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Open Poetry #17
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Grandma Knew...........................#6
| Open Poetry #17 |
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Grandma Knew...........................#6 |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA 
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My Grandma was a woman with a brilliant attitude. No strife in life could come along to dampen Grandma's mood. Embracing life - arms open wide - she loved her fellow man, She worshipped God and tried to live according to His plan. I asked her, "Grandma, how do you maintain such happiness? I can't imagine how you seem to handle so much stress!" She smiled at me in such a way that only Grandma could And said, "Because I know for sure that everyone is good." "Oh, come now, Grandma", I replied with all the nerve I had. "It is a well-known fact of life that men are good AND bad." "Not so", said she. "I do agree some are misunderstood But, deep inside, I do believe that everybody's good." "Well, let's suppose," I said, "some hair-brain cuts you off in traffic, Displays a finger in a way considered pornographic?" "So what?", she said. "I don't believe he does it to offend. He wasn't raised with couth and class like you and I have been." "So someone steals your purse!", I cried. "That's got to make you mad!!!" "No", she replied. "It only serves to make me feel quite sad For some young boy not skilled enough to hold a steady job…. In degradation, he is forced to lie, cheat, steal and rob." It didn't matter what I said. She knew just what to say. She lived another twenty years by being just that way. Her smile, a glowing testament to chronic happiness, Which never left her face until we laid her to her rest. The years have not been kind to me. I've had my share of strife And, late last week, I thought of Grandma and her happy life So I decided I would try it, that is, if I could To spend one day entirely thinking everyone was good. I was amazed at my results! How lucky could I get? A nicer, kinder group of people I had never met! Courteous and friendly were they all - and pleasant, too… I had a smile from ear to ear by time the day was through. Then I decided I would try to do the opposite, Regard all men with jaundiced eye, just for the hell of it. Well, every bum and sniveling jerk and sorry S.O.B Came out to make it their ambition just to bother me! So then I knew what Grandma meant. I truly now believe The attitudes of others are in thoughts that WE perceive. The world will always be the way we see it in our heart… And, if I didn't say it Grandma, you were VERY smart! |
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| © Copyright 2001 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Balladeer~ 'The attitudes of others are in thoughts that WE perceive.' Well ... I have a sneaky feeling that YOUR Grandma ... and MY Grandma ... are one and the same~ Sooooooooooo, unfortunately you know what that means ! But let's do it anyway ! They'll never know ... they're both dead~  Oh ... you DO bring out the beast, er ... best, in me~  Fine writing my friend~ *Hugs* ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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LadySofia Member
since 2000-05-16
Posts 238FL., USA |
And I tip my hat to that! Wow. Steadily penned and delicately prosed, I must say. Brilliance from a wisened man? Or woman? ^_^ LadySofia [This message has been edited by LadySofia (edited 12-06-2001).] |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
Great poem, 'Deer. You always seem to come up with the great themes. I wonder, if I thought you were a lousy poet, would you be one? I doubt it - lol. |
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Songbird Member Elite
since 1999-12-15
Posts 2184Missouri |
A very special poem, I have a feeling your grandmother would love it. |
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peaches73533 Senior Member
since 2001-11-04
Posts 981OK, USA |
Your grandmother would be so proud of you.You writing amazes me as always.It feels good to be like this.I had a coworker buy me a bear and she said she gave it to me because I was always positive at work and helpful to others and optimistic.I was shocked for I didn't think I had done anything special.Just goes to show how much we percieve and are percieved ourselves.And I percieve you as a talented, compassionate, giving, tenderhearted,dear friens, and understanding man.  Peaches |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
I guess this is why I am a Gramma! We probably all think this way eventually when we get older and smarter! This was fantastic Michael and oh so true, for all of it is in the perception, and if you think good, it is good. A fantastic lesson to be learned in your words here. Hats off to you my friend for you see there is good in everyone if you look deep enough.  ~*~ Carpe' Diem ~*~ |
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N orth Carolina Girl Senior Member
since 2001-12-04
Posts 962NC,USA |
Balladeer,your grandma sounds like a very special lady.I`m also a grandma and I just can`t see the good in everyone like your grandma did.    Juanita "always have a smile on your face it makes people wonder what you`re up to: [This message has been edited by N orth Carolina Girl (edited 12-06-2001).] |
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Bec Member
since 2001-02-23
Posts 475Canberra |
'Deer... I think grandmas are all like that. My grandma never fails to impart her advice on me. And do you think I turn her down? Of course not! She'd kill me! Wonderful writing. Bec  "Poetry and Hums aren't things which you get, they're things which get you. And all you can do is to go where they can find you." |
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Sudhir Iyer Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943Mumbai, India : now in Belgium |
exceptional... Regards O Sir, Sudhir |
