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Open Poetry #18
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The Stranger
| Open Poetry #18 |
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The Stranger |
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True Reflections Member
since 2001-12-04
Posts 143Ohio, USA 
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"The Stranger" He sat in the last row of the little town church, His clothes were all ragged and torn, As each person passed him they clutched tight their purse, It was a beautiful Sunday morn. The odor that came forth from that very last pew, Caused families to get up and change places, Their distaste for the stranger just grew and grew, You could see the disgust on their faces. How disruptive was this man sitting there alone, Although he said not a word, He didn't fit in, He wasn't home grown, Who invited him into their world? As the organ poured forth; "Just as I Am", The congregation joined in the song, Tears rolled down the face of the man, And he knew that he didn't belong, As he lifted his hat to the top of his head, He walked out the front of the church, The thoughts of the people were easily read, They let him know just what he was worth. From the back of his coat he felt a tug, He turned to find a young child, She reached out her arms and gave him a hug, She wiped off his tears and she smiled. She took hold of his hand and led him inside, Back to where he had been, She picked up the hymnal and stood by his side, She knew that he needed a friend. The other children, having seen, what she had done, Joined them in the last row, As he bent down and kissed the very last one, A light hit the stained glass window. Roger [This message has been edited by True Reflections (01-14-2002 01:10 PM).] |
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| © Copyright 2002 Roger Long - All Rights Reserved | |||
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His Poet Senior Member
since 2001-12-18
Posts 750 |
Roger, I really do have tears in my eyes. Not nice to do to a person at work. Such a touching story. Children are the most incredible discerners of a man's real worth. Thank you for such a precious piece of poetry. Cheryl |
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sodpossom Senior Member
since 2001-06-15
Posts 723N.C |
Roger I wrote one called the stranger.I'm mad.Yours is better than mind.Very touching! |
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N orth Carolina Girl Senior Member
since 2001-12-04
Posts 962NC,USA |
Roger,well you have given me my first tears this week.Of all your poems this is my favorite.A child can work miracles with their love and inocence.Thank you for such a beautiful and heartfelt poem.    Juanita |
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Sunset Member
since 2002-01-08
Posts 80 |
Beautiful writing. Much emotion well expressed. My compliments!  |
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Mistletoe Angel 
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
 (tears fall down my cheeks) Oh my gosh, this is soooooooo beautiful, sweet friend, now you're having me flooding in tears just envisioning the sad look on his face walking away, only to see the warm touch of that child's hand touching him and leading him over to her friends where he felt loved and happy. (smiles) God Bless You, sweet friend, everyone has friends, and He will always reach out to everyone in times of great need and bring us together in Love. (big hugggssss) We all love you so much, sweet friend, this is by far one of your most beautiful loving poems! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Roger, thank you for sharing!  May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton |
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Marsha
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423Maidstone Kent England |
Roger darling boy YOU have made me cry HOW COULD YOU? YOU know how much I hate to have tearstains on my face. As for the poem darling boy YOU know it's utterly utterly wonderful. I love it get into the library with you. YOU know I've been trying to tie you up for absolutely ever. You know I love you darling man, and YOU know I missed you. I did tell you didn't I? MMmmm I thought I did, don't go away again. This site needs the really good writers.   Love and warm stuff As always Mushy  To give light to them that sit in darkness..... to guide our feet into the way of peace St John ch2 v1 |
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True Reflections Member
since 2001-12-04
Posts 143Ohio, USA |
Cheryl, A man's worth is an interesting topic. This poem is about judgement and saying one thing while believing another. I tried to show this by the people singing "Just as I Am" and then it takes the faith and love of a child to actually show it. Thanks for commenting. Stevie, Sorry. You can change yours to "A Stranger Stranger than Roger's Stranger".Juanita, I never like to make a lady cry, but it's a good cleanser. The debate in the past is whether the stranger is Jesus or not. Roger [This message has been edited by True Reflections (01-14-2002 03:42 PM).] |
