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Open Poetry #6
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Skyfyre
Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906
Sitting in Michael's Lap

0 posted 2000-03-01 12:07 PM


"Two parts of one," we always said, when any wondered
What magic held us close in love so many seasons;
No end to me, nor start to you – no sooner sundered
From you than I would be from breath – no better reasons
Than love and hoping fueled our fire, in ample measure:
But wealth of kings could not proffer
A richer treasure.

My dearest friend, who held my secrets in his keeping,
Who knew the wounds that haunted still this tangled spirit;
Who whispered an "I love you" when he thought me sleeping,
Each night for sixty years – and each, I smiled to hear it –
While many seemed to grow apart while growing older,
My favorite place to rest my cheek
Was still your shoulder.

We were the force unstoppable, the flame undying;
Though demons danced and angels fell, still we persisted:
And threats of failure never held us back from trying –
We met the challenge hand-in-hand, and double-fisted.
From disappointment and defeat emerging stronger,
For such would just postpone success
A little longer.

The children came as children will, with wonder brimming --
Infusing everything they touched with life and laughter –
We watched them as they grew, our fire never dimming,
And helped them to believe in happy ever after;
We spun the twofold thread not even Fate could sever
And wove it through the tapestry
That spans forever.

But Time is an unyielding foe, a brooding cancer,
Who weights with age the youthful legs which once were agile;
And knows the way to steal the dancing from the dancer:
The twofold skein reduced to one is doubly fragile.
Where Fate had faltered, Death prevailed, with chilling fingers:
Yet though your hand is gone from mine,
Your vision lingers;

Now every breath awaits the shade who stole the living
From out my life; who claimed the essence of my dreaming –
Pernicious Time has proved a victor unforgiving,
Who dulled the eyes which once with love for you were gleaming --
Yet though your flame has cooled to ash, and mine to embers,
You'll burn forever in my soul:
The heart remembers.



 Full fathom five thy father lies,
Of his bones are coral made,
Those are pearls that were his eyes;
Nothing of him that doth fade
But doth suffer a sea-change
Into something rich and strange...


--William Shakespeare, from The Tempest


© Copyright 2000 Linda Anderson - All Rights Reserved
Corazon
Senior Member
since 2000-02-02
Posts 1209

1 posted 2000-03-01 12:14 PM


oh this is incredible....what a love, what a tribute...reduced me to tears, this is beautiful....elegant....
Danny Holloway
Member Elite
since 2000-01-15
Posts 2034
Tulsa, OK
2 posted 2000-03-01 12:20 PM


"The heart remembers".
Another wonderful piece from a truly talented writer.  I always enjoy your work!

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
3 posted 2000-03-01 12:23 PM


"Yet though your flame has cooled to ash, and mine to embers,
You'll burn forever in my soul:
The heart remembers."

Absolutely wonderful. This poem flows so smooth it nearly reads itself. This is one of your finer pieces and you have so many of them I really, really enjoyed this. By the way, have I told you yet I liked this piece  




devina
Member Elite
since 1999-10-28
Posts 3539
Cali
4 posted 2000-03-01 12:29 PM


This was amazing Kess...the strength of love, throughout even the ultimate death...I hope to find this some day!!!

Totally breathtaking Kess!!!!

 Open arms can be the most fragile in the world...

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
5 posted 2000-03-01 01:01 PM


This is incredibly lovely... how wonderful to know such a love!!!
Meadowmuse
Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263

6 posted 2000-03-01 01:04 PM


Poetic perfection, Kess...simply that.

~ Claire

Sven
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937
East Lansing, MI USA
7 posted 2000-03-01 01:10 PM


Kess,
     this is the most wonderful thing that you have ever written. . . there just aren't enough words to tell you how much this has touched and moved me. . .

You have always been an inspiration to me Kess. . . and this poem is one of the reasons why. . .

Much strength and love to you my friend. . . we can only hope to find this kind of love that you write about now. . .

