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Open Poetry #12
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Wilfred Yeats
Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware

0 posted 2001-02-08 11:38 AM


I Never Knew (for Martie)

I never knew her
Yet I did
Yet I do
She was born
The year after my son
Two years before my daughter
Many years before my granddaughter

Do I know her
No – and yet yes
I retain a picture
Of my daughter
High on a swing arc
Pigtails flying
Childish grin
Smiling down at me

I’ve many current reminders
Each visit to my granddaughter
She loves her Pop-Pop
And I melt
All over again  
Every time

There are many poets
Here and elsewhere
Who’ve experienced loss
I’ve a stepson taken from us
At 33
Two years after I married his mother
I don’t want to take anything
Away from that heartbreak
Or any other
By this focus

But as a father
As a grandfather
I’ve learned
What a very special love
Comes from a little girl
I know now
What it grows into
How it only gets better
Even decades later

No One
NO ONE
Should suffer such a loss

I never hear the Beatle song now
That images of Michelle, Tracy, & Lauren
Blended don’t come to me

I see Michelle in little Lauren
I see her in Tracy fully grown
I feel her unselfish love
In every hug I get
In every ‘I love you’ spoken
And choke back tears

And reach to hug those who know...


Great souls have wills; feeble ones have only wishes.

             ~ Chinese Proverb ~



[This message has been edited by Wilfred Yeats (edited 02-08-2001).]

© Copyright 2001 Wilfred Yeats - All Rights Reserved
ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
1 posted 2001-02-08 11:44 AM


Bill that is truly one of the most touching things I have ever read and I don't have the words to reply other than that and also God bless you for your kind warm heart.... ethome

Reality seldom bears the possibilities of imagination!

Wilfred Yeats
Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware
2 posted 2001-02-08 01:55 PM


ethome -

thanks  ~S~


Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
3 posted 2001-02-08 03:06 PM


Bill--I cannot begin to tell you how much this means to me...thank you so much for your sweet heart.  Hugs!
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
4 posted 2001-02-08 03:11 PM


Mr. Yeats....what a write....I am so glad our Martie saw it so soon....it will help tide her over during this time....and even in memories, there are blessings....
Rosemary J. Gwaltney
Senior Member
since 1999-08-26
Posts 997
northern mountains, Idaho
5 posted 2001-02-08 04:51 PM


Very, very special Bill!  I didn't know you had lost a child too.  No wonder your heart is tender.  (And I'm sorry for your loss too!) Have you seen Michelle's pictures?  Martie's other poems about her?  Thank you for this wise and wonderful piece of your heart, and how all of us handle our griefs.  Michelle was, and still is one well-loved little girl!

.


The spiritual wind that holds survivors aloft, plants the seeds from which bloom new hope ... R.J.G.


hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
6 posted 2001-02-08 06:14 PM


Bill....what a special poem this one is and I can only imagine how it touched Martie for it indeed touched me  
lucky
Senior Member
since 2000-01-17
Posts 1601
Idaho
7 posted 2001-02-08 07:32 PM


Bill,

I never knew... We have lost many who were adopted, some of our own... All together I think nine. I will have to send you a URL. I think you'll be surprized... Many are from Passions/Pipers, sheesh, who know these days. Very nicely done my friend.

Condolances, dale

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

8 posted 2001-02-09 09:37 AM


You just need to be kissed for this one dear poet...
very sincere and tender gesture ...
a special poem ..from a special poet.

Heaven bound on wings of love,
there's so much that you can rise above.
I surrender heart and soul,
sacrificed to a higher goal.
~DepechMode~

Wilfred Yeats
Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware
9 posted 2001-02-09 02:40 PM


Everyone-
That 7 of you liked it - I appreciate very much -
Martie -
That YOU appreciated it - is more important than all the other 7 combined -
But most important - than you understand how you've made me feel

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