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Open Poetry #23
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Holiday Celebrations
| Open Poetry #23 |
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Holiday Celebrations |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana 
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Once upon a long ago time, my thoughts of holidays Involved the Easter Bunny and the many nights I'd gaze Into a starry winter sky, for when it was real clear I harbored hopes of glimpsing Santa's sleigh and his reindeer. I watched the televised parades early on New Year's Day And glared at piles of "lucky" black-eyed peas upon my plate. In February, Valentine's Day was a special date To exchange cards and candy hearts with all of my classmates. On Easter Sunday, painted hands must have looked quite funny - Testament I'd been dying eggs for the Easter Bunny. But off I went proudly to church, looking my very best Wearing my white shoes and a new pastel Easter dress. After picnics, I'd "ooh" and "ahh" on the Fourth of July Sprawled on a blanket as fireworks exploded in the sky. For the Thanksgiving turkey feast, I found I couldn't wait And so snitched pieces of white meat from off the carving plate "I'm going to cut your fingers off!" was my uncle's threat But I'd just savor every stolen morsel I could get. And then at the end of a long interminable year Finally, finally, hallelujah - Christmas was here! Delicious smells of tasty treats perfumed each breath of air Running about, I was stepped on a lot, but didn't care For favorite cousins visited and both girls and boys Soon were all comparing gifts and trying their brand new toys. But years passed, I "matured", grew haughty and bored by parades And I found myself forgotten on each Valentine's Day. I eschewed Easter eggs (all that nasty cholesterol!) And yawned through fine displays of fireworks, flag waving and all. I lost interest in relatives I saw so seldom... I may have been growing up - but boy, was I ever dumb! But holidays possess a magic, one you cannot see A magic far more powerful than even puberty. I'll never again watch parades or search the skies at night Seeing through the eyes of a child with innocent delight Now, I write on a monitor and computer keys pound Instead of making sentences from candy hearts I've found My money goes to paying rent, not on firecrackers now I’m too old to aim bottle rockets at Aunt Mary's cow. And now I carve the turkey, and I always soundly scold Whichever nephew or niece is so conniving and bold As to snitch bits of my turkey, but then I add a wink And say "Your Mama seasoned it just right, don’t you think?" At Christmas and always, I know the gift given me Is worth far more than any package wrapped beneath a tree. For thirty three years, God's only son walked here on this earth Living as man that we might live if we accept rebirth. And there are two holidays I barely noticed when young That now fill me with an immense gratitude that's wrung From the very heart of me, for the freedom that I live Is mine to embrace because a few brave souls chose to give. Memorial Day and the eleventh month, eleventh day Aren't nearly often enough for each of us to say "Thank you, I truly thank you" to every one who served For each month, each day, each hour our veterans so deserve Our appreciation, our prayers... above all, our respect. They sacrificed their youth, their lives, in order to protect Our country, our freedom, our holiday sales at the mall Without them, we would have nothing to celebrate at all. America, each day I pray: God shed His grace on thee And thank Him for the veterans that gave so I live free! Written with special thanks for my Dad and my best friend... dedicated to all veterans with heartfelt gratitude. |
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| © Copyright 2002 suthern - All Rights Reserved | |||
Mistletoe Angel 
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
 (big hugggssssssss) God Bless You, sweet friend, this made me cry as it is soooooooo beautiful and straight from your heart and that I hope so many more can remember these wonderful people and that they will never be forgotten for securing our freedom! (sigh) This is wonderful, sweet friend, and I believe with all my heart God made this special holiday too, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Suthern, 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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regards2you Member Elite
since 2002-10-01
Posts 3940California |
Thank you for this poem. Such fun as you took us through the innocent delight of the holidays of childhood to the mature gratitude of two holidays which are of upmost importance to this country. You honor them well. We are so blessed to have the freedom we do, and we'll never know truly, the trauma our vets went through, (Except those in the New York Towers+, 9/11 terrorist attack, they know) and as Paladan's poem on the board says....some are still "broken in spirit".They need our help and our ~Respect~ You wrote a great tribute to them. Warm Regards, Pat  ..without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.. |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
suthern Said as well as can be said, bless you my dear. |
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Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
suthern, Wow! A holiday ramble filled full of wisdom and memories. This poem touched my heart in a special way. Thank you for all the sentiments you have packed in to one package. Well done indeed.  If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again. |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Miss Belle, I curtsy to you! I'm saving your words for posterity. Excellent write--so moving, so truthful and so very nostalgic. The values, the pictures painted...the list goes on... Wonderful! ~ extra warm hugs for you, sweet Suthern! Linda |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
