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Open Poetry #36
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No Rocking Chair for Me
| Open Poetry #36 |
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No Rocking Chair for Me |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart 
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No Rocking Chair for Me It was effortless to know you, so comfortable were you, when you were dressed in love ~ for you were the epitome of Life! when you smiled it well, and laughed it hard. “Grandmother” was your name, no abbreviation, no little nonsense chirpy by-word, and your by-line belied your frailties, “No Rocking Chair for this Swinging Grandmother!” and swung, you did… You swayed with graceful flair from wife to mother, to saleslady of glamour, fit the 30’s and 40’s so well that Missouri couldn’t quite handle your “show you!” attitude, but California accepted your soul, as deep as that blue sea you sailed, fishing…and I learned, panache! You loved to shock your children, slightly, stipulating, “never drink alone, only at social occasions!” so you socialized freely with friends, outliving most. Of your grandchildren, you were quick to see within their natures, factored accordingly, individualizing talents. Calling a spade what it was, you gardened souls. To your sons-in-law, you became Mother, and they bore tribute as only a matriarch could command, but you never demanded. For their love, you just prepared those salt-buttery biscuits that rose This High, spent the day with your buttermilked chicken, onioned with bacon those greening beans, shared a Scotch with the men, and dealt those spades. You told outlandish stories on your girls as we children grew, mentioning a last truth, to me, just before… Now that you are with most of the family, now that you’ve told Mom how upset you were for her leaving too early for the party… now that it’s been a few months, I hope you know, that I know, there’ll be No Rocking Chair for Me. ~*~ Elizabeth Rose Givens February 6, 1912 – November 25, 2004 |
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| © Copyright 2005 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Gentle Spirit Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989 |
You swayed with graceful flair from wife to mother, to saleslady of glamour, fit the 30’s and 40’s so well that Missouri couldn’t quite handle your “show you!” attitude, but California accepted your soul, as deep as that blue sea you sailed, fishing…and I learned, panache! You loved to shock your children, slightly, stipulating, “never drink alone, only at social occasions!” so you socialized freely with friends, outliving most. Of your grandchildren, you were quick to see within their natures, factored accordingly, individualizing talents. Calling a spade what it was, you gardened souls. Kari?? damn.....  I am so glad that I was lead to these walls of blue and this poetry I so love, written by you........  Give me your heart |
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SEA 
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676with you |
well, that made me cry.... (my grandpa passed two days before..) wonderful, beautiful and terribly, terribly touching....  |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
She sounds like she was a very spunky lady.. Oh how much I enjoyed this Karilea. Hugs~Nancy Something tugs at me, I've no doubt of that. |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
I think she knows, Karilea. So, this is where you got your spunk! You write so lovingly of her that it feels like I must have known her. ......jo |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
Missouri to California....oh yes, I can attest to that transition, having found the other half of my soul waiting for me here, or so it seems.... And rocking chairs? Very valuable here -- made of good hard wood, so after the varnish burns off, they're great for hot dogs on the beach and a warm evening glow afterward.... ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Sissie I love my rocking chair, I just don't sit in it much, not yet....but then, I'm not old, not yet! I loved this poem also! I really feel like your kin are my kin! |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
This isn't just a tribute... it's a celebration of a remarkable woman and the life she lived... and it's beautiful! |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
I see in this, where the poetess had gained her granduer...her lady like profound ability to see others so evenly..remarkably, she was a lady of great respect & confidence, and one of such, projects the same for others, and liked the way she had the ability to not only find humor in life, people, but also a great desire to live it to the fullest, encouraging her little chicks to do the same, no in so many words, but more so, by living her life as an example...she seemed to be a lady of greatness, with an air of elegance, devoted to her family, yet, not afraid to get out there and accomplish, b/c she was rewarded a great personal gratification and accomplishment from the success of others...which is an outstanding character. She seems like a lady who very much enjoyed the finer things in life, that money cannot buy, like nature, music, art...and was artistic in her own way...she was a woman to whom family meant a great deal and came first, even before her own needs....she was a saver of nations, commodities of great knowledge and strength, hard headed and devoted to her own personal consitution and beliefs... All this in your words, and she cultivated many a seed....wisely, lovingly and confidently...you guys in all her travels and experiences, I believe, were her greatest accomplishments! Hugs lady...a wonderful story and tribute to a fine lady, thank you for sharing her and you, her clone, with us...smiles and hugs [This message has been edited by LeeJ (07-22-2005 09:20 AM).] |
