navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #14 » If I Had Known
Open Poetry #14
Post A Reply Post New Topic If I Had Known Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania

0 posted 2001-06-24 05:58 PM


If I Had Known

If I had known in youthful days
The power of love, the way it stays
I surely would have recognized
The love that shown within your eyes

If I had known a butterfly
Could conquer space and wind and sky
I would have seen her splendid ways
And not the wings of colored glaze

If only I had listened well
To music from the valley swell
I would have harbored deep within
The meadow lark’s most sacred hymn

I wish that I had walked the mile
To seek the riches most worthwhile
I would have known the loveliness
Of hillside woods in autumn dress

I don’t regret the life I chose
But if I’d breathed the scent of rose
The fragrance would have lingered here
In my surroundings year to year

If I had known that to survive
The spirit ,too, must be alive
I wouldn’t have lost a love so fine
A treasure that was nearly mine

If I had known I loved you so
I never would have let you go
But youthful eyes are in a daze
And only see the colored glaze

With dainty wing and willful might
The butterfly takes distant flight
How could the heart have known those things
Beyond imbued and fragile wings

I haven’t any one regret
Except that I cannot forget

Elizabeth Santos

© Copyright 2001 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved
Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

1 posted 2001-06-24 06:15 PM


If I had known in youthful days
The power of love, the way it stays
I surely would have recognized
The love that shown within your eyes

If I had known a butterfly
Could conquer space and wind and sky
I would have seen her splendid ways
And not the wings of colored glaze
===========================
I don’t regret the life I chose
But if I’d breathed the scent of rose
The fragrance would have lingered here
In my surroundings year to year

If I had known that to survive
The spirit ,too, must be alive
I wouldn’t have lost a love so fine
A treasure that was nearly mine

If I had known I loved you so
I never would have let you go
But youthful eyes are in a daze
And only see the colored glaze

With dainty wing and willful might
The butterfly takes distant flight
How could the heart have known those things
Beyond imbued and fragile wings


I haven’t any one regret
Except that I cannot forget

=====================================

Liz...dear sweet Liz..I wont have the words to tell you how this poem touches me...
Its like you looked in my soul and wrote my thoughts....
those last two lines just catch in my chest...
the bittersweet ache of this rises off the page...as does the longing...
and you know Im loving the butterfly metaphors...
beautiful emotinal write poetess of grace.
jm

I'm going crazy, I'm losing sleep.
I'm in too far, I'm in way too deep over you.
You'll always be the one.
You were the first, you'll be the last.

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
2 posted 2001-06-24 06:59 PM


Janet Marie,
I am always pleased knowing that someone feels the same way I do and understands what I am saying
Thank you for your comments
Liz

Gemini
Senior Member
since 1999-12-15
Posts 1203
Wisconsin, USA
3 posted 2001-06-24 07:05 PM


Sometimes the humaness of pain comes with the ability to remember.  I understand how you feel and your words touched my heart.
A wonderful, heartfelt poem.

rosepetals25
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Elite
since 2000-05-31
Posts 3076
PA
4 posted 2001-06-24 07:15 PM


Elizabeth,

   Ohhh my!  I do not know where to start! ~chuckles~  I think everyone can relate to this poem... there are things I wish I would have done differently at times.. but then I realize that all my choices have made me who I am.  


"I haven’t any one regret
Except that I cannot forget.."


  Those two lines are some of them most powerful and meaningful I have ever had the pleasure of reading.. they say so much... this was GREATLY enjoyed  



TaraB

[This message has been edited by rosepetals25 (edited 06-24-2001).]

Skyfire
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2000-12-27
Posts 3381
Riding
5 posted 2001-06-24 08:21 PM


Oh wow. This is the first poem of yours I've read, and I can't wait to read more, cause I love it! Wow!

~Rhonda

"Amy, can you PLEASE come to Spain with us so that we have someone to keep Rhonda calm?" - Mr. Ardiel *insert hysterical laughter from me here*

Lone Wolf
Member Ascendant
since 2000-03-16
Posts 5842
Lansing, MI USA
6 posted 2001-06-24 10:31 PM


I find it's best to live life with no regrets.  What's done is done and what is yet to come even more splendid than the past.  Loved this one, Liz.  Especially the end.  

