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Open Poetry #45
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Joyce Johnson
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Washington State

0 posted 2009-09-14 11:57 AM



If they could have managed
a love that was tough
instead of their heart-felt,
would it have been enough?

They scolded and pleaded
for these last few years.
They bribed him and shamed him
with buckets of tears.

The what ifs will haunt them
right into their graves.
What might they have done more
their beloved son to save?

Deaf to their pleadings
he hastened to thugs
who coerced and convinced him
to just try their drugs.

His best friends enabled
and joined in the fun.
They're left here forever
without their dear son.

Dear God had you given him
just one more day
Might it have been enough
to have turned him away

From that plunger of death
he thought was a friend.
Their worst nightmares came true
and what ifs never end.

By: Joyce

© Copyright 2009 Joyce I Johnson - All Rights Reserved
Alison
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1 posted 2009-09-14 01:33 PM


Joyce,

I was left in silence after reading your poem and had to come back to it.  I hope that by bringing it to Open more people will read your message - maybe more teenagers will read your message.  It's sad and it's powerful.

I have buckets of platitudes to say in these times - what I really want to say is you have touched me so many times with your poetry.  I know you have overcome great obstacles and heartache. You are a strong woman with a poet's heart.  I admire you greatly.

I wish I could just sit with you as you tell me of your family and your life - and we could share a pot of tea (then you could teach me how to make that pie crust that you promised to teach me).  As it is now, I can only sit and read your poetry and reach out to you with words in email or on these pages.  Please know that I think of you often.  Your poetry has delighted me and made me cry.  You have inspired me with the example you set, the stories you tell and the abilities you have to write them through your poems.

I think of you - and if I had a magic wand, I'd make this time all right again for your family.

Love,
Alison

Joyce Johnson
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2 posted 2009-09-14 01:40 PM


Dear Alison,

What a wonderful response.  I do hope that his tragedy will help someone and we need to get the information out to these experimenting young folks how fast it can destroy them. Thanks for reading dear Alison.  Love, Joyce

Earth Angel
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since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
3 posted 2009-09-14 01:51 PM


Oh, dear Joyce, I have thought of you often since leaning of the tragic death of your great-grandson. We all have been hit by the "What Ifs" after something has gone wrong in our life. What could we have done differently? I should have done this ~ I should have done that... All the self-berating just adds to one's misery and it cannot change what has happened.
It would appear as though his parents were fighting an up-hill battle with him.

Your moving poem brought the tears to my eyes again. I truly feel for you all.

God bless and may you all be given some peace of mind.

Linda


Margherita
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since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
4 posted 2009-09-14 07:17 PM


Thank you, dear Joyce, for this very impressive poem, that really reaches into the heart. May it be read by many and may it help to understand how this tremendous plague can destroy young lives in no time. And for the parents and loved ones the pain will never end, as they all continue to wonder how it could ever happen.

I admire you, dear Joyce, for being able to speak up, thus contributing to keep young people away from this deathly addiction.

Love and hugs.
Margherita

Elizabeth Santos
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since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
5 posted 2009-09-14 09:33 PM


Your unanswered questions linger behind.
Your gripping poem touches one to the core
It is so sad and yet your verses are replete with a warm and deep abiding love.
Thank you for opening your heart to us
With love
Liz

brneyedgrly
Senior Member
since 2009-06-08
Posts 1125
nowhere and everywhere
6 posted 2009-09-14 09:50 PM



God bless your heart, Joyce..

Shellie

LindsayP
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since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410
Australia, Victoria
7 posted 2009-09-14 10:33 PM



A sad but a very beautiful poem dear Joyce
That really touiches the heart strings.

Well written dear Lady. Thanks for sharing.
Love and a big hug.

Lindsay

Oklahoma Rose
Senior Member
since 2008-02-28
Posts 1586
Oklahoma USA
8 posted 2009-09-15 12:55 PM


Joyce, this is so sad. You have touched my heart with this poem. As with Alison, I have always admired you and the way you write.
Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
9 posted 2009-09-15 02:35 PM


So sad, Joyce, I hardly know anyone who hasn't been touched by this tragedy, in one way or another, and it just seems to be getting worse evryday. It is so easy for the young ones to fall into this trap as they haven't really developed the judgement it takes to avoid it in many cases. So sorry for you and your family.
                           Hugs,
                               Ida
      

Roniece Dawson-Bruce
Member Ascendant
since 2000-01-29
Posts 5689
Sydney, Australia
10 posted 2009-09-15 02:43 PM


yes, you have touched my heart too dear Joyce.. sending you from Paris..

wonderful writing..  RDB

Be kind at heart....for everyone you meet has their own battle to fight.........

Artic Wind
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since 2007-09-16
Posts 8080
Realm of Supernatural
11 posted 2009-09-15 03:49 PM


Heartfelt write dearest Joyce

I'm sending hugs and prayers your way.


ARCTIC WIND

Joyce Johnson
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Washington State
12 posted 2009-09-15 04:24 PM


Thanks to all of you for your wonderfully kind responses.  We are healing.  Love, Joyce
nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
13 posted 2009-09-15 06:11 PM


Joyce, I think we do the best we can and hope that "our children" take our teachings seriously knowing that it is our love for them that makes us want the best for them...and I think there will always be "what ifs" that will never be answered.

My thoughts are with you and your family and friends~~


M

jwesley
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563
Spring, Texas
14 posted 2009-09-15 09:26 PM


Joyce, I have been blessed with two almost 30 year old children who haven't traveled the road you so poignantly depict in this piece, and their children are yet young enough that it hasn't been presented to them, although I worry that my 7-year old grandaughter is well within the devil's reach.

A very timely and caringly well written piece this is my friend...

my heart to you and yours...

jimmy

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
15 posted 2009-09-17 07:21 PM


Fine writing...James
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