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Open Poetry #8
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Where Three White Crosses Stand.........(A true story)
| Open Poetry #8 |
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Where Three White Crosses Stand.........(A true story) |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA 
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This poem is a true story, the person it was written about is my cousin who lost her mother, sister and child all in one night when they were killed by a drunk truck driver. This happened several years ago and I pass this site at least every few weeks and the sight of those crosses still moves me. I can hardly imagine what they must do to her. Where Three White Crosses Stand Three crosses stand along a road Their story lies untold About that fateful winter day When in the dark and cold Three people left to Christmas shop For presents for the season My mother, sister and my son Now gone without a reason Their car was not alone that day Out on that snowy road Shared by a trucker and his rig Hauling his heavy load They say he had been drinking And crossed the center line His life was spared, but in an instant Forever changed was mine Head on he crashed into the car Which buckled from the weight Metal was smashed beyond repair And help arrived too late Three occupants trapped in the car And not one life to save Three headstones bought, three funerals All three sent to the grave Three crosses stand along the road With each a memory Their meaning lost by all who pass But certainly not me It matters not where I call home Or travel in this land For by that road, my heart remains Where three white crosses stand < !signature--> What lies behind us and lies before us are small matters compaired to what lies within us. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson [This message has been edited by hoot_owl_rn (edited 07-24-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Ruth Kephart - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Sudhir Iyer Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943Mumbai, India : now in Belgium |
Ah! So painful... the unjust nature of life itself that allows death to take itself away... Ruth, this is tragic... My thoughts are with you and your cousin at this moment while I am writing these words... but a great poem, all the same... Thanks for sharing, regards, sudhir [This message has been edited by Sudhir Iyer (edited 07-24-2000).] |
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Paula Finn Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546missouri |
I know the pain of that roadside cross...I am so sorry for your loss. never say never |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
How very, very sad, wonderfully penned by you, Ruth. corinne |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Ruth~ This one touches me so deeply. So sudden - so sad, I know ... Add another - in memory of my brother. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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TerryW Senior Member
since 2000-03-23
Posts 779Louisville, Mississippi, USA |
Oh, Ruth, My dear, you bring tears to my eyes. I, too can not imagine how this made your cousin feel. But this is so deeply touching, and wonderfully written, that I can't help but cry for the loss as if it were my own. Thank you for sharing. (Good to see you again, too, my dear!) Love Ya~ ~you reached inside, you touched my heart, and I am all the better for it~ Terry A. Woodson, Jr. |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Thank you everyone  |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Hi Ruth--you have brought such empathy into this piece...how sad it must be to pass this, for you, for her...in my mind also...very well done sweet lady. |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Such a senseless wasteful tragedy...you handled it very well, Ruth. |
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Lone Wolf Member Ascendant
since 2000-03-16
Posts 5842Lansing, MI USA |
Ruth, Sadness fills my heart that such senseless tragedies occur all the time. When will people ever learn? My heart and prayers go out to you and your family. That must be awful to pass for all involved. Take care. LW 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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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
Ruth you got me in tears here! This is so so sad! What a tragedy, I'm sure that kills the ones that know everytime they pass by! God, you've written it so well to tell such a heartbreaking story! |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Crying here....add one for my brother please. |
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wayoutwalt Member Elite
since 1999-06-22
Posts 4870TEXAS (it's all big) |
very moving hoot yuh thanx for sharing nuttin silly to say here |
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lucky Senior Member
since 2000-01-17
Posts 1601Idaho |
Ruth, Where can words be found..? I ask God many times of his lessions, wondering what I missed... RJ and I just got back from two weeks vacation - there was a phone message from dad. My little brother died. Oh how I wish I could understand. My heart goes out to you, and her too. Love Dale [This message has been edited by lucky (edited 07-25-2000).] |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
So tragic and painful Ruth, I am sorry for your loss. |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Excellent writing...my heart is with you Ruth...reminds me of a recent story in Hawaii...there was a rockslide at Sacred Falls and some lives were lost and crosses were put up in memorial and the state removed the crosses...very disrespectfully I believe...James |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Just a word of thanks to all who've replied to this poem. It's been years in the making. My heart goes out to all of you who can relate to this one through your own personal losses....what a wonderful thing it would be if we didn't ever have to erect any of those little white crosses along the road again or at least not due to the selfishness of a drunk driver. God bless you all |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
Ruth--this is so painful and tragic, but you told it so beautifully. I think this is one of your best. I am so sorry for the loss you and your cousin have had. I can't imagine what it would be like to lose three people in the blink of an eye. God bless you and her! Elizabeth Why ME??? |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Thanks Elizabeth |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Very tragic, Ruth. My heart goes out to all who suffer such a devasting loss. Very well written. Denise |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Thank you Denise |
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JohnDLeclare Junior Member
since 2000-07-26
Posts 43 |
What could I add that has not been said? Very sad. Perhaps this poem will keep someone from drinking and driving. John D LeClare |
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Fred Hobbs Member
since 1999-06-08
Posts 329Tallahassee, Florida, US |
Hoot, This is very very sad but a beautiful tribute none the less. Those little white crosses do serve a purpose to those who will listen. fh |
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Lynn Member
since 1999-09-20
Posts 316Jasper, Alabama U.S.A. |
How sad a story, and how closely I relate. If time cannot heal your pain, you can always cry on my shoulder. ~Jenn~ |
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Trew Member
since 2000-06-10
Posts 365Ottawa, Canada |
This is a beautiful poem and a fine tribute to loved ones lost. Now those white crosses can be seen around the world. |
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angel girl Member
since 1999-07-23
Posts 322within a whisper... |
This is so sad. What a tragedy. |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Just another word of thanks to all who've read and responded to this poem. My heart goes out to those who can share the loss and my thanks to those who understand and have responded so positively to this piece |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
Another one for my library. |
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