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Sunshine
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Listening to every heart

0 posted 2000-09-23 06:21 AM


The One Time He Cried

Consummate cowboy, grew up on South Dakota plains
tenth child of twelve, a man while still a child
nothing about him ever showed to be raucous or wild
he looked life square in the eye, never did complain

grew to be the quintessential man, long and lean
did all of his cowboying up while still a teen
had a love for land, folk, all nature at hand
had that cowboy way with him, he was quite the man

for a little blonde girl, he was her cowboy dad
dressed in jeans and striped shirt, he took her hand
excursions to fairs, or just to see nature's scenes
he was her center, her rock, her dad in blue jeans

his smile lit his face, she copied his grin
she tried so hard to learn the best from him
when times were tough, or troubles grew sore
to his grin he'd add a wink, which tickled her more

he was her rock, her foundation and strength
she knew Dad would be there, he'd go to any length
and she watched as she grew, saw the similarities, too
in all her uncles, his brothers, and her love for them grew

came a summer graduation, and along with it the news
an uncle in the 'Dakotas, working fields under skies of blue
was felled by an illness, the summer skies brewed
her dad looked distraught, but then came more news

the brother was doing fine, would be a short hospital stay
by the very next morn, uncle's soul had risen away
caught up quick by this life cut short, desolation rose
daughter caught dad set back by frustration's pose

and he cried, wretched with deep, desolate waves
she wanted so to reach out, but knew she couldn't save
him from this pain, this inconsolable passing of life
she left this man, stepped back, to be held by his wife

and her father grew in her eyes, he was human after all
and in her memories of him, he still stands so very tall.

©Karilea Rilling Jungel
23 September 2000



[This message has been edited by Sunshine (edited 09-23-2000).]

© Copyright 2000 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved
RainbowGirl
Member Elite
since 1999-07-31
Posts 3023
United Kingdom
1 posted 2000-09-23 06:49 AM


Oh wow!...Sunshine..I'm speechless...

HUSG

"If you always do what you've always done
You'll always be where you are right now."

Author Unknown

Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song
2 posted 2000-09-23 07:30 AM


Within the true grit and strength comes the pouring of the heart.  Lovely verse my friend and so full of tenderness and STRENGTH....as I have learned through the years myself.
WhtDove
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245
Illinois
3 posted 2000-09-23 08:11 AM


Karilea this is one heck of a story! Loved it  

<*\\\><

I know not what the future holds,
but I know Who holds the future.

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

4 posted 2000-09-23 08:36 AM


This was a beautiful portrayal, Sunshine...
I like the child's eye view of discovery of vulnerability in the seemingly almighty...great job with this!

Bill Charles
Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619
highways, & byways, for now
5 posted 2000-09-23 09:18 AM


Good morning Sunshine,
This is very beautiful, and very well written. Thanks for sharing this.

Bill

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

6 posted 2000-09-23 02:18 PM


this is very tender, sincere and touching sunshine ...
you were very lucky to have this kind of realtionship with your father
and he inspired this special piece in you
jm

Sunshine
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since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
7 posted 2000-09-23 03:04 PM


Cindy...we don't see that often, thank you dear...

Mark, exactly, he was tender strength...

Thank you Rebecca...

Serenity, it was a wonderful childhood...

Bill, he taught how to share, and he did it well...

Janet Marie, he still inspires...thank you...

Karilea
When you want to be loved, look within...KRJ


Sven
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Member Laureate
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937
East Lansing, MI USA
8 posted 2000-09-23 04:32 PM


Sunshine,
         superb story my friend. . . I know that your father meant much to you. . . and as we get to know him through poems like this. . . we can see why. . .

Excellent. . .

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

That which gives light must endure burning
--Victor Frankl


Sunnyone
Member Ascendant
since 2000-07-06
Posts 5334
Staffordshire, England
9 posted 2000-09-23 04:37 PM



Sunshine...
           From inside of your heart you've painted a picture of a loving father for us to know and share.......that means a lot to those of us who didn't have one.....
               Thank you for this....


Today is a gift....
That is why they call it
'the Present'!



Jenn E
Senior Member
since 2000-08-02
Posts 589
Kelowna, BC, Canada
10 posted 2000-09-23 04:51 PM


This was very beautiful Sunshine...so full of love and admiration. I really loved the part, "he was human after all".....for until I saw my grandfather cry, who is like my father, I never new.......Just a very tender hearted, emotional write. Enjoyed it alot.

Jenn E

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
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since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
11 posted 2000-09-23 05:31 PM


Karilea~
What a wonderful sharing story.
So tenderly portrayed -
so sweet from the daughter's memory.
*Hugs* to you, my friend.
~*Marge*~


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



Sunshine
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since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
12 posted 2000-09-23 10:10 PM


Sven, thank you and everyone, for allowing me to share him so openly...

