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Open Poetry #36
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hoot_owl_rn
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since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA

0 posted 2005-07-10 07:36 PM



The Letter

When I was only ten years old
I tried to run away.
I swore I’d find another home
Where I could live and play.

I told my mom I hated her
And that she couldn’t come.
I packed my bags and headed off,
A child on the run.

I made my way a block or two,
Pulled on my favorite sweater,
Tucked my hand into my pocket,
It was there I found the letter.


Dear son,
A mother’s love runs deeper
Than the love of any other
And I’ll be there, where e’er you go
Forever,
Love your mother


The years went by, the child in me
Gave way to the young man.
The toys gave way to cars and girls
And college was the plan.

I watched my mother pack my clothes,
Folding them with care.
Then with a hug, she sent me off,
And tried to mask her tears.

Several weeks went by at school,
The time began to drag.
Till, homesick, I was taken home
By a letter in my bag.


Dear son,
A mother’s love runs deeper
Than the love of any other
And I’ll be there where e’er you go
Forever,
Love your mother


If we lived in a perfect world
Young boys would not get old,
Parents wouldn't age, nor die,
And love would not grow cold.

But perfect worlds only exist
In poets thoughts like mine,
And so my mother aged, then died
When she was Sixty-nine.

We laid her in a pink lined casket
In a dress of brown and sand;
Then I kissed her one last time and placed
This letter in her hand.


Dear mom,
You showed me how to love
Deeper than anyone
And I’ll carry that where e’er I go
Forever,
Love your son


I am nothing special...and my name will soon be forgotten,but I've loved another with all my heart and soul,and to me,this has always been enough.~N.S

© Copyright 2005 Ruth Kephart - All Rights Reserved
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
1 posted 2005-07-10 07:58 PM


And you tell me
that I do not give
a hanky-alert...

Dear Ruth...
this could have
been written easily
by any loving daughter,
as I remember the running away
from such a
loving mother,
perhaps it is the
future thought
of trying to live up to
what they brought
to us as we struggled through
the times we thought
so tough, but, true...
they loved us through
all of the hardest parts...
and they did so...
with their hearts....



I can never thank you
for all you have taught me.

Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
2 posted 2005-07-10 08:22 PM


Thank you, Ruth - Having lost my mom this spring, this means a lot to me.  Cassandra made her a special card, and asked the funeral director if she could send it with her Grammie.  He kindly obliged - Before the services, he excused himself in front of family and friends, opened the casket slightly, and put the card in her hand... A gesture I'm sure neither she nor I will ever forget... Thank you, dear lady..
iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
3 posted 2005-07-10 08:28 PM


  Ruth, that was beautiful! ...jo
Magnus
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Member Laureate
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA
4 posted 2005-07-10 08:47 PM


Ruth,  you do know how to touch with your
words...this is no exception.

Mysteria
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Member Laureate
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
5 posted 2005-07-10 09:24 PM


You dear lady know how to touch a heart in so many ways.  This was very touching, and far too often true as well.  
Tim
Senior Member
since 1999-06-08
Posts 1794

6 posted 2005-07-10 09:25 PM


splendid poem as always.
Juju
Member Elite
since 2003-12-29
Posts 3429
In your dreams
7 posted 2005-07-10 09:35 PM


This reminds me of a story My mom use to read me called "I will always love you"

Juju - 1.) a magic charm or fetish 2.)Magic 3.)A taboo connected woth the use of magic

The dictionary never lies.... I am magical (;

suthern
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Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
8 posted 2005-07-11 09:56 AM


A beautiful write that goes straight to the heart! *S*
HopeS
Member Elite
since 2000-12-22
Posts 4596
Perth Western Australia
9 posted 2005-07-11 02:22 PM


This was truly touching , having lost my Mum 5 years ago ...... I am now saying those same words you pen here to my two sons

Hope

saved_by_grace
Member
since 2005-01-08
Posts 332
In the arms of God...
10 posted 2005-07-11 02:48 PM


Okaaayyy....(wiping tears from cheek)...this was awesome, Ruth!  Thank you for sharing your heart with this one!!  Totally a !!  

Hugs to you...   ~ Becka

INclan
Senior Member
since 1999-07-20
Posts 1024
Indiana, USA
11 posted 2005-07-11 09:00 PM


Thank you, Ruth, for reminding me why I read your work.  Thank you for more reasons than I can say.  INclan
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
12 posted 2005-07-11 09:17 PM


Ruth...everyone else has said it, and I will too...this really touched me!  A wonderful love filled poem!  Thank you.  
vandana
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Patricius
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463
USA
13 posted 2005-07-12 10:58 AM


good read
LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

14 posted 2005-07-12 11:10 AM


and they did so...
with their hearts....


and so matter-of-factly with no thought other then to oblige...

mothers are precious and profound

thank you for the reminder as mine is 87

Hugs to you

Marge Tindal
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since 1999-11-06
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Florida's Foreverly Shores
15 posted 2005-07-12 11:36 AM


Hootie~
Tender ... tender~
*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*When the heart grieves over what it has lost,
the spirit rejoices over what it has left.
- Sufi epigram <))><

Email noles1@totcon.com

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
16 posted 2005-07-13 12:04 PM


Beautiful...James
hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
17 posted 2005-07-13 10:05 AM


Thank you everyone for your comments on this piece. I know I'm not here often, but my heart is always here
Ruth

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