All writing comes
by the grace of God.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

MyEnchanted_Melody
Senior Member
since 2001-05-30
Posts 1106
across the land of dreams. In your heart, I'd always be.
7 posted 2001-06-24 10:40 PM




With dainty wing and willful might
The butterfly takes distant flight
How could the heart have known those things
Beyond imbued and fragile wings

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

If I had known.........If I had known.....
How many times do we say that? and how many of us say that?

Thank you dear Liz as always for such a touching read......
******************************


It's only me.......only me
I hope that would suffice eternally

{{to cross a sea of wonder, and hold close at heart all dreams}}

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
8 posted 2001-06-24 11:02 PM


LizzieLove~
So tenderly crafted ... so from your heart.
*Hugs* from mine to yours.
Love you
~*Marge*~

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

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

9 posted 2001-06-24 11:04 PM


Lizzy...this is rich...melancholic, yet hopeful, wistful...so many things  

It was lovely to read...

K

Trillium
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098
Idaho, USA
10 posted 2001-06-24 11:05 PM


Elizabeth:  This is so poignant!  It speaks to me in many ways.  A wonderful write!

Betty Lou Hebert

Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
11 posted 2001-06-24 11:08 PM


This is very beautiful, Liz! A familiar scenario to us all. We learn from experience and we make mistakes to get the experience to learn from...that's what life is...many of us feel that regret but it's our human nature that makes it inevitable...
Mysteria
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
12 posted 2001-06-24 11:19 PM


Your message came in loud and clear, and I shall not forget!  Yours words mirror what is in my heart and soul.  What a beautiful poem.

~*~ Tell someone you love them today, as tomorrow may never come ~*~

Fancy
Member
since 2001-06-05
Posts 189
TN/USA
13 posted 2001-06-24 11:46 PM


...OH My...This rises far above words... it is as if it is floating on angel's wings...
Exquisite!!!**

**..."marked by flawless craftsmanship or by beautiful, ingenious, delicate or elaborate execution."

"...don't ever stop loving, don't ever stop believing, don't ever stop dreaming your dreams..."
Warmly...
Fancy

Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
14 posted 2001-06-25 10:06 AM


Beautiful is....

This is Superb....

Regards,
Sudhir

"I was born intelligent - education ruined me"

Mother_Earth
Senior Member
since 2000-11-20
Posts 1370
1/2 year Texas & 1/2 year Michigan
15 posted 2001-06-25 02:04 PM


I loved this" and if I have any regrets it is that I can't forget".  Right from your heart and soul.  Beautifully sad.  ME
Sven
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937
East Lansing, MI USA
16 posted 2001-06-25 06:57 PM


but. . . you do. . . and that's what makes the difference. . .

beautiful as always. . .  

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

To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world.

ThUnDeRkYsS
Senior Member
since 1999-09-23
Posts 727
Wisconsin
17 posted 2001-06-29 12:34 PM


Beautiful, sad, warm and lovely    There's only one thing, If you could forget all about it you would forget why it was such an important lesson learned?  Maybe a blessing in disguise?  Great write  

Strive for higher levels, if they seem out of reach... Grow, and they will get closer.



Paula Finn
Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546
missouri
18 posted 2001-06-29 12:49 PM


sigh...no regrets...because my life brought me here... and to the one I love...but yes...there are times I wonder what might have been
Logan
Senior Member
since 2001-05-28
Posts 1641
Arkansas
19 posted 2001-06-29 01:02 AM


Beautiful, Liz, absolutely beautiful and so very touching..very gentle smile to you
Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
20 posted 2001-06-29 06:16 AM


Yhank you all, dear poet friends, for your lovely comments. I appreciate your reading and responding.
Liz

Interloper
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-06
Posts 8369
Deep in the heart
21 posted 2001-06-30 02:04 PM


So very beautiful and soul-searching verse.  I, unlike others, believe it is good to remember the lessons of the past lest we make the same hurtful mistakes.
Irish Rose
Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263

22 posted 2001-06-30 03:18 PM


A lot of wisdom in this one, Elizabeth, so much here to glean a truth from, I really enjoyed this!


Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #14 » If I Had Known

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary