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Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania

0 posted 2000-05-31 12:01 PM


I Once Believed in Fairy Tales

I once believed in fairy tales with wondrous happy ends
I thought that elves were people and that goblins were my friends
I was convinced that falling stars could make a dream come true
I just couldn’t figure out where all the stars were falling to

Ingenuous and tenuous
And enviously new

I used to think my heroes were among the best of men
I thought that truth and honor were the words I could defend
So innocent were my ideals, so resolutely fed
That when deception tripped me up, I landed on my head

So tenderly ingenuous
And tenuously bred

Battered, tattered, splattered, and well shattered was the dream
Broken wings, and broken heart and broken self esteem
I weathered hail with tethered sail and tenets duly sworn
What life unveils of fairy tales were pages cruelly torn

Ingenuous and tenuous
So strenuously worn

I walk with grandson hand in hand reliving childhood dreams
And marvel at his cleverness and never-ending schemes
The magic wands and falling stars are claims I can’t refute
To now explain his future pain’s a question that is mute

His tenderness so tenuous
Ingenuously cute


Elizabeth Santos




[This message has been edited by Elizabeth Santos (edited 05-31-2000).]

© Copyright 2000 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved
Jana Tovey
Member
since 2000-05-30
Posts 257
USA
1 posted 2000-05-31 12:07 PM


The cycle of all things is evident in your poem...even the loss of naivete.  The wonder of being young is a special time that we can keep going back to when reality gets to be too sharp.  Grandkids help us remember those times.  
Aimster
Member Elite
since 2000-02-19
Posts 4297
Charlotte, NC
2 posted 2000-05-31 01:21 PM


liz--

this was one of my favorite pieces by you yet. i loved the structure and the wording but mostly the meaning behind the poem. you write with such clarity, honesty, and wonderful insight. in your poems you always have some sort of "moral to the story" which i so love. i really enjoy your work! take care.

amy  


 
"Don't be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is before you can meet again. And meeting again after a moment or a lifetime is certain for those who are friends."


Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
3 posted 2000-05-31 01:57 PM


Marvelous poem Liz. I loved the words you used here, they rolled around, played with my imagination and came together in beautiful verses...  
Butterflies_dont_cry
Member Elite
since 2000-03-06
Posts 3733
Michigan
4 posted 2000-05-31 02:22 PM


Elizabeth~
This is written from a heart
that has seen many things most
of all you have seen how fragile
a dream is. Beautifully written,
Thank you for sharing this.

TerryW
Senior Member
since 2000-03-23
Posts 779
Louisville, Mississippi, USA
5 posted 2000-05-31 03:23 PM


Liz~
     Lovely, my dear!  I love the insightful breaks in the lines.  This has to be one of my favorites of yours!



Love Ya~

 ~you reached inside, you touched my heart,
and I am all the better for it~
Terry A. Woodson, Jr.

brian madden
Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374
ireland
6 posted 2000-05-31 03:47 PM


Battered, tattered, splattered, and well shattered was the dream
Broken wings, and broken heart and broken self esteem
I weathered hail with tethered sail and tenets duly sworn
What life unveils of fairy tales were pages cruelly torn

I remember losing my childhood innocence for the first time seeing that people were not always nice and the world was not always safe.

I thought that truth and honor were the words I could defend
So innocent were my ideals, so resolutely fed

But I think it is important to hold onto our innocence, instead of giving examples
I will just recommend this book  "The little prince" by Antoine De Saint-Exupery,
this book  explains why often a child's perspective on life is more colourful and wonderful than an adults.

A wonderful poem, treasure your inner child and life can be a fairy tale. Nurture your grandson's innocence there is wisdom to be learned from him.  



 ------------------------
"Here chewing your tail is joy"

Richey Edwards

"Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints. Kill nothing but time".

Baltimore Grotto

"Will you accuse me as I hide Behind these layers of disguise And the mirrors of my own happiness.I've loved the freedom of being inside
Need a new start and a different time
Something grows in the space between me
And it's twisting and changing this fragile body" -Nicky Wire



LoveBug
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Moderator
Member Elite
since 2000-01-08
Posts 4697

7 posted 2000-05-31 03:54 PM


Liz, this is a wonderful poem, although I don't remember a time when I believed in those things. You will always have your dreams, though. Those can never die.

 "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." -Oscar Wilde

Mike
Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462

8 posted 2000-05-31 03:56 PM


A truly wonderful poem.  Enjoyed muchly.
Rosemary J. Gwaltney
Senior Member
since 1999-08-26
Posts 997
northern mountains, Idaho
9 posted 2000-05-31 04:48 PM


Oh, Liz, many times I get goosebumps when I read your poetry, but this poem was a major goosebump attack!  I had to read it to Dale right away.  Such beautiful rythm and rhyme, and beautiful lines between each verse.  The ending is what shivered my soul.  It's so true - I can just see a little grandchild, and seeing his innocence as "His tenderness so tenuous Ingenuously cute" - and wishing his tenderness didn't have to be quite so tenuous.  Ah.
Exquisite, my dear friend!
~ ~ ~


 The spiritual wind that holds survivors aloft, plants the seeds from which bloom new hope ... R.J.G.


Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
10 posted 2000-05-31 05:01 PM


Liz--wonderfully unique!  I loved the way you put this together...the words you used, the format...it was a thrill to read.  I love all your poetry but this is one of my favorites.  Bravo!!
Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

11 posted 2000-05-31 07:33 PM


"from the mouths of babes"...
"the energy of the innocent"

wondeful poem Liz, the cycles of life...
sometimes it is years before we know the reasons and all of the whys.
very creative style here in this one my
poetice friend...
take care, jm

 There are places inside our souls ...
that have never been touched.
There are places inside our hearts ...
that need to be loved this much.
~Janet Marie~

"What the caterpillar calls the end ...
The world calls a butterfly"
~Lao Tze Tao~
~Butterflies are meant to be free~


Irie
Senior Member
since 1999-12-01
Posts 1493
Washington State
12 posted 2000-05-31 07:44 PM


Brilliant Liz!  
The changes in life that must must endure.
Growing up just plain sucks sometimes!
Very well writen and expressed, as always!
I always enjoy reading your work!  



 ~Sheri

Lone Wolf
Member Ascendant
since 2000-03-16
Posts 5842
Lansing, MI USA
13 posted 2000-05-31 07:50 PM


Liz,

You have described the circle of life so perfectly here.  Children are so precious and offer such a unique perspective on life.  Treasure the time you get with your grandson, my friend.  Lovely writing!!  

LW


 Friends are friend forever if the Lord's the Lord of them and a friend will not say never cause the welcome will not end.
--Michael W. Smith

RainbowGirl
Member Elite
since 1999-07-31
Posts 3023
United Kingdom
14 posted 2000-05-31 07:51 PM


Heck Liz, shouldn't have read you tonight as you have an uncanny way of writing about thoughts in my head...Stupid thing but I was in the chemist this afternoon picking up my prescription and talking to the pharmacist when this other lady said "oh my daughter Rachel takes those" and I thought of fairies and magic dreams and this huge lump got stuck in my throat..

HUSG

Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
15 posted 2000-05-31 09:45 PM


This is a beautifully worded and structured poem, Liz...........but I still believe in those things.
Elizabeth
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871
Minnesota
16 posted 2000-05-31 09:51 PM


I, too, once believed. Liz, I just loved this piece--the structure is unique and works well with it.

Take care,
Elizabeth


 "He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!"
-The Crucible


Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
17 posted 2000-05-31 10:48 PM


I was voted the Greatest Dreamer in high school and The Little Prince has been sitting on my bookshelf for thirty years. What this poem is saying is that I was greatly deceived by someone I trusted and suffered for it. I have become street wise, but I never stopped dreaming. I am touched by your kind responses, because I must admit I worked on this one for a couple hours, and that is something I never do.
Thank you all for your comments
Love,
Liz

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

18 posted 2000-05-31 11:02 PM


We would take all their future pain on ourselves to spare them, wouldn't we? I don't think there is anything more rewarding in this life than reveling in their innocence and partaking, as much as possible, in their 'fairy tale' time of life!

Love ya,
Denise

Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada
19 posted 2000-06-01 07:15 AM


Oh Liz ... now you know, I'm gonna say I LOVE this!  The flow, the rhythm ... simply superb. You wove your thoughts together with incredible ingenuity here ... I "think" this is my favorite of yours, but there's too many!  Your theme and message reads so clearly ... well done Liz!

Best wishes,
Luv Kit

Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
20 posted 2000-06-01 07:35 AM


This is indeed wonderfully written, Elizabeth - Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could paint the picture for our little ones - and protect them from all the negative things life has in store for them - Make their lives perfect... Fairy Tales, I guess, eh???...
LngJhnAg
Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508
Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion
21 posted 2000-06-01 07:44 AM


Welp, Lizzie - you've done it this time - working on a poem for two hours IS NOT FAIR!  We can't keep up with you as it is, and then you turn up the heat!  Seriously, though, this is a terrific poem about sailing high and then hitting rough weather, about life and the cycle.  As for your self esteem taking a beating - it certainly hasn't affected your wonderful talent.  Additionally, I doubt your self esteem will take a hit in here - we all love ya.

Hi there, lil Raindow gal - its good seeing you writing - hang in there, kiddo.

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
22 posted 2000-06-01 08:03 AM


Elizabeth, my friend~
The fact that this one simmered
in the pot for a while, shows in
the way it touches the senses with
gourmet delight.

A breathtaking look at the
'fairytales' of life.
I still believe in fairytales ...
for the power they give us to hope,
dream and reach.
You are quite astonishing in your perceptions, dear poetess.
~*Marge*~


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


lucky
Senior Member
since 2000-01-17
Posts 1601
Idaho
23 posted 2000-06-01 09:24 AM


I must still believe in faery tales,,, just kook at me... I jus bought one of yer latest prose policies... Now tell me where as it gotten me. I always tell Rosemary, I;m a gonna tell her mama... well you better watch your step you little spinner... I'm gonna tell your papa.

Your so cute.

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
24 posted 2000-06-01 04:08 PM


I would like to thank you all for your comments on this poem. There are less than a handful of poems I have written that I really like, not because the poetry is good, but because of what they say. This is one of those few because in it is written several aspects of life and it says what I wanted to say. That's hard for me to do. So anyway, I thank each of you. Your comments mean a lot to me, and with LngJhn lavishing so much praise on me lately, I'm really getting spoiled. Rainbow, nice to see you.
Love
Liz

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