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Open Poetry #16
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That's All A Person Really Needs
| Open Poetry #16 |
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That's All A Person Really Needs |
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Mysteria 
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada 
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 ~* That's All A Person Needs *~Just a worn out dusty path I took walking through the woods one day. It snaked along beside a brook mumbling a secret song so gay. That balmy day was to become a memory, as the sun dropped in the October sky, When I happened upon a tiny shanty, nestled among the trees so high. This cottage looked so tired and weary its boards splitting, old, and weathered. The yard sparse, the curtains worn and two rockers on a porch tethered. I almost missed the little girl as my eyes first swept the site; a waif of four or five she was, holding a rag doll with all her might. She asked me where I was going where I'd been walking today. The sweetest angel I’d ever seen, immediately stealing my heart away. She shared eight names of siblings Told me, they don't go to school; "My mamma teaches us at home because the kids at school are cruel." "The kids in town all laugh and point ’cause we have no shoes on our feet, We’ll have shoes come this winter, We needed that money for food to eat." "But that's okay", she said with a twinkle; "my Papa says that we ain't poor, we just don't have no money now, but soon we’ll get shoes from the store." "My Papa lost his job at the mill, And things have been kinda tough, but we all have each other, and Mama says that’s enough." The Mother called her in for dinner, and one by one the others came too; each one, in turn, gave her a kiss, Then the Father appeared out of the blue. I asked if I could buy shoes for the children, And smiling, I reached into my pocket, as the Mother came down the stairs, And handed me a golden locket. She said, "God Bless you sir", as she wiped a tear from her eye. "It’s been such an awful year, And we haven’t been getting by." "Please hold this locket as security, as we want to pay this money back, and I’d like to introduce you to, My wonderful husband, Jack." Jack and I shook hands that day, and I introduced myself as Rob, I winked, and said, "I own the sawmill, now how would you like a job?" I handed her back her locket, as that family had stolen my heart, on that wonderful October evening, Jack and his family got a brand new start. The kids on the porch came running, and hugged me with all their might, The brightness in their little faces, opened up my heart to love that night. Well Jack is now the mill Supervisor, and all eight kids attend the school, No one ever laughs at them, Nor is anyone at school ever cruel. Until that night I had a hardened heart, Living a life of want and greed, That family filled my heart with love, And that’s all a person really needs. ~*~ art: www.barewalls.com ~I always have time to listen to someone talking from their heart~ [This message has been edited by Mysteria (edited 10-21-2001).] |
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| © Copyright 2001 Mysteria 1997 - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Tracey Member Elite
since 2001-08-29
Posts 2808where insanity meets breeding |
How on earth do you do that? You manage to bring a tear to my eye every time. This is indeed a beautiful story. And written so wonderfully. I am once again amazed at your story telling If she who dies with the most toys wins, then can I have some toy boys please? |
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RSWells Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533 |
Interestingly written from the male perspective and indeed touching, but alas it is a fairy tale n'est pas? We do need such escapism however to lighten a reality of poverty, child protective services, overpopulation, unemployment and children witnessing discrimination and violence. Hey, I did like this though and you may call me Scrooge. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
I've seen people change just like that...and while some may think it's fantasy, I like to think that an angel finally had a chance to visit them and open their eyes... I think I've got to go back and read all of your poetry, as I do not have a sound card on my other computer, and have missed so much with all you put into your poems, music included... Thank you for this gift this Sunday morning... |
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AJ MacNeil Junior Member
since 2001-05-02
Posts 40 |
This is nice Sharon ! ... I could see it as a song, and I can hear Dolly Parton singing it *smiles* ... lotsa luv, Andy |
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The Lady of Shallot Senior Member
since 2001-10-03
Posts 818USA |
You are a beautiful, giving, loving woman! I so enjoyed this! Thank you! -befriend yourself and you will never be alone- |
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Nightshade
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962just out of reach |
Mysteria, Here I sit with my Sunday morning coffee, a tear in my eye, but a faint smile on my lips. Thankyou for a Sunday morning repose. Your writing is just beautiful! Chris Life is not measured by breaths you take, but by moments that take your breath away. |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
"I handed her back her locket, as that family had stolen my heart, on that wonderful October evening, Jack and his family got a brand new start." Beautifully composed Sharon! The story unveiled itself so smoothly ... such a wonderful weave with a poignant message for all. Now you must know that I would enjoyed this .. yes? Absolutely! Thank you for warming my heart this morning. What a great way to get started!  Best wishes and hugs, /Kit |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Gee, this made my eyes tear up, my hands start shaking and my heart, well....it is doing all sorts of things too. This is so wonderfully beautiful and tugs at your inner self. |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Ah Sharon, You have gone and done it again. Reduced me to happy tears early in the morning. Another beautiful story you have told us here in words, picture and music. Very very wll done, poetess. ~hugs, Nancy~ ~Time has cast a spell on you, |
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SmartChick Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081On A Journey To The Unknown |
This is a beautiful and heart touching story. You are so good at this. I enjoy reading all of your poetry and stories. Thank you for sharing. |
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SEA
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676with you |
