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Open Poetry #20
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The Spirit of Spanish Lake
| Open Poetry #20 |
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The Spirit of Spanish Lake |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana 
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Not far from a road I frequently take Is a place the locals call Spanish Lake. Antebellum homes rise out of thick mists And sober people fervently insist The fog holds shape and draws a woman’s breath - They’ll share the tale of Claire Elizabeth. Dainty and pampered, her every need met Claire could have been hopelessly spoiled, and yet Her demeanor was unerringly sweet And anyone that she happened to meet Noticed the beauty of both heart and face. Claire was a lady filled with utmost grace. As the only child of a wealthy man Her marrying well was his cherished plan. He hired a tutor that she’d learn the ways She’d need to succeed in her future days. French, Spanish and music she daily learned While a spinning wheel was expertly turned. Art gave her dreams a chance, math made her snore, But she remained charming even when bored. The whole plantation would one day be hers, The rooms would be full of rowdy youngsters. She’d have no choice in selecting her mate She had only to learn and grow... and wait. The gardens became her retreat of choice Under giant oaks, she added her voice To songs of birds and the melody made Lifted her lips as she basked in the shade. She’d walk down the paths enjoying the flowers Oblivious as minutes became hours. One day strolling, she encountered a slave It didn’t occur to Claire to behave With less courtesy to him just because Owning another’s permitted by laws. But Toby knew what was never allowed - He simply nodded then kept his head bowed. Day followed day, them seeing each other A smile was exchanged, and then another. Toby’s strong hands might be mixing manure To tend azaleas... but here was this pure Beauty so fragrant gardenias were shamed. - Love was growing, too, but never was named. But as abundant wisterias bloomed And magnolias filled the air with perfume The pair was spotted by condemning eyes. As they hauled him away, Claire realized She’d not see him again, but never guessed How their improper bond would be addressed. Her happy childhood had rarely known tears But locked in her room, she grappled with fears. Toby’s screams of agony rent the night Claire’s buried face could not escape the sight In her mind as he was beaten to death. Smiles never more graced Claire Elizabeth. Toby’s torn body was thrown in the lake Hungry alligators would quickly make Their dinner of one not worth plot of land - No marker for Toby would ever stand. Claire was locked in her room, there she would wait Father made his pick and set wedding date. In seclusion, Claire rarely saw a face She was shunned by parents, kept in disgrace. The seamstress fitted a wedding dress fine Unceasing pain suffocated Claire’s mind. Her family intended she should feel shame But what Claire felt was overwhelming blame. The day of the wedding dawned bright and clear Friends were gathering from distant and near To see Claire Elizabeth made a bride And walk down the stairs at her father’s side. The groom was excited; he was quite sure In spite of the scandal, his bride was pure. But as music began and the friends all rose The door to Claire’s bedroom stayed firmly closed. A slave was sent to hasten and get her - Horrified shrieks were heard at the altar. Claire had found a friendly protruding nail And hung herself using her wedding veil. Grieving parents sold all and moved away But if you believe tales told to this day The gray moss swings gently as Claire walks by And in dead of night, one can hear her cry. Out on the lake, when a warm day grows cold Shivering spines are touched by restless soul. Claire drifts along the shores of Spanish Lake Keening injustice that managed to make A crime out of kindness, death out of life She didn’t live to be anyone’s wife Never knew what it felt like to be kissed But she mourns her love... and still stirs the mist. |
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| © Copyright 2002 suthern - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Sven
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937East Lansing, MI USA |
now this. . .this is absolutely amazing my friend. . .such a sad and wonderful story. . . you tell it so well. . . with such feeling and such flow. . . loved this one. . . one of your best. . .  ---------------------------------------------------------- To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world. |
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Mother_Earth Senior Member
since 2000-11-20
Posts 13701/2 year Texas & 1/2 year Michigan |
How beautifully sad. Just being a friend was taken as sinful by others. Women were as much slaves as blacks and at times still are. You made the past come alive with your words. Thanks for sharing, ME |
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Toerag Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622Ala bam a |
The sad thing is, she has a zillion poems at least this good but doesn't write them....give her hell yall!!! |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Sven: I'm so glad you liked it... Thank you very much! *S* ME: She's been haunting me for a while (pun intended *S*)... I'm glad you think I told her story well. *S* Thank you! *S* Toerag: How's about you just keep the job of giving me hell... you're so good at it???? LOL And yanno... I would have more reason to post if a certain Bama guy came around more... maybe I'd even post shorter ones! LOL |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Nice writing...is this a true story or a myth? James |
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Mistletoe Angel 
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
 (big hugggssssss) Oh Suthern, this is sooooooo heartbreaking, sweet friend, I could never imagine not being able to live and be kissed and fele true loves beauty; my heart cries out to Claire and her family and I pray for theur hearts to heal somehow though the sadness may always be with them! (sad sigh) This is sad but powerful, sweet friend, God Bless You, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet friend, 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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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
