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Open Poetry #45
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Sky Talk
| Open Poetry #45 |
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Sky Talk |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa 
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SKY TALK 10 June 2009 Frazzled by watching out for afterwork drivers who feel the law does not apply to them, I catch a corner of your cloud messages emblazoned on my rearview mirror . . . and . . . your instant magic drops my shoulders and eases my face into a Flicka smile and suddenly I have all the time in the world to get home and I welcome red robots so I can take my eyes off the road to read every word of your love splashed across the Heavens and wrapping me in a cosy cocoon - and I feel the joys of the day blending into our love and I am in your stable again sitting on the side of your manger talking with you as we always did, about this and that, like what “succulent” grass means, and how the rotation of the Earth on its axis causes day and night, and the revolution of the Earth around the sun causes the seasons, of which Winter made you need your blanket (it is still on my bed next to me bunched into a blue circle symbolising our never-ending bond) or walking with you while Honeycat accompanies us, or riding you in the ecstasy of our oneness . . . . . . and in my car I whisper my thanks to you and discuss my delight at every word of each cloud message, hardly moving my lips (so that the drivers wondering who I am smiling at, don’t see me talking too!) and there in front of me, and on either side, and the bits that I can see above, echo the messages in my rearview mirror, some gold-edged magnificent, some rounded and rose-warm embracing my heart, some wispy threads galloping across the wide African sky in delighted abandon, (and, oh, my darling horse, that quiver-breath-reminds me of you when you led your friends around the field like a noble mustang celebrating power and speed and freedom - when I went down to the stables from the office at lunch time – remember? and a tear hides behind my smile and my conversation with you in Gretta, my Jetta, whom you, of course, don’t know except from Heaven - my heart broke when I had to say goodbye to Samantha, my Datsun Pulsar, especially because she was the car you knew). Remember too, how, after Gilbert went to Heaven, (three months and fifteen days before you, all those eight years ago that seem like yesterday) we used to cry our hearts raw, while I walked you, often with your Honeycat in tow, and how we would take solace in the exquisite cloud messages Gilbert sent us especially in the late afternoon sky? Perhaps that is what gave you the idea to send me your messages in the clouds and the sun and the moon and the whispers of the wind and the joyous bird calls of my garden forest. Perhaps it was because you knew how much Gilbert’s sky talk meant to us. Perhaps it was because you knew I would understand your messages because you knew I understood Gilbert’s. Perhaps it was to honour Gilbert who is with you in Heaven now. Perhaps Gilbert helped you with your first messages. Perhaps, and I believe this is so, he is sending messages to me along with yours. I am sure God has a hand in helping you both. Please thank Him for me, and thank Gilbert too. Do you remember how I used to tell you how the hugs I gave your beautiful warm neck and the kisses I gave your muzzle and face and neck and mane and the nuzzlings you gave me would stay with me – I could feel them physically - the whole long drive home every day warming my heart and making smile and rejoice in our communication? Well, that is how your sky messages make me feel, very especially the ones of late. You know how much I need our daily conversations and you never fail me not even from Heaven, as you never failed me, not ever, not once, in the 20½ years we were together. How ever, ever, ever can I thank you, my darling, darling horse? - Owl [This message has been edited by OwlSA (06-13-2009 01:45 AM).] |
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| © Copyright 2009 Diana van den Berg - All Rights Reserved | |||
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ctowen Member Elite
since 2001-10-18
Posts 2286Green Mountains of VT |
I truly enjoyed this ... it will come to mind everytime I look up at the sky, it will change my usual burning sun or thundercloud distances!! Thank you! - Ct |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
 "your blanket... (it is still on my bed next to me bunched into a blue circle symbolising our never-ending bond)" Diana, what a beautiful conversation with the spirit of a most wonderful creature, your loving horse and companion, Flicka. I'll be re-reading this again tonight, and tomorrow. The title is perfect. |
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BluesSerenade Member Patricius
since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549By the Seaside |
What a truly wonderful, special bond you shared. This is a fine tribute and I thank you for sharing your memories. Much love and hugs to you, Owl~ |
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poddarku Senior Member
since 2008-01-15
Posts 589india |
A patch work of memories, a lucid travel through the spheres of time, a passionate and restrained poetry. I bow before my poet friend whose knowledge of life is so profound. clever talks delay friendship! |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you Ct. I am glad that Flicka has reached you, too, amongst so many, many people in this country and over the whole world. He brought nothing but happiness to whoever met him, be that a person or an animal. He was/is the epitome of what real love is. Thank you, Kacy. I know that you understand this from the depths of your heart, as Sara would too. Thank you BluesSerenade. You are so right and we still share that bond. It will never be broken. Thank you Kushal for entering the heart of my poem and me and understanding so well. You honour me with your comments. I hope I will always live up to them. Owl |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
How gratifying to eavesdrop here and witness your wonderful timeless bond of love! Deeply poignant write, dear Diana! Love, Margherita |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
