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Open Poetry #10
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The Shadow
| Open Poetry #10 |
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The Shadow |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania 
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The Shadow The smell of salty air across my face Brought memories of early childhood As there before the vacant cottage now In silent humble reverence I stood What brings me home, I really cannot say My loving family , all of them are gone Lost at sea, that very tragic day And I, a little girl, was left alone But many years have passed and all the while I've longed to see this little house once more So slowly I approached it curiously Pushed open wide the unlocked wooden door They say the house was never used or sold But someone has been in here recently For footsteps brushed the dust along the floor Of the darkened room as I could barely see This room was full of memories of the past As I began to recollect it well And love within my heart began to pour And tears from sorrow’s pool began to swell Then startled by a shadow moving slow Against the knotty pine of paneled wall I swivelled round in anguish and in fright Staggering to avoid a certain fall In the doorway stood the figure of a man Tall and still like statue made of stone A silhoutte of black against the sun Streaming through the doorway of the home Friend or foe, I knew not which he was So blinded by the unrelenting glare Neither features nor expression on his face Gave clues as to the stranger standing there I stood in fear and silence in my place Waiting for him in some way to advance Or introduce himself or ask my cause Not a movement nor a comment did I chance I felt a fear and yet a sense of guilt As the sight of his demeanor now unfurled T’was I who was intruding carelessly Into the realm of someone else’s world Frozen in my footsteps I held still, My lips would not allow a single word And from this gangly stranger in the door Not a movement nor a syllable I heard I slowly backed away a little more Still invisible the features of his face But in my blindness heard him quietly Whisper out my christened name of “Grace” He in that quiet moment dissapeared Though numb, I stood and felt a warmth within I walked outside and turning toward the sea The name of “Little One” blew in the wind 'Twas the shadow of my father in the sun For only he had called me “Little One” Elizabeth Santos [This message has been edited by Elizabeth Santos (edited 09-30-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Kethry Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082Victoria Australia |
O Liz, this poem, this astounding poem touched my heart and made me cry. May the wind rock you gently to sleep. Kethry "It is the image in the mind that links us to lost treasures; but it is the loss that shapes the image, gathers the flowers weaves the garland."- |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Ah Lady Elizabeth, truly tender, sweet and melancholy...yes, shadows and Little Ones... such sad, sweet memories you evoke... Karilea When you want to be loved, look within...KRJ |
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rosepetals25
since 2000-05-31
Posts 3076PA |
Liz, I don't even know what to type at the moment.. you have left me speechless. I love this poem.. it is my favorite one of you I have read so far.  The ending gave me goosebumps! You are simply amazing.~~Tara aka rp25 :o) |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Elizabeth, Your talent would make any poem sing. And this is no exception. Love Sy |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Beautiful, Elizabeth~ 'They say the house was never used or sold But someone has been in here recently For footsteps brushed the dust along the floor Of the darkened room as I could barely see' Just beautiful to see the spirits walk among us. I treasure this writing as I treasure you. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ [email protected] |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
I slowly backed away a little more Still invisible the features of his face But in my blindness heard him quietly Whisper out my christened name of “Grace” He in that quiet moment dissapeared Though numb, I stood and felt a warmth within I walked outside and turning toward the sea The name of “Little One” blew in the wind 'Twas the shadow of my father in the sun For only he had called me “Little One” ================== "Whisper out my christened name of “Grace”" i think i have always know this was your name... as the word describes you ... NO ... it DEFINES you ... grace in poetry grace in spirit grace under pressure grace of heart this poem is proof of all of the above love ya sweets me |
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Wilfred Yeats Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704Wilmington, Delaware |
Perhaps I've said it before: "your best yet" If I have I would have to retract it in favor of this one. I sincerely suggest you submit this to publication - I find it so wonderful. |
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tracie66 Member Elite
since 2000-01-18
Posts 4713Australia |
WOW!!! Elizabeth this is an excellent piece of work, very intriguing and a wonderful story. great writings Liz Tracie~ Love is the life of the soul... It is the harmony of the universe |
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EagleOne Member Elite
since 2000-03-07
Posts 2829Between a laugh and a tear... |
Elizabeth, this one has moved me to tears. One of your best, thankyou for sharing this one. "The heart and soul have no illusion of boundries when friendship is the quest" ~ My Angel. |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
Such a wonderful and warm feeling this has left surrounding my heart. I believe those we have loved and lost come to us, when we need reassurance in our lives. This so beautifully portrays and strengthens these thoughts I cherish. Printing this one Liz ... Best wishes, /Kit |
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Paula Finn Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546missouri |
There are no words to describe the emotions you evoked in me...haunting lovely [This message has been edited by Paula Finn (edited 10-01-2000).] |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
The temperature here is still far too warm for me to try to pretend these chillbumps come from anything but the read of an excellent poem. Well done! |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Your responses are much more warming than the poem. Thank you, dear poets, for your lovely comments, each and every one Liz |
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pmc Junior Member
since 2000-03-09
Posts 48Germany |
Beutiful Poem, It kept me in suspense right until the end. pmc. |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Liz--You are a wonderful story teller and this one touches the heart with tender fingers. |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Spellbinding tale, Elizabeth!! Very well done!! Denise |
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BloomingRose Member Elite
since 2000-08-09
Posts 3092Florida |
Tears come to my eyes. The vision of this is all too clear. lovely write. Deb |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
pmc, Glad you liked it Martie, I love the way you use words, even in your comments. A lovely remark Denise, Thanks, my dear. Hey, and thanks for pointing out my sonnet Deb, Thank you so much for reading and commenting Liz |
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