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

0 posted 2002-07-31 08:13 AM



Do Not Grasp at Death

Do not grasp at death,
For when she is ready
She will sweep you away
Like winds of autumn
Grabbing a dangling leaf
And letting it fall
To its final resting place

Death is not to be captured by you,
But to be submitted to
In its own time

For you cannot capture a
Butterfly out of reach
But only wait until it lands
on your shoulder
To witness the magnificence
Of its floating sails

Even if you seize a monarch
Out of your desire,
You will ruin the beauty
Of its golden wings
And it will leave you
Without the thrill of victory

Death will take you at a moment
Expected or unexpected
But in its own time

Do not grasp at death
But rather float in the
Lightness of its breeze

Elizabeth Santos

© Copyright 2002 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved
Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
1 posted 2002-07-31 08:17 AM


Elizabeth,
Question and answer, enjoyed.

Auguste
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Member Elite
since 2000-02-16
Posts 3953
By the sea
2 posted 2002-07-31 12:56 PM


Words of wisdom, Liz.  Beautifully penned!
suthern
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Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
3 posted 2002-07-31 12:58 PM


Wise advice, Elizabeth... and beautifully written. *S*
Marge Tindal
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Florida's Foreverly Shores
4 posted 2002-07-31 01:02 PM


LizzieLady~
WOW !

'In its own time' ...

Powerfully poignant read~
*Hugs*
~*Marge*~

~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
           noles1@totcon.com                       

Mistletoe Angel
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since 2000-12-17
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Portland, Oregon
5 posted 2002-07-31 01:07 PM




(big huggssssss) Yes, yes, this is so very rue, we must live life to the fullest and only accept death when it comes but until then not dwell upon the thoughts of it! (sigh) This is true wisdom, sweet friend, I love it, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Elizabeth, 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
6 posted 2002-07-31 01:12 PM



This is beautiful inspiration...
but you knew that...

the_loner_23
Member Ascendant
since 2002-06-08
Posts 5479
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
7 posted 2002-07-31 01:13 PM


This is a beautiful poem

Cold hands means a warm heart

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
8 posted 2002-07-31 01:55 PM


For you cannot capture a
Butterfly out of reach
But only wait until it lands
on your shoulder
To witness the magnificence
Of its floating sails

Powerful and beautiful images here, Liz...
I almost feel as if you wrote it just for me, because I have been thinking a lot about death lately.  I know I shouldn't, and I should try to be strong but I somehow haven't been able to work my way aroung to having some courage because I have been scared.
Thanks for sharing this with us.
~ scared chipmunk hugs

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Purple Poet On Wheels
Member
since 2002-06-21
Posts 145
Pittsburgh/Edinboro, PA
9 posted 2002-07-31 01:59 PM


Emily Dickinson deep
mycafe
Senior Member
since 2002-05-23
Posts 584

10 posted 2002-08-01 03:06 AM


Very beautifully written, Liz...esp. these lines:

"Death is not to be captured by you,
But to be submitted to
In its own time"

mycafe

Keep counting your blessings

passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
11 posted 2002-08-01 06:09 AM


I wish my mom could have read this one.
Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
12 posted 2002-08-01 07:34 AM


I was so taken by all your intersting responses to this poem. Noah truly capture my thoughts as I was writing this, as I was referring to suicide, but this could have also been construed as one who just contemplates death itself. THank you all for your comments
Liz

Sven
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since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937
East Lansing, MI USA
13 posted 2002-08-01 04:36 PM


yes. . . I see it now. . . but, also that acceptance is the key. . .

you speak words of wisdom my dear friend. . .wonderfully done. . .

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

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

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