived in the shadow of quieting tongue Her young daughter’s heartaches could never be told To mother who’s heart no more sorrow could hold So without knowing why, this girl suffered in vain Because of the phantom of secreted pain The two who had sailed on a ship in the night Have now passed through the portals of God’s Holy Light And happiness dwells in her daughter’s embrace Now with children and grandchildren lighting her face Then one day without warning the truth became known Why her mother left family to find a new home No measure could fathom the pain that I feel For a mother who’s tragedy has become real Mother, please know that I now understand Why you came here in pigtails and clenching a hand I forgive you the burden of all of my tears I just wish I had known this in your living years From my children no ghosts of my past do I hold My mistakes and my grief have been openly told ------------------- LIZ, this poem is nothing short of a poetic miracle... I am left shaken and touched by the depth of emotion, honesty, and understanding. This is one of the most powerful story poems I've ever read. the last 4 lines are so perfect and brilliant you are such an amazing poet... you shine divine. take care, jm Some things cannot be explained by verses that rhyme, They are not measured by the commitment of time. Some emotions run too deep to be described by words, Forgiveness and understanding-remain the most beautiful words ever heard. ~Janet Marie~ "What the caterpillar calls the end ... The world calls a butterfly" ~Lao Tze Tao~ ~Butterflies are meant to be free~ |
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wayoutwalt Member Elite
since 1999-06-22
Posts 4870TEXAS (it's all big) |
wow this poem is so great thanx for posting it i must say cuz i enjoyed it so! |
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ESP Member Elite
since 2000-01-25
Posts 2556Floating gently on a cloud.... |
Liz, this is so beautiful and so sad....a story told by your heart and soul. Words can't express how this one has touched me. 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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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Excellent, Elizabeth! No matter the secret, you have been able to understand and accept and forgive. That's what is most important! Denise |
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netswan Senior Member
since 2000-03-28
Posts 1369Washington |
Oh, Elizabeth this was heart breaking - Written so sweetly - and such an interesting story! ~netswan |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
Achingly beautiful and mysterious, Elizabeth. Corinne |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Liz--I was reading this outloud to my friend, and could hardly finish for the tears and cracking voice...this is beautifully told...and so tender and forgiving ...it just takes my breath away. |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Marge, Some day we will talk. Thank you so much LIz Claire, I guess many people have a similar story. But how we deal with our past determines how others are affected by it. I happened to be deeply affected by the unknown for many years. I see that you were also. Thanks for sharing a little piece of your life Liz Sy, We all carry secrets, but they should not be carried on anyone else's shoulders. But sometimes they are Liz Janet Marie, Your enthusiasm always amazes me. Thank you, dear, for your kind words Liz Walt, Glad you liked it LIz Lizzie, You touch my heart THank you Liz Denise, Unfortunately you can't forgive the unknown, and so it took 50 years to know the truth and then forgive Liz Netswan, Thank you so much Liz Corinne, I love your descriptions and I thank you Liz Martie, Thanks for reading to a friend, how lovely. I'm glad you liked it that much Liz [This message has been edited by Elizabeth Santos (edited 05-23-2000).] |
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Sven
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937East Lansing, MI USA |
Liz, this is simply beautiful. . . there really isn't another way to say it. . . simply beautiful. . . ------------------------------------------------------- That which gives light must endure burning --Victor Frankl |
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EagleOne Member Elite
since 2000-03-07
Posts 2829Between a laugh and a tear... |
Excellent! A powerful and emotional story. God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know it's me. ~Unknown |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
Elizabeth, this is a beautifully told story filled with sadness and heartache. I am left speechless. Excellent. *hugs* Maree Je t'aime plus qu'hier et moins que demain." I love you more than yesterday and less than tomorrow (unkown) |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Sven, Thanks, dear Eagle one, Glad you liked it Dark Angel, You're very sensitive, Thanks Liz |
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