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Open Poetry #21
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Sunshine
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since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

0 posted 2002-06-29 07:58 AM




The Letter Home

From the shelf within her small desk
there, in a hidden cubbyhole
she pulled the letter he had sent
so many, many months ago

stained of his tears and fingerprints
she unfolded the missive’s thoughts
remembering back to that day,
the man, and for whom he had fought

as if he had known in his soul
even before the war ensued
all he could leave her were his words
never mind his body, torn and bruised

“My Sarah,” the letter began
“My love for you is ever clear
So hold me, love, within your dream
For you I shall always stay near”

in the scrawl of the man she loved,
before her eyes, his whole life there
he left behind that she would know
his love for her, he deemed it rare

her tears had dried, though lump still formed
full, this emptiness in her chest;
she held the missive in her hand ~
by man’s count, he had failed his test

the war was lost, the South had cried
but none like her, the day he died.

[This message has been edited by Sunshine (06-29-2002 08:55 AM).]

© Copyright 2002 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved
SmartChick
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081
On A Journey To The Unknown
1 posted 2002-06-29 08:29 AM


This is a beautiful, but sad poem.
Rick
Member Elite
since 2001-06-21
Posts 2903
Victoria, Australia
2 posted 2002-06-29 08:37 AM


Dear Sunshine, enjoyed the read, it is sad that many of us can send our thoughts out on paper but not say the words one to one, the comfort zone is much different.

My heart I’ve hidden here for you, to find and put to rest
My soul with yours was meant to be, but war it was the test
I’ve cried the tears you’ll never see, upon this letters brow
My thoughts are with you everyday but angels hold me now

My love don’t cry too many tears, our time was all so short
But by your kiss and tender touch a true love I had caught
And it does sing me lullabies and lets my memories see
My beauty and my heartbeat, until you’re here with me

Sincerely Rick


Seymour Tabin
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since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
3 posted 2002-06-29 08:39 AM


Sunshine,
One of your best. You write with a fine pen.

Neeraja
Senior Member
since 2002-06-22
Posts 812
The Netherlands
4 posted 2002-06-29 08:39 AM


What a sad poem... but how beautifully written... especially the last sentence... "but none like her... the day he died".
Alan
Senior Member
since 2000-09-12
Posts 1499
right next door
5 posted 2002-06-29 08:41 AM


Sunshine...this is beautifully written even though it is sad ...you can feel the love in your words.
alan

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
6 posted 2002-06-29 09:02 AM


Ah Karilea, you tug at the heart strings with this write.
Beautiful...simply beautiful!
~hugs~

Magnus
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Member Laureate
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA
7 posted 2002-06-29 10:03 AM


I do know this feeling of this poem.  The
painful memories of a tragedy that took so
many loves away...many to never return other
than through the memories of a time which
forever stays within the heart....

Till Death Do Us Part....  

And beyond...

A beautiful poem KJ...

Kethry
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082
Victoria Australia
8 posted 2002-06-29 10:29 AM


Sunshine,
what a massive missive, not in length but in emotion.
Keth

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



Charisma
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since 2000-09-30
Posts 5906
lost in blue pages
9 posted 2002-06-29 10:36 AM


beautifully penned Karilea, sad but very beautiful.



((hugs))
Charisma

Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989

10 posted 2002-06-29 10:42 AM


geez as if I wasn't sappy enough today karilea, but this is just beautiful  
It reminds me of a note I had found written by my mother to my father many years after she had gone while I was in my teens.  It made me cry that day,
thank you for that memory my friend.
truly awesome writing.

Enjoy life, this is NOT a dress rehearsal.

{on the wings of words are spirits fly...and our souls are free~me}


andEmmamakes3
Member
since 2002-05-11
Posts 66
Kent
11 posted 2002-06-29 12:06 PM


Auntie Kari this is definitely one of your best you see I’m here and able to reply so I am wonderful writing it brought a tear to my eye, and I’m not as soft as mum so you know this is excellent writing

lots of love
Emma




Eternity, stands laughing at old time
for ages? In the grand ancestral line
Of things eternal, mounting to divine

[This message has been edited by andEmmamakes3 (06-29-2002 12:07 PM).]

kayjay
Member Elite
since 2002-06-24
Posts 2015
Oregon
12 posted 2002-06-29 01:53 PM


Is this a tribute to Major Sullivan Ballou of the 2nd Rhode Island?  Isn't his original letter the loveliest thing you've ever read?

Great sad words.

Through rubble and trouble and dark of night
The yawn of a dawn will hasten the light

Mistletoe Angel
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Member Empyrean
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
13 posted 2002-06-29 02:16 PM




(big hugggsssssss) Oh Karilea, this is so very heartbreaking, sweet friend, it saddens me to see what war does not only to those who endure it but also to their families! (sad sigh) This is powerful, sweet friend, my heart goes out to all who relate to these losses, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Karilea, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

"Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..."

Shakira

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
14 posted 2002-06-29 03:13 PM


Smart Chick, I do appreciate your reading...thank you...

Rick, I do so hold dear those poets who leave me a verse upon my own...thank you so much for reading, and more still for sharing...

Seymour, from your lips...thank you!...

Neeraja, thank you so much for taking time to read this, and for commenting...

Alan, if you felt the sad, I did it write...thank you!...

Enchantress, it's been said I'm a heartstring tugger, all right...thank you m'dear...

Magnus, thank you for the eyefull....

Kethry, you do know how to read between the lines...thank you m'dear....

Charisma, let's hope that we never have to write letters like this ourselves...thank you!

Donna, I wish I had the letters and notes that my parents shared between themselves...thank you for reading...

Emma...your graceful touch warmed my heart...thank you...

KayJay, indeed it is, Phil Coulter's rendition of Dear Sarah is the inspiration behind this piece...thank you!

and Thank you for reading, Noah!


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