---------------------------------------------

 That which gives light must endure burning
--Victor Frankl


Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
8 posted 2000-03-01 02:18 PM


I am awe struck by this glorious poem!
Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
9 posted 2000-03-01 04:45 PM


Oh, you have left me in awe before but this poem moved so deeply within me it brought tears to my eyes and flutters to my chest.  I know not what to say, Kess.  Purely exquisite.


Michael

Parker
Member Elite
since 2000-01-06
Posts 3129
ON
10 posted 2000-03-01 04:56 PM


Kess, Unbelievable, I held my breath at every verse. I am honoured to have read it.

Parker

SEA
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676
with you
11 posted 2000-03-01 05:57 PM


Skyfyre~ This is of the purest love, the gentlest heart. This is wonderful. -SEA
Mike
Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462

12 posted 2000-03-01 06:31 PM


I have missed your postings, but the wait was certainly worth the exquisite poetry with which you have graced us.  Beautiful.
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
13 posted 2000-03-01 08:12 PM


Once again, you have honored us with magnificent poetry, Kess. This is very well written..


( but you don't look a day over 55... )

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
14 posted 2000-03-01 08:19 PM


Kess~
Sublime poetry.
~*Marge*~


 ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com


Gemini
Senior Member
since 1999-12-15
Posts 1203
Wisconsin, USA
15 posted 2000-03-01 10:39 PM


Skyfyre: As I wipe away a tear, the heart does remember.  Your poem was magnificent.
Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
16 posted 2000-03-01 10:52 PM


Skyfyre,
Exquisite, this is a true epoppe.

Skyfyre
Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906
Sitting in Michael's Lap
17 posted 2000-03-02 09:52 AM


Corazon:  Thank you -- if anyone should know that the "heart" remembers, it would be you.  

Danny: I'm blushing!  

Ruth:  Your ebullience is a compliment of the highest order.  Your reply made my morning.  

devina, suthern:  Don't we all wish that we could find a love like this -- but as you can see, it can be bittersweet ...

Claire:  It is the goal to which I aspire, but I hope I never reach it, that I may continue to strive!  

Sven:  Your replies never disappoint.  Thank you my friend, it is for replies like yours that I write at all, I think.  

Martie:  Blushing again!  

Michael:  I was going to say something about getting a swelled ego here, but since I am pretty sure your comment was sincere, I will simply say thank you.  Such a compliment from such a talented poet is extremely gratifying.  

Haleyja:  Honoured?  Wow -- that's a first!  How wonderful!  

SEA:  Indeed, and thank you for your reply.  

Mike:  I've missed being here -- but sometimes life interrupts, yanno?     I'm glad I didn't disappoint ...

Balladeer:  You silver-tongued devil!  Jeez, I'm turning 26 on Sunday, so glad I don't look over 55!     To tell the truth, I wrote this about my grandparents -- my grandfather is very ill, and I am trying to bring myself to accept the eventuality of his death.  Then it ocurred to me that the one I should be worried about is not myself, but the one who is his other half -- I tried to imagine what it would be like to love someone for so long and then lose them to an undefeatable enemy ... and this is what emerged.

Marge, Gemini, Seymour:  You are too kind.  Thank you for reading.

Smooches all, and thanks for putting up with me ...

--Kess

Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296
Purgatorial Incarceration
18 posted 2000-03-06 12:53 PM


Well I've searched and searched... but for just this instance, I can think of no smart-alecky remark to make. This is too heart-felt of an empathization here. To know such a bond, I think, is what we all must be searching for. And to be able to express it in such eloquent words exceeds the  bounds of imagining.

You've outdone yourself here, my friend, with a tale of heartfelt triumph... though 'tis a remark to bring tears that their earthly paths could soon seperate. That they've experienced so much leaves me comfortable knowing that in the life beyond this they'll be together. For how could such a bond be broken by something as trivial as death?

[This message has been edited by Christopher (edited 03-06-2000).]

Irish Rose
Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263

19 posted 2002-01-14 10:45 AM


bravo....bravo....bravo

Kathleen--(Kay)
A true friend does not love you for who you are, but in spite of who you are." -- Caroline Tran

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