From the very heart of me, for the freedom that I live Is mine to embrace because a few brave souls chose to give. Memorial Day and the eleventh month, eleventh day Aren't nearly often enough for each of us to say "Thank you, I truly thank you" to every one who served For each month, each day, each hour our veterans so deserve Our appreciation, our prayers... above all, our respect. They sacrificed their youth, their lives, in order to protect Our country, our freedom, our holiday sales at the mall Without them, we would have nothing to celebrate at all. America, each day I pray: God shed His grace on thee And thank Him for the veterans that gave so I live free! ======================================== Written with the cadenced grace and sincere pen of heart and wisdom that we have come to know as the muse of Ruth. This is a wonderful tribute for the day and your dad. Many of the younger generations havent been touched by the effects of war on their families( thank goodness) but for those of us with dads and grandpas and uncles (and the women too) who shared their experiences with us as we were growing up, this day holds so much...for those who lost loved ones..it means so much more. Thank you for reminding us of this days reasons |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
M'toe: I didn't mean to make you cry. *S* But I thank you so much for thinking it beautiful. *S* regards: I'm glad you liked the exceedingly long "introduction"... it takes me a while to get to the point! LOL And I thank you so much for liking this tribute. *S* Seymour: Thank YOU, dear friend... that simply can't be said enough. *S* But I'm so very pleased you like this particular saying. *S* Thank you. Larry: And ramble I did! LOL Believe it or not, I tossed out some lines... and it's still LONG. *G* I'm very honored this touched your heart... and thank you so much. Getting a "cool" leaves me grinning. *G* EA: That you should consider these words worth saving both pleases me immensely and humbles me. *S* I thank you so very much! JM: This was originally an essay. *S* When applying for indenture to this current werk monster, I'd furnished the requested sample of my legal writing, but was asked to write a page or two, on the spot, any topic... just so they could see if I could write coherently quickly. It happened to be just before Memorial Day... and I thought of my Dad and Toe and just let the words flow. *G* Thank you so much for liking this slightly more structured version... I guess it's my muse's fault I got the job? LOL |
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NewEnglandlazurlu Member Rara Avis
since 2002-01-04
Posts 7470A Mountain Paradise |
suthern - Bravo!! This is an excellent write. Huggles, Marti |
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Toerag Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622Ala bam a |
Wonderful job gal....thanks from a vet... |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
N.Eng.azurlu: I thank you very much! *S* Toerag: That means everything to me, dearest friend. *S* And I thank YOU... today and always. |
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Kethry Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082Victoria Australia |
suthern, this is excellent, woven with love, hope and reality. Thank you for helping me remember what it is all about. Kethry Here in the midst of my lonely abyss, a single joy I find...your presence in my mind. Unknown |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
A wonderful read and peek into your life, Suthern! Cor |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
I don't think you left any holidays or memories out...wonderful! I hope you are feeling better. *s M |
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Marsha
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423Maidstone Kent England |
Suthern beloved heart I love your writing, it reaches within and reminds my soul how special this date is. And not just because my favourite / only son was born on this date Because of those who were willing to die and defend us we have liberty. Do you have any concept how good this piece of yours is? How its who’s flow and style is unsurpassed in excellence. I could if I tried really heart keep this reply short and simply say it is stunning in its words and outstanding in its execution. Do I love it? Of course I do I love it utterly utterly utterly. YOU beloved heart are a writer of outstanding skill, this is a keeper for certain.  Love and warm stuff As always Mushy  Breathe through the heat of our desire |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Kethry: Thank you so much... your kind response means much to me. *S* And thank you even more for remembering. *S* Corinne: My life's an open book... or poem, as the case may be. *G* Thank you for reading and liking! *S* nakdthoughts: Thank you so much... and thanks for the well wishes. *S* Marsha: A belated Happy Birthday to your favorite son! *S* And thank you so much... I'm grateful for your support and encouragement. *S* |
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BloomingRose Member Elite
since 2000-08-09
Posts 3092Florida |
This is excellent writing. Enjoyed very much. Deb |
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jellybeans Member Elite
since 2000-10-13
Posts 2298 |
ok, now my first question, is why did I have to do a search on your name to be able to read this?..........* very stern look* and second....this is wonderfulllll!!!!!!! I love the way you think and the grace with which you put your thoughts on paper |
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majnu
since 2002-10-13
Posts 1088SF Bay Area |
so many things of interest and wonder in this piece. i could write a lengthy paper on it without summing it all up. thanks for the great write. -majnu |
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garysgirl
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
Suthern, now this one REALLY made me speechless. All I can say is THANK YOU!!!!! for sharing this. "Love makes the world go around" |
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Titia Geertman Member Ascendant
since 2001-05-07
Posts 5182Netherlands |
WOW I held my breath, reading this beautiful ode to the veterans and every holyday celebration.  Beautiful, beautiful!!!!! Titia Like scattered leaves...my words will flow |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Blooming Rose: Thank you very much! *S* I'm sorry it took so long for me to get back here with my thanks. *S* jellybeans: Yanno, I'm not skeered of you and your stern looks... not at all! LOL Thank you so much, dear friend... for both your search and your approval... they're greatly appreciated. *S* majnu: Thank you for such a wonderful response! *S* I'm very glad you liked. *S* garysgirl: As long as your speech returns quickly. *G* I'd hate to be guilty of silencing you. *G* Thank you very much! *S* Titia: What a superb compliment. *S* Thank you so very much! *S* |
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