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Open Poetry #6
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The Day of the Senator
| Open Poetry #6 |
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The Day of the Senator |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania 
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The Day of the Senator A small crowd gathered in the street The dirt street of the slum In anticipation For the Senator to come And one then asked a question As he stood in patient wait Why would he come to this place A Senator from the States I knew why he was coming For his hostess I would be And spend a day showing him Just what he came to see He came to witness poverty The worst conditions yet That one could ever imagine That this cruel world could beget Then the two of them appeared And the crowd began to cheer And the Brazilian said, Imagine A Senator coming here Then the couple shook my hand And asked about this place And a look of true amazement Fell upon their face Then he greeted people in the street And doorways of their shacks An American Senator being here Had many taken back He wanted then to wander On the walkways and the planks To the houses on the water Beyond the muddy banks But his wife, she could not bear it The squalor and the stench And waited on the dry land For the sight her heart did wrench So I walked him to the water And we balanced on wooden walk And he waited as I translated And to everyone he talked What do you play, he asked a child Soccer, said the boy And who's the best player, then Pele!, he cried with joy He stopped and asked a mother How many children, she said nine He said, I myself have ten And I am doing fine He gathered facts and never stopped And remembered each detail And asked to learn some Portuguese And used it without fail And when the day was over He spoke these final words To the devoted little crowd Who remembered what they heard You must educate your children It is the only way To help improve their futures And to see a brighter day Three years then passed, since that day He spoke on that muddy spot And I was watching him on TV The day that he was shot The people of Brazil to this day Often speak his name The day Robert Kennedy came here We would never be the same Elizabeth Santos [This message has been edited by Elizabeth Santos (edited 02-06-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Breathe~ Member
since 2000-02-05
Posts 315Washington... |
I have BUMPS!! goosebumps... that was a very sad day for us all... and a very moving way of remembering...  ) |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Elizabeth, Your ability with words is great indeed. And you write a wonderment of human need. I think you are a phenomen of poetic reveal. With a mind that sees beyond social appeal. An excellent poem. Love Sy |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Incredible, Elizabeth! Absolutely breathtaking this piece is. I salute you, poet! |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Elizabeth, my friend- What a wonderful story. President John F. Kennedy was a remarkable ambassador to other countries. What a joy it must be for you to have been part of this moment in history. I remember being in college when he first ran for the presidency. I wasn't old enough to vote for him. We formed a teen group who worked for his campaign and formulated the slogan - You Elect Him ... We'll Re-elect Him Sadly it didn't work out that way. Thank you for a touching look back. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
WOW! I wasn't expecting such reponses. Thank you. You brought this poem about, Balladeer, with your Abraham Martin and John. It reminded me of the day I spent with Robert and Ethel Kennedy, who wanted to visit a Peace Corps site, and mine was chosen for the visit. You brought back memories of turbulent times Liz |
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SEA
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676with you |
You are an amazing poet. I wish I could do that. This is so moving. Thank you for sharing your talent with us!  -SEA |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Wonderful poem, Elizabeth! A real slice of history and you were a part of it!! Denise |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Thank you for sharing your memories so eloquently! |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
SEA, Thank you Denise and Suthern, It's amazing when you think back on that decade. There was no other like it. Thanks Liz |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
WOW......you are a master story teller Liz |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
BRAVO LIZ! You are amazing with that pen and mind of yours. BRAVO! <*\\\>< When you can't make up your mind Which way is right for you, Stop and softly ask yourself, What Would Jesus Do? |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Hoot And WhtDove, You both honor me. Thank you Liz |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
No wonder we love you, Elizabeth the Wise - you have touched history. Thank you so much for sharing this remarkable day in time. Sunshine Look, then, into thine heart, and write ~~~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow |
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Echo Rhayne Senior Member
since 1999-09-17
Posts 1495Canyon Country, CA |
OH WOW!! Liz, this is touching, brought tears to my eyes! Im at a loss for words! Just be glad I'm not your child! *evil grin* |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Liz, my friend, you are a wonder. I love seeing the remarkable tidbits of your life that you share through your poetry. What a unique view you have given of a captured memory. So well written, of course. |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Sunshine, Thank you Echo, So glad you're still around. Thanks so much for that remark Martie, Little tidbits make the whole. i'm so glad you liked this poem Liz |
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Gemini Senior Member
since 1999-12-15
Posts 1203Wisconsin, USA |
This was a fantastic poem. Very sad and with feeling. |
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Lost Dreamer Member Elite
since 1999-06-20
Posts 2464Somewhere near the Rainbow |
Elizabeth, What an honor you had and you captured it beautifully. |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Thank you Gemini and Lost Dreamer for your kind comments Liz |
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ESP Member Elite
since 2000-01-25
Posts 2556Floating gently on a cloud.... |
Another amazing poem....I can't even begin to describe the emotion evoked in me by this one. Wonderful tribute to a wonderful man. Love and hugs, Lizzie "Poetry is the true expression of my soul, it is my ultimate means of communication. It is my rainbow of delight." |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I needed to read your words today... and needed to put this one into my library. |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
It's hard to believe it's been 50 years. Thinking of him today and of you, Elizabeth... missing poetry and old friends and wandering the paths of the past. |
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