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Open Poetry #31
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suthern
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0 posted 2004-02-03 10:51 AM


How raw and wet the wound
Pain pours across the floor
And I have no bandage.

Platitudes leap to my lips
So woefully inadequate
I cannot give them voice.
Time might help
But will not heal
Until time is no more.

Lovers leave
Friendships falter
Some heart-holes can be filled
Though scarred, we survive
To find other lovers
Love other friends

But death pockets the future
Steals our sunshine of hope
Tomorrow becomes just one more day
To sift through dust of might-have-beens,
If-onlys and Why-God-why
Do children die?

A moment’s respite seems far away
Grief is a permanent garment
A cloak preventing restful sleep
Scratching the first instant of awake.

Memories become finite treasures
No more can be made
And you still have to breathe each day.

How raw and wet the wound
I long to ease your hurt
But I have no bandage.

For my dear friend... with my deepest sympathy.

© Copyright 2004 suthern - All Rights Reserved
garysgirl
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1 posted 2004-02-03 11:00 AM


suthern, this really touched my heart.
It is such a loving and compassionate
poem for your friend. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Hugs to both of you,  
Ethel

suthern
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2 posted 2004-02-03 11:05 AM


Thank you, garysgirl... so very much. *S* I was anxious about this... thank you for being so kind to my efforts. *S*
Sunshine
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3 posted 2004-02-03 11:29 AM



Ah suthern, this touches quite deep.
Your friend is blessed to have you.

Ratleader
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4 posted 2004-02-03 11:43 AM


You have a golden heart, Laura. Such pain you carry for a friend -- that's truly inspiring, and this excellent poem is too.

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

suthern
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5 posted 2004-02-03 11:55 AM


Sunshine: Thank you so much, kind lady... but I'm the one blessed. *S*

Ratleader: You knew I'd wonder if it's a poem until you reassured... right? *G* Yes! *S* Thank you, my friend... so very much. *S*

passing shadows
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displaced
6 posted 2004-02-03 12:40 PM


you are a kind and beautiful soul
McLean
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since 2004-01-05
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state of marital bliss
7 posted 2004-02-03 12:42 PM


If only everyone could have a friend and be a friend, as you do and are!

This was great to read!

McLean

iliana
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since 2003-12-05
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USA
8 posted 2004-02-03 01:28 PM


I feel so sad for anyone who loses a child.  What a nice gesture to show your friend you care with this writing.  ....hugs, jo
suthern
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9 posted 2004-02-03 02:02 PM


PS: What a lovely thing to say... thank you so much! *S*

McLean: Thank you so very much... I appreciate your kindness! *S*

iliana: There just aren't any adequate words... I just wanted to tell her I love her... and mourn with her for her son. Thank you!

Toerag
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Ala bam a
10 posted 2004-02-03 02:33 PM


A lovely tribute to one of my "one and only's".....great job Ruth.....
jellybeans
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11 posted 2004-02-03 02:42 PM


'grief is a permanent garment'....oh lady...you must share my shoes....you couldn't have written your heart any better than this...it is beautiful and I am sure your friend is printing it and treasuring it at this very moment *smile*
GG
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Lost in thought
12 posted 2004-02-03 02:50 PM


I know grief too,
and you said it like I never could.
What a great friend you are...
This is amazing.

Always, Alyssa

He was a man of sorrows
...I am a girl of tears.

Marge Tindal
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13 posted 2004-02-03 03:03 PM


SuthernSweets~
YOU extend a heart that is so filled with loving thoughts~

I know your friend feels the comfort of having you~
*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
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14 posted 2004-02-03 03:16 PM




(big angel hugs) Oh Suthern, this is so beautifully compassionate, sweet friend, your friend will be deeply touched by your caring and golden hearts wishes which love is always a remedy far more enduring than a bandage! (sigh) God Bless You, sweet friend, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Suthern, 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
But if the bright lights don't receive you
You should turn yourself around and come back home" MB20

nakdthoughts
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Between the Lines
15 posted 2004-02-03 03:18 PM


Grief is a permanent garment
A cloak preventing restful sleep


Suthern, so many  touching lines in your poem...sad, but true and the hard part is to let the good memories through

M


suthern
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16 posted 2004-02-03 03:28 PM


Toerag: Thank you, my friend… I know you know this, too. I’m so glad you like. *S*

jellybeans: If your shoes are as tiny as your waist, I’d never fit… so I’ll share your heart… it’s gigantic. *S* Thank you… that you should approve means much to me… I love you, gal.

