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Open Poetry #45
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Porcelain Immigrant
| Open Poetry #45 |
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Porcelain Immigrant |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania 
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A Tribute to my Mother She trembled as the ship would roll and clenched her mother’s hand As they conquered new horizons and a strange and unknown land The Freedom Lady held her torch high up into the sky But it was Ellis Island that was beckoning her eye Strange faces and strange voices had consumed her little mind When at the tender age of six she left her home behind She knew great changes in her life were swiftly drawing near When she stepped her little foot onto the Ellis Island pier She held her doll of porcelain up tightly to her chest The only friend who understood the depth of her unrest What ever hardships would ensue she faced them without fear For nothing wrenched a little heart like Ellis Island’s pier Through out the years the strength derived from bravely stepping through The threshold from despair into a place she never knew Would carry her throughout her life and turn her world around For she nurtured her own faith and hope on freedom’s solid ground She never told her story that no one would understand But throughout her life her doll remained clenched tightly in her hand She immersed her children in the depths of love and gentle grace With the shades of Ellis Island still engraved upon her face Elizabeth Santos |
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| © Copyright 2009 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved | |||
suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
This is so lovely, Liz. They showed such courage, leaving everything they knew behind. |
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shalisadefa Member
since 2009-08-13
Posts 114 |
What better way to pass on once heritage? Bravo! |
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shalisadefa Member
since 2009-08-13
Posts 114 |
correction: 'ones heritage' kinda out of focus today haha |
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vandana
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463USA |
nice read |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
This a such a beautiful tribute, Elizabeth. Very lovely! |
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dragngrl28 Junior Member
since 2009-10-12
Posts 45Texas, USA |
A beautiful poem. I think that it also illustrates how little material goods but large amounts of inner strength that many immigrants come to America with. |
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steavenr Member Elite
since 2003-11-17
Posts 4058 |
...deeply inspiring write...my favorite lines were these: "Throughout the years the strength derived from bravely stepping through The threshold from despair into a place she never knew Would carry her throughout her life and turn her world around For she nurtured her own faith and hope on freedom’s solid ground" |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
what a wonderful and sensitive tribute, Elizabeth. Ida |
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AncientHippie Member
since 2009-10-15
Posts 411Surfing the Cosmic Flow |
Wonderful tribute, Elizabeth. This speaks of the stuff upon which nations are built. Thank you, and Namaste. Sutra 2: Reflection is not solely that which we see in the mirror of Now, but is also the contemplation of why that image is. |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Liz, thank you so much for sharing your mother's story. I could see the doll in her hand, feel your mother's heart pounding as she stepped off that ship onto Ellis Island. |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Than you all so much for reading my mother's story and for your kind remarks Liz |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Liz, I don't recall you ever writing about your mother's struggle before, did you? I wish all the off springs of those that sacrificed so much to get to a country for their freedom, would have at least 1/2 of the conviction and stamina they did. Lovely dedication to your Mom sweet Lizzie. |
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ramisf Member
since 2007-05-17
Posts 93 |
very touching |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
This is fantastic. I love it and picture that little girl with her porcelain doll. What a story to tell the generations to come. xoxoox Alison |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Awesome, Liz... My grandmother stepped through Ellis Island portals when she was just 17 - and never returned to Finland, though we would happily have sent her. This is a superb poem, of course!  |
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vandana
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463USA |
nice read |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
A pleasure to read...James |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
What a story! ~ and exquisitely told! You come from pioneering stock, Lady Liz! I think that framing this piece of your heritage would make for lovely gifts to bestow upon members of your family! I truly do! I know that I would treasure it! ~ Not only for its sentimental, historical keepsake value, but also because it is a poem by a gifted poetess!!!    Linda |
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