navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #28 » Beverly
Open Poetry #28
Post A Reply Post New Topic Beverly Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana

0 posted 2003-08-05 05:17 PM


People thought we were sisters since we both had hair of palest blond
Siblings’ colorings did not match in our mixed up genetic pond.
Your older sister was my age and we’d been best pals for six years
When our mothers gave us sisters who soon became source of our tears
For we simply could not escape you - “the babies” were everywhere!
We were unwilling babysitters with you thrust into our care.
I barely remember your Dad - You were too young to understand
I know that my father and uncles did their best to lend a hand
But substitute daddies can only provide so much sadness relief
So I remember a small girl who was left sobbing out her grief.
You grew so close to my dad, and since you couldn’t pronounce his name
Uncle Ray became “Gickle Wee” – but he answered you just the same.
I saw you every weekend; your mom would drive up for the day
They weren’t concerned with kids as long as we didn’t get in the way.
On one flower-picking excursion, we forgot all the creeks we’d crossed
The adults could hear us calling – let us keep thinking we were lost
And laughed as we went in circles just a few hundred yards away
What joy breaking out of the forest into that bright summer day!
You grew up to marry a soldier; your future with him looked bright
Until you started stumbling around and knew something wasn’t right.
The doctor said “don’t get pregnant!” but your husband wanted a child
Another one followed in ten months; your symptoms were no longer mild.
Soon barely able to walk with virulent form of schlerosis
Remissions weren’t to be hoped for with this nasty diagnosis
As disease ravaged your body, your husband proved his lack of worth
Requesting his next assignment on opposite side of the earth
Limited treatment for two years was just more risk than you could face
So you and the kids stayed behind; he found someone to take your place.
After more years in the army, he returned with his bride
Only to start court proceedings and he ripped your kids from your side.
So now you’re in a nursing home with a body barely alive
Robbed of the love that sustained you, you’ve no incentive to survive.
Seeing someone with no hope left is enough to make a heart cry
I can’t blame you for giving up, but I think we’re facing goodbye.

for my cousin

[This message has been edited by suthern (08-05-2003 05:18 PM).]

© Copyright 2003 suthern - All Rights Reserved
Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
1 posted 2003-08-05 05:37 PM


SweetSisOfThisHeart~
This is just the tenderest render~
*Huglets* to you dear lady~
~*Marge*~

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

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
2 posted 2003-08-05 06:34 PM


Sweet words from a soft heart...James
garysgirl
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237
Florida, USA
3 posted 2003-08-05 06:35 PM


Seeing someone with no hope left is enough to make a heart cry
I can’t blame you for giving up, but I think we’re facing goodbye


Suthern, you have such a tender and compassionate heart.
Your cousin is lucky to have you. This is so sad,
yet it is beautiful with the love I felt in it.
Thanks for shsring your heart with us, sweet friend.  
Hugs  
Ethel

Ratleader
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026
Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass
4 posted 2003-08-05 07:18 PM


Oh, that hurts so much...... wish it could have been a cheerful poem that brought your face to us for the first time, but muses are as muses are, and the timing of things isn't always what we'd want.

Still, it is a beautiful poem, even though it's about a tearingly sad subject...in that way I guess it's appropriate for a first sight of you, after all.

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
5 posted 2003-08-05 07:22 PM


so very sad.. I know of someone in  similar circumstance.

I wish your cousin peace.

Suthern, what a lovely picture and so nice to see the woman behind the words.

hugs
M

Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

6 posted 2003-08-05 09:00 PM


Oh my... where was the kleenex alert icon...
This is a wrenching write of ties that bind born of chilhood innocence. One hardly knows how to respond to such a heart breaking sharing. Those closing last two lines leave a lump that makes it hard to speak.(type)
will keep you both in thought and prayer.

( on a lighter note)
you wont be able to deny being blonde now.
So great to see you "again"

"How could I stand here with you and not be moved by you."