Diana, Flicka knows and remembers every touch, every whispered word, and the bond that you share to this day. That's why he comes to you when you need him. He is in the clouds, the breath of air that touches your cheek on a hot day, in the smell of leaves and flowers and in the gently blowing grass. He is with you forever - your special, loving friend and companion. Love, Alison |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you, Margherita, for your kind words and for enjoying Flicka with me. Thank, you Alison. Flicka is a HE not a she, but he and I forgive you for that. The Flicka in the book and the movie was a she, so your mistake is understandable. Your very beautiful message is so true, and thank goodness, because I cannot do without him. Owl [This message has been edited by OwlSA (06-14-2009 05:58 PM).] |
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Oklahoma Rose Senior Member
since 2008-02-28
Posts 1586Oklahoma USA |
Owl, this is absolutely beautiful. I love "Sky Talk". |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
A letter to Flicka: ------- Dear Flicka, I offer my sincere apologies for referring to you as a "her" and "she". I have since gone back and noted the error by correcting it. Sometimes sex is immaterial when one stands in awe of the being itself. That is how I think of you. You transcend the mundane, rising to a level of great in my mind. Thank you, Flicka, for being the friend to Diana that you are. The bond you share will not be broken, but only grow stronger until you are together again. All my love, Alison |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you, Sue, for your kind words. Oh, Alison, that is ABSOLUTELY BEEEEYOOOOTIFUL! Flicka is going to love your letter and your very kind (but very true!) words about him. I will pass it on to him right away! THANK YOU! Owl |
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Kaoru
since 2003-06-07
Posts 3892where the wild flowers grow |
God, beautiful work!!! |
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Billie Cullimore Member
since 2009-03-27
Posts 315 |
I know first hand how you feel. I too had a wonderful horse, her name was Cherub, she was an Arab. sorrol with a flaxen main and tail. We, she and I were members of a ladies drill teem. We understood each other she was so smart. I love all kinds of animals and I have lost so many dogs, I hope we well be together again. God willing. Billie C. |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you very much Kaoru. I am a first-line fan of your exquisite poetry. Thank you Billie. It is so good to meet so many people who understand such a bond with such a noble, beautiful, sinless, loving creature. I am sorry for your pain in losing Cherub (what an apt and darling name) and all of your dogs. I don't know how to breathe without animals in my home and my heart, and so there are many who have gone ahead of me and are with Flicka in Heaven now. You WILL meet all of your babies, as I will too. God will be willing. He wouldn't keep us apart. Owl |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Oh, Alison! I have just seen that, in addition to your soul-glowing letter to my darling Flicka, you also edited your original message from she to he! He will love you even MORE for that. Just wait till I tell him - RIGHT NOW! Owl |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
I read the first three lines and knew... this is a Flicka poem and a magnificent Flicka poem at that "Perhaps it was because you knew how much Gilbert’s sky talk meant to us" |
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LindsayP Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410Australia, Victoria |
Dear Diana, that is a very heart touching poignant poem my dear, it shows the depth of feelings that you had for your beautiful mare Flicka. It was a joy to read. Love and a big hug. Lindsay |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you, Kate, and for understandinga and loving Flioka as you do. Thank you, Lindsay. However, Flicka isn't/wasn't a mare. He is/was a gelding. However, both he and I forgive you for calling him a she. I haven't been on much lately. My darling little dog, Daisy, is very ill and I am needing to take care of her. I am going to put a message on "Discussions" now, asking for prayers for her. Owl |
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1slick_lady Member Ascendant
since 2000-12-22
Posts 6088standing on a shadow's lace |
" your blanket (it is still on my bed next to me bunched into a blue circle symbolising our never-ending bond)" beautiful |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Helen, thank you so much. You are a very deep, compassionate person, and I know you understand. Owl |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
My dear Diana, tears well in my eyes with the beauty of your "Sky Talk". You have a host of angelic fauna watching over you. With a "Flicka smile", I send my love, Linda  |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
so I can take my eyes off the road to read every word of your love splashed across the Heavens and wrapping me in a cosy cocoon - and I feel the joys of the day blending into our love To feel such a bond... whether with another person or a living being of another species... is a gift. Thank you for sharing that love with us!! |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Linda, as I emailed you, I tried 4 times to reply to your message in my prayer request for Daisy, my doggy, and kept losing my connection. If I had, I would have replied to this message straight afterwards. Thank you Linda for your beautiful message and for understanding so well and for knowing and loving Flicka so much over the years. Ruth, you are so right - and Flicka was/is such a wonderful, wonderful gift too! I am blown away at having been the recipient of such a precious gift. When missing him becomes unbearable, I remind myself of that, and I am humbled and gratified by the honour and happiness that God bestowed on me. Flicka and the love that he spread is so special, that it is my pleasure, honour and obligation to share him with everyone who wants to be a part of the sharing. Owl |
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