navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #29 » In Just A Day
Open Poetry #29
Post A Reply Post New Topic In Just A Day Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
jwesley
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563
Spring, Texas

0 posted 2003-11-10 10:59 AM



In Just A Day

Years render us into effigies of our youth
and she was at lest eighty-five when I met her.
She had the vitality of a stallion
pent-up in the fragility of age,
her wizened face, convoluted with years,
still hinting at the beauty she was.
She was a wife, a mother, a grandmother,
matriarch to those who knew her,
intensely loved by family,
revered by friends,
respected by all.
She was an old lady close to the end of her years
holding the hand of a youthful minister
trying to tell her of His love
while God radiated from her soul
like heat emanating from Holy Fire.
I was the pupil, not the teacher, I the receiver,
she the instrument by which He touched my soul.
I was the youth who grew up that day,
she the lesson I learned,
God the thread she placed in my hands,
love the fabric she taught me to sew.
Years render us into effigies of our youth,
and as mine approach the end, I remember her,
the boy she taught to be a man,
and can hardly wait to see her again.
Years render us .  .  .
but she changed me
in a day.

w. james beard, jr
(c) november 2003


...for my grandmother who left us in 1980.

© Copyright 2003 Wesley James Beard, Jr. - All Rights Reserved
Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
1 posted 2003-11-10 11:19 AM


jwesley
An excellent write, enjoyed the read.

Jes
Member
since 2003-10-21
Posts 422
Denmark
2 posted 2003-11-10 11:31 AM


So long ago and she is still in ya heart forever and more.

Smile wow this told a picture, i nearby could see her tell you, and she will be there once it is time. Smile

But untill then you shall do what she told and did learn you enjoy the seasons of every year.

thanks

Jes


passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
3 posted 2003-11-13 01:20 PM


it happens like that
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
4 posted 2003-11-13 01:22 PM


God the thread she placed in my hands,
love the fabric she taught me to sew.

Wonderful, just wonderful. hugs, Chris

Let your life lightly dance on the edges of Time like dew on the tip of a leaf. -Tagore



    

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
5 posted 2003-11-13 01:36 PM


Some times special people touch us like that..
This is SO beautiful.
A keeper for my library.
Hugs~

~I've loved you forever, in lifetimes before~

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

6 posted 2003-11-13 02:40 PM


A for sure Jimmy.  HUGS
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
7 posted 2003-11-13 03:00 PM


JWesley~
Of all the beauties you've written and shared, I love this one best~

There in your words, I saw my own Great Grandmother ... thank you for the blessing of this piece~
*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*When the heart grieves over what it has lost,
the spirit rejoices over what it has left.
- Sufi epigram
       noles1@totcon.com   

Mistletoe Angel
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Empyrean
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
8 posted 2003-11-13 03:45 PM




(big hugggsssssss) God Bless You, sweet friend, this made me cry as this is a gorgeous tribute to your grandmother who shares the same golden heart you do! (smiles) Know she will always love you and guide you upon the entire golden path of life, sweet friend, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet James, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

I don't need no proof when it comes to God and truth
I can see the sun set and I perceive

***Live***

jwesley
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563
Spring, Texas
9 posted 2003-11-13 04:45 PM


Wow, surprised I was to see notice's in my email on this piece...I thought it died in the birthing and was fixing to hold a "wake" for it.

Thanks to all for reading/commenting - tried to change one or two lines to make it read better, but it's beyond the editing time.

Marge ... thank you, it started as a piece about an elderly lady and a, basically, new minister but with every word I added, I saw my grandmother, until she was almost visible before me.  She loved poetry of all kinds and unfortunately she never saw anything I've written - a lot of which is through her eyes, or at least, the inspiration of the way she "saw" things.

jimmy

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
10 posted 2003-11-13 11:03 PM


JWesley~
Thanks for letting me know that ... my Great Grandmother was the inspirational believer in my poetry (long before I even knew it WAS poetry) ... I felt as I read your beautiful piece ... a grandmother's influence~

Now let's kick this baby
for another round of reads it deserves~
*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*When the heart grieves over what it has lost,
the spirit rejoices over what it has left.
- Sufi epigram
       noles1@totcon.com   

Trillium
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098
Idaho, USA
11 posted 2003-11-14 12:56 PM


J. Wesley:  I'm so glad I got to read this tonight. It's a wonderful poem!  I too thought of my grandmother, who was a poet and encouraged me to write also. What a fine job you've done here!

Betty Lou Hebert

Marsha
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423
Maidstone Kent England
12 posted 2003-11-14 07:23 AM


JW darling man I’m so glad Margie girl sent me the link for this it is an outstanding piece of writing, I could truly see the picture emerge, a beautiful picture it is too.

There is within your writing an indefinable something that lifts it from the merely beautiful to another level of wonder. An excellent piece and one I hope is read by many

Love and warm stuff
as always
Mushy


Tomorrow is another day I don't know what it holds
but I can face the future with courage brave and bold

Footprints In My Heart
Kethry

LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

13 posted 2003-11-14 07:45 AM


Years render us .  .  .
but she changed me
in a day.

This was awesome writing, warm reflections filled with happy images, not to mention a great love for one fine lady.  Reminded me of my mom...and how sucessful she was and still is...impacting my life in many unique ways.  

Thank you for this lovely write and God bless you and your entire family

Flutterwings
Member
since 2001-07-10
Posts 288
Maine
14 posted 2003-11-14 08:30 AM


It's amazing how one can fill one's heart and change them in one day. Grandmother's have a way of doing that. Their wisdom radiates and warmth seems to poor out like rays from the sun peeking through the clouds. This great write came from a place of admiration and love. Kudos! Love and peace, Maggie ((~.~))


Betty
Senior Member
since 2002-08-13
Posts 1159
Virginia
15 posted 2003-11-14 08:32 AM


This is so awesome. Thanks for sharing your talents with others.
Betty

NewEnglandlazurlu
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-01-04
Posts 7470
A Mountain Paradise
16 posted 2003-11-14 10:15 AM


How much I enjoyed reading your tribute to your grandmother. She must have been a remarkable woman.

Thank you for sharing this with us.

Huggles, Marti

Brad Majors
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2001-04-03
Posts 2647
Georgia
17 posted 2003-11-14 10:18 AM


well done
Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
18 posted 2003-11-14 10:22 AM


I cannot tell you how deeply I was touched by your wonderfully poetic and expressive write of love.

You have woven a magic carpet of divine threads ~ the master weaver taught you well.



Love & Light,
Linda

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 #29 » In Just A Day

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