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scorpio Member Ascendant
since 2002-10-02
Posts 5178right...there |
Wonderful tribute Karilea. believe in what your heart feels... |
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SmartChick Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081On A Journey To The Unknown |
Karilea, I never had a grandma, or any grandpa, aunts or uncles. Hearing about everyone elses relatives sure makes me wish I had had some. |
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kayjay Member Elite
since 2002-06-24
Posts 2015Oregon |
Now and then we lose someone to time that we aren't quite ready to let go. A writing such as this doesn't quite let go, but it eases the process. You've shown your combination of caring and adoration for this lovely person in your life. Thank you for sharing her with us. KJ Through rubble and trouble and dark of night |
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Bodger Senior Member
since 2005-06-12
Posts 1260Tolerance for a short time |
Beautiful Bodger |
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Juju Member Elite
since 2003-12-29
Posts 3429In your dreams |
I liked this alot. Juju - 1.) a magic charm or fetish 2.)Magic 3.)A taboo connected woth the use of magic |
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MGROVES
since 2004-02-01
Posts 3802california |
brought tears to my eyes My spirit will rise |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
oh Kari, i'm speechless this touched me so much. sigh a mxx take bread away from me, if you wish, take air away. but do not take from me your laughter. |
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Patricia Member Elite
since 2003-04-06
Posts 2160Missouri |
I enjoyed this portrait very much. Funny, I was just thinking about rocking chairs before I hit Passions this morning, and how just a rockin' expends a great deal of energy while you go no where. I think I have been just a rockin' for far too long. Patricia |
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Gentle Spirit Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989 |
Yanno? I've read this a couple different times now, and each time it touches me as deeply as the first... Keeper? YOU BETCHA! |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
~ Nor will there be a rocking chair for her grandaughter! This poem rocked 'write' into my heart ~ and into my library! Loving hugs, Linda |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
I can imagine her well, full of class and character! What a lovely tribute to her! I've been saving this to read at a time when I could melt into it. Things extremely busy here... What a pleasure to read and to place gently on the shelf. miscellanea |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
Did it again! Forgot to check the box! Oh, when will I ever learn? miscellanea |
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Fagin Member
since 2004-05-07
Posts 126Ca |
Well done, sis. You hit the nail squarely on the head, she was all that and more! Again, well done! |
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Honeybunch Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115South Africa |
A beautiful tribute and what a pleasure for you to have known her. |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
This was a very touching read and I could see the authorative, yet gentle lady, moving through her life leaving a trace of love. Very beautiful, dear Karilea! Love, Margherita |
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Ringo
since 2003-02-20
Posts 3684Saluting with misty eyes |
Karilea- this reminded me of my own father who refused his "rocking chair" though he could barely walk without falling over towards the end. Here's hoping you have the same strength to refuse your rocking chair if you ever get to that age. http://www.mysticwicks.com |
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Angel Senior Member
since 1999-07-02
Posts 551Pennsylvania |
This made me cry too. It was very well written. Nice job. |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
a beautiful and touching tribute |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
This needs to be in my private library... I too, am a "no rocking chair" kind of grandma...  wonderful Kari! "too bad ignorance isn't painful" ~Unknown~ |
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kayjay Member Elite
since 2002-06-24
Posts 2015Oregon |
Bless those who led us in life and continue to do after we lose them. You write of your family with flair and grace, it must be the genes. KJ Through rubble and trouble and dark of night |
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