Sunny, he would have loved your smile, and you would have received many fine hugs from him...I know...

Jenn, then you know, don't you...?

Marge, he would have adored your spirit, and would have shared many a wonderful story with you...

Karilea
When you want to be loved, look within...KRJ


Balladeer
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since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
13 posted 2000-09-23 11:37 PM


A lot of sincerity on parade here, Sunshine, and done very well, too.
Butterflies_dont_cry
Member Elite
since 2000-03-06
Posts 3733
Michigan
14 posted 2000-09-23 11:59 PM


This touched my heart...it's very clear through your writing that this was a man to be admired and loved.  A beautiful tribute to your father~
Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
15 posted 2000-10-16 10:09 AM


A perfect portrayal of a tender heart... writen with the most amazing grace...

Wonderful work, Karilea...


regards,
sudhir

Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296
Purgatorial Incarceration
16 posted 2000-10-16 12:24 PM


Can't beat a story like this - heart-filled and real.

Bueno!

C

Marsha
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423
Maidstone Kent England
17 posted 2000-10-16 12:48 PM


Karilea this is a wonderful, an absolute gem. Oh he sounds like a lovely dad That's one of my only regrets that I never knew mine nothing scandalous, he died when I was 5. I had two more after that, my mam wed again, a prime example of hope triumphing over experience, but they weren't the best ideas she'd ever had.
Anyway this is an amazingly beautiful poem clearly showing your love for him.
This is a class poem.
Take care
                     Marsha

Alle'cram
Senior Member
since 2000-02-28
Posts 1816
Texas
18 posted 2000-10-16 01:11 PM


Sunshine,
   A wonderful write and so heartfelt, your love for him and how he cherished the love of his little blonde headed girl....just beautiful!!  Marcy

Sunshine
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since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
19 posted 2000-10-16 02:05 PM


Well you folks just knock my socks off...I didn't expect to see this one come back up... but I'm glad it did, and just so y'all know, my Dad is smiling on each and every one of you for making his little girl speechless...

a feat in itself...

tender thank yous to each and every one of you...

Karilea
If I whisper, will you listen?...KRJ



suthern
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since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
20 posted 2000-10-16 02:10 PM


This is great, Sunshine!
Corazon
Senior Member
since 2000-02-02
Posts 1209

21 posted 2000-10-16 04:43 PM


wow this is touching and beautiful, makes me wish I had know my dad...haven't seen him in 20 years....
JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
22 posted 2000-10-16 04:49 PM


You are touching me deep...excellent writing..James
Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
23 posted 2000-10-16 06:31 PM


Karilea,'

A very touching and loving story
Very well written. It flowed as though someone was telling this story aloud
  
Liz

Victoria
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Ascendant
since 2000-08-12
Posts 5869

24 posted 2000-10-16 06:41 PM


very heartfelt Sunshine..nicely written indeed..

           ~Victoria~


A poem is never finished, only abandoned.
- Paul Valery (1871-1945)

Denise
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Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

25 posted 2000-10-16 08:01 PM


This is beautifully done, Karilea. Very touching and a wonderful tribute!

Denise

Nan
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since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
26 posted 2000-10-17 07:13 AM


Karilea - This is obviously a very personal tribute - It's chuck full of love, admiration, and sincerity... and poetry... Nice job..
Aimster
Member Elite
since 2000-02-19
Posts 4297
Charlotte, NC
27 posted 2000-10-17 07:17 AM


This is beautiful! A stunning and very special tribute to your father. I see you inherited his kindness   amazing emotion in this piece! our parents will always be with us...no matter where we go, or what we do  
take care.
amy  

Kethry
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082
Victoria Australia
28 posted 2000-10-17 07:31 AM


Karilea,
as the twig is bent so shall the tree grow. You can tell you had a lovely father by the way you have grown. What a fitting tribute to him. Excellent.
Be well
Kethry


Growth demands a temporary surrender of security.
Gail Sheehy

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
29 posted 2000-10-17 09:24 PM


It amazes me, the compassion of this place.  To me, my Dad stood heads above most other dads...yet, each is special to us in their way.  I appreciate the opportunity to talk about my folks, because somewhere down the line, the mold was broke, and we'd all be better for folks like them.

So thank you all, and to you Kethry, for noticing that the twig was bent.  Indeed it was, and I am the better for it. I am still reaching for the stars when I talk of my Dad, and Mom, and someday, someone will help me reach them.

Thank you.

Karilea
If I whisper, will you listen?...KRJ



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