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Open Poetry #47
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forty years later
| Open Poetry #47 |
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forty years later |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana 
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As time has softened edges, many scenes are blurred But some still seem as sharp as if they just occurred I remember lying beside you in your bed Visiting hours were over, but you gently pled I be allowed to stay - we watched an old movie It was our goodbye for after your surgery You'd forgotten me – that lack of recognition Furnished many nightmares lots of ammunition I watched a strong man wilt as doctors called our name His life would go on but would never be the same His world revolved around you - you were more than wife From moment of meeting, you were his very life Now he had kids to raise without you by his side And had to keep on breathing though his heart had died To get home meant he had to drive all through the night He thought I was sleeping but I battled with fright Protected by numbness, I did not want to feel Being home without you would make it all too real We expected cold darkness when at last we turned But saw to our surprise all lights in the house burned And neighbors rushed to meet us, their arms open wide Shoving emptiness away, they took us inside The house was clean, wood was chopped, tasty meals were cooked The evidence of love was everywhere we looked They couldn’t stop the pain, but they were there to share Our tears and their shoulders and let us know they cared I learned a lesson that night: we can’t avoid grief But friends who share our burdens can provide relief When we are choked with sorrow and can barely gasp We can go on breathing if there's a hand to grasp If you should be watching from heaven up above Know you are remembered; you live on through our love for my mother |
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| © Copyright 2011 suthern - All Rights Reserved | |||
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
This is superb and heartfelt writing, suthern. As I read the lines of the beauty I felt my emotions surging forward. The climax to the poem and to that night for real was very, very touching. ~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways ~*~ |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
 my friend, you bring forth the emotions so wellmakes me want to write for my mother once again, and maybe I will some day |
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JL Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128Texas, USA |
Oh suthern, this is absolutely beautiful. Blessings to you and yours, in memory of your mother. JL  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. |
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jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas |
Seldom do I read a piece that the emotion is so well written, it brings tears to my eyes. But this one did, my friend, Excellent write! j. |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Suthern,So lovely.I feel you for even knowing your Mom will always be beside you. best to you, jo |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
This really tugs at my heartstrings, dear Ruth. You rendered the deep emotions masterfully. She knows of your love and hums her own love song within your heart garden to echo forever. Love and hugs. Margherita  |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
It's not always easy to find appreciation for those who try to bring comfort where comfort may not wish to be found. Grief, for some of us, just seems to demand to be dealt with alone... and yet the spurning of a supportive shoulder just seems inherently wrong, doesn't it? That you can find relief in others is a true blessing. Thank you for the beautiful rendering, Ruth. Michael |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
fine writing...James |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
How lucky you are to have such wonderful friends and neighbors, Ruth. Lovely tribute to your mother (and father) Ida |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
JerryPat: Thank you so much! This is a complete overhaul of an earlier write so bad I wouldn't even call it a poem... I'm glad the restructuring worked. PS: Thank you very much... and I hope you do write... It's hard but it's healing. *S* JL & jwesley: You both responded so beautifully and touched me deeply... Thank you very much for those kind words!! latearrival & Margherita: Thank you so much, sweet ladies... and hugs to you both!! Michael: Some grief just can't be comforted no matter how well intentioned people might be - even time can only dull it and time takes its dear sweet time doing the dulling. *S* But there are times it helps to have someone lead my thoughts onto other paths... or remind me I'm not completely adrift... before I go back to alone. *S* Thank you very much! *S* JamesMichael: Thank you! *S* Marchmadness: On my way to make the arrangements to bury Daddy 31 years later, I saw one of those ladies and another lady from Daddy's church waiting at the intersection of the highway and the church road... so I wouldn't have to face the cemetery alone. They're good people... none finer... and I do feel lucky to have them. *S* Thank you!! |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
