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Open Poetry #19
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Suetang
Member Ascendant
since 2001-03-07
Posts 5187
Melbourne, Australia

0 posted 2002-02-14 11:31 PM


The smell of sawdust shavings greet me
As I walk in through the door
How sad am I in knowing
I won't see your face here anymore

Such a craftsman you were
In your carpentry trade
So many beautiful things
From your skilled hands were made

This shed it was your refuge
A place where your spent so many days
Now it seems so empty and quiet
It's like the sun has lost its rays

The tools that you once worked with
Now lay forlorn amongst the dust
So many of your favourite tools
With time now have begun to rust

Your woodturning machine now lays dormant
Out of use now for over two years
The stool where you once sat remains empty
And the glass on the window is not clear

Smells of oil and timber still linger
In this place that we called your second home
And I take great comfort in knowing
That in this place your spirit still roams

* * * *

This was written about my father's special place.
He spent many hours in his shed and I just know
that a part of him remains there.He died from asbestos cancer in 1999.How ironic it is
that his chosen profession, carpentry, had him
working with asbestos and that evenually this
material was to take his life.
It upsets me to know that his death could have
been prevented and it also saddens me when I hear of countless families losing their loved ones
in the same way.I am not alone in my grief
but unfortunately that doesn't make it
any easier.

Suetang

© Copyright 2002 Sue Tancheff - All Rights Reserved
Larry C
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286
United States
1 posted 2002-02-14 11:37 PM


Dearest Sue,
Such grief we're forced to bear...

I went to borrow a tool of Grandpa's, after he died, from Grandma. Went to the shed and had this very experience. I just stayed there and cried it out. Grandma worried as to what took so long and I just said I was saying good bye. still. Bless you.
Awesome write and so personal to me as well.

Mistletoe Angel
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Member Empyrean
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
2 posted 2002-02-14 11:39 PM




(tears fall down my cheeks) Oh Sue, this poem about broke my heart, this is soooooo very sad! (BIG HUGGGSSSSSSSS( I know deep down fro the botto of my heart that he will always love you so much and will never forget you, for you will always be his precious daughter and he will always guide you with his love! (wipes tears) So very sad but wonderful, sweet friend, my thoughts and prayers are always with you! HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Sue, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

Mysteria
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Member Laureate
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
3 posted 2002-02-15 12:11 PM


Ah sweet friend, even at the Starlite Cafe, I felt the love in your heart for your Dad, and it is ever growing with the writing of your memories of him.  He is wherever you wish him to be. He is in the shed of course, and in each piece of wood he touched and turned, and each time you think of him he grows larger in your heart.  Sue, this was simply so loving.  

The older I grow, the less important the comma becomes.  
Let the reader catch their own breath."
~Elizabeth Clarkson Zwart~


Victoria
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Ascendant
since 2000-08-12
Posts 5869

4 posted 2002-02-15 12:30 PM


Soooo sad Sue...and heartfelt.. hugsss...

                 ~Victoria~

"Silence is a friend who
will never betray."
— Confucius


Wanda
Member
since 2001-10-23
Posts 461

5 posted 2002-02-15 12:56 PM


Sue; This poem reminded me so much of my father who spent many hours working with his hands and turning out such beautiful and useful things from wood.  I sit here at my computer at a desk he built for me before he died.  This poem really touched my heart.  Thank you for sharing your memories.  Wanda
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
6 posted 2002-02-15 09:26 PM



Sue, our fathers were of the same mold...and yes, my father's work ended up taking his life, as well.  So I will walk your path with you, when you need a shoulder to lean on....

hugs...

J. K. Mitchell
Member
since 2002-01-12
Posts 311
GA
7 posted 2002-02-15 09:29 PM


Loosing someone you love is hard on everyone.  You have my sympathy.
Thanks for a poem well written.

"The only love there is, is the love we make."--Prince

Trillium
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Member Patricius
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098
Idaho, USA
8 posted 2002-02-15 09:46 PM


Sue:  Your poem spoke to me in many ways. My father was also a carpenter and eventually he died of lung cancer because of breathing in all the wood dust.  At least thas what we were told. His tools were all given away to men in the family and friends and I was too grief stricken at the time, to think about how much it would mean to me to have even one of them.  Of course, I do have many wonderful memories!

Betty Lou Hebert

Suetang
Member Ascendant
since 2001-03-07
Posts 5187
Melbourne, Australia
9 posted 2002-02-15 10:51 PM


Thank you all for your beautiful and very comforting words.  This poem means more to me than any other I have written and I thank you for taking the time to read it.

Take care......Sue

Suetang

EagleOne
Member Elite
since 2000-03-07
Posts 2829
Between a laugh and a tear...
10 posted 2002-02-16 05:02 AM


This one brought the memories flooding back, the many long hours as a child I spent in and around my fathers shed, a special place it was, thank you!

We are all just prisoners here of our own device ~ Hotel California, The Eagles

Kethry
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082
Victoria Australia
11 posted 2002-02-16 06:52 AM


Sue,
My father didn't have shed for he was no handyman, but this poem brought back so many memories for me. Thank you for offering this precious memory and *HuGS*
Kethry

Here in the midst of my lonely abyss, a single joy I find...your presence in my mind.  Unknown



strbbux
Member Elite
since 2001-12-19
Posts 3859

12 posted 2002-02-16 10:28 AM


Sue this is a beautiful tribute to your dad. Isnt it funny how smells take us back in time? I am so sorry, that asbestos thing they found out about too late for some. Very sad, lovely write, floria

Floria

"Alas for those that never sing,
But die with all their music in them"
(Oliver Wendell Holmes)

haydenjames
Member
since 2002-02-14
Posts 164
Antigua & Barbuda
13 posted 2002-02-16 10:36 AM


Much luv.... good write.

My poetry is at:  http://www.thehayden.org

Startime
Member Ascendant
since 2000-10-03
Posts 5918
Canada
14 posted 2002-02-16 11:00 AM


Oh gosh...your love for your father shines so well in this poem that it brought tears to my eyes....I love it...and I know that you have put a smile of tenderness and love on his face for I am sure he watches over you still...**big big hugs**

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

Larry C
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286
United States
15 posted 2002-02-16 03:17 PM


*bump* for dad & grandpa
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