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Open Poetry #16
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The Lady of Shallot
Senior Member
since 2001-10-03
Posts 818
USA

0 posted 2001-10-28 11:06 AM





I walked up to an old man one day in the park
and I said “Sir, why did you just sit there
and say nothing after being attacked verbally?”

He smiled, his face wrinkled, his clothes
worn and it was his
aging eyes that spoke….

"Sweetheart, a true pacifist knows the blows
a word can strike. He knows to defend oneself
is sometimes to say nothing.

He need prove nothing except to himself and his Maker.”


I turned and left, shaken.
Tears filled my eyes
for I knew that I had not been a true pacifist.

Yet, I knew I could be.



-befriend yourself and you will never be alone-


photo: http://www.danheller.com/images/NewYork/CentralPark/park-bench-man-

[This message has been edited by The Lady of Shallot (edited 10-28-2001).]

© Copyright 2001 The Lady of Shallot - All Rights Reserved
Mistletoe Angel
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Empyrean
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
1 posted 2001-10-28 11:26 AM




BRAVO!!! Oh my gosh, this is so very true; though there are indeed times where we have a right to speak if cruelty is taken on part. (big hugggssssss) This is a feeling we should all relate to more. (big hugggssssss) Wonderful, dearest friend! (kiss on cheek) I love your wonderful words! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet friend, thank you for sharing!

May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

Startime
Member Ascendant
since 2000-10-03
Posts 5918
Canada
2 posted 2001-10-28 01:42 PM


Oh WOW!!!What an incredibly powerful message is in this poem. It hits you right in the heart and stays there. BRAVO!!!!

Love I leave with you whether it is in your life now or yet the essense of your dreams.

catalinamoon
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-03
Posts 9543
The Shores of Alone
3 posted 2001-10-28 03:06 PM


Beautiful, and what a valiant message from the old man and from you.
Sandra

DawnG
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Senior Member
since 2000-06-23
Posts 1494
United States
4 posted 2001-10-28 03:30 PM


The Lady of Shallot,

This is a very beautiful poem and a most powerful message streamed forth from both you and the old man. Thanks for sharing.

                                 Dawn

Sven
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Member Laureate
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937
East Lansing, MI USA
5 posted 2001-10-28 04:06 PM


superbly done. . . a message well-shared. . .

------------------------------------------------------

To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world.

Robert A
Member
since 2001-10-29
Posts 174

6 posted 2001-10-29 12:59 PM


not too many of us are pacifists these days, personally I'm not but well, to each his own. enjoyed this though.
Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
7 posted 2001-10-29 02:08 PM


Gandhi is smiling at this, and so am I. But it is not so easy, and the older I get, the more difficult it seems to take this stance in this world, and I thought years ago that it would become easier with time. But it is true, in many cases the best defense is silence.
The Lady of Shallot
Senior Member
since 2001-10-03
Posts 818
USA
8 posted 2001-10-29 02:12 PM



Noah, thank you kind one.

Startime, thank you dear. I’m glad you took the time to read and reply.

Sandra, sure, you know we all know this old man don’t we?
Thank you for peeking in.

Dawn, thank you hon, I believe it is a message I needed.

Sven, thank you so much!

Robert, thank you , no not many of us are, but
well, who knows what the world would be like if we were?

Mitnitesun, I’m glad he’s smiling and you too! Thank you for reading.
I won’t mention anything about getting older cause I’ve been
starting to feel better and better as each day by and I don’t want to remind myself of my age!!!

-befriend yourself and you will never be alone-

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