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Open Poetry #10
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Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania

0 posted 2000-10-25 02:17 AM


The Night I Died

The night I died, I gently rose
To heights where heaven’s halo glows
To spaces far beyond earth’s sphere
So far away and yet so near

And all the stars surrounding me
In heaven’s glorious sparkling sea
Would come to warmly recognize
The soul behind unknowing eyes

The stars then took me in embrace
And wrote the truth upon my face
Of all that is and all that was
Of every why, and its because

They etched the words integrity
Courage, honor, family
Purpose, strength, compassion, love
And faith in one true God above

And thus my face revealed the truth
Of character refined in youth
The principles by which I’ve stood
Through all the force of bad and good

Contentment’s portals I had passed
And saw the joy of heaven at last
For there before me God had spread
A lovely radiant flower bed

Within it blossomed all my joys
My family plus four little boys
Each one a rose of sweet perfume
Each with a teardrop on it’s bloom  

God showed to me that all I’d done
Became the blessings that I won
The offspring of my endless strife
Became the garden of my life

Four children who are brave and young
Who sing the songs that I have sung
They know the pain that I have known
And show the courage I have shown

Through the years each day I sowed
The bits of nourishment to grow
And as they grew, I set in place
The words now etched upon my face

To them the heritage I leave
Are all the things that I believe
They pass them now to little ones
These traits unto their cherished sons

The truth that stars had long concealed
God with his grace to me revealed
The peace I found while loved ones cried
Filled up my soul, the night I died

Elizabeth Santos


[This message has been edited by Elizabeth Santos (edited 10-25-2000).]

© Copyright 2000 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved
SEA
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676
with you
1 posted 2000-10-25 02:22 AM


Elizabeth~ I'm crying......All I can think about is my Aunt Sue......I miss her so much....this poem is amazing and so beautiful....thank you for this.   -SEA
Daniel J D
Senior Member
since 2000-10-01
Posts 1471
Hillcrest, Queensland, Australia
2 posted 2000-10-25 02:28 AM


Elizabeth,
You have just sent shockwaves through my tear ducts. This has brought back the memory of the ten sons of my father besides his grave. You are an absolutely incredible poet.

Respond to my call and let the waves of my heart fill your life with the wonders of love
(Daniel J D)

Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song
3 posted 2000-10-25 03:26 AM


Knowing that the peace will come in the end sure gives reason to celebrate rather than drown in sorrow..doesn't it?  Yes, it is another one of Liz's magical poems again.  Loved it.
JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
4 posted 2000-10-25 03:51 AM


"The peace I found while loved ones cried
Filled up my soul the night I died."
Intense words...yes nothing can hold back the tears when we lose someone we truly love...beautiful message written so perfectly...James

tracie66
Member Elite
since 2000-01-18
Posts 4713
Australia
5 posted 2000-10-25 03:54 AM



Liz you have penned something incredibly beautifull
Sincere and loving here, written from the heart
Lovely piece hon…well done
Winged ~HUGS~
Tracie~



Love is the life of the soul...
It is the harmony of the universe



Tara Simms
Senior Member
since 1999-08-12
Posts 1244
Honea Path, SC USA
6 posted 2000-10-25 07:20 AM


Elizabeth, you write the most beautiful poetry!  These words just flowed down the screen and carried me through til the end.  The last stanza is PERFECT!

Take me as I am or watch me as I go

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
7 posted 2000-10-25 07:25 AM


SEA, Thank you for your heartfelt remarks

Daniel, Your comments are very kind. An incredible graveyard sight you depict

Mark, Would that we all could find that peace in life. Thank you

James, We're never prepared to lose a loved one. Thanks for the comments

Tracie, Thanks. Love you "winged hugs"

Liz

Irish Rose
Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263

8 posted 2000-10-25 07:26 AM


This is OUTSTANDING. This is one of the most beautifully flowing, rhymnic poems I've read in a long, long time.  It read like a classic, Elizabeth, this is one of your best!!!!!! Thank you for this one.< !signature-->

"When red-haired girls scamper like roses
over the rain-green grass,
and the sun drips honey.""
Laurie Lee

Kathleen



[This message has been edited by Irish Rose (edited 10-25-2000).]

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
9 posted 2000-10-25 07:27 AM


Tara, Thank you so much, sneaking in while I was posting. Your comments mean so much

Liz

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
10 posted 2000-10-25 07:29 AM


Kathleen, I am truly honored by your comments.
Thank you so much.
Liz

Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
11 posted 2000-10-25 07:44 AM


Peace and Love - My wish for you and Tony, my friend..
Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada
12 posted 2000-10-25 07:48 AM


This has touched me so deeply, I'm at a loss for further words. Please just know that I love this Liz ... truly inspirational (now stop making me cry, will ya?)  

Best wishes,
/Kit

Charisma
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Ascendant
since 2000-09-30
Posts 5906
lost in blue pages
13 posted 2000-10-25 08:18 AM


holding my breathe in,
reading....while the words flowing over the screen.
Can't find the right words to let you know how beautiful this poem is.
thank you for sharing it with us.

Charisma

peppermint35
Senior Member
since 2000-05-28
Posts 1106
Texas, USA
14 posted 2000-10-25 09:37 AM


Sometimes when it's just this perfect....there are no words!!!!

