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Martie
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0 posted 2000-10-02 07:09 PM



    The Secret

I was wishing
for the long summer twilight time
and the moon falling into the sea
and you and me with toes dangling
into the sureness of a youthful frolic.

But, it was no longer summer
and the air was quickly cooling
as I stood at the top of the mountain
counting the ridges
like rounded steps down,
down into a hazy sea,
thinking of all that was lost.

Then

across the hill
that fell away beside me
into a river
with alder tracing its
curving path
I found something,
perfect with its nudging truth
out of my longing,

I found Fall.

It was lit with sunshine
and covered in a coat
of many colors and textures,
then staked to the ground
by yucca spikes
that stood erect
in their blooming hold on death
and rebirth.

There was cooper and rust,
burnt orange and umber,
all sown together by the plume
of the gray squirrels tale
that darted back and forth
like a living needle.

I could smell the creosote
where the fragrant ground leaked,
and sage in soft dusty green
gave reverence to the air
in a prayer for continuance
that I could hear echo
in my heart.

As I stood there
and felt like crying for something,
something that summer stole from me
and would not give back,
something that would never be the same again,
Fall covered me with her quilt
so that I would understand
how life changes for a reason
and time spreads
its seeds upon the ground to wait.

It whispered across the hill,
its breath as fragrant as
the sweet peas of early spring,

it whispered this secret to me,

now is really all there is,
and now it is Fall.




In the dew of little things,
the heart finds its morning
and is refreshed.
(ee cummings)

© Copyright 2000 Martie Odell Ingebretsen - All Rights Reserved
SEA
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since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676
with you
1 posted 2000-10-02 07:49 PM


Martie~ this goes in my library. You have touched me to the core! I am in awe of these beautiful words. This is just amazing and so full of beauty. Thank you for this poem.   -SEA

Live,Love,Laugh :) ~SueB


Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
2 posted 2000-10-02 07:50 PM


"Now is all there really is"
And now I am reading "The Secret", which is exquisite.
So therefore the present is exquisite.
At least you've given me a moment
Liz

Denise
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since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

3 posted 2000-10-02 09:01 PM


This is an excellent expression of deep truth, Martie! Very well done!!

Denise

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

4 posted 2000-10-02 09:12 PM


As I stood there
and felt like crying for something,
something that summer stole from me
and would not give back,
something that would never be the same again,
Fall covered me with her quilt
so that I would understand
how life changes for a reason
and time spreads
its seeds upon the ground to wait.

It whispered across the hill,
its breath as fragrant as
the sweet peas of early spring,

it whispered this secret to me,

now is really all there is,
and now it is Fall.

=======================
actually .. me thinks fall found you ...
only YOU could see all this and find your self in the revelations of that moment..
and now..none of us will ever look at fall the same..
thank you for that gift
and for this amazing poem
love ya lady
me

Marge Tindal
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since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
5 posted 2000-10-02 09:41 PM


Martie~
I'm touched beyond mere words ...

Then

across the hill
that fell away beside me
into a river
with alder tracing its
curving path
I found something,
perfect with its nudging truth
out of my longing,

I found Fall.


What a memorable moment.
~*Marge*~


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



Balladeer
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since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
6 posted 2000-10-02 10:12 PM


Martie, what a beautiful way to explain and introduce the coming of fall. Yes, for every season there is a reason for sure. You have explained that with your customary flawless eloquence  
Wilfred Yeats
Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware
7 posted 2000-10-02 11:04 PM


I won't repeat what those who've gone before me have said - although I agree with every word - I'll just say you are INCREDIBLE! - 5 *S
Tears_of_Grace
Member
since 2000-07-05
Posts 50

8 posted 2000-10-02 11:47 PM


A beautiful secret indeed! The fall colors are starting here and it is just as you described it, a fine quilt made by the hands of God.  I enjoyed this very much!
serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

9 posted 2000-10-03 01:06 AM


I would love to go for a long with you, Martie...in fact, I feel like I just did...what an artist you are!  HUGS
Martie
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Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
10 posted 2000-10-03 01:36 AM


Sea--to be touched to the core..wow...what a wonderful thing to say...thank you!

Liz--You make many beautiful moments and you share so many with us.

Thanks for seeing the truth in this, Denise...it's what I wanted.

JM--I'm so glad that I shared what I saw and that you see it too..love to you too.

Marge--You splatter the seasons all over the page...you have colored them all.

Balladeer--Yes, I love those words...thank you.

Bill--Incredible, I don't think so...but sure do like that you think so...thanks for the 5*.

Tears of Grace--I'm glad that you see the beauty of fall where you are too...thank you so much for your reply.

Serenity--Yes, I think you were there...that little wood nymph with a smile.


Severn
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704

11 posted 2000-10-03 06:08 AM


A breathless piece Martie...

thankyou for it.

Love K

Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song
12 posted 2000-10-03 08:30 AM


As I stood there
and felt like crying for something,
something that summer stole from me
and would not give back,
something that would never be the same again,
Fall covered me with her quilt
so that I would understand
how life changes for a reason
and time spreads
its seeds upon the ground to wait.

It whispered across the hill,
its breath as fragrant as
the sweet peas of early spring,

it whispered this secret to me,

now is really all there is,
and now it is Fall.

Now to write this they didn't teach us in cowboy school but they did teach us to really really enjoy it.  Such a beautiful secret you share with us and your whispers
of nature make it all so sweet to these wind torn ears.

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
13 posted 2000-10-03 09:29 AM


Thanks for passing along this secret with such eloquence... it's lovely!
Rex Allen McCoy
Member Elite
since 2000-01-30
Posts 2863
Sippin a Timmy's in London
14 posted 2000-10-03 09:41 AM


we should always take time to ponder the 'Now' ... because it stems from the past and directly affects the future
( or something like that )

beautifuf poem Martie

Martie
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since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
15 posted 2000-10-03 11:19 AM


Hi Kamla---thanks for your breathless!

Mark--wind torn ears...that sounds like it could be a poem...and you should write it.

Thank you suthern for such a nice reply.

Rex Allen--Yup, it IS something like that...thanks.

MMoonchild
Senior Member
since 2000-07-13
Posts 1715
PA
16 posted 2000-10-03 11:45 AM


WoW...sighing at the beauty and strength of your words, Martie
~~smiles
Maureen

Martie
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California
17 posted 2000-10-03 05:58 PM


Maureen--thanks for the sigh...
rosepetals25
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since 2000-05-31
Posts 3076
PA
18 posted 2000-10-03 06:15 PM


Martie,

   This one I'm definately saving.  It is simply amazing. The pictures you etched with words are beautiful



~~Tara aka rp25 :o)

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
19 posted 2000-10-03 10:59 PM


Tara--thank you so much for letting me know that you liked this and are saving it.
Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song
20 posted 2000-10-03 11:04 PM


whats that my friend.....couldn't hear ya with my wind torn ears....   Do ya think ya could write a poem about dem thar ears...huh?????  Besides ya owe me one from my challenge that you chickened out on.LOL....so now you can be reprieved.   Love ya my friend.
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