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Open Poetry #25
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Stop Rockin' The Bench
| Open Poetry #25 |
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Stop Rockin' The Bench |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania 
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 ~* Stop Rockin’ The Bench *~ no wonder I get fidgety every Sunday mornin’ sittin’ two hours on a hard bench while the preacher spews out verses faster than a water hose bythetimehecomestotheendofasentence,Ican’thardly rememberthebeginning . . . . so I just sit and fidget and Mamma says stop rockin’ the bench ‘nlisten up ‘n get some religion so I start playin word games… last Sunday that preacher said the word ”devil” fifty seven times and “satan" eighty four times I didn't miss a one 'cause I marked 'em in a song book and sometimes he yelled SATAN WILL BURN YOU IN HELL, his eyes riveted on the back wall like satan was there or something’ and I’d turn around thinkin’ I was about to roast oh, an’ he said “Jesus” 35 times an’ God 23 times bein’ it’s God’s house 'n all I whispered “God“ a hundred times to make up for it 'n Mamma said hush 'n Sally May said AAAA…MEN! then Pastor Bob said a prayer, his words tumbling’ out so fast you’d think he was a yankee but he weren't no yankee at all he was from Mississippi but he had so much ta say he had to rattle it off so he didn’t miss anything important an’ he rattled with such velocity that I didn’t even have a chance ta pray I was still at the “Our Heavenly Father” when he was at the Amen he belted out the gospel faster than bats flyin’ through the chapel on a summer night and if you wanted to see velocity you shoulda seen Mizz Liza runnin’ out holdin’ on to that ugly hat her stockin's fallin' down her legs an’ Mamma said that ain’t respectful ta run outa the meetin' like that but the preacher never stopped preachin’ 'n prayin’ preachin’ 'n prayin’ preachin' 'n prayin' an’ so I’d fidget some more an’ Mama said that ain’t respectful neither so I closed my eyes pretendin’ ta pray but I was really countin' the devils ~*~ Elizabeth Santos 3/11/03 Art: Gospel Travelers by Ernest Watson [This message has been edited by Elizabeth Santos (03-13-2003 03:28 AM).] |
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| © Copyright 2003 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Absolutely delightful, Liz!!! You got a little Southern in yore bones!  |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Balladeer Yep, I got some southern blood in me from hanging out in the "low country". Some things you just don't forget. You liked it and it didn't rhyme! WOW! THanks Liz |
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BluesSerenade Member Patricius
since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549By the Seaside |
Good Lord~ My children are going to love this! like I did too. I will repent come some Sunday~ soonish~ |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
This is great Elizabeth, enjoyed very much. Maree |
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garysgirl  
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
Liz, Michael said exactly what I was thinking while I read this.....you have had to have been in some church services where I've been down here in the South. LOL  You desribed them perfectly, friend...  Hugs, Ethel |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
ROFL... I absolutely LOVE this!!! LOL And unfortunately, growing up didn't stop the fidgets. LOL I went to church with my Dad Sunday... and his pastor's decibel level is such that I'd enjoy the sermon a lot more if I could listen from a quarter mile or more away. LOL Mind wandering is a matter of self-defense. *G* Afterwards, I talked with some of the "kids" I grew up with... and a bunch of supposed adults ended up arguing over what the knotholes in the paneling really look like. LOL I don't think we've progressed far from the days of sitting in the back pews, giggling over the games we played with the song titles! LOL |
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Pilgrimage Member Elite
since 2001-12-04
Posts 3945Texas, USA |
Hah! I love this! It rattles all down to the end and the final AMEN! Nan (Pilgrim variety) |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
Ah Elizabeth I remember how delightful it is to read some of your poetry. This is no exception, beautiful images. Norman Rockwell painted with words Loved it! |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Elizabeth, Go along with Balladeer on this one. Love Sy |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Have you been watching your grandchildren? This is precious!!! |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
MizLizzy~ I lub it !!! I just plain downright LUB IT ! Laughing and remembering !  Lawdy me ... pass the collection plate this way ! Tee-Hee ! *Huglets* ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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NewEnglandlazurlu Member Rara Avis
since 2002-01-04
Posts 7470A Mountain Paradise |