James: If by myth you mean imagination, it's 100% pure myth. *S* I really do know of a place called Spanish Lake and antebellum homes are nearby... but as far as I know, it doesn't have any legends attached. *S* Thank you! M'toe: You have such a big wonderful heart... thank you so much for reading and your kind reply. *S* But worry not... the whole kit and kaboodle are characters from my mind's recesses. *S* [This message has been edited by suthern (05-14-2002 05:07 PM).] |
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jellybeans Member Elite
since 2000-10-13
Posts 2298 |
I have never read poetry as yours...it rhymes, has rhythm, and yet it reads as easy as free verse, you would almost never even notice the impecable contstruction as the story holds your entire attention wonderful write lady...one of my favorites ofyours |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Oh my! I loved this Ruth...a story so sad and yet lyrical. Sigh....write more please!!! Don't let old Toe's absence count for anything.. WE'RE here.... this is fabulous!!!!!  |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
I read every line. I felt every sinew of the torn body. The clawing burn in her throat became mine... I am keeping this Keeper... Karilea |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Wow! This is an amazing story and you wrote it so well. Thank you for this treat of a read. |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
SweetSuthernGal~ Oh my !!! What a beauty released from your quill~ This is just such a marvelous read ... I have already printed it out ... it's got EVERYTHING that makes story/poetry magical~ *Hugs* gal~ Love you~ Here's a little hell ... to keep Toe quiet !  ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Suthern, My dear You have written an epopee a poem of love to be. You have written a tale of sad about a girl and a lad. And it will stay on the the wind of history. Sy |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
You keep writing stories like this, I'm changing your name to Balladette!  Awesome tale told in excellent verse. I always knew you were too good for Toe but the expanse has just been widened by a mile or ten...  |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
 oh goodness....a REALLY sad one!! REALLY!!! suthern, a poetic novel here you have created...and I'm going to read it again and again. *shaking head in awe* this is really good, I can't say in words...to show what I have in my heart...just know I'm touched. |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
A tale wonderfully told! Great poetic presentation! |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
Well, there is a town not far from me, also called Spanish Lake...and after reading this, Im thinking I need to drive thru it or go drink the water or SOMETHING, ANYTHING if it would inspire me like this!!! My goodness Ruth-girlie ... this is fantastic!! The imagery is as impressive as the meter. I agree with Deer...as I was reading this cadence kissed offering it came to mind that this was like one of his or Kits wonderful story telling writes. So now that Toe has let the secret out...get to posting some more of these creative, imaginative gems from your pen. |
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BloomingRose Member Elite
since 2000-08-09
Posts 3092Florida |
Absolutely awesome. Sad, yet an amazing story. Wonderful writing! Deb |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
jellybeans: I know how busy you’ve been these past few days... so gaining your entire attention means much to me. *S* Thank you very much, dear friend! PDV: There’s no escaping it... it’s fact. *G* Toe’s absence counts ... and his presence means everything. *G* Thank you so much for loving this... Claire’s lived in my mind a long time... she decided yesterday to seek better quarters. *G* Sunshine: And I am thanking you... for reading... and for feeling! *S* Martie: The treat is mine, reading such kind comments. *S* Thank you so much! Marge: What a gift it was to see your name here... Welcome back! *S* And thank you so much... I borrowed that magic from you, yanno. *G* But please please please don’t keep Toe quiet... Did I mention that I like him giving me hell? LOL Seymour: Those winds of history sing many sad songs... thank you for liking the one sung here. *S* Balladeer: Yanno, when I first read your comment, I thought you were changing your name to Balladette... and I was ready to start writing without ceasing! LOL Can you just imagine? Long John the sailor, Toerag the magnificent... and Balla... dette ??? *G* Now don’t you be widening that expanse between me and that sweet Toe... he’s hard enough to catch up with as it is! LOL Thanks, Deer One... I appreciate your approval so very much. *S* PS: Your response humbles me and touches me deeply. THANK YOU! *S* To be read once is an honor... to be read again is a priceless gift. *S* ethome: Thank you very much... glad you liked! *S* Janet Marie: I think all the water I’ve consumed lately has been from some Arkansas spring. *G* But I couldn’t ask for a greater compliment than to bring to mind my heroes of poetic story telling (even if what’s brought to mind is how they’re so far out of my league. *S*) Thank you! *S* As for Toe telling secrets... he just wants y’all to suffer along with him. *G* BR: I thank you so much! *S* [This message has been edited by suthern (05-15-2002 10:08 AM).] |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
Excellent Suthern! You wove this story along beautifully, and held me captivated to the end. Really well done ... very much enjoyed the changes in emotions this elicited throughout! Well done! (and you have a zillion of these? write more please!) Best wishes and hugs, /Kit |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Thank you so much, Kit. *S* I'm glad you liked. *S* As for zillions... though it probably feels like that when I bombard him with my efforts, methinks Toe may have exaggerated just a wee bit. *G* |
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