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Open Poetry #8
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I Drink in the Light of You
| Open Poetry #8 |
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I Drink in the Light of You |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California 
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(I was so touched by Liz Santos's poem The Caregiver, that I was compelled to post again this poem about my father. Thanks for listening) I Drink in the Light of You Father… I am remembering the driveway where the sky burned my eyes, and your tapered long fingers that enclosed me in a twirl, up into the fragrant blue in delicious giggles. Your hair and my fingers smelled like sunshine, our black curls shined tight and delightfully alike. The skin on your freckled brown arm, colored by the sun and sea, so caught you that I listened for waves in your breath and could feel my bare feet nestled in the quick of sand that oozed with wiggling in the cement of your love. I was summered in your knowledge of the ocean’s magic swirl and I was drenched and beached with the sureness of your hand, though thrashed and twirled against a might that twisted me and tried to loose this grip cemented there by your dear heart, I tasting with salty squeal so much of your heart’s delight that it ignited my ocean lust. You were like the tide, your ebb sparkled in green eyes loving this squirmy blur of girl and then your flow was the storm and sail where my fathoming was drowned. You have been lost to this woman who ponders whether the birds sing on dark and rain-swept days, ‘til now when I became full of you and the memory was so sweet that I could almost smell your sun drenched hair flowing across the bay tree, delicate and sure as love. I hear your laughter now, as the hummingbird’s twit in delightful pleasure at the profusion of nectar in this gold and blue day that milks the sky, and is infused with your spirit. I drink in the light of you. |
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| © Copyright 2000 Martie Odell Ingebretsen - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Sunnyone Member Ascendant
since 2000-07-06
Posts 5334Staffordshire, England |
Martie... Thank you so much for writing this..... I grew up on the ocean, and the best times I can remember,was spending time with my Dad there. I can't tell you how many really happy memories this brought back! Beautifully written poetry... ~~~Never say Never!~~~ |
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Jamie Member Elite
since 2000-06-26
Posts 3168Blue Heaven |
I can't begin to tell you the memories you have evoked in me. Waves crashing down as I, at the last possible moment turn my back and lift her skyward; squeals of delight washing over my soul even as the waves washed over us. I am unashamed to tell you, the tears flow as I type this. Beautiful words. boo-hoo---lol Jamie Tu ne cede malis, sed contra audentior ito. - Virgil. "Yield thou not to adversity, but press on the more bravely". |
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brian madden Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374ireland |
Martie, what can I say but absolutley beautiful. why must we pray screaming? why must not death be redefined? we shut our eyes we stretch out our arms and whirl on a pane of glass-patti smith |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Marie, This is wonderful in every way, and it holds a lot of love and affection. Your words make these moments permenant Thank you for posting it Liz |
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Lone Wolf Member Ascendant
since 2000-03-16
Posts 5842Lansing, MI USA |
Martie, What wonderful and treasured memories you have!! I think of my dad in the same way. He is like my rock in life. Beyond a doubt, the only man I have always been able to count on. Thank you so much for sharing this piece. Great writing!!  Lone Wolf Poetry should surprise by fine excess...it should strike the reader as a wording of his own highest thoughts and appear almost a remembrance. -J.Keats |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
This is one of my favorites of yours, Martie! Denise |
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Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
'and could feel my bare feet nestled in the quick of sand that oozed with wiggling in the cement of your love. I was summered in your knowledge of the ocean’s magic swirl and I was drenched and beached with the sureness of your hand, though thrashed and twirled against a might that twisted me and tried to loose this grip cemented there by your dear heart, I tasting with salty squeal so much of your heart’s delight that it ignited my ocean lust.' Martie - this has just moved me so deeply I can't describe it. Do you understand that your writing has closure? That it is always so tightly wound and whole...the only way I can depict it - wow...you keep blowing me away my friend. Remarkable. Instead of my father I actually see myself and my Mother before she became ill in this - when I was a little girl. Here's another one I just have to keep if you don't mind. hugs K[This message has been edited by Severn (edited 07-21-2000).] |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
