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Open Poetry #31
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Everhome
| Open Poetry #31 |
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Everhome |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass 
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Everhome I have lived too long among the lawns, The clipped and ordered hedges Staid as paintings, and as thin. No overgrowth allowed here, And no rampant spring to overrun The roses, send them sprawling Out like heather in the weeds. I live within perfection, sprinkled, clipped, Predictable, my repose never shattered By a screaming tempest roaring stark Along a black ravine while thunder bounds Off naked granite walls beneath a wave of hail. I'll never race a rockslide or an avalanche, None of these terrors; though of course There'll be no fields of daisies, And I won't see red heat lightning Backlit by the summer stars, never hear Breeze music dancing in the grass, Only the thrum of gardeners And air conditioning. Know my heart craves these, The wild things of my everhome: My spirit longs for open hills And little streams that tumble Ever hopeful toward the sea. I cannot face forever If my spirit isn't free. Grant me this wish when I am gone: Don't stifle me beneath a lawn Of measured sod where even stones Are tamed and named like pets, Give me a place more strong. Let me join an unkempt meadow Somewhere out beyond the known; Scatter my dust on a mountainside, And let the grass grow long. |
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| © Copyright 2004 Ed Ratledge - All Rights Reserved | |||
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
To write like this, you must already know this place in your spirit! Beautiful writing here enjoyed by me.  |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Kind of fun, inaugurating the 31st forum for Open, isn't it? Oh, yes, the title...is wonderful. The poem? Ice cream with the cake. |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Just when I think you can't possibly write better... you pen words with heart's ink that deserve not just a new forum... they reach a level we all yearn for but so few achieve. I don't have words for how much this touches me... I can only say this reflects not just remarkable talent... but an incredible person. *S* Know my heart craves these, The wild things of my everhome: My spirit longs for open hills And little streams that tumble Ever hopeful toward the sea. I cannot face forever If my spirit isn't free. Yes... *S* It just doesn't get better than this. *S* |
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McLean Member
since 2004-01-05
Posts 484state of marital bliss |
Wow! Before I even got to the end, I was thinking, "This person needs to be ashes, finally set free of boundary". Very interesting, structured write. I know "structured" is not the desirable word here, but it was so flowing and easy to read. Good Job! McLean |
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muted
since 2004-01-15
Posts 2949Elapsing, Eclipsing, Evolving |
"Know my heart craves these, The wild things of my everhome: My spirit longs for open hills And little streams that tumble Ever hopeful toward the sea. I cannot face forever If my spirit isn't free. Grant me this wish when I am gone: Don't stifle me beneath a lawn Of measured sod where even stones Are tamed and named like pets, Give me a place more strong. Let me join an unkempt meadow Somewhere out beyond the known; Scatter my dust on a mountainside, And let the grass grow long." *WOW* this just says it all...perfectly |
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Patricia Member Elite
since 2003-04-06
Posts 2160Missouri |
Ed, this is one of your best, if not your best writing...my opinion only of course. I have known in your words that are a free spirit...those manicured lawns and numbing hums of air conditioners could never tame you. What came to my mind are all the people who have no true spirit, and think they are living...those poor suburbian souls to never know what you feel in your soul... You are the coolest, Ed! Patricia |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Ed~ 'Know my heart craves these, The wild things of my everhome: My spirit longs for open hills And little streams that tumble Ever hopeful toward the sea. I cannot face forever If my spirit isn't free.' *I have a 'tempting' line that would land me straight into adult ... but, I'll resist~ (will email it though)  This is wonderful~ Yeah ... you'll have to publically settle for 'wonderful'~  Check that 'other dudes' mailbox for him~ *Huglets* ~*Marge*~ ~*When the heart grieves over what it has lost, |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
 (smiles) God Bless You, sweet friend, in your heart such a meadow blooms and you are what can make the daffodils trumpet and the sun reflect colors! (big angel hugs) Here in Open #31 I can't wait to find the new ground you cover, yay, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Ed, thank you for sharing!  May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton "You'll find something that's enough to keep you |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Ed...you already know that I think this poem, and you, are some kind of wonderful! Hug! |
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Sadelite Member Elite
since 2003-10-11
Posts 2519 |
Ed, hmmmm... RatL., There, that's better for me. You are a true artist, who takes distortion, twists it around to make beauty. Sadelite |
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ThisDiamond Member Rara Avis
since 2002-02-22
Posts 9353Michigan, USA |
Standing ovation! Ed, this is so good! I'm with ya! TD |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
I cannot face forever If my spirit isn't free. How true and I totally agree with your reflections. You said it beautifully. Love, Margherita |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
I cannot face forever If my spirit isn't free. Nor can I Ed...a fantastic write m'friend. it's a keeper  M Beauty of the world which is soon to perish has two edges, one of laughter and one of anguish, cutting the heart asunder. |
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the_loner_23 Member Ascendant
since 2002-06-08
Posts 5479Jacksonville, Florida, USA |
All I can say is this is a breath taking poem. Cold hands means a warm heart |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
damn good! |
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BluesSerenade Member Patricius
since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549By the Seaside |
Know my heart craves these, The wild things of my everhome: My spirit longs for open hills And little streams that tumble Ever hopeful toward the sea. I cannot face forever If my spirit isn't free. What a nice verse that is. This is stunning Ed! *applause* poet sir~ |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
My heart was so touched my head forgot to keep this treasure for my library. *S* So very beautiful, my friend... |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
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steavenr Member Elite
since 2003-11-17
Posts 4058 |
excellent write...to be able to pen this gem simply proves your soul takes flight in Elysian fields of fantasy at a moment's whim...hence, you are forever free |
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Ravenwolfvoyager Member
since 2003-12-25
Posts 326 |
Sir your talent is extraordinary and exceptional as always!! |
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Grover Senior Member
since 2004-01-27
Posts 1967London, ON, Canada |
Very tight and well-oiled! Professional. Deliberate intelligence. I liked it... much!!! More please. Grover. |
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Sadelite Member Elite
since 2003-10-11
Posts 2519 |
It seemed strange not seeing a Ratleader up on the screen-just ain't right. Bump! Take care. ~Sadelite~ |
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