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Open Poetry #10
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In Blue Room
| Open Poetry #10 |
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In Blue Room |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA 
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In Blue Room In sky blue room a hardwood cradle stands Whittled, carved, and stained by my two hands Curtains of lace adorn the windows bright On rocking chair, there rests a bear of white One twist, a mobile plays a lullaby And on the threshold, I begin to cry Sheets of cotton, hat of stockinet A day of birth, a day I shalln’t forget No wails left tiny lips of palest rose No movements altered hands in deaths repose In sterile room that should have rung with sighs Off green tiled walls, there echoed my own cries Birth and death, two overlapped as one I had, but yet, I didn’t have a son No greeting cards that relished “It’s a boy!” Pure grief replaced what should have been my joy No toys, no diapers, and no nightly feeds Cut from my womb, but it’s my heart that bleeds Two years have come and gone, the time has passed And in the room, layers of dust amassed The filmy haze dulls not my memory Nor changes what both could and couldn’t be I held you for one moment in my hands Now in blue room, your empty cradle stands What lies behind us and lies before us are small matters compaired to what lies within us. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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| © Copyright 2000 Ruth Kephart - All Rights Reserved | |||
Victoria
since 2000-08-12
Posts 5869 |
a very sad one  ..nicely written..~Victoria~ |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Hoot~ Just too sad for words, my friend. Such heartache seeps across my heart. Hugging you, sweet lady. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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Charisma
since 2000-09-30
Posts 5906lost in blue pages |
(((warm tight hug)) wish that I could find the right words, but saying nothing is better maybe, only want to let you know that my heart ache with you too. take care "Hoot" Charisma |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
 have you ever seen the sun cry? it does... Karilea If I whisper, will you listen?...KRJ |
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BloomingRose Member Elite
since 2000-08-09
Posts 3092Florida |
This is so incredibly sad. I am so so sorry. Hugs, Deb |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Thank you all for the kind words, but this poem was not written from my experience, but rather from the experience of anyone who has ever lost a child. I've worked as a nurse in Obstetrics for 8 1/2 years now and, sad to say, have seen more than my share of loss. The tragedy that some of these parents endure when hoping to leave the hospital with a baby in their arms and leave only with a heavy heart and empty arms is sometimes (always) so hard to take. This is for all those parents. Thanks, Ruth |
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Butterflies_dont_cry Member Elite
since 2000-03-06
Posts 3733Michigan |
Ruth* I felt the slice of sorrow and pain in this and it became my own while I read...your eyes and your heart drink in the moments with your patient's and I'm sure it makes you a comfort to them in the time they need it most. My immediate thought that this was of you...and that only speaks more of your writing ability...I'm so glad it's not but for those that have lived this I can see that you understand. Very powerful work Ruth~ |
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Kethry Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082Victoria Australia |
Hoot owl, this is a powerful work I too thought it was about you, because it was so personal. i guess that just means you're a very good poet. Be well Kethry Growth demands a temporary surrender of security. Gail Sheehy |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Beautiful writing Hoot Owl...this would have to hurt so much...James |
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Rosemary J. Gwaltney Senior Member
since 1999-08-26
Posts 997northern mountains, Idaho |
What a beautiful and heartrending poem. And what a comfort YOU must be to the poor parents who have to go home with empty arms. God bless you. |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Thank You everyone  |
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Tara Simms Senior Member
since 1999-08-12
Posts 1244Honea Path, SC USA |
Ruth, this is so beautiful and heartbreaking. It brought tears to my eyes. Take me as I am or watch me as I go |
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Ron K. Fox Senior Member
since 2000-10-24
Posts 925 |
I'm saddened by this. deeply. you touched my soul. Ron |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Thank You so much Ron and Tara |
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Poet's Sister Member
since 2000-10-16
Posts 80North Carolina |
Hoot - I haven't been online in a few days and to find this on returning is truly a bittersweet experience. Your empathy is truly evident as you describe so well the loss you have experienced through the eyes of your patients. Have you ever thought of a write for those of us who have experienced a similar loss and have those same aching empty arms because of the tragedy of miscarriage in early pregnancy? That is a pain that never goes away as well. If you ever write such a poem, remember to dedicate it to your Sister!  |
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Wilfred Yeats Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704Wilmington, Delaware |
Ruth - You wrote this so much as if the loss were yours - I felt it that much more - So much so I felt like it were my own - I hold nursing in such high regard for just such reasons - whether it be Pediatrics (beyond my imagination) or Geriatrics, OR, or Maternity - You must have a bigger stronger heart than I - Bless you [This message has been edited by Wilfred Yeats (edited 10-29-2000).] |
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brian madden Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374ireland |
Ruth, this poem sent shivers down my spine.... so very sad.. there are really no words to say "an afixiation a fix on anything the line of life the limb of a tree the hands of he and the promise that s/he is blessed among women". Patti Smith |
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TerryW Senior Member
since 2000-03-23
Posts 779Louisville, Mississippi, USA |
Ruth~ My friend, this is one of the most heartfelt and touching poems I have ever read. I can't even begin to imagine the depth of the feeling of loss that this would cause. My heart aches with every word. Thank you for sharing this, dear. Love Ya~ ~you reached inside, you touched my heart, and I am all the better for it~ Terry A. Woodson, Jr. |
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Toddles Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 396New Orleans, Louisiana |
Very intense & painful, someone really close to me recently lost a baby girl of 2 months to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) the heartache is unbelievable! You've captured this sorrow with a memorable & first rate poem! Thank You! "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind!"...Dr. Seuss Toddles123@aol.com |
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