My gosh Ms. Liz, I ain't ever been in the South less you count NYC as south, well girl, it's south ah Bean Town. But good Lordy chil', I thinking this must be just how t'is! Seriously Liz, this was a masterpiece and it had me in stitches. Now this should be in the 'Book.' Hugs, Marti |
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bbent Senior Member
since 2001-01-07
Posts 521Alaska |
I grew up having to go to a catholic mass every Sunday in Pittsburg and still have grooves in my kness and can repeat all them latin prayers that I was forced to say today.Don't belive I've been in a catholic chuch in close to 40 years either.At least todays catholic kids can recite them in english.Enjoyed your write,a comical reminder of my own childhood. Live like it's your last day... |
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KristieSue
since 2003-01-31
Posts 1460PA, US |
my habit was countin' the ceiling tiles... and the fidgeting never does stop LOL |
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GG Member Elite
since 2002-12-03
Posts 3532Lost in thought |
LoL this is hilarious... it reminds me of what I did when I was younger at church, though me and my grandma always played tic-tac-toe ..in secret though, so no one would notice her playing. Now though I go alone and bring a page of notes for the sermon and a page for notes to friends. they both get filled! lol this is excellent Always, Alyssa - And so it was that time stood still - |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Elizabeth - you will never cease to amaze me you know that? You should have heard you in my head reciting this one, you were terrific! LOL, this was fidgetyfabulous! |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
 I LOVE THIS! |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
Liz - (this one should be voted on) anyhow . . . I LOVED this - OMG LMAO - know where your comin from even though I was brought up staunch Irish Catholic - the lil' devils still need counting . . . hehehe this was great! xxoo lol @ bent - latin prayers lmao - you know we could actually fail a grade if we didnt know all the stations of the cross and what Jesus ate for lunch and does anyone even realize that Pontious Pilate is NOT the antichrist - sorry tangent . . . [This message has been edited by littlewing (03-13-2003 07:49 AM).] |
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Cpat Hair
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793 |
love this... such a nice telling and story with the wisdom of understanding things beyond years... I tip my hat to a master... |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Liz...No rhyme...and devine in the best possible way. You are adorable!!  |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Elizabeth! This is wonderful!! Left me with a big smile..it did! Different style for you and very much enjoyed. ~Smiles & Hugs, Nancy~ ~ Trace my body with your words.. |
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RSWells Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533 |
Cool free verse. Thanks for sparing us the ishkabibble of speaking in tongues. It could have been worse.....imagine the horror of an individual who would be the focus of such eyes in rant. |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Man...I love this Liz!!!! I thought you said you couldn't write free verse? this is it at its best!!! |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Ruth.. I think she fibbed.. Go figure...  Liz - This is absolutely WONDERFUL...AMEN!!!..  |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
 (smiles) Oh Elizabeth, I just love how you are so versatile with the rhythm in your poetry, sweet friend, I remember you once rapped like I do sometimes, now it brings me a great smile to see you singing Hallejuah like this! (kiss on cheek) You are amazing, sweet friend, I want to sing my heart out in church too though the Catholic one I go to isn't much of a musical church though the lectures are great, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Elizabeth, thank you for sharing!  May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton "Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..." |
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Paul Wilson
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711United States |
Liz~ You sure nough opened up a sack full of memories with this lovely little ditty And too tell you the truth it's quite priddy Paul "To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you" [This message has been edited by Paul Wilson (03-15-2003 09:53 PM).] |
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Ringo
since 2003-02-20
Posts 3684Saluting with misty eyes |
Liz, it sounds like you grew up going to CHOICH!!!!!! lol I could almost see the preacher, and hear the "AMEN's" and the "Glory's" coming from the congregation. Oh, yeah... We did the same thing in Catholic Mass... lol ~You might say I'm a Dreamer, but I'm not the only one... |
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If I whisper, will you listen?...
