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Open Poetry #48
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Freedom Day
| Open Poetry #48 |
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Freedom Day |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa 
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FREEDOM TEARS 29 April 2012 Sobbing my way through the entire national awards for bravery, service and excellence. It was just as well I watched on television and wasn’t at the ceremony or worse still, was one of the recipients especially for those there who cannot swim or were wearing colours that run. I know and don’t know why I was unable to still the sobs and then there was that advertisement I have seen so many, many times and last night the day after Freedom Day it showed four times and each time as before but these four times more adamant than ever before I swore (and the fourth time, proper-swore) I was not, not, not going to cry but when it came to the part where the little girl on the stage singing our South African anthem in four languages forgets the last few lines and after a few agonising moments where the audience feels her pain one young woman eases into it on a microphone and the audience of hundreds join in and the little girl too her eyes and smile lighting up with joy and ubuntu and on the last line raises her arms in namaste celebration each time my strong will failed me and my throat convulsed and the tears flowed . . . One, day I will will will watch that advertisement and not not not cry. Owl |
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| © Copyright 2012 Diana van den Berg - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Startime1955 Senior Member
since 2012-04-22
Posts 1072Alberta, Canada |
Oh my gosh your words brought it to life for me...I felt her pain and felt the tears as well...well done...no matter how strong the heart still feels...*BIG HUGS* *may our dreams ever be magical* |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
How beautifully you wrote your feelings out.I almost cried for the little girl and for you and I saw neither except in your words.jo |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you Startime and Jo. My tears flow far too easily, and after all it was only an advertisement, lol. Perhaps I am making up for lost time. Now, I cry when I am happy, when I am sad and when I am touched. As a child from the age of 7 and as a teenager, I NEVER cried in public and least of all in front of my mother. Owl |
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Startime1955 Senior Member
since 2012-04-22
Posts 1072Alberta, Canada |
Owl...I know what you mean...we were beaten if we cried...today I let the softness inside of me speak with cleansing tears...*BIG HUGS* *may our dreams ever be magical* |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you, Startime. Yes, tears are very healing. Owl |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Owl,I think that as we grow older, tears seem to flow for many different reasons.Not always for the scene in front of us but for the times we held them back. And tears seem to cleanse and soften the soul, no matter if they are released for something that caused sadness or gladness at the time. best to you, jo |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Martyjo, what a beautiful and wise response. I had never thought before that tears could be flowing for when we held them back, but now that you mention it, I believe you are so right. No wonder mine flow so freely now, lol! Yes, they certainly cleanse and soften the soul. I have sometimes wondered if tears aren't a small part of my inexplicable physical health. Thank you for reading and commenting. Owl |
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Klassy Lassy Member Elite
since 2005-06-28
Posts 2187Oregon |
Aren't thoughts a powerful influence? Lucky for us, or we could not write poetry that mattered. I would have cried. too. |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you, Karen. Yes, thoughts are! I'm glad you are on the same wavelength. Owl |
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