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Open Poetry #6
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Your Picture on the Mantle
| Open Poetry #6 |
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Your Picture on the Mantle |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania 
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Your Picture on the Mantle Your picture on the mantle Your bed already made Visions of a childhood That never, ever fade Memories of a little boy Always full of schemes And in among the laundry All those pockets full of dreams Folded paper pictures Drawn by little artist hands Warriors and animals Appeared at your command And you, a little gentleman Always stayed the same Integrity, your hallmark Artistry, your fame This portrait of a child’s face Who now is fully grown Looks like a little boy I know The dear son of your own And now I wait with open arms As quietly I pray For it is such a blessing that You’re coming home today It’s just another gesture A portrayal of your grace That you would come this distance Your father to embrace You’ll give him words of courage To fight his dreaded ill You’ll give him strength to tread upon The steps he must fullfill A picture on the mantle A bed already made How can we ever thank you For the honor you have paid Elizabeth Santos [This message has been edited by Elizabeth Santos (edited 03-01-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Temptress
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-06-15
Posts 7136Mobile, AL |
What a beautiful poem. I loved it. I'm so misty eyed, that is all I can really think to describe it.  |
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RufffRyder Member
since 2000-02-25
Posts 143<------Over There------> |
Your mind never stops does it? You post one beautiful poem after another. Im sorry for using the same words over and over again but "beautiful" is the only word that I know that describes your work. Thank you again for the read (Queen)Elizabeth  |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Liz, the beauty of this loving makes me wish for my grown child who has not been home in years. Your poem is full of your love. |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Elizabeth, A wonderful poem, but then you are a wonderful poet. Love Sy |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Elizabeth, my friend~ With the mother's heart you've just given a wonderful *hug* to your son. I'm sure he gladly shares one with you and his dad. Bless you all. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ [email protected] |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
It appears that no event can evade your pen....thank God! |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Temptress, Thank you for your kind remarks Ruff (Hope you don't mind if I call you "Ruff") Thank you for your overwhelming compliments. Martie, I'm always homesick for the one who lives far away. Thanks for reading all my poems. That in itself is a compliment Sy, A wonderful remark from a wonderful friend. Thank you Marge. You know as well as I that feeling of warmth when they walk through the door. Thanks Balladeer, Every event is important and worthy of a poem. Thank you Liz |
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Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
Well Lizzy - how wonderful! I'm glad you are having him home - and a lovely piece too... K'Writing sharpens life; life enriches writing' Sylvia Plath |
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Mike Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462 |
Our two youngest (twins) just left home this year. Going from four children at home to none in a few short years. Needless to say... your wonderful poem put me in a reflective mood, which is what all exceptional poetry should do; make one feel. |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
Liz, this is a wonderful poem. As genuine as a mother's love, itself. Heartfelt and warming. A beautiful work. Michael |
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kitkat Senior Member
since 2000-01-11
Posts 878Nova Scotia |
My children too are grown and live on their own. There is no better feeling when they come home to visit. The hugs we exchange bring back memories for me. How they blossomed from young child into mature caring adults. Thank-you for sharing -------------- You got to get up every morning with a smile on your face and show the world all the love in your heart Then people are gonna treat you better You're gonna find, yes you will That your beautiful as you feel.~~~ Carol King |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Beautiful poem, Elizabeth. I am so glad that they are able to come home, especially at this time. HUGS Denise |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Elizabeth: I've been sitting here thinking that what I do doesn't matter... your poem convinced me otherwise. I know it wasn't intentional... but thanks for the boot in the rear! LOL |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Elizabeth....another from your hands to our hearts |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Elizabeth, you brought memories rushing back of times I visited my father during his illness - and the import I felt when mother asked me to photograph current pictures of the family to have enlarged so my father could see them all on his fireplace mantle. I never knew what he was thinking after I accomplished this minor task, but now, thanks to you, perhaps this was it all along. Thank you for your generous gift. Sunshine Look, then, into thine heart, and write ~~~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Kamla, Thanks, sweetie, for always reading and commenting. I know you are busy with your classes. Mike, Your comment gave a little glimpse into your life. From 4 to none, huh. Well I'd call that culture shock. Thanks for your remarks Michael, Thank you for your kind comments KitKat, You know the feeling - Very warming. Thank you for sharing. Denise, Thank you, our guardian angel Suthern, It matters a great deal. It always matters, but especially when those back home are going through difficult times Thanks for those comments Hoot, Thanks so much, dear Sunshine, Yes, I think this was it, you can't imagine the excitement before they come home, the joy they bring with them, and the happiness that goes on after they leave. A visit home goes a long way. Thanks, Sunshine Liz |
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bboog Member
since 2000-02-29
Posts 303Valencia, California |
Elizabeth: I'm new here and I hate to be the spoil sport, but everything in this poem was great until the last stanza. It currently reads: A picture on the mantle A bed already made How can we ever thank you For the honor you have paid But if you think about it, "how can we ever thank you for the honor you have paid" sounds like you were begging for the President of the United States to show up and he did you a favor by doing so. I mean this reads like a son coming to see his father on his deathbed. So it is the son's duty to see his father, isn't it? I realize that I don't know all the family dynamics. Perhaps he was only his stepfather and they didn't get along. Anything is possible. Still think it would read better something like: A picture on the mantle A bed already made Thanks for showing honor You made your father's day. In other words, don't make such a big deal in the last stanza over what is actually what every good son should do. Good luck to you. bboog |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Bboog, Thanks for your remarks. I am very open to comments on my poetry. However the way it's written is much more appropriate. "You made your father's day" sounds like a Clint Eastwood remark. It doesn't do justice to the recognition of the respect he paid his father, which is very important in Brazilian culture. It is expected, but also recognized and appreciated, and he came under difficult circumstances of his own. He truly honored his father. Thanks for commenting. I appreciate it very much Liz |
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Kelly Member
since 1999-07-03
Posts 145 |
What a great poem....Needs to go back on top. |
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CMGrimm Senior Member
since 2000-02-14
Posts 685USA |
excuse me....I have to go call my parents... Chris Never be a carbon copy of anybody...make your own impressions. - ANON. |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Kelly and Chris, it is I who an honored by your comments, Thank you Liz |
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Rosemary J. Gwaltney Senior Member
since 1999-08-26
Posts 997northern mountains, Idaho |
This is a beautiful poem. You are a very talented poet. I'm going to be watching for your work. |
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