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Open Poetry #31
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Little Charlie
| Open Poetry #31 |
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Little Charlie |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass 
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Little Charlie If the evil men do lives after them, it is good to be forgotten. Sometimes good is all that flows from a man, what is worthy and therefore forgettable because he gave no harm, struck no harsh chord to set the memory on edge. Wisdom is not said by any number; truth contains no decimal point, and if the world turns around another center, is it not better to know the cleanest road from Huntsville to Siloam Springs than to chase ambition out into a far strange land? Patient till the last, accepting what passes and driving on, steering through life’s haze, those are a man’s virtues; and if he can be happy in them, that man is king of the world that has befallen him. Such living cannot be praised; it is its own eulogy, written through years, delivered in uncalculated laughter. That we who remain remember if only for a while, give honor that was never sought and praise that springs up from the inner wish that we could reach the mark he set merely by being, doing what was his to do; in the last measure that is a man’s only legacy. Take what he may, this is all he can ever give. Charles W. McCormack Jr. March 31, 1924 – January 24, 2004 |
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| © Copyright 2004 Ed Ratledge - All Rights Reserved | |||
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Such living cannot be praised; it is its own eulogy, written through years, delivered in uncalculated laughter. It doesn't get better than this, my friend. Those who seek honor often aren't worth the giving of it... You've shown me someone I didn't know... but wish I had. and praise that springs up from the inner wish that we could reach the mark he set merely by being, doing what was his to do; in the last measure that is a man’s only legacy. And that's worth more than any property a man could leave behind. What a beautiful tribute... I hope you send it to his family. |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
I did, C/O the funeral home. They'll present it to his family along with the guest registry from his funeral, which is probably ending right now. ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I'm so glad. *S* There's nothing that can take away the grief of losing someone so special... but knowing how they touched others... and how they're remembered... You've given such a gift... To them... and to us. |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
damn... beautiful |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Well done Ed. Very well said. ~ Is that love I see in your eyes... |
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icebox Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383in the shadows |
"Patient till the last, accepting what passes and driving on, steering through life’s haze, those are a man’s virtues; and if he can be happy in them, that man is king of the world..." Well said, Ed! "As I have heard, the man who knows On land how best to be at peace Will never meet a tiger or a buffalo; In battle, weapons do not touch his skin. There is no place the tiger's claws can grip; Or with his horn, the buffalo can jab; Or where the soldier can insert his sword. Why so? In him there is no place of death." ~~from the 'Tao te Ching'~~ |
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A Romantic Heart Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-03
Posts 5496Forever In Your Heart |
What a heatfelt tribute! emotional.... ~ARH  love and hugs Open your eyes, open your mind, open your heart, let me come in and show you love.....~ARH |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Ed.... "Such living cannot be praised; it is its own eulogy, written through years, delivered in uncalculated laughter." Although you knew him...now you see him even brighter, for in death he has become a light that you look towards and strive to emulate. I know he would be happy to know that about you and I'm sure his family is greatful for this gesture of love. Well done! Hugs to you! |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
Yo 'Box -- you just quoted one of my favorite passages from the Tao....thanks for that memory -- I haven't read it in too long, and I think I'll pick it up tonight. And Martie...you are wise, as ever... Thanks to everyone for reading my little tribute...it doesn't do him justice, he being a living proof that brilliance and wisdom are not related, and that life's rewards are not necessarily reserved for the strong. A life-guide to me, this little fellow of constant good will and peaceful acceptance of the person he was. ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> ______________Ratleader______________ |
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Krawdad Member Elite
since 2001-01-03
Posts 2597 |
I'm impressed, ed. This is excellent writing. And, I wish I had known him. e [This message has been edited by Krawdad (01-28-2004 07:48 PM).] |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Ed~ While reading this ... I felt an unexpected tear fall from my eye, cascading slowly down my cheek ... I knew that you had touched me deeply, just as Little Charlie had touched you~ Thank you~ *Huglets*  ~*Marge*~ ~*When the heart grieves over what it has lost, |
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steavenr Member Elite
since 2003-11-17
Posts 4058 |
Though this is such a personal tribute, there is so much wisdom in that first stanza that it is truly a universal gem: "If the evil men do lives after them, it is good to be forgotten. Sometimes good is all that flows from a man, what is worthy and therefore forgettable because he gave no harm, struck no harsh chord to set the memory on edge." Excellent...thank you for sharing |
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