LH

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
7 posted 2003-08-05 09:48 PM


A heart-breaking story told with tenderness and grace. Prayers for peace and pain realease I now send for Beverly. God bless her--and you.

Sending a rainbow of healing lights and may a choir of angels surround her,

EA

P.S. With all of your self-deprecating humor, I must admit that I had a far less comely vision of you in my mind. You are beautiful--and amply en'dowd'!

Ratleader
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026
Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass
8 posted 2003-08-05 10:55 PM


AND......I won the bet, eh?

Glad you did it, win or lose -- I think I'll just bounce this in my glee!

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
9 posted 2003-08-06 04:56 AM


Marge: I thank you, dear lady... especially for the huglets! *S*

JamesMichael: How kind of you... thank you!

garysgirl: She was spoiled rotten as a kid... but her spirit as an adult has humbled me. Thank you so much! *S*

Ratleader: And sometimes, muses are downright annoying! LOL Thank you for finding the beauty in it, my friend. The justice system isn't always just.

nakdthoughts: I thank you... and join you in hoping for peace. *S* And thanks for liking the pic! *S*

JM: Thank you, lady... I appreciate that. *S* As for being blonde... I've never TRIED to deny it... couldn't have if I tried. *G*

EA: I hope those angels hear the pleas from one of their own. *S* Thank you so much! *S* And thanks for the grins your play on words gave me... but shhhhh! *G*

Ratleader: Did you ever doubt you would? LOL Thank you for the bounce... and the glee. *S* I know this isn't light reading... and even I'm not satisfied with the quality... but it had to BE. *S*

jellybeans
Member Elite
since 2000-10-13
Posts 2298

10 posted 2003-08-06 10:30 AM


oh wow, this just brings tears to my eyes...gosh and I complain about my life....*shakes her head and shuts up*
wonderful write lady

oh and the pic....
jb nods her head knowingly

whhhooooooooeeeeee!!!!!
told you all she was beautiful



[This message has been edited by jellybeans (08-06-2003 10:31 AM).]

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
11 posted 2003-08-06 10:33 AM



You've encapsulated a life...
and have shown your heart once again.

Give Beverly my regards
for she has the love of her cousin...

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
12 posted 2003-08-06 11:34 AM


jellybeans: That's my pal... ever so subtle!! LOL Have you thought of hiring a skywriter? *ever so innocent look* I'm so glad you like this, lady... thank you! *S*

Sunshine: That she does. *S* Thank you so much! *S*

Toerag
Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622
Ala bam a
13 posted 2003-08-06 12:07 PM


Great poem, from a good poet, and great cousin....
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
14 posted 2003-08-06 12:43 PM


suthern girl...this hurt to read...I'm sure  it hurt you to see this special companion of your yourth fall ill and be treated so unfairly in love.  You write of her with compassion and sureness of word.  Thank you for sharing Beverly with us.  You have a beautiful heart and a lovely face.  So good to see you!  
Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348
Florida
15 posted 2003-08-06 12:51 PM


I would love to reply..but I am too pissed. You wouldn't have Mr. Soldier boys number would you?

Susan C.

KristieSue
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Senior Member
since 2003-01-31
Posts 1460
PA, US
16 posted 2003-08-06 12:53 PM


This poem breaks my heart.  It is so beautiful and your cousin is lucky as heck you have you in her life.  I'm sure your comfort and prayers mean the world to her.  Ugh, I just feel like bursting into tears...

and *wink*, btw, you are just absolutely gorgeous...Toerag sure has a good eye!

:-p

Failure isn't failure if a lesson from it is learned ~ KS

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
17 posted 2003-08-06 03:45 PM


Toerag: Thank you, my friend... so very much. *S*

Martie: Thank you so much! *S* It does hurt... nothing's fair about her situation.

Susan: I understand completely. *S* And no... I don't. But her sister does... The family isn't giving up on legal recourses... though I'd rather give some alligators indigestion. *S*

KS: Her middle name is Sue, too. *S* Thank you very much. *S*

Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #28 » Beverly

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary