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Open Poetry #6
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By the Light of a Barn Lantern
| Open Poetry #6 |
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By the Light of a Barn Lantern |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania 
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By the Light of a Barn-Lantern The air had scents of summer rain The oak had swaying limb And I had frightening thoughts of the Impending storm within The lawn turned black as evening came The woods were blacker still The little log house nestled in Against the wooded hill And then the first bright bolt of lightening Speared the nearby trees Then thunder clapped and shook the earth And brought me to my knees How could this house of stuccoed log Aged hundred years or more And painted white with roof of tin Withstand the rage of Thor But I was only eight years old And frightened to the bone This place with stream of rainbow trout No longer seemed my home The great oak tree took monstrous shape The woods were not my friend And I could but imagine this To be the planet’s end But he sat calmly on the porch With ink pen in his hand And never stopped from scrolling words That flowed at his command For he was writing poetry His mind was lost at sea He never once took notice Of the fright inside of me The porch light dimmed and then went black But in the flash of Thor He slowly made his way towards The old wood cellar door Then moments later he emerged With barn-lantern alit And went back to the sheltered porch Where he would always sit No roar of thunder, wind of gale Detracted from his chore For he was writing poetry In midst of thunderous roar The rains came down and drowned The summer evening serenade Of crickets, bats and tree frogs Who were silenced in the glade I stood and watched my fathers hands In glow of lantern light And somehow felt his calm and warmth Through terrors of the night A warming blanket sheltered coolness From the pouring rage Then suddenly he looked my way And handed me the page And as I read the lines he wrote Of lovely poetry My tears reflected lantern’s glow For this was meant for me It said no storm or hurricane Or mighty hand of Thor Could ever take me from his side He’d love me ever more Don’t ever fret, my little one Please know you’re safe and warm For God will always be here and Protect you from the storm The rains then stopped, but heavy droplets Puttered in the dark Dropping off the locust leaf And limbs of maple bark I still can see his face that night In soft glow of the lantern's light Elizabeth Santos [This message has been edited by Elizabeth Santos (edited 03-05-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
Heart-warming my friend...lovely. How you doing, hon? (I am sneaking in a little time today...)  K'Writing sharpens life; life enriches writing' Sylvia Plath |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Severn, Where have you been hiding? Let me know if your e-mail's the same Thanks for reading in the middle of our night 2:00 AM here Liz |
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Rosemary J. Gwaltney Senior Member
since 1999-08-26
Posts 997northern mountains, Idaho |
Tears, tears, oh, this is exquisite! What a memory, and how perfectly worded! I was there, I watched, I felt, I heard, I saw. I saw the lightening, and then the flickering of that lantern. And I knew the magic of your father's confidence; his love of poetry, and love of you. Thank you for sharing this wonderful poem. Strong, powerful. You should publish this one. |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Lizzie, my friend~ What a lovely, lovely piece. The images jumped off the page. You've shared a moment of perfection. Thank you, lovely lady. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ [email protected] |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Okay Liz...you got me crying first thing this morning....this was so heartwarmingly touching. A wonderful show of love of a father for his daughter |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
What a lovely memory! I'm all warm and cozy now....love this one, Elizabeth.  |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Rosemary, Very sweet and kind words from an admired poet. Thank you very much Liz Marge, You, who are in tune with the forces of nature, would like this. Thanks, Marge Liz Hoot, Your tears tell me you liked it. Thank you. Liz |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Dear PDV, If it made you warm, it was worth the effort Thanks, Liz |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
And all it took was him telling you were safe for you to know that it was so.... for such is the faith daughters have in their fathers. *S* This is beautiful, Elizabeth! *S* |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Elizabeth, You never cease to amaze me. A wonderful piece of poetry. Love Sy |
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Compgirl Member
since 2000-02-19
Posts 85USA |
My heart ws beating wildly on that story. From beginning to end. Tears formed in my eyes. I was captured through out the whole poem. The ending was purfect. The entire poem was perfect. Lets keep this one on top!! |
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wave Junior Member
since 2000-02-21
Posts 12 |
Dear Madam, I love the essence of the woman you are. Captain |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
I am in tears here, Elizabeth....how touching....the child had no idea that the father was writing for her....oh, how I love this one! It truly reflects the heart of a wonderful father! Denise |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Liz, I was moved to tears by this wonderful poem...just amazing my sweet friend. |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Suthern, There's something special about the relationship between a father and daughter. Thanks for the comments Sy, Strange that I would say the same about you. And thank you for the wonderful Compgirl, I'm glad you liked the poem. Thank you. Wave, Your comment means much more than any about a poem.And I thank you for this. Denise, He was a loving father. Thanks for the tears. Martie, You, Denise, hoot, Rosemary and Compgirl should get together and just have a good cry! I never saw so many tears. Thanks, dear friend. Your coments and your tears mean so much to me. Liz |
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LoveBug
Moderator
Member Elite
since 2000-01-08
Posts 4697 |
This was a beautiful poem, Liz. I could really relate to resting in the peace of writing during the storm of life. Keep up the great work! "To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world" |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Lovebug, I read your poem in the teen forum, and it is wonderful.I hope more adults will take a look at that forum. You are great at free verse. Liz |
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