GG: Thank you very much, kind lady. *S* I appreciate your response so much!

Marge: I sure hope so. *S* Thank you so much, dear lady! *S*

M’toe: Some hurts we can’t heal… we can only hold their hands. *S* Thank you so much!

nakdthoughts: That’s where time becomes more kind. *S* Thank you so much… I’m glad you like.

Sunshine
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Listening to every heart
17 posted 2004-02-03 04:16 PM



This has been sticking with me all day...
so just know...your writing touches hearts, suthern...but even more, your words sing to souls.

Richy
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since 2003-05-03
Posts 3050

18 posted 2004-02-03 05:43 PM



Suthern, I'm sure that your beautiful
words, and wonderful heart touched your friend deeply

It's so hard to find the right words for
such a sad situation as this.

But you definately found them, and so
many more...


Sincerest Blessings to you Suthern,
and please give your friend, and to her family all of our best wishes.


Richy


suthern
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19 posted 2004-02-03 05:50 PM


Sunshine: My afternoon had degenerated into spirit-sapping chaos... Your words send me home with lighter heart... Thank you so much!

Richy: Thank you so much... I know she appreciates those wishes... so do I. *S*

BluesSerenade
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By the Seaside
20 posted 2004-02-03 06:07 PM


Your poetry is so sincere and filled with genuine love and caring.
Likewise as beautiful as it is, this was painful to read.
I felt you in every word...

Blessings to you and your dear friend.
And so many hugs to you suthern gal~

muted
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21 posted 2004-02-03 06:23 PM


the loss of a child hurts to depths that cannot be imagined until it happens...the pain is immense and it takes even larger friendships to hold your friend "above water"...this is a beautiful way to "say" what you feel for her situation.

...i know she'll never forget, but i hope her acceptance and healing are swift.

LngJhnAg
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22 posted 2004-02-04 07:18 AM


Ruth - You have such a pure, wonderful, caring way about you.  This poem says so much.  People are blessed if they can call you a friend.
Janet Marie
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23 posted 2004-02-04 10:21 PM


A moment’s respite seems far away
Grief is a permanent garment
A cloak preventing restful sleep
Scratching the first instant of awake.

Memories become finite treasures
No more can be made
And you still have to breathe each day.

How raw and wet the wound
I long to ease your hurt
But I have no bandage.

===============================
*sigh* read this yesterday and lacked words...
this just aches off the page...
few can write from this depth..
one of your best poetess Ruth.

There is a pleasure in the pathless woods.
There is a rapture on the lonely shore.
I love not man the less ... but Nature more.

Lord Byron

steavenr
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since 2003-11-17
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24 posted 2004-02-04 10:46 PM


so many poignant lines in this wonderful write...too many to copy and paste, but this one is truly great

"Grief is a permanent garment"

suthern
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25 posted 2004-02-05 12:28 PM


Blues: Thank you so much, dear lady... I hope she feels these arms that are far too far away. *S*

muted: Thank you very much... I wouldn't wish this pain on my worst enemy. *S*

LJA: Likewise, dear sir... and I'm glad you're my friend. *S* Thank you!

JM: Such response leaves me lacking all words but thank you... from my heart. *S*

steavenr: It's so unfortunately true. *S* Thank you very much!

jellybeans
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26 posted 2004-02-05 12:54 PM


this just aches off the page...
few can write from this depth..
one of your best poetess Ruth

had to come back and reread, this is just so powerful....and yes jm got it right, few can write with such depth of compassion and love and have it come through so beautifully...you my friend are a precious freind to hold on to

Martie
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27 posted 2004-02-05 01:28 PM


suthern...You know this one has touched me a geat deal!  
Toerag
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Ala bam a
28 posted 2004-02-05 02:26 PM


We truly have some great poets on this site.....Balladeer and his heartfelt words, (and Toe bashing)....LJA and his....okay, Toe Bashing.....and so many others.....sometimes Ruth can capture a feeling and make it into a classic......
suthern
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29 posted 2004-02-06 09:53 AM


jellybeans: You fill my heart, lady... *S* And you're the precious one... but I'm not letting go. *S* Thank you! *S*

Martie: That means a lot to me, sweet lady... thank you!

Toerag: But I never bash Toe! *S* Thank you, my friend... so much. *S*

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