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Open Poetry #43
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The Hand of God (a rp)
| Open Poetry #43 |
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The Hand of God (a rp) |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738
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Tim showed up here just yesterday and he was proud he had a pass-- He even called the attendants and I had to tell them he was fine. "Yes." (oh yes) I would make sure that he would check in by nine... "Yes." (oh yes) I was assured. Brother Tim received his meds. "But--" I heard him hesitate-- "Tim's been quite upset." It seems his pastor had just died... I did not bother to correct. "Yes, I know." I simply said. "His pastor was my brother." No condolences were coming-- just make sure Tim got 'home' fine. "Of course," I thought, "why would I not?" Nine was medication time. I put the phone back on the wall and told Tim "Have a seat." Already crying big man tears he smiled and took the captain's chair. His voice broke emotion's peace as he confessed to me: "I have no other place to grieve." I nodded and replied, "I know." I made a pot of coffee then and gave him the remote control. I never know when big Tim shows-- how long he plans to hang around. But after he escaped his keep from the halfway house last week I always checked with orderlies-- just to put their minds at ease. "Let's just humor them" I said. Tim nodded in conspiracy. I smiled at Tim and said, "Look here." I pulled a Bible from the shelf. A special print of the King James, the type was large and printed bold. Then I searched his eyes and asked as gently as our grief allowed. "Do you remember this, my friend?" He sobbed as I said, "It's yours now..." This Bible was a special gift a promise of the heart from Tim. He'd given this to his dear friend-- a quiet present for Christmas-- noticing my brother squint when they'd discuss the gospel truth. He never mentioned the large print-- the gift was wrapped in dignity the silences of men will speak so much more than words. Then Tim keened an anguished howl and held his forehead in his hand. "There's no one left who knows The Word-- nobody who can understand..." He wiped his eyes and cleared his throat and told me that my brother died saved by Jesus on the cross-- and said my brother had been kind... I didn't say a word but smiled sure now, Tim had lost his mind. I remembered their debates-- punctuated by their fists on my brother's kitchen table red-faced, they were both convinced the other was an idiot-- oh yeah, they spread The Word. I know I always left assured that all New Orleans had just heard-- but passion was their play. Silently he held the book. He rifled pages absently. Then The Word fell passively from his hands onto my floor and opened as an augury to the family page of Death. In my brother's intense script was my father's name. Just below the loyal son penned in my own pain: Keith D. Hood it was so plain-- we knew we could not argue fact. Tim and I met with eyes. Tim said to me, "I should get back." "There's this show I like to watch." He handed me the Hand of God. I took from him remote control he muttered something about a pill that seemed to give him happy dreams and how tonight he'd swallow it instead of tonguing it in cheek. Then he looked at me and winked-- destination--tv screen-- 'home'... to watch "Smallville." * * * It's a repost, folks, and I thought I might change it to give the enlightment of new understanding, but then? I thought, "nah". Those who understand, do...the rest just fight their sleep.  |
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Roniece Dawson-Bruce Member Ascendant
since 2000-01-29
Posts 5689Sydney, Australia |
Hey Serenity... it's a lovely poem.. I'm not sure I understand all of it but what I did, I appreciated .... thanks for sharing this again with us to read and savor... love RDB Be kind at heart....for everyone you meet has their own battle to fight......... |
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ThisDiamond Member Rara Avis
since 2002-02-22
Posts 9353Michigan, USA |
..."noticing my brother squint when they'd discuss the gospel truth. He never mentioned the large print-- the gift was wrapped in dignity the silences of men will speak so much more than words."... I loved this part. Men are such emotional creatures in their own mysterious way.  |
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JenniferMaxwell
since 2006-09-14
Posts 2423 |
Outstanding write, Karen! |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
'Those who understand, do...the rest just fight their sleep.' *smiles* *Huglets*  ~Moi~ ~*The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but it's echo endures much longer*~ |
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viking_metal Senior Member
since 2007-02-02
Posts 1337In a Jeep, Minnesota. |
You're awesome. And unfortunately older than I, and probably not located in Minnesota. Or I'd replace the sadie series with the serenity blaze series. Fabulous write. I read the whole thing through, with zero loss of interest. I was pinned down, the entire time. Very impressive. Some people fall in love and touch the sky, some people fall in love and find quicksand. |
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XOx Uriah xOX Senior Member
