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Open Poetry #25
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Where Three White Crosses Stand (True Story....repost from #8)
| Open Poetry #25 |
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Where Three White Crosses Stand (True Story....repost from #8) |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA 
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This poem is a true story, the person from whose perspective I wrote this is my cousin who lost her mother, sister and child all in one night when they were killed by a drunk truck driver. This happened several years ago and I pass this site frequently and the sight of those crosses still moves me. I can hardly imagine what they must do to her. For all those who can claim those white crosses that others can ignore and drive by... Where Three White Crosses Stand Three crosses stand along a road Their story lies untold About that fateful winter day When in the dark and cold Three people left to Christmas shop For presents for the season My mother, sister and my son Now gone without a reason Their car was not alone that day Out on that snowy road Shared by a trucker and his rig Hauling his heavy load They say he had been drinking And crossed the center line His life was spared, but in an instant Forever changed was mine Head on he crashed into the car Which buckled from the weight Metal was smashed beyond repair And help arrived too late Three occupants trapped in the car And not one life to save Three headstones bought, three funerals All three sent to the grave Three crosses stand along the road With each a memory Their meaning lost by all who pass But certainly not me It matters not where I call home Or travel in this land For by that road, my heart remains Where three white crosses stand ~ Ruth |
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| © Copyright 2003 Ruth Kephart - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Hoot, Excellent, one of your best, big hugs. |
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sweetwater Member
since 2002-12-16
Posts 178Perth |
wow... I had to take a deep breath before I could reply.. I still don't quite know what to say.. only that this is an amazing perspective, and I like this poem. Peace |
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garysgirl  
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
Oh goodness, Ruth. What a tragedy. And as always, you wrote about it beautifully, even though it is very, very sad. My prayers are with your cousin and all concerned. Heart Hugs, Ethel [This message has been edited by garysgirl (03-06-2003 11:07 AM).] |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
 (tears fall down my cheeks) Oh Ruth, this is so very heartbreaking, sweet friend, my heart cries out to your cousin and you and the tragic losses she had to endure! (big hugggssssss) Yet another reason I am zero-tolerant to all drugs, smoking, and alcohol, pity they should have people driving out on the roads in that state, I think people should not be allowed to go on the roads until the alchohol is dissolved in their systems! My heart sends many compassion angel hugs your way, sweet friend, God Bless You, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Ruth, thank you for sharing! May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton "Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..." |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Somehow, when I come across the white crosses that grace roadsides any more...and perhaps it's my age, but there is no way I cannot think of someone left behind, to remember... Thanks for bringing this back, Ruth... |
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rodger_jr Junior Member
since 2000-05-16
Posts 37Glen Hope, PA |
So tragic, yet true...that's the worst part of it  [This message has been edited by rodger_jr (03-08-2003 06:07 PM).] |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Thank you everyone Sunshine...just a special thank you  |
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vandana
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463USA |
loved it |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
I remember this, and it's still touching... I always feel so somber when seeing such a sight.  Ruth. |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
I remember this Ruth, still brings tears to my eyes. hugs Maree. |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Dear Ruth THis is very moving. It brought me to tears. I see crosses and wreaths along Route 422 just outside of town, which is the scene of many fatalities. It breaks my heart This is a beutiful poem, in all its sadness Liz |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Ruth, this was a very moving poem. I must tell you that I showed Nan a street corner by my house where children seem to be the victims of speeding cars turning a corner, and the site there would break your heart. There are so many little crosses, and flowers and still there is no school guard, or stop sign at that corner because it is not in "the budget". I wonder how much human lives are worth? Thank you for this poem and I wish to send everyone behind the sorrow of one of those crosses a prayer. |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
His life was spared, but in an instant Forever changed was mine ==================================== those words resonate to infinity.. One of your best poetess Ruth..you have always had a gift to write thru the eyes and hearts of others and thru your words, you touch places deep. |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
 oh God... |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
This touches so deeply, hoot... I've never driven by crosses without thinking of it and the heartbreaking stories behind the crosses since I first read it. Remembering, I knew it would make me cry... and yet again, I must bow my head in salute to pure excellence. |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Thank you everyone for your comments on this piece, perhaps one of my harder poems to write since it touched so personally on my heart. Here's hoping no more white crosses need be named by any of us here |
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RSWells Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533 |
A terrible tragedy. I for one can't pass one of those crosses unnoticed and tighten my jaw every time. |
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Fred Hobbs Member
since 1999-06-08
Posts 329Tallahassee, Florida, US |
Ruth, I didn't see this the first time it was posted. I wish I had. It's a great acknowledgement and tribute. fh |
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kayjay Member Elite
since 2002-06-24
Posts 2015Oregon |
This is a loving tribute to lives snatched from the living, told with heartfelt grace. Thank you for sharing with us. KJ Through rubble and trouble and dark of night |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
Last Sunday we went for a family Sunday drive through the country. My son, for the first time, noticed crosses and flowers alongside the road (an undivided, old and winding country road. He asked why those crosses and flowers were there. I thought about the kinds of roads that are most dangerous, like the one we were on and worried for a split second. But we can't let fear guide the way, right? This brought that moment back to mind. How horrible this must have been for your friend. How sad that this poem ever had to find its way to paper. But how beautiful the poem and the writer! Cor |
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