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Open Poetry #46
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gilead
Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067
nevada, USA

0 posted 2010-12-07 12:49 PM


Arthur Chapman, Sr.--  December 7, 1905 – April 27, 1980

Today, this most auspicious day, the 105th anniversary of my father's birth, Arthur Chapman, Sr. ---a great father and a gifted man from whom I inherited so much! I miss him on this calm, December morning, but his presence, his legacy remains, and I will go to the place where his bones silently lie, but I must turn the eyes of my soul heavenward to see his eternal dwelling place.

O boundless spaciousness, realm of countless stars, the light that will die, but there is a light that will shine forever o’er the isles of the eternal King of Glory! By your grace, O righteous Lord, I have faith that mothers and fathers and sons and daughters will meet again, and drink new with the Son, a wine not of this earthly realm, but of eternal vineyards on high! Selah! Amen!


© Copyright 2010 arthur chapman, jr - All Rights Reserved
gilead
Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067
nevada, USA
1 posted 2010-12-07 12:52 PM


I've been absent my friends and fellow poets for a few days, but my heart and my thoughts were here with you. I will never venture so far that I cannot see the golden glow of the lamplight in the windows of home.

Art

JerryPat
Senior Member
since 2010-10-30
Posts 1991
Louisiana/America
2 posted 2010-12-07 01:08 PM


A wonderful, heartfelt (all the way down here in south Louisiana) tribute to a man you learned from and whom you respected. That, my friend is a true and wonderful thing to have been bequeathed.

. . . and the Raven said, %!~#&(&#!$!

gilead
Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067
nevada, USA
3 posted 2010-12-07 01:49 PM


JerryPat, your kind words are a gift on this special day. Let me simply say thanks, and bless you my friend!

Art

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
4 posted 2010-12-07 02:13 PM


Like I have told you before, Art. I always enjoy the poems you write about your family.
I don't know of anyone who expresses more love and sincere respect for their family than you do.
                                   Ida

gilead
Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067
nevada, USA
5 posted 2010-12-07 03:50 PM


Thank you Ida -- I'm preparing to go to the cemetery, and it is good to have the thoughts of friends with me as I depart. Have a wonderful day!

Art

Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
6 posted 2010-12-07 06:37 PM


Your words touch the heart, dear Art. An "Earthly Prince" ... so much tenderness and admiration in this name.

Yes, that is our hope, that we meet again ...

Love,

Margherita

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
7 posted 2010-12-07 07:16 PM


Ahhh...your father, a Sagittarius of weapon whose only guidance was the light!

Why am I not surprised?

He was born 3 years prior to my beloved Mother by love...and we reveled in her years until age 99 and 3 months...she lived in her own home prior to the last four months of her life.

She would not move in with us, as we had wished. She had "been there, done that" with her own kin and would not subject us to the "stuff" that can happen.

This brought her back to me, and I thank you for that, my friend.

Keep writing. After all, if not for our fathers and mothers? We would have nothing to write about, true?


Earl Brinkman
Senior Member
since 2010-03-03
Posts 1183
Osaka, Japan
8 posted 2010-12-07 10:13 PM


This is a heartfelt tribute to your father.  You are a good son.  You should be proud of that.
Prasad Nataraj
Senior Member
since 2008-05-29
Posts 1149
Bangalore,India
9 posted 2010-12-08 11:18 AM


Fine thoughts, fine tribute.

"Hardwork pays in the long run"

gilead
Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067
nevada, USA
10 posted 2010-12-08 05:20 PM


Hi, Margherita. Thanks so much for your kind comment. It makes this day all the more special!

Best wishes,

Art

gilead
Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067
nevada, USA
11 posted 2010-12-08 05:24 PM


Dear Sunshine, you are the quintessential "commentarian" (my word), for you have a way of bringing light to moments when one wants to think it necessary to be sad. But I am lifted up in your thoughtful observations---parents, good parents, the source of so much promise in our lives!

Love,

Art

gilead
Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067
nevada, USA
12 posted 2010-12-08 05:30 PM


Earl, my friend and fellow poet, your words are generous, and I am humbled. I work to be a good son, and I am filled with righteous pride, and remember with fondness the earliest days with my father, unto the moment his last breath was drawn into his body.

Thanks,

Art

gilead
Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067
nevada, USA
13 posted 2010-12-08 05:32 PM


Prasad, thanks for taking time to share a moment of reflection as I celebrate my Father's birth. It means a lot to me.

Good Karma!

Art

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