Oh I see.....this is how it's done!!!!

Peppermint
Life is a Wheel

Rosebud1229
Senior Member
since 2000-04-05
Posts 1813
North Carolina
15 posted 2000-10-25 10:15 AM


Elizabeth, it is truly a blessing when you know you have passed on your traits into your children knowing they will pass it on because it is such a strong character that it will never let go, and by God's grace it will go from generation to generation. This was a beautiful and very tearful poem.
Ron K. Fox
Senior Member
since 2000-10-24
Posts 925

16 posted 2000-10-25 10:23 AM


Such feelings stirred my soul..tugged my heart...memories lost, buried, forgotten, always there...resurfaced. Thank you. Ron
Alle'cram
Senior Member
since 2000-02-28
Posts 1816
Texas
17 posted 2000-10-25 10:56 AM


Liz, A incredible poem. Lovely in every way, it left me feeling peace and warmth. Marcy
doreen peri
Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812
Virginia
18 posted 2000-10-25 11:05 AM


great read, Liz!!...really well done... with my luck, He'll show me the compost pile ... LOL


well, i guess that would be better than the alternative of not getting in at all... still working on that one  



- all you can ever really ask out of life is a sincere apology and some decent poetry -

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
19 posted 2000-10-25 01:20 PM


Elisabeth,
Exquisite, Love Sy

Gemini
Senior Member
since 1999-12-15
Posts 1203
Wisconsin, USA
20 posted 2000-10-25 02:26 PM


Liz-Splendid, the peace that lies within your heart and your portrayal of it shining through in your poem, I liked this very much.
suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
21 posted 2000-10-25 04:35 PM


Okay... you've gone and left me speechless. *S* But my WOW slips out on awed breath!!
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
22 posted 2000-10-25 05:07 PM


Liz--This poem is you...all the beauty, wisdom, love and strength that you possess rolled into your indredible ability to write perfection..
Kethry
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082
Victoria Australia
23 posted 2000-10-25 05:14 PM


Liz,
perfection in flow and imagery and inspiration. I'm not crying. I'm not. pass me a tissue will you.
Kethry


Growth demands a temporary surrender of security.
Gail Sheehy

CocoBaci
Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 3043

24 posted 2000-10-26 01:25 AM


Ooooooooooooh Elizbabeth, your writing just clasps onto a heart and journeys a reader to another place and time and need I say my eyes fill with tears...

Thank you for such an eloquent read
Coco

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
25 posted 2000-10-26 07:30 AM


Nan, Thank you for your wishes. Your thoughts are most appreciated

Kit, If you liked it, I'm happy
Thanks, dear

Charisma, Thank you for your very sweet comments

peppermint, Thank you. I'm so glad you liked it

Rosebud, What we leave is on the inside. Thanks so much

Ron, That fact that my poem touches you, touches me

Marcy, And your comments also warm me. Tank you

doreen, your going to find a bed of roses waiting for you. You'll be the celestial Poet Lauriate!

Sy, thank you, Master Poet

Gemini, Your comments are very much appreciated. Thanks

suthern, I can't imagine you speechless, with your personality, but just one WOW warms my heart. Thank you, sweet lady

Martie, You words always mean so much to me. Thank you

Kethry, I consider crying a compliment, and I thank you for your tears

Coco, Thanks for your kind remarks

Liz




[This message has been edited by Elizabeth Santos (edited 10-26-2000).]

rosepetals25
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Elite
since 2000-05-31
Posts 3076
PA
26 posted 2000-10-27 11:31 PM


Elizabeth,

    This has to be my favorite poem you've written so far.  It is so beautiful.. I can't find the wods at the moment to describe it.  You are simply amazing.  Thank you so much for sharing this with us



~~Tara aka rp25 :o)

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
27 posted 2000-10-27 11:37 PM


Regardless of what passes, your heart and its love for family shows through...this will pass into the eons into which it belongs...all should be justifiably proud...

truly wondrous...

and my prayers continue to be with you and yours...


Karilea
If I whisper, will you listen?...KRJ



Wilfred Yeats
Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware
28 posted 2000-10-27 11:39 PM


after reading this - I can only say -I'm so glad you're still alive to keep writing
Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

29 posted 2000-10-27 11:46 PM


Elizabeth, this is...I'm lost for words...I think I have a new favorite of yours. HUGS

Denise

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
30 posted 2000-10-28 09:40 AM


Tara, Thank you for your kind comments

Sunshine, Your words always mean so much, Thank you

Bill, I'm glad I'm still alive too, and I'm glad you're still alive too

Denise, Thank you dear

Liz

Poet's Sister
Member
since 2000-10-16
Posts 80
North Carolina
31 posted 2000-10-28 10:11 AM


This is one of the most beautiful things I have ever read.  Even though the entire poem is incredible I thought you might like to know which lines especially tugged at my soul...
**********
The night I died, I gently rose
To heights where heaven's halo glows
**********
The stars then took me in embrace
And wrote the truth upon my face
Of all that is and all that was
Of every why, and its because
**********
The peace I found while loved ones cried
Filled up my soul, the night I died

I don't believe I have ever read words put together this well.  I love it!

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