since 2006-02-11
Posts 1403Virginia |
::smiles:: (((kryptonite))) |
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garysgirl
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
Hi Karen. I understood from beginning to end..... all of it. And, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, too!! So glad you reposted. Big hugs to you, Ethel |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Karen, I didn't understand how the words "Just below", fitted in, but I believe I got the rest of it very clearly, but I must admit I had to read it twice, slowly. Besides the sensitive, but soooo non-saccharine story, so brilliantly told (as always), this poem embodies your strength, kindness, compassion, staunch loyalty, wisdom, - and I know you are going to laugh at the next one - ability to say (and mean) the perfect thing at the right moment - all of which and much more, make you such a valued, revered and adored friend of so very, very many people. I thank my lucky stars that you call me friend. - Owl |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
aw...and hey, it's not that I thought this was too complicated for anybody, I just "re-gifted" this for Marge, because..."she knows" and oh ya'll have me a blush... each of you! *chuckling at kryptonite and Minnesota and oh my Owl...* Ya'll are too lovely for my meager words.  |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
I remember this gem. You just keep writing and/or reposting...I'll keep reading, even if I don't always respond. |
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icebox Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383in the shadows |
As always... "...the gift was wrapped in dignity..." |
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Oklahoma Rose Senior Member
since 2008-02-28
Posts 1586Oklahoma USA |
A very lovely poem, Serenity. |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
I knew I was forgetting something... "Just below" Diana-Owl...it's customary in some family Bibles, usually in between the OT and NT, there is a family record of deaths and births. That's why my brother's name was "just beneath". There would have been more (births, most especially) but my brother had started the recordings with my father's death. As for such recordings? It's not a thing I normally do, but I did it because my brother did. (and smiling..ya'll would love him--or HATE him--no inbetween--I tell people that if I were going to cast a biblical movie, my brother would be the ultimate John The Baptist. All wild and woolly, eating the locusts...) and yes, m'charly he'd be wrapped in nothing but dignity. thank you |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
There's something about woolly that is most appreciated.... I know. |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thanks for the explanation, Karen. I love sheep. Sheep are woolly. Your brother was woolly. Therefore I would love your brother. (Owl's logic) I haven't eaten locusts, but I have eaten fried bees. He must have been fascinating. - Owl |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
"I have no other place to grieve" If I hadn't loved you before, I'd make a place for you in my heart after reading this... This poem says so much, but that line says so much about YOU... The word "remarkable" comes to mind. *S* |
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Artic Wind Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 8080Realm of Supernatural |
Good thing you reposted it Serenity~ I enjoyed it a LOT to youARCTIC WIND |
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Ceinwyn Member Elite
since 2000-07-09
Posts 2175VA |
I was actually thinking of this poem today. I read it a couple days ago, and it keeps popping back into my head. I never know what to say when responding to your awesome poetry, but know that I do enjoy your words, especially this one. Love ya! Kristen The only time we waste is the time we spend thinking we are alone. |
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inkedgoddess Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-19
Posts 7392Ohio |
your insight is always crisp and timeless |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
I dreamed of you the other night. You were my meditation. Guess I was unaware that I needed it. But you knew.  you know things. Your gifts are always gratefully welcome, just as your words. love you. "too bad ignorance isn't painful" |
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2islander2 Member Ascendant
since 2008-03-12
Posts 6825by the sea |
It worth the reading,thoughtful and poignant, thank you. yann |
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Janette
since 2001-07-20
Posts 2843Chicagoland for now |
Another poetic story ... brilliantly told. Wow! Enjoyed! Janette always seeking joy, adventure and romance and wishing you find the same |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
ty, all... and Janette, as I was digging through my "stuff" I saw a lot of you there. (And no bad boys, I don't mean pics!  )*chuckle* It's so very good to have you home again. Thank you and thanks to all for reading.  |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
"He handed me the Hand of God." Karen your work is always so meaty it sustains me and I love this |
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