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Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania

0 posted 2002-01-16 03:25 AM



In Memory

No one had stooped on knees to claim this prize
In dusty box beneath the old man’s bed,
the treasures he had once immortalized.
I shuffled through with hesitance and dread
and felt somewhat intrusive of the dead,
though now disclosed so unexpectedly
a vision of myself before me spread,  
A photograph kept as a memory
a hundred years in age, and yet I see
this face from whom I truly did descend
and further proof ,her name etched carefully
my very name, ‘Elizabeth” was  penned
and standing by her side, a portrait of
the countenance and face of my true love


Brought back to life in gleams of living eyes
How can this be? Two souls, a century dead!
Like twins repeating once again their lives
It was a man of means to whom she wed
No name appears, though he was finely bred
and Joseph, my sweet Joseph, will not see
nor would his quiet intellect be led
to haunting myths of such absurdity
In yearning pains of curiosity
to know if they are us and we are them
one frail and scared as I flew gallantly
to seek the place they rested in the end
On granite stone were etched the markings of
“Elizabeth”, and “Joseph“, just above

Elizabeth Santos

© Copyright 2002 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved
Mysteria
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Member Laureate
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
1 posted 2002-01-16 03:35 AM


Oh this was such a chilling story for me to read, and I just couldn't get through it fast enough to find out what the ending was. Absolutely superb Elizabeth. (Well I assume it is as you did it, but darned if I know what a Spenserian Sonnet is - obviously another guy in tights called Spenser right?)

~*  CARPE' DIEM  *~

[This message has been edited by Mysteria (01-16-2002 04:09 AM).]

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
2 posted 2002-01-16 04:43 AM


Sharon, you don't have to know if he wore tights,lol
You only have to count the Da Dums
You and Roger should do stand up together
Thanks, dear
Liz

Mistletoe Angel
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Member Empyrean
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
3 posted 2002-01-16 12:25 PM




(tears fall down my cheeks) Oh my gosh, this is so sad but beautiful, sweet friend, my heart goes out to you and I pray Joseph still lies in your heart forever and his love will always go on for you! (sigh) I've never heard of a Spenserian sonnet, can you teach me? I'd love to try one! (kiss on cheek) We all love you so much, sweet friend, this is fabulous! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Elizabeth, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

Startime
Member Ascendant
since 2000-10-03
Posts 5918
Canada
4 posted 2002-01-16 12:38 PM


STANDING OVATION!!!!!!!Oh gosh...I am speechless....this is so magnificent....so timeless and written as a true classic...You have woven a vision of timeless love that is absolutely stunning. **big hugs** into my library with you.

Love I leave with you whether it is in your life now or yet the essense of your dreams.

Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
5 posted 2002-01-16 12:44 PM


A couple of years ago I visited my ancestral roots in Caribou, Maine... and got much the same feeling... I even met  (for the first time) second cousins who share great grandparents with me - It was quite an experience... and I'm told that I look just like my great grandmother... What a phenomenal feeling - You've written this beautifully, Liz...
strbbux
Member Elite
since 2001-12-19
Posts 3859

6 posted 2002-01-16 01:48 PM


I just have no words good enough to reply this is so so beautiful Liz, floria
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
7 posted 2002-01-16 01:52 PM



I know some poets here who will admire the skill with which you brought to us this lovely story of time, and travel, and a love transcending beyond all that man can deem logical...for nothing is logical about love, other than the mystery of it, and that it should be.  And yes, my Lady Santos...this is a Keeper...

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
8 posted 2002-01-16 02:02 PM


I appreciate all of your comments
This poem resulted from the poet's workshop
I've always had trouble with Spenserian sonnets and thought I'd practice one.Thank you, Nan for your efforts in the realm of teaching us poetic form
Thank youall for reading and commenting
Liz

True Reflections
Member
since 2001-12-04
Posts 143
Ohio, USA
9 posted 2002-01-16 02:55 PM


Liz,
With this lisp it took 2 minutes just to say the title. Ok, I don't have a lisp, but I saw 'Spenserian Sonnet' and thought it was about Princess Di getting it on with King Arthur. Which was silly because the women all loved 'Sir Lance-a-lot' .

This was very beautiful. I was picturing Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour from 'Somewhere in Time'. You are amazing.                              
        

Roger

Mysteria
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Member Laureate
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
10 posted 2002-01-17 12:34 PM


See what I mean Liz? - if you remember Christopher Reeves played Superman, so now correct me if I am wrong but didn't he wear tights?  I bet they have a "Supermanerian Sonnet", and if not I know just the gal who could write one.  Okay, okay I looked it up, and although I can not get that da dum thing, I do know this was superb by the definition I read.  So...maybe Nan can teach me to do just one sonnet when I catch her in a good mood, as she was not too impressed with my first try~ LOL   

~*  CARPE' DIEM  *~

Local Parasite
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Member Elite
since 2001-11-05
Posts 2527
Transylconia, Winnipeg
11 posted 2004-04-29 03:14 PM


Did you choose Spenser's format because of all the Elizabeths in his life?  He actually wrote a sonnet about how there are three Elizabeths that he holds dear... his mother, his wife and his queen.  Was that intentional?

Either way you've used the format very much to your advantage, I must say that I love what you've come up with... a musical story, divided appropriately into separate parts that treat with equal weight the situation/resolution, much like a single Petrarchan sonnet would do in its octave/sestet.  

It worked very well in the end... again, I'm glad to have gotten the chance to read this.  You're a very talented poet, Ms. Santos---

Brian

"God becomes as we are that we may be as he is."  ~William Blake

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