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Open Poetry #24
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The Plunge (A Tragic story)
| Open Poetry #24 |
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The Plunge (A Tragic story) |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania 
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The Plunge(A Tragedy) He dove into the unknown waters Off a cliff of stone Then disappeared into the deep But he was not alone It is the rage of teenagers To linger round this hole And jump into the dark abyss To test a quarry’s soul But on that day two boys dove in And never reappeared And shortly came six divers All equipped with rescue gear These frogmen were professionals With all their heart and grace Were searching for a hand or arm In hopes to raise a face The faces of the two teenage boys Among the climbing toll Who’ve ventured into water’s depth To test a quarry’s soul Folks stood like statues on the edge Of carved out granite walls How many times this scene replayed Nobody quite recalls But this day things were not the same Two boys forever lost Along with six who followed them Now eight would be the cost All lifelines severed in the caves From which the granite flowed Now carried by the unknown force Of streams that rush below No hope of reaching down for life Of divers deep within A chasm where folks stood in shock Around a quarry’s rim Some stayed all night and waited for The morning’s breaking light In hopes that maybe one pulled through The horror of the night The earth soaks up your very soul Into It’s rocky sponge And every mother knows her son Has made the deathly plunge No matter what you say or do They someday make that pledge To thrust their chance at life or death From off a granite ledge Elizabeth Santos Unfortunately this is a true story Two of my own sons have done this But they were meant to stay a while Upon this earth |
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| © Copyright 2003 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
For some reason, many souls feel the need to walk the line with God. Some cheat God. Some, don't. Beatiful meter for a sad tale... |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Liz, though sad and mournful, it is a treasure, beautifully written. Yes, it is sad that so many went to their deaths in that fateful place and that nature dealt such a heavy hand.. |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Tragic indeed, Elizabeth. I'm glad that your sons survived and feel the grief of the families of the ones who didn't. Very well written, as always. |
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NewEnglandlazurlu Member Rara Avis
since 2002-01-04
Posts 7470A Mountain Paradise |
Liz, when I was a teenager, we used to do this very thing in a quarry! When I think of it now, I shudder. Teens have no fear and honestly believe they are invincible. This is very sad and I am sorry for any young person who loses their life. Hugs, Marti Most of us go to our grave |
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Paul Wilson
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711United States |
Elizabeth~ Touching story of reality and things done without giving thought to to consequences. I tempted fate many times as a teenager and luckily I am still here. I now know how easy I could have been one of the un-lucky ones.Enjoyed the lesson within your poem...Paul "To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you" |
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regards2you Member Elite
since 2002-10-01
Posts 3940California |
This is so well written. I'll bet you could write about a piece of cardboard and turn it into an award winning poem. I enjoy your talent and thank you for bringing this subject up. How sad, not only do they put their own life on the line, testing fate, but the rescuers as well. And, that really where the worse of it lies. Glad your boys made it and can't say I didn't try a couple dumb stunts when I was younger... Enjoyed this, Elizabeth... Pat  ..without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.. |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
The "rites of passage"... Our town has a bridge that's known the dive of everyone who's grown up here... My own children did't confess their experiences until they were grown... It is indeed every parent's nightmare... These are touching words, my friend..  |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Elizabeth, The doing is the easy part. It's the waiting and watching that is hard. A gripping write. Sy |
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garysgirl 
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
Elizabeth, this touched my heart. I know someone who was paralyzed at the age of 16 from diving. He was in a wheel chair for the rest of his life. My heart goes out to the loved ones of the ones who didn't make it.  "Love makes the world go around" |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Thinking themselves invincible, they take the test Never dreaming a result that's not one of success Far too many young souls tempt the gates of hell You've told this sad story so very well. |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
 (tears fall down my cheeks) Oh Elizabeth, I am so sorry to hear this, and I know how hard it can be for your own to follow in their footsteps too, I wish there was something I can do to ease the pain though I understand how permanent it can be! (sad sigh) I send angel hugs out to you and every family who faces suicidal tragedies or accidental falls, sweet friend, 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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ShadowRider Senior Member
since 2001-07-14
Posts 1038USA |
It is a sad truism what a young man does to test his bravery. When I went to college, we had colleges all over Indiana University and each month a tragedy was felt until the police began the patrols all around the limestone quarries. You really described this tragedy with a soft heart and stoney reality. Very well done, Elizabeth! JkF |
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