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True Reflections Member
since 2001-12-04
Posts 143Ohio, USA |
Sunset, Thank you for taking the time to read this. The light hitting the stained-glass window was meant to show God's pleasure with the children. I think we are all guilty of making judgements on people we don't know. Partially out of protecting ourselves physically and partially out of trying to protect our comfort zones. It's a fine line. Noah, Thank you for the kind words and compliments. A lot of my poetry is written from seeing things in myself and trying to understand them. I call it thought-stopping and it is trying to separate the thought, from the feeling, from the action taken. Marsha, You deserve better than these old bones. They creak when I'm not even moving. Feel free to jump on them anytime you wish. Just put them back in some type of order so my wife will recognize me. Roger |
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His Poet Senior Member
since 2001-12-18
Posts 750 |
Roger, this is so deserving of front page. This really should be posted in the Spiritual forum as well but I guess cross-posting is not done. So back to the front. Cheryl |
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Startime Member Ascendant
since 2000-10-03
Posts 5918Canada |
Oh gosh...I cried and cried...how much we judge others and make them feel not wanted...how perfect that a child who loves unconditionall would be the one to draw him back...how very appropriate are the words that we become as a little child...would we then love mankind as we are meant too...Thank you...thank you. **big hugs**  Love I leave with you whether it is in your life now or yet the essense of your dreams. |
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Madame Chipmunk Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296Michigan |
I love this poem, Roger...It always amazes me how sensitive little children are. Sometimes I think they have much better powers of observation than adults because their minds aren't so cluttered. Great job!  copyright2002 Lyra Nesius |
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True Reflections Member
since 2001-12-04
Posts 143Ohio, USA |
Cheryl, Thanks for the bump. The poems on this forum move so fast I got a paper cut just opening one of your poems. Startime, I'm sorry. Usually women cry around me for a different reason. Mostly because I'm being seen with them. My wife cries all the time and she doesn't even read my poetry. Lyra, The children don't have all the layers of bias and past experiences to cloud their vision. They break things down to their simplest forms. Thanks for responding. Roger |
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ecrivan Member Elite
since 2001-12-10
Posts 3923my own state |
Roger, My first time reading you here!Hurrah! this poem does not reflect your usually comical/witty stuff I was used to seeing, it's very sad and a wonderful read. Nice seeing you here!  And belated Happy New Year. [This message has been edited by ecrivan (01-15-2002 03:30 PM).] |
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Siofra
since 2000-09-28
Posts 551State of Suspended Passion |
I really enjoyed this. I got right away that there could be a question whether or not the stranger was Jesus. A wonderful and honest way to express your message, Sir! Simply beautiful. I am many. |
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Victoria
since 2000-08-12
Posts 5869 |
This was a beautiful poem...and thank you for posting.. very touching indeed.. ~Vic |
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Lone Wolf Member Ascendant
since 2000-03-16
Posts 5842Lansing, MI USA |
What an awesome story!! We all have hope and worth in our lives. Sometimes it lies within where those who do not know us can't see it plainly. But I believe it's there. Thank you for sharing this, Roger. Much enojyed it. All writing comes |
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True Reflections Member
since 2001-12-04
Posts 143Ohio, USA |
Martin, You must have the wrong guy. I'm funny lookin', funny smellin', but can't do funny writin'. Glad we are back on the same page again. Siofra, This was written after seeing someone like this in church and the feelings that I felt were present as I watched him walk across the room. It didn't play out the same as the poem, but it made an impression on me. Victoria, How does it feel to have a lake, Australian Territory and a queen named after you? You must be quite a woman. Thanks for the reply. Lone Wolf, Have you met Madame Chipmunk? She's from Michigan also. Not sure what tribe she's from. The Lord is working overtime on me. I surround myself with people of strong faith because I'm not there yet and I want to be. They have the 'peace' my puzzle is missing. Roger [This message has been edited by True Reflections (01-16-2002 11:26 AM).] |
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