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Open Poetry #34
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St. Roch's Cemetery
| Open Poetry #34 |
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St. Roch's Cemetery |
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jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas 
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St. Roch’s Cemetery Foreign skies looked down on me, the lights of Japan shown from all sides except the one open to the sea, the sea, dark, blending seamlessly into the nighttime air. More familiar celestial lights twinkled from the cold, clear, overhead sky sparkling in the wind-ruffled waters of Big Bear Lake, and yet, they seemed foreign too. In Houston stars no longer shine, city lights so bright they obliterate the darkened sky, so I travel south and standing in the waters at the mouth of Galveston Bay I again see the same stars you see, though they now look foreign too. I move on, go home, and on the seawall , on the south shore of Lake Ponchartrain I see lights I recognize, in the sky, on the shore, and I stayed the night. Morning standing outside St. Roch’s Cemetery I finally feel you. I spend hours sitting at your feet, eyes closed, holding you in my soul . . . and then I know. Looking down at the stars below, there’s not a foreign one in sight, there’s not a single one obliterated by city lights, or marred in any way . . . Foreign skies no longer bother me, my heart no longer cries, peace has finally quelled the loneliness, I no longer stare at empty skies. w. james beard, jr. © november 2004 |
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| © Copyright 2004 Wesley James Beard, Jr. - All Rights Reserved | |||
Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Dang, Jimmy, this is cool. I love the way you took the reader through these transitions, from looking up to the stars to down at the earth. |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
A mention of home, coupled with the traveled eye of memory. Poignant, j... Funny how our feet guide us.  (And just even the mention of St. Roch's CEMETARY made me crave some ersters.) |
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jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas |
Serenity, you're right, my spelling is often not corrected before placing it herein, but in this case was spelled as it was pronounced and often written by those of my youth...especially concering St. Rochs and St. Louis'. ((I should have known better than to try it...smile}} |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
what an experience thanks for sharing |
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stevebrklynnyc Member
since 2004-01-04
Posts 292GA, Camden |
It sounds like someone is at peace, I hope to be this good someday. |
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kaile
since 2000-02-06
Posts 5146singapore |
I no longer stare at empty skies. poignant's the word. i like the way you took a part of him/her(?) with you whenever you go, regardless of whether the stars are actually physically shining in the sky |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
this was lovely, enjoyed the way you made the unfamiliar become....with places close to your home.... Visuals were astounding, made me want to be there with you looking on at these precious realizations.... thank you and Good Morning  |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
I wasn't meaning to correct you and actually, I didn't know you fare from that neck of the woods. I don't go there too often now, but more often see it through the car window. But now when I do, I'll smile and think of you. There really are spirits there, too. |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
I was with you all the way... May peace be your constant companion under the stars.  Love & Eternal Light, Linda |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
aww Jimmy . . . |
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myheart Member
since 2004-11-05
Posts 160lost in your eyes |
very much enjoyed. ~myheart~ |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I know that excursion to Galveston well... it helps me keep the sanity Houston's always trying to steal. *S* Beautiful write, my friend. And yes... when I'm by the shore or staring into the sky... distance seems to fade away. *S* |
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Gentle Spirit Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989 |
now I bet you just knew I would love this one Jimmy....well done sir and a pleasure to read you m'friend! The greatest beauty on earth, is |
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