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Open Poetry #6
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suthern
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since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana

0 posted 2000-04-13 09:21 AM


Two scared little girls
Crying for their mothers
Were put together
To comfort each other.

First day of first grade
With sorrow to share,
A beautiful friendship
Began in that chair.

We rode the same bus
Lived a few miles apart
And for many years
Enjoyed our linked hearts.

A hot summer’s day
On a horse’s bare back
Bottoms bounced, bare feet dangled
And the reins stayed slack.

Only one destination -
Any available shade!
A whole day to wander…
We had it made!

The spanking that evening
Seemed an unfair decision
But the horse had been borrowed
Without the owner’s permission.

For six years of school,
We shared every class.
People thought we were sisters
And we had a blast.

Our fourth grade teacher
Said we turned her hair gray,
Placed our desks far apart
But that lasted one day.

She learned very quickly
Distance didn’t matter
And talk’s less disruptive
If it’s whispered chatter.

Puberty and ambition
Made our lives rather strange.
Our goals were different;
The friends started to change.

One was still a girl
With dreams of more school.
One dated a soldier
And broke every rule.

At only fifteen,
You became a bride.
I couldn’t bridge the gap
Between us - I tried.

You were a mom in Hawaii
When I graduated.
I headed for college
An idea you’d hated.

I’d see your mother
When in our hometown.
Every failed marriage
Deepened her frown.

But you were finally happy
Or at least, so it seemed.
Entirely too soon
Breast cancer ended the dream.

I wondered then
If you’d lived your life fast
Knowing somehow, some way
That it wouldn’t last.

I hadn’t seen you for years
But news of your death
Shocked the tears from my eyes,
Robbed me of breath.

If things had been different
You’d be forty-five.
With every birthday that passes
I wish you - ALIVE!

To see your granddaughter
Play with her best friend
As they make their own memories
That will have no end.


© Copyright 2000 suthern - All Rights Reserved
WhtDove
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245
Illinois
1 posted 2000-04-13 09:26 AM


Tears flowing here Suthern! Oh this is so sad. I often wonder if they live life like that for a reason like you stated.

Big Hugs my friend!

RainbowGirl
Member Elite
since 1999-07-31
Posts 3023
United Kingdom
2 posted 2000-04-13 09:27 AM


A beautiful and heartbreaking tribute for your friend Judy.

Big HUSG Suthern - my heart goes out to you

Corazon
Senior Member
since 2000-02-02
Posts 1209

3 posted 2000-04-13 09:41 AM


I love this suthern, just love it, you painted your friendship and your grief with such touching strokes that you painted tears in my heart and my eyes...great writing my friend  
Toerag
Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622
Ala bam a
4 posted 2000-04-13 10:06 AM


I do remember this gal...and it gets better every reading...
Jeffrey Carter
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Member Elite
since 2000-04-08
Posts 2367
State of constant confusion!
5 posted 2000-04-13 10:18 AM


We have to remember that all things happen for a reason...or so i'm told
My prayers are with you

Jeffrey

pmc
Junior Member
since 2000-03-09
Posts 48
Germany
6 posted 2000-04-13 10:28 AM


"I wondered then
If you'd lived your life fast
Knowing somehow, some way
That it wouldn't last."

You have captured perfectly what so often seems to true.

A wonderful tribute to your friend.


suthern
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Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
7 posted 2000-04-13 10:46 AM


Thank you all... very much!!  
Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
8 posted 2000-04-13 09:39 PM


May I tell you that this moved me to tears! I've lost 2 friends in the last 2 years to this killer!

Please submit this to a magazine for women... Please...it's too moving and tragic to keep hidden...

Wonderful poem!  

Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

9 posted 2000-04-13 09:53 PM


perfection suthern...pure perfection.
very touching poem...full of your grace.
take care, jm

 Well the sun sets gently on your shoulders
And it makes me want to touch you there.
And the light in your eyes makes me feel
Like there's something much better out there
Something kind...
And I know someday I might be looking around
Trying to find some purpose
Well purpose it can't be that hard to find
As long as I've got the wind...
The wind and your love to carry me.
vertical horizon



Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

10 posted 2000-04-13 11:05 PM


Very touching poem, Suthern.

Denise

Aimster
Member Elite
since 2000-02-19
Posts 4297
Charlotte, NC
11 posted 2000-04-13 11:21 PM


-Suthern

I am not sure what exactly touched me so much in this poem. But here I sit reading and the tears are streaming down my face. Perhaps it is your poetic grace and elegance that captures feelings and puts them into such beautiful words. Or perhaps it was how I could relate to this kind of pain. No matter, I truly enjoyed it. However, I am sorry that you are having to experience this kind of pain. I would wish it upon noone. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Take care & God Bless.

Love ya,
AMY  

 ~Live today as though it were your last but prepare for tomorrow as though it were here~

Marge Tindal
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Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
12 posted 2000-04-14 12:16 PM


Suthern~
Hon, this is so lovely.
To lose a friend to this
nightmare is such a tragedy.
I hope hugs will offer you some comfort.

I've had the good fortune that two
of my friends have beat this monster -
and I offer thanks to the good Lord
for their lives.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
*HUGS* to you.
~*Marge*~


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


suthern
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since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
13 posted 2000-04-14 09:04 AM


Your responses have moved ME to tears... *S* Thank you all so very much!!!
Pepper
Member Elite
since 1999-08-19
Posts 3079
Southern Florida
14 posted 2000-04-14 09:23 AM


Suthern,
Such a beautiful and loving tribute to Judy .....
This really hit home for me and I too, sit here with tears streaming down ..
My heart goes out to you          Sending great big HUGS

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
15 posted 2000-04-14 11:13 AM


Oh....this is so sad  
Friday
New Member
since 2000-04-14
Posts 8
Vaasa, Finland
16 posted 2000-04-14 11:28 AM


This poem gave me the chills, it was so loving and the feelings were so strong. I'm amazed that you're able to put such strong feelings into print like that... I wish I could. Really impressive poetry.

Frida

Mysteria
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since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
17 posted 2001-12-19 04:40 PM


You realize that I am overcome with the same loss and sorrow, and I feel somehow better (isn't that strange) knowing that there is someone else who feels the intense pain of a loss like this.  All I can say is you lean on me, and I'll lean on you, and through that maybe we will make it out of the pain.  Wonderful heartfelt remebering.

~*~ The Very Best Of The Season To You And Yours ~*~

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