»
Archives
»
Open Poetry #42
»
The Valentine
| Open Poetry #42 |
|
The Valentine |
|
|
hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA 
|
The Valentine It was just a simple valentine, a red and purple heart, cut out and pasted lovingly, one day in children’s art. The message written carefully said simply ‘I love you’ in childish, block letters of crayola midnight blue. The rough and crooked edges had been tattered more with time and the old construction paper bore small prints in yellow grime. There were water marks and creases where the card had once been bent and the fold had thinned throughout the years till, now, the card was rent. I had long forgotten making it, a grown man, now, was I. But the sight of that old Valentine, somehow, just made me cry. You see, that childish Valentine, she’d kept for all this while, became a precious treasure, for my mom, that made her smile. All the nurses at the nursing home had seen it many times when she held in in her weathered hand and even said sometimes she would read the simple sentiment, then sigh, and simply say “I’m sure he’s really busy but he’ll visit me some day.” Then one day turned to another and somewhere two decades past as she waited at the nursing home for visits till at last her broken heart quit beating and my mother finally died, alone there in that empty room with no one by her side. It was tucked in her belongings that simple, worn out card; a memory of more pleasant times when I had more regard for the things that are important - for friends and family - so, now, this tattered valentine will always serve to be a stark, sincere reminder that my life is far too fleeting to spend it making money when all the while I’m cheating my wife, my kids, my brothers - and I swear I’ll change tonight. I won’t pass up another chance to make things turn out right. So, mother if your watching, this memory I’ll impart - of you, my childhood valentine, forever in my heart. 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 [This message has been edited by hoot_owl_rn (02-06-2008 07:22 PM).] |
||
| © Copyright 2008 Ruth Kephart - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
Artic Wind Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 8080Realm of Supernatural |
Enjoyed the poem Very sad though ARCTIC WIND |
||
|
Bobby Jordan Member
since 2007-08-13
Posts 491Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Ruth, This is a very sad story, beautifully written. Bobby |
||
|
TomMark Member Elite
since 2007-07-27
Posts 2133LA,CA |
I don't know what to say. The poem made my emotion up-down-up and sigh. Beautiful poem though |
||
Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Well done, Ruth. A poignant heart-aching poem. |
||
|
Roniece Dawson-Bruce Member Ascendant
since 2000-01-29
Posts 5689Sydney, Australia |
oh Ruth... simply beautiful words here... love RDB Be kind at heart....for everyone you meet has their own battle to fight......... |
||
|
Clang Member
since 2005-12-15
Posts 222 |
My mum works at a nursing home and it is always sad to hear the stories about how many of the residents are forgotten. This is beautiful. |
||
|
RogueandPoet Member
since 2007-06-04
Posts 126Oregon |
I thought this was an exceptional read. |
||
|
effjayel Senior Member
since 2007-09-30
Posts 1474At the Crossroads of Infinity |
This is so good, I got shivers reading it. That may partly be due to the guilt I can identify within your words......if I could write something half as good I'd be very happy......You set the bar high Ruth, Cheers John |
||
|
Robert Frazier Senior Member
since 2003-02-06
Posts 1014 |
poignant, beautiful H, Robert |
||
|
Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Ruth, what a story-teller you are! ~ and a fine poetess with a loving, compassionate heart. I actually have tears welling in my eyes. Love to you and a Valentine's Day hug, Linda   |
||
|
JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Fine writing...happy Valentines day...James |
||
|
SmartChick Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081On A Journey To The Unknown |
Awwwwwwww, this is so sad. |
||
|
Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
This is a reminder of how we must tske timeout to visit those who are confined. This is so beutifully written, as only you know how Liz |
||
Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
HootieGal~ This is a very special Valentine~ Hoping and praying that Rodger is doing well~ *Huglets* ~*Marge*~ ~*The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but it's echo endures much longer*~ |
||
Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
A story well done and far too often true as you know Ruth. As a matter of fact this is about the only thing that scares me. Well done. |
||
|
Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
Ruth I cried. Alison |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