sunny--It really pleases me to know that this poem brought back your own happy memories...thank you for letting me know. Jamie--I'm so glad that your tears were unashamed...and was gratified that my poem brough such deep emotion...thank you. brian--beautiful is just...beautiful..thanks. Liz--thank you for giving me the inspiration to bring this back up with your beautiful poem. Lone Wolf--thank you for sharing about your dad...mine was ill when I got older and never quite like this sunny dad of my childhood, but still a treasure, and now he's passed on. Denise--thank you for letting me know. Kamla--it is very special to me that you should want to keep this and that it brings you such lovely memories of your mom...thank you for letting me know...and what you said about closure...wow..I never thought of that..I feel you have given me a great compliment. Hugs. |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
Oh Martie, My head spun as I read this, and the pictures in my mind, I cuold even see te freckles on his skin, this is absolutley beautiful hon, can't even begin to describe how this has made me feel, it has moved me so much Martie, all your poetry does. You are amazing!!! Maree [This message has been edited by Dark Angel (edited 07-21-2000).] |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Martie~ As your heart moved through the memories, you took mine with you on a trip of sweet recall. No one does it better, my friend. Love you~ ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ [email protected] |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
Martie this is exceptionally beautiful! The closeness and love between a father and daughter. I have a daughter and I can relate this to some of the times we've had together. That last verse is a waterfall of adjectives cascading downward from the heart to the poet's page Excellent! take care........ethome....... |
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Paula Finn Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546missouri |
I never knew my father so its wonderful to be able to visit soemone elses memories...thank you never say never |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Maree--What a wonderful reply...thank you for your enthusiasm and sweet heart. Marge--I'm so glad I could take my sweet sister for a ride. Ethome--thank you for the waterfall of words...and for making me think of that explanation... Paula--I'm happy to share |
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MMoonchild Senior Member
since 2000-07-13
Posts 1715PA |
Martie... I too, now, am reminded of my Father and some comforting thoughts after his funeral and placing of his headstone the following spring...a talk with my Mother the letter... it was so hard to sit with her and talk about the day ... having been to the cemetary crying the whole way she reached into her bag and from her wallet took out a small folded paper as I looked about she handed it to me twice folded tiny, square but neat I reached ... our hands met she said, "read it, mt sweet" I gave her a look as I took the white square she gave a slight smile and I thought, should I dare? said, "open it please" so, I began to unfold as I read the first words I could tell it was old from their first year of marriage more than 50 years ago expecting my brother in two more days or so words of such warmth he had written to her as I continued to read something inside me did stir words that I never had heard him express words that could now show me his tenderness now it was my turn to reach out to her and cry for the words were my Dad's and I don't know why but I never knew him to have ever been this way this side he didn't show to us all, every day it was something so special and so very dear I wish I had known this before his last year they were gentle and loving the words that he wrote he had been in the army and on her, he did dote he was just checking in to make sure that she knew how much he missed her and that he loved her, too this was so hard for me to digest for I had been lost in my own unhappiness and wondering how my marriage could last another 25 years if it's been like the past she said, " honey the first 25 were as great as could be but the next 25, were more stressful, you see but you must work things out and you must compromise and then each passing day you will soon realize if the love that you share is both honest and true you will get through the hard times I promise this, to you and the more that you try there'll be better times, too and the bad ones will lessen until there are a few I know this", she said "I have been through it before it's just stages", she said "and you'll get through them, I'm sure" so I kissed her goodbye and I sent her back home to that place where she will now be living all alone but in that little wallet in that corner, thereof is a piece that remains from the one that she loved. Maureen 2/07/99 *thank you both for an inspiring moment ~~softly MM |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Incredibly moving and touching, Martie, as only you can do.... |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Maureen--thank you for sharing this wonderful piece of poetic love in your reply...it brought tears to my eyes. I'm so glad that this poem has brought memories to so many. Balladeer--Hi, haven't seen you for awhile...thanks for your wonderful words...always uplifting for me to read your replies. |
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Wilfred Yeats Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704Wilmington, Delaware |
tears streaming down my face - I had trouble reading - needed kleenex to clear my eyes - a wonderful testemony to a great father - your talent always comes thru. |
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