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walker Member Elite
since 2001-02-11
Posts 2240Florida |
I love this, my mother's like that. And is true, how we see it, is how we feel it. It's not a problem until you see it as one. Great poem. |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Balladeer, You are a never ending candle. |
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Joe Lamando Member
since 2001-11-20
Posts 124Massachusetts,USA |
Rings like a bell, Wonderfully tolled! Good story to tell ---Wisdom of old Joe Lamando |
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Marsha
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423Maidstone Kent England |
'Deer dear heart, truly exceptional, as are all of yours, and yes thank you kind sir it made me smile. So now I'm grinning and I always say that a day started with a smile brings in many more.  It's all a question as your Grandma so wisely said of attitude. And you too bring out the best in people. Utterly wonderful writing, and perfect flow, you show your outstanding quality with this one 'Deer   Love and warm stuff As always Mushy  To give light to them that sit in darkness..... to guide our feet into the way of peace St John ch2 v1 |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Every person is a mirror of life... Enjoyed the visit back to this piece, you have a treasure trove for all to enjoy, so share away... |
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SmartChick Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081On A Journey To The Unknown |
Sounds like you had a wonderful grandma. I never knew my grandma. |
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doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
I never read this one, Michael... thanks for reposting it! as always, fine writing here!... and so very true that it is how we think & how we perceive things that forms our reality. If we think negatively, that's what we experience. If we think positively, positive things happen. I posted a topic on this philosophy in the piptalk lounge recently.... check it out if you have time... topic title is "nobody knows you" or something like that, a quote from eric clapton lyrics. I really loved reading Anne Frank when i was a kid and this was the basis for her philosophy as a young lady... that everyone is good.. We have had some discussions about this in Philosophy forum, too, in the past.. my goodness, i'm rambling, aren't i? lol... but anyway, again.... great writing, my 'deer... i really loved it! grandma really WAS smart, wasn't she? (i had a little time break before class starts... hehe... cool that they have online on these machines... i'm weavin' some dreams y'know? learning dreamweaver... life is good.. thanks for letting me ramble on your thread... well HA!! you couldn't stop me could you? but i'm still good, really... bye... class is starting) |
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Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
Bravo my long lost friend ~wink~ how you doing?? Hugs, good write..  K |
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amigo Senior Member
since 2001-10-12
Posts 520the earth school |
...Wow!!!...awesome...life's lessons so sweetly remembered and shared...thank you...loved it...amigo |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Marge.."Let's do it anyway..they're both dead?" Girl, you have no idea in the world how many times today I stopped whatever I was doing and laughed uproariously at that line!  You are one of a kind!  LadySofia..a wisened woman to a wiseguy. Thank you for the hat tip LongJohn...obviously not...cause you do and I ain't! Skip my poems to get to the good stuff, willya?  Songbird...thank you. My grandmother would have loved saying it! Peaches..what a wonderful thing to say! I thank you from the bottom of my heart...and I would buy you a bear any day Mysteria...I think whatever child has you for a gramma is truly blessed...they will know as they grow up how lucky there were...if they don't already! North Carolina girl...between you and me, I can't always, either! It may be there but some people just ain't worth the effort, you know? But we gotta try....Bec...LOL! Gotta watch out for those homicidal grandmas!  She keeps giving that advice out of love...but you know that! Sudhir...from a man who I am sure regards family as sacred, I thank you, sir walker...very true words. Everything is a problem or an opportunity...and we decide. Thank you Sy...thank you but my wick is getting shorter Joe....wonderfully tolled..now THAT'S clever! I thank you, sir Mushy..glad I made you smile...had to wash away those tears Kethry makes you cry! Sunshine...thank you. "repost" in the dictionary means "I got nothing new. Take some old stuff!" SmartChick..From what I see of you, she would have liked you very much  Doreen...NOBODY can stop you in mid-ramble and pity the person who tries! Which is fine with me...your words are always welcome! Severn...that YOU???? OMG!! I'VE MISSED YOU!!! amigo...thank you for such a nice compliment! |
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Irish Rose Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263 |
This is a wonderful poem, I hope someday when I'm a grandma I can have someone write this about me! Kathleen (Kay) |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
A great recipe to live by, Dear One. Cor |
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Hypnosis Member
since 2001-12-02
Posts 325CO |
As I can see, your grandma was a very good person. I wish I could have the same views on people as she did. Greatly described Balladeer! I love reading your poems, and look forward to reading more! Randy Meador a life lived unexplored is a life not worth living. |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Michael..This is fantastic! Thanks for making me smile today! ~hugs, Nancy~ "A dream is a wish your heart makes..." |
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