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Open Poetry #23
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Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989


0 posted 2002-12-03 10:09 PM






He used to sit and hum "The Old Rugged Cross"
methodically measuring each square,
intently he performed this task with care;
studiously, I learned, by observing.

He said the song was his moms’ favorite.
It was one of the many things that he taught.
I, the student, and he, the wise teacher.
As all fathers must do, he taught,        of life.

The rifles still bear the mark of his craft,
heirlooms now passed down through generations.
Grandchildren, who hold them, close to their hearts,
we all hold tightly cherished memories.

When his words drift in my heart      I still hear
this man;  my teacher,   my father,      my friend.



I know that you can 'read' me
but can you  'hear'  "me"?

[This message has been edited by Gentle Spirit (12-03-2002 10:12 PM).]

© Copyright 2002 dmsmith - All Rights Reserved
Cathie Arnold
Junior Member
since 2002-12-03
Posts 18
SC
1 posted 2002-12-03 10:11 PM


Oh what a touching poem this is. This is truly a work of art, from beginning to end. Thank you for sharing it!

Larry C
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286
United States
2 posted 2002-12-03 10:12 PM


Donna,
Bless your precious heart. Gotta love our dads who love us that much. You know I love this. Thank you for sharing about your dad.

If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again.

Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
3 posted 2002-12-03 10:15 PM


Donna, you were blessed to have a father like that....and it appears he was blessed, too. This is very touching....
Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989

4 posted 2002-12-03 10:15 PM


Cathie, thank you and welcome to Passions.

Larry, thanks hon.  I still miss my dad, especially now at the Holidays.  I was remembering while growing up how he would with so much care work on his rifles, marking them with his own designs.  He loved to sing that song.  Each of the grandsons has one of his trademark rifles now and they have stayed within the family.  Thank you Larry, for sharing my memories with me and hugs to you too!

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

5 posted 2002-12-03 10:18 PM


Michael it is no secret how much my father meant to me and my sisters.  Any man who could raise three daughters on his own is truly remarkable and I know people might get tired of hearing me say it, but he truly was our greatest hero.  The holidays just arent the same without him, but his memories bring us all to cheer.  Thanks sweetie.  
Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
6 posted 2002-12-03 11:03 PM


This is a wonderful tribute to your father Donna.
I know at Christmastime we seem to miss them most of all.
~Hugs to you sweetie~

~ Life is too short not to believe in Santa Claus ~

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
7 posted 2002-12-03 11:13 PM


Donna

Your memory of your father is so strong, it brought my own back to me.  Thank you.

Mistletoe Angel
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Empyrean
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
8 posted 2002-12-03 11:30 PM




(big hugggsssssssss) God Bless You, sweet friend, I can understand how the holidays can bring about the thoughts of all our loved ones and know your father will awlays love yuou so much and has a golden heart just as we all see in you! (sigh) We all send angel hugs of comfort your way, sweet friend, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Donna, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

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

Shakira

WinterWren
Senior Member
since 2002-12-01
Posts 1044
...Coming to
9 posted 2002-12-04 12:40 PM


That was so touching and beautiful, I think all of us can relate to that. Least I hope all of us can. Laugh often, love much, live well.

WinterWren
"I want you to believe in life. Will you find out who you are too late, to change? -Dishwalla-

garysgirl
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Member Laureate
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237
Florida, USA
10 posted 2002-12-04 12:58 PM


Donna, this is such a sweet loving tribute to your Dad.
It made me think about how blessed I am to have my Dad
still here with me. My parents are getting on in age and
I don't like to think of the time I will be without them.
Thank you, sweet friend for sharing your heart with us.

"Love makes the world go around"
~~with love and hugs from Ethel~~
                  

Robert Adamson
Member
since 2002-10-21
Posts 328
PA/USA
11 posted 2002-12-04 01:56 AM


My Dad too. Thank you.

etoodog

EagleOne
Member Elite
since 2000-03-07
Posts 2829
Between a laugh and a tear...
12 posted 2002-12-04 07:34 AM


This is another that got to me, well done!

I don't know where I'm running now, I'm just running on... ~ Jackson Browne

regards2you
Member Elite
since 2002-10-01
Posts 3940
California
13 posted 2002-12-04 09:00 AM




Donna,

This is precious. Thanks for sharing him with us.

Warm regards, Pat

..without surrender, be on good terms with all persons..
        "Desiderata"

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
14 posted 2002-12-04 02:19 PM


Donna, your father must be smiling down at you this very minute--with love and glowing pride. It must give him such joy that you are keeping his memory alive by writing your beautiful poetry and sharing it with the world. In you, dear friend, this kind and loving man raised a daughter who didn't fall from the tree!

~ Sending you lots of love and light
Linda

scorpio
Member Ascendant
since 2002-10-02
Posts 5178
right...there
15 posted 2002-12-04 02:37 PM


A very touching tribute to your Dad...and a beautiful poem...

believe in what your heart feels...

Spine Grinder
Senior Member
since 2000-10-28
Posts 1127
Standing In Silence...
16 posted 2002-12-11 08:45 PM


awww...this is so sweet..great tribute 2 pap...i luv it!

Puritanism: The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy.

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
17 posted 2002-12-11 09:41 PM


So lovingly written, Donna, makes me miss my own father.  Unfortunately, mine didn't become my friend until much later in life, but I'm very thankful that he did.  Unlike my dad, my son and I have always had a great relationship and we're close, as father and children should be.   *hugs* and God bless!

The stars will shine when I am gone,
the earth will turn on as before,
the gulls, still race along the shore,
the morning star, still kiss the dawn

Nightshade
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962
just out of reach
18 posted 2002-12-11 10:31 PM


This is lovely Donna. Straight from your heart as usual. hugs, Chris

"Hope" is the thing with feathers-
that perches in the soul....
                  
                       -Emily Dickinson

SmartChick
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081
On A Journey To The Unknown
19 posted 2002-12-12 09:23 AM


Donna, this is such a beauiful, touching tribute to your dad. I am glad you had such a wonderful father.
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