You got me all choked up this morning...dang, this is such an uplifting poem/story. You are wonderful. Thank you for this! I hope everyone reads this |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Mysteria~ Somewhere beyond the fantasy ... it can happen~ One small life at a time~ Lovely write~ *Hugs* ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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Honeybee Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-26
Posts 5372Ontario, CANADA |
Oh, Sharon, this is wonderful, what a heartwarming story you tell!  Are you an  by chance?Well, your compassionate words tell me that you are!  ~Here's a big ole hug for you for writing this~ Take care, Melissa~ "Poetry is not an opinion expressed... |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Tracy ~ Secret: think of a happy ending and build a story around it - and I am glad you enjoy my happy endings, RSWells ~ Well Richard, you found all the hidden messages in this one - if you were closer you would get a gold star "Scrooge" Sunshine ~ People can change "just like that" and it takes even less to make it happen when something is given to them from a person's heart. Hah ~ you will be doing tons of reading - all my poems have music on them. Thank you my dear, dear friend. Andy ~ Dolly Parton??? I would have Dawn and you sing it for sure, thanks buddy! Lady of Shallot ~ I am so happy you liked this one. Chris ~ Your words warmed me this morning thank you for them and for reading this story. Kit ~ You picked out my favorite part actually - wrote that in just before posting, (forgot to give it back you see) - I wish everyone who was unemployed would run into the "owner of the mill" Thank you sweetie for reading it.Magnus ~ I believe that is your heart feeling "love laps" - that is what I call them anyway - glad you liked the story. Enchantress ~ Happy tears are a good thing! Smartchick ~ I am delighted you enjoyed this story. Sea ~ Dang! Didn't mean to choke you, just to give you a heart flutter - thanks for reading my happy ending story Marge ~ You are so right, just a smile, a handshake, helping someone every so slightly can change their day, and their attitude. Thank you for that comment, that is an such an important one. Melissa ~ I took that big ole hug and I thank you kindly for it too! See, you changed the way this day will start with a hug. And all of you changed the day for me by enjoying my story, thank you. Try giving your smile to someone who does not have one, and I bet you'll find another ~*~ Mysteria ~*~ |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
This is the fabric that weaves stories with wonderfully wise messages... Well done, my mysteria friend..  |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
The golden locket of love rests comfortably in Mysteria's hands, and she shares its contents so gracefully with each of us. Thanks, Mysteria. [This message has been edited by Midnitesun (edited 10-21-2001).] |
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Startime Member Ascendant
since 2000-10-03
Posts 5918Canada |
I believe in this kind of miracle....the world may be very grim but things like this happen and when they do they touch our hearts like nothing else can. I love the way you write even though I use lots of tissue when I read your poems. BRAVO!!!Thank you so much for sharing your talent with us in such a wonderful way. Love I leave with you whether it is in your life now or yet the essense of your dreams. |
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Martha Cowan Member
since 2001-03-08
Posts 240Groves, Texas |
I should know better by now than to read one of your poems without a box of Kleenex handy...and blue mascara is NOT attractive streaming down one's face. ~*~winks~*~ This was so touching, Sharon. There is only one verse I will stand in disagreement with, that your heart had ever been hardened...I've never seen it in any way but overflowing with love and compassion. That's what makes you..."BEAUTIFUL YOU". I love ya muches, always, ~*~dawnie~*~
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Flutterwings Member
since 2001-07-10
Posts 288Maine |
Sharon, you have a way of entering my soul with your poetic talent. Your compassion shines in this one. You've captured the reason for living, giving and recieving. How beautifully you've weaved a winning write. Love and peace Maggie ((~.~))
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Nan ~ Thank you my friend, glad you like my little stories. Midnitesun ~ I think we all have a locket, but we just have to look inside for the stories of life sometimes - then write about them? Thank you. Startime ~ I too believe in miracles, and if you wish hard enough they do come true. Thanks so much for reading about this one. Dawn! How many times do I have to tell you that "blue mascara" is not pretty at any time *wink to you too* lmao here. This story was written in the persona of a man - not me, it is the man who got the hardened heart, and this man knows who he "thinks" he is, but he is really a pussy cat! You know him too (hint), thanks for reading my story, my bestest friend in the entire world. Flutterwings (Maggie) ~ I thank you and appreciate it coming from the "biggest heart on the internet" - hugs to you sweet friend. Try giving your smile to someone who does not have one, and I bet you'll find another ~*~ Mysteria ~*~ |
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Katherine Chandler Member
since 2001-03-07
Posts 280Florida, USA |
Such a beautiful story Sharon- you have a way of writing such real life things. There are children going without food, shoes and shelter every single day here in Florida. It's so very sad.. Be blessed always Kate Genuine poetry can communicate before it is understood. |
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Greeneyes
since 2000-09-09
Posts 9903In Your Poetic Mind |
amazing write as always from you.....very touching sharon... Lauren~ **** I keep my ideals, because in spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart. Anne Frank 09*12*01 [This message has been edited by Greeneyes (edited 10-22-2001).] |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Kate - There are children going without everywhere, and this amazes me, why? Why, when others have so much? Thanks for your heart Kate. Lauren - Thank you green-eyed one! |
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vlraynes Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229Somewhere... out there... |
Mysteria- What a beautifully woven story, and the message is one of much truth. It takes so little to reach out to another, and it can make such a big difference in a life. Nicely done. Hugs, ~Vicky "...until you have read the verse on his heart, |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Vicky - thank you for reading this poem, and yes it takes so little to reach out to someone and also so little to shut them off and make them feel so insignificant too doesn't it? Thank you again. ~*~ Carpe' Diem ~*~ |
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