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OldPoet
Member

since 2009-06-30

Posts 112
The Left Coast

0 posted 2009-07-03 12:19 PM

A Mother's Goodbye

She clutched the triangular fold
of white stars on a blue field
as she stood on the hallowed ground.

She sang dolefully, with a reverence
that shaped the tremulous tone
of her weary, aging voice.

Her song was thinned by despair
yet was thickened by the memory
of all the years of his youth.

The words drifted on her voice
like curling leaves on the water
of a swirling, muddy creek.

The damp forest absorbed
the resonance of her lyrics,
as if fearing an echo might offend.

When her song ended
its mournful cry was answered
by the plaintive trill of a meadowlark.

She knelt and touched the stone
marking her warrior's place in eternity,
and whispered goodbye to her son.

Clang
Member

since 2005-12-15

Posts 222

1 posted 2009-07-03 12:28 PM

My heart stills for the mother's and families of our soldiers each time I hear of one falling. This is a beautiful tribute.

Heart2Heart
Senior Member

since 2009-05-15

Posts 738
Scotland/Norway

2 posted 2009-07-03 01:01 AM

Oh John thank you for posting this and another jewel today. I have to rush because I'm late for production meeting at 7:15 AM, but for sure I shall get back to this one and another of my favourites today.
Katriona

2islander2
Member Ascendant

since 2008-03-12

Posts 6825
by the sea

3 posted 2009-07-03 03:11 AM

Thanks for the touching témoignage, there is grace and emotion and the words flow with beauty and generosity...

great work

yann

Oklahoma Rose
Senior Member

since 2008-02-28

Posts 1586
Oklahoma USA

4 posted 2009-07-03 09:26 AM

This truly touches my heart. It is so sad that so many have lost their lives in trying to defend our country. In my line of work, I have taken care of many veterans. I have high regards for them all.

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-11-07

Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

5 posted 2009-07-03 12:41 PM

And now you have me sobbing. It is the most terrible thing to lose a child.

Owl

Ariana
Senior Member

since 2000-10-08

Posts 571
Orlando, Florida

6 posted 2009-07-03 01:46 PM

Now you have tears rolling down my face. Beautifully written.

Ariana

Heart2Heart
Senior Member

since 2009-05-15

Posts 738
Scotland/Norway

7 posted 2009-07-03 02:44 PM

In this poem you capture any mother or father's greatest fear, to lose a chield, with such hollow sadness and tenderness that it moves the reader beyond words. Little more to be said from also a mother than this is outstanding poesy of a class you seldom see any longer.
Katriona

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean

since 2002-08-27

Posts 40215
Realms of Light

8 posted 2009-07-03 03:01 PM

I could scarcely breathe as I read this highly emotional poem. I was near moved to tears with how well you expressed the pain of a mother's loss of her child ~ be it on or off of the battle field.

Love, Harmony, and World Peace,

EA

OldPoet
Member

since 2009-06-30

Posts 112
The Left Coast

9 posted 2009-07-03 03:50 PM

I sincerely thank all of you who have honored me by reading and then commenting.

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

10 posted 2009-07-03 04:53 PM

quote:
The damp forest absorbed
the resonance of her lyrics,
as if fearing an echo might offend.

Now this is truly a stunning thought! The whole poem is a deep emotional event, thank you for sharing this wonderfully sensitive tribute. How I wish these deaths could be avoided by a radical change of the human mind ... by the awareness that we are all one.

Love,
Margherita

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