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Open Poetry #21
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Kethry
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082
Victoria Australia

0 posted 2002-07-05 07:28 AM


"To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
  And Eternity in an hour"
William Blake - Auguries of innocence


It was the worst of times
as life slowly slipped away
grain by grain
through the narrow pass
of pain
slowly at first
with no visible sign
the sand was running out

You - dying by degrees
Me - watching and
hoping
today would not be
the day the
cancerous ocean swamps
your tenuous beach
called life

You - facing the challenge
head on
garnering your strength
gathering together your healthy
windswept cells as an endless force
and building
sandcastles with them
as a buttress
against Cancer's tide

Me - clearing away the debris
to keep the sand clean
so that in pristine purity
the battle against the sea
of corruption
continues daily

Yet the tide gains ground
as grain by grain your life
is eaten away
faster and faster
You gather your strength
until in a whirlwind
you hurl yourself
into the ocean
for the final battle
And are gone -
With my hope

It was the best of times
remembering the battles
and the victories
as I learned to stand against the tide
of adversity
buffeted by the winds
of chance
and flying debris
called sadness
Though sorrow fills my eyes
gritty as a grain of sand
causing tears to flow
I will not grieve long
for memory lasts beyond time
beyond the hourglass of life
I remember
when I held eternity in my hand
and saw the world in the grains of sand
that made up your life



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


[This message has been edited by Kethry (07-05-2002 05:47 PM).]

© Copyright 2002 Lynne Dale - All Rights Reserved
ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
1 posted 2002-07-05 07:37 AM


This is deeply touching Keth!
The story is so sad but your perspective is so mature!
"From dust you are and to dust you will return"
This is exceptional in it's example!...

"It was the best of times
remembering the battles
and the victories
Though sorrow fills my eyes
gritty as a grain of sand
causing tears to flow
I will not grieve long
for memory lasts beyond time
beyond the hourglass of life
I remember
when I held eternity in my hand
and saw the world in the grains of sand
that made up your life"

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
2 posted 2002-07-05 07:45 AM


Keth,
Very good, very serious. I think ethome pretty well nailed it. I can only add when you walk on some sand, wear shoes.

Pilgrimage
Member Elite
since 2001-12-04
Posts 3945
Texas, USA
3 posted 2002-07-05 12:16 PM


This is beautifully done. I don't think I've ever read better. Tragic, also.

Nan

Auguste
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2000-02-16
Posts 3953
By the sea
4 posted 2002-07-05 12:25 PM


Kethry, this is stunning!  It reminds me of watching as each of my parents passed away.  As you may or may not know, I've recently survived lung cancer, so know what a dreaded disease cancer can be.  I'm putting this well crafted piece in my library.

Michael    

Decaflame
Senior Member
since 2001-05-11
Posts 1635

5 posted 2002-07-05 12:27 PM



I'm coming back to read this again...and passing it on to my sisters....

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

6 posted 2002-07-05 12:27 PM


Yes---this is how it was, EXACTLY.

A painful read, an extraordinary write, Keth.

Magnus
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA
7 posted 2002-07-05 12:31 PM


My oh my....

Keth....you have penned a stunning master-
piece....  Most definitely.....

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
8 posted 2002-07-05 02:37 PM


You wrote this well...James
Sven
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937
East Lansing, MI USA
9 posted 2002-07-05 03:21 PM


this image will be around for a while Keth. . .

excellent work. . .

--------------------------------------------------------------

To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world.

Marsha
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423
Maidstone Kent England
10 posted 2002-07-05 06:23 PM


Keth darling heart sister keeper of my souls sighs and holder of my hearts light your writing is without doubt so incredibly moving, it simply falls on my soul like a whisper of light. Your words fall like moonlit shadows that grace the ground with silvered light. This flows just like a candle guttering out, its hesitant flickering until it finally dies. Truly awesome writing, it bleeds sorrow and pain but also love, the love that stays in the memories of someone very dear. I love it truly love it utterly utterly utterly. NO ONE does this like YOU.

You can tell can’t you? Drat I wonder what gives me away? It must be my delicate hint of I love this utterly utterly that does it, hmmmmm? That subtle nuance that I add to my replies, I know…… you are sooooooo perceptive darling heart

Love and warm stuff
As always
Slushy


Breathe through the heat of our desire
Thy coolness and they balm
Let sense be dumb let flesh retire
Speak through the eathquake wind and fire
Oh

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
11 posted 2002-07-05 06:36 PM


Though sorrow fills my eyes

...
such a fine write Keth...
hugs
M

Marsha
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423
Maidstone Kent England
12 posted 2002-07-06 11:16 PM


Keth beloved heart sister and holder of the moons mood, I feel like I've been through a marathon.

Or to quote Sarah in Labyrinth
___________________________________________
'through dangers unknown and hazards uncounted I have fought my way to the goblin city'
___________________________________________

Okay it's not a goblin city but I have worked like a slave nevertherless. Wonderful writing darling, and deserves a sisterly bump

Bumpity bump


Love and warm stuff
as always
Slushy

Breathe through the heat of our desire
Thy coolness and they balm
Let sense be dumb let flesh retire
Speak through the eathquake wind and fire

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