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Open Poetry #46
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An Ancient Prayer
| Open Poetry #46 |
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An Ancient Prayer |
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gilead Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067nevada, USA 
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Thank you, Lord, For the biscuits and syrup, And the cold buttermilk, And I thank you for sight To see your beautiful world, And for the movement And strength of my limbs, So I can go out into the fields And work. And I thank you For my bed at night, And the roof over my head, And the warm stove in winter, And about the heat in summer, Well, I can manage. Amen. |
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| © Copyright 2010 arthur chapman, jr - All Rights Reserved | |||
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gilead Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067nevada, USA |
The old folks would rise early, say a prayer of thanksgiving, and perhaps read a Bible verse or two, then go out to face the world, a hard world in those days for large families, living mostly off borrowed land, and the portion of the harvest that was left after sharing the larger portion with the landowner. Such was the culture of those days, and I look back with neither anger nor regret, but with loving pride for my parents, and the old pioneers whom I knew by name and good reputation. May they rest in peace. Art |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
what a simple thank you prayer for the small things that are most important! (yep, cold buttermilk!) awesome write Art my friend! and love the picture of you....nice to see you! |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Yo Art, All those things are very nice to have. However--please hold the buttermilk. Bobby |
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gilead Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067nevada, USA |
Hello, Dixie. Thanks for the kind comment, and the nice word about my mugshot with my grandson. I don't find too many people who register well with cold buttermilk, and it's always nice to know that I am not the only connoisseur of the splendid, country beverage!  Very nice to hear from you, Art |
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gilead Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067nevada, USA |
Ha ha! Bobby -- I learned very quickly in the old days that you tended to develop a taste for things that are all you're going to get, or starve! On the other hand, if I were, say, a downed pilot, and had to eat bugs, worms, and snakes to survive, I'd probably die!Thanks for stopping by, my friend! Art |
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LindsayP Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410Australia, Victoria |
Hello Art, I just hope Dixie will read your poem for it has a very positive attitude right through it. Nice write my friend. Lindsay |
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kudanesh Member
since 2007-12-01
Posts 135Peterborough,England |
Love the write. tho I can not say the same for buttermilk. My stomach can handle allot of things but that stuff makes me feel.... very, humm... ILL, good peace tho |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
Amen! Beautiful, heartfelt prayer. Those were such hard times and still there was found reason enough to pray in gratitude. And I do love buttermilk! It reminds me of my grandmother who would take all the cream off the fresh milk and make butter. No comparison with the taste of butter now! Love, Margherita |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
I wrapped this oh-so-beautifully-gilead-poem round me like a blanket. I have never tasted buttermilk, except buttermilk sweets which are possibly quite a different taste. Either way, I love buttermilk sweets and I suspect very strongly that I would love buttermilk too. Owl |
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gilead Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067nevada, USA |
Thank you, Lindsay! I tried to capture the essence of those prayers I remember from the days gone by, in a world that has changed from neo-primitive to post modern. The people thrived on faith, the Bible, prayer, and hard work, and I am a product of that "ancient" culture. I am glad you enjoyed the poem. Art |
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gilead Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067nevada, USA |
Thanks for the reading, and taking time to post a kind comment, kudanesh! In the deep south in those days, buttermilk was made on the farm, and we learned to enjoy it, as it was a part of the diet, along with so many other familiar foods too numerous to mention. Admittedly, buttermilk isn't for everyone1 Thanks again, Art |
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gilead Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067nevada, USA |
Wow! It's good, Margherita, to know someone who appreciates the rich flavor of that old smooth, country butter. I churned many a gallon as a boy, and gathered up the cream---the cream always rises to the top, as we say! Thanks, dear Margherita -- Art |
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gilead Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067nevada, USA |
Oh, thank you, Owl, dear friend! I will never forget the sacrifices the elders made to bring up us brats in a world known for hard work, and devotion to the Almighty. I might add that the buttermilk of today isn't like the product of my childhood, and the taste may not be to the liking, but perhaps you'll try it, and I hope it isn't with an ---ugg! pthew! Wishing you the very best -- Art |
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Bill Charles Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619highways, & byways, for now |
gilead - the softness in your heart comes out in your words. Well done my friend, well done. Amen... BC |
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gilead Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067nevada, USA |
Thank you Bill -- I have many wonderful memories, and I have set out to memorialize the lives of the elders who helped to shape my life, and guided me over the precarious trails of my youth. Have a great day, my friend. Art |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Thank you, Lord, for the biscuits... That says it all....and it doesn't get any better than that. We forget about the small things in life, the things we are blessed with every day. To be able to endure hardships and still have the presence of mind and the faith to be thankful for the things we DO have speaks volumes of our character and our faith. I salute your parents understand how they raised you to be the man you are. Wonderful work, friend. |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
A pleasure to read...James |
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