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Open Poetry #36
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I Would If I Could
| Open Poetry #36 |
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I Would If I Could |
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Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States 
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I Would If I Could By Larry Chadwick If I were able to dry your tears I would. But the tears I cried healed me. And I would ease your pain if I could, But my pain taught me so much. If I were able to mend your broken heart I would. But my own aching heart has helped me sympathize. And I would end your grief if I could, But my grief has helped me grow. If I were able to fill your void I would. But my void helped me to remember. And I would interrupt your lonely dreams if I could, But my mind found confidence in its memories. If I were able to ease your holiday blues I would. But the family I had left did that for me. And I would undo your untimely loss if I could, But I have found it’s not all bad to be forever young. If I were able to stop your somber thoughts I would. But I found laughter was a medicine of its own. And I would remove your agony if I could, But wisdom is a good trade for tears. If I were able to erase your mourning I would. But I found in my memories no need to forget. And I would stop the questions if I could, But others are learning from this too. Instead we share our grief as we grow, Not wanting our pain to have no purpose. And as we commiserate we know, Wisdom doesn’t come only with age. December 7, 2005 If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, |
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| © Copyright 2005 Larry Chadwick - All Rights Reserved | |||
Nightshade
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962just out of reach |
Larry - the compassion in this wonderful write humbled me. It's beauty brought me to tears. I am placing this gently into my library. Hugging you in my heart dear gentle man. Chris  Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance. |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Larry~ This is so thoughtfully beautiful ... explaining ... caring ... lovingly~ *Huglets*  ~*Marge*~ ~*No matter what I search for ... |
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Gentle Spirit Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989 |
Larry, I know you didn't write this for me but today...tears from earlier today, have been replaced with tears of happiness for the compassion this write holds within.. I truly, truly needed to read something so very blessed by the heart of a wonderful, wonderful man.. It is, such an honor to know you sir. Big HUGS to you. Your heart shines in this'n m'friend...  seek the flame within yourself |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Larry C You have a very mature boy there. LOL |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Larry...You are a wonderful man who has learned much through living. Thank you for this meaningful and wise poem! |
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DejaEntendu Member
since 2005-12-06
Posts 82Pennsylvania |
First of all, thank you're for comenting on my poems, it's nice to know I'm welcome. Secondly, this is my favorite poem I've discovered on this site so far. Incredibly well written, and very truthful. thank you |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Tenderly spoken.. and therefore gently placed into my library. Heart hugs. |
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pictureme2 Member
since 2005-11-13
Posts 194 |
Larry C, You never cease to amaze me! With the start of the cute little boy I felt like I wanted to hug you and in the end of your words....I felt you hugged me! Such wisdom, such truth, such beauty! A thankful read! And you know.... I would if I could! pictureme2 |
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Honeybunch Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115South Africa |
A most insightful write but this - "Instead we share our grief as we grow, Not wanting our pain to have no purpose. And as we commiserate we know, Wisdom doesn’t come only with age." is an excellent summing up. A most enjoyable read! |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Larry, what a heart you have! Saving this one; it's just about the most tender, sweet thing ever. ....jo |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Larry, You wrote it good! We all need to feel our hurts and stings to enable us to grow. Making life too easy is not the best or wisest way to go. I'll hold your hand and give a hug to help you stand steadfast. But the rest is really up to you if growth is going to last. best wishes, martyjo [This message has been edited by latearrival (12-08-2005 06:30 AM).] |
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Startime55 Member Elite
since 2003-04-05
Posts 2148Alberta, Canada |
Amazingly powerful and filled with the wisdom years of a full life bring...This poem is a classic and needs to be shared so a copy of this poem will be given to all my friends...Thank you for saying what many of us feel in such a perfect way that we may share these powerful lessons of life...I love it...**big hugs** |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
How utterly profound! I hadn't thought about it that way, but you are right...we grow and learn from it and hopefully pass that insight on and are better comforters for it all.  "too bad ignorance isn't painful" |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
right off the bat this reminded me of a Cash tune, Larry: If I were able to dry your tears I would. But the tears I cried healed me. and no, from experience, entirely. Beautiful. |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you Larry. I needed this. Beautifully inspirational. - Owl |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
