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Open Poetry #34
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Ratleader
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0 posted 2004-12-15 08:39 PM


A Chance Finding Of Shells

I don’t know why, ok?
It was just there and I picked it up,
out of all the shells on that beach.
It fit my hand like forever,
felt so much like the one in my pocket
from yesterday that I pulled that one out
on a whim and tried it.
That’s it, no reason, all right?

I had no idea they’d fit like they did,
but by the way they locked
I could see they’d been part of
the same clam. All those shells,
two different days, and I picked up
two halves of one creature.
What chance is that?

How many times did the tide
push them up, how many waves
knocked them random around the beach?
Did they touch for a moment
now and then, like seeking souls
that couldn’t find their mates again?
I’d like to think so, but I don’t know.

The sand smoothed them, sure it did,
but it left them alone enough
that they were still a match
even my eyes could see.
Such a small thing, but it held me;
I’ve walked that sand a thousand times
and never, never this.

I don’t have the power
to make them live again,
it would take a god
to put back all that was lost
to tides and time and the gulls,
but there they lay, matched like a prayer
and warming in my hand, as if --
as if they wanted me to do something,
make them what they were,
or, I don’t know, something.

I stood there in the bleak wind,
and I held them gently together
for a long, long time.

I won’t say more.

© Copyright 2004 Ed Ratledge - All Rights Reserved
Sunshine
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Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
1 posted 2004-12-15 08:50 PM


                   All those shells,
two different days, and I picked up
two halves of one creature.
What chance is that?

~*~

The luck of Kismet, m'friend
the luck of Kismet...

now quit questioning.

Accept miracles
as they come.

Susan
Member Ascendant
since 2004-03-27
Posts 5104
walking the surreal
2 posted 2004-12-15 08:58 PM


Kewl, this - sometimes things are just meant to be -

Susan

Happiness isn't something that happens to you, it's created from within you.  Joy is a state of mind.

inkedgoddess
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-19
Posts 7392
Ohio
3 posted 2004-12-15 09:07 PM


right now the pieces fit
just simply is

Martie
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since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
4 posted 2004-12-15 09:14 PM


Ed

I think the meaning was more for the finding person, then in the two shells.  For some reason you were meant to hold them in your hand and feel what you felt...maybe it was to write about it, or maybe something else.  

I was very touched by the poem!  

passing shadows
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since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
5 posted 2004-12-15 09:51 PM


very touching piece
Nightshade
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Member Patricius
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962
just out of reach
6 posted 2004-12-15 10:54 PM


Very nice indeed. I like your new pic as well !!  hugs, Chris

Don't forget my presents!!

JamesMichael
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since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
7 posted 2004-12-16 12:01 PM


Enjoyed...James
suthern
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Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
8 posted 2004-12-16 03:22 PM


I've sneaked reads of this several times today... whenever the werk monster's leash loosened even a bit. *S* And still... I couldn't choose a favorite part if I tried... the whole is so cohesive, so excellent!

I love the conversational aspects... but more... I love the reminder that some things are meant to be... the pieces fit in spite of all the odds against them doing so...

Chance, yes... but what beautiful continuity! *S*

Ericc
Member Elite
since 2003-01-31
Posts 4178

9 posted 2004-12-16 04:08 PM


Great write!

Eric

Martie
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California
10 posted 2004-12-17 11:53 AM


A bump for this one because it is so good and I forgot to library it!  
passing shadows
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since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
11 posted 2004-12-18 10:35 AM


and I will take this for myself then

thank you Ed

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