My dear friend, my emotions went through the gamet with this poignant poem about the your Mom's passing, your Dad's grief, and a community of friends and family that gathered 'round when they were needed. I literally have a lump in my throat. God bless you all. A beautifully written tribute to your wonderful mother and how she was so deserving of the love she drew around her and how deeply she is missed. If she was anything like her daughter (which she apparently was), I'd love her too!  Giving you a warm, comforting hug as you recall the passing of your mother. Lotsa love, Linda |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Ruth, [know I've paused for a very pregnant time, for the poem is that worthy...] When you write like this, for someone else, for another time, and another space... that is when you are most delectable in your gifts. This is when you shine, because truly, it was not about you, but another, and this my dear, is your forte. To my library it goes, under a very special blue light [the light of angels...] Love, K "The business of the poet...is to show the sorriness underlying the grandest things and the grandeur underlying the sorriest things." Thomas Hardy |
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Dr.Moose1 Member Elite
since 1999-09-05
Posts 3448Bewilderment , USA |
suthern, Having lost both sets of parents after having to care for them literally to their last breath, I can more than empathise with your sentiments here. Life is not kind, nor fair, espescially to the old and infirm. Hopefully their passing was short, and hopefully ours will be too. My condolences. Doc |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Ruth, I read this some time ago, and dissolved into such shoulder-racking sobs that I couldn't reply then. I saw the title several times after that, but avoided it, feeling not strong enough to reply, but today, I thought I could do it, without too many tears, but your poem had me sobbing again, and the replies only increased them, so I am feeling very ineffective in saying anything useful. As achingly sad as I am for you (hugs, hugs, hugs), I am just as glad that you had such wonderful parents who could inspire such grief, and an obviously matching joy when they were alive and well, and, of course, such wonderful friends - but then you are a wonderful friend so none of the above is surprising. I wasn't as lucky as you with my parents. My mother has been dead for 37 years and my father for 23 years (both of which I had to work out now). I didn't cry one tear for my father's death then nor since (in fact a friend of mine notified me of my father's death after she read it in the newspaper). I cried one night as a result of my mother's death (the night after her funeral), but my tears were not for her death. They were paradoxically because I couldn't cry for her death. Love and hugs Owl [This message has been edited by OwlSA (11-16-2011 01:44 AM).] |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Earth Angel, Sunshine, Doc & Owl: Thank you so very much... Your responses touch me deeply and I appreciate you more than I can express. *S* |
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Klassy Lassy Member Elite
since 2005-06-28
Posts 2187Oregon |
May there always be arms to hold you, and I know you must feel your mother near. Your words move me deeply, for you, and for your dad...and those others who miss her, too. You are gifted with friends and neighbors. Lovely hearts. Peace and healing to bless you all. *squeeze* Karen |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
Just know that I understand and felt every thought, having shared in losses... I am lucky to be able to be traveling to see my 87 yr old mother in a few days (but wishing she were living closer.) M |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Klassy Lassy & nakdthoughts: Thank you both so much! I am indeed gifted with friends. And M... be safe and have a wonderful visit with your mom!!! |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
I came back - this time to let you know I was here. I have read this poem so many times since you have posted it and cannot express how deeply it moves me and has remained with me. I take care of my mother - you remind me how fortunate I am. xoxoxo and love, Alison |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Alison: To have touched your heart is to have touched a treasure... thank you so very much... and ((((HUGS)))) to you and your mother! *S* |
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luminosity Senior Member
since 2005-11-18
Posts 813 |
cant type much through the tears, ....but you know......trembling sigh... |
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dgvarner Member Elite
since 2000-05-13
Posts 3552High Springs, Florida |
Beautifully penned & heartfelt... Thanks for sharing with us. g "...Never regret anything that made you smile..." |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
luminosity & dgvarner: Thank you so very much... and Lovey... HUGS, dear friend... always. |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
I came back again - because I wanted am drawn to this poem Love you, darlin'. A |
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tracie66 Member Elite
since 2000-01-18
Posts 4713Australia |
this is so beautiful ~hugs~ to you sweetie Love is the life of the soul... |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Alison: I hope you know that love is reciprocated! *S* Thank you so much, sweet lady! *S* tracie66: Thank you very much!! |
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