I don't know who you had in mind when you wrote this but sweetheart, you do all this for me. |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
If I were able to dry your tears I would. But the tears I cried healed me. And I would ease your pain if I could, But my pain taught me so much. If I were able to mend your broken heart I would. But my own aching heart has helped me sympathize. And I would end your grief if I could, But my grief has helped me grow. If I were able to fill your void I would. But my void helped me to remember. And I would interrupt your lonely dreams if I could, But my mind found confidence in its memories. If I were able to ease your holiday blues I would. But the family I had left did that for me. And I would undo your untimely loss if I could, But I have found it’s not all bad to be forever young. If I were able to stop your somber thoughts I would. But I found laughter was a medicine of its own. And I would remove your agony if I could, But wisdom is a good trade for tears. If I were able to erase your mourning I would. But I found in my memories no need to forget. And I would stop the questions if I could, But others are learning from this too. Instead we share our grief as we grow, Not wanting our pain to have no purpose. And as we commiserate we know, Wisdom doesn’t come only with age. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I cut and copied the poem intending to go back and highlight certain lines but found I couldnt seperate them from each other... and you will already just know how much this tender write touches me.... so many "traces" written with humility. Normally when a statement is followed up with a "but" ... something is taken away... in this rhyme divine...you turned the negatives into something positively enlightening... And I would remove your agony if I could, But wisdom is a good trade for tears. Dearest Larry... you wear wisdom so very well. And I would stop the questions if I could, But others are learning from this too. and we've learned so much from your examples and sharing. One of my fave poetic phrases is... "if words but could they would" yours just did. Thru the water...thru the rain To the soul of everything Throw my heart out on the stones And I'm almost gone D.Gray |
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Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
Chris, Thank you for being such a kind friend. And you're welcome. Marge, And a quiver full of huglets to you too. Thank you. Donna, Well, one often doesn't know until after it is done. Now I know. And I thank you. Sy, Ya' silly guy. Thank you.  Martie, You are a generous Lady. Thank you. If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, |
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Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
DejaEntendu, Wow, thanks. And trust me your poetry is a pleasure to read. I'm glad you are here.  Nancy Lee, I'll take all the heart hugs I can get. And thank you. pictureme2, Very clever and exceptionally kind. Thank you. Honeybunch, Thank you. I do appreciate your kindness. Jo, Thank you for being such a sweet friend. Much obliged. If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, |
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Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
MartiJo, We all need to feel our hurts and stings to enable us to grow. Making life too easy is not the best or wisest way to go. I'll hold your hand and give a hug to help you stand steadfast. But the rest is really up to you if growth is going to last. You speak kind words indeed and especially wise. Karen! Thanks. I'm truly humbled. Susan, At least that has been my experience. And thank you. littlewing, Sweet thing, you are adorable. Thanks. Owl, It was my pleasure. And thank YOU. If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, |
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Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
Karen, How you bless my life. What an unlikely duo we are. My friends don't know what to think of it. You're the best... Janet Marie, Always you humble me. And more often you leave me speechless. You affirm the things I have learned through such hard times that you are one of the biggest reasons to smile. But mostly you are a wonderful friend. Thank you. If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
"I Would if I Could" You did! so unselfishlessly offered, Larry, as you characteristicly offer us wisdom, thought, and smile; I think I'll keep this around for a rainy day. thanks, miscellanea |
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Marsha
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423Maidstone Kent England |
Larry my friend this is an absolutely stunning poem and I truly felt it as always Mushy  Tomorrow is another day I don't know what it holds |
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Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
misce, Thank you sweet lady. It was a pleasant surprise to see this surface again. Sweet mushy Marsha, How delightful to hear from you! And thanks for your kind words and the If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, |
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Earl Brinkman Senior Member
since 2010-03-03
Posts 1183Osaka, Japan |
This is one gem of a poem with a lot of useful advice on how to live life. Thank you. |
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Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
Earl, You bless me. Thank YOU! This was a delightful recall. If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, |
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