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Open Poetry #24
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The Hand of God
| Open Poetry #24 |
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The Hand of God |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738
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Tim showed up here just yesterday and he was proud he had a pass-- He even called the attendants and I had to tell them he was fine. "Yes." (oh yes) I would make sure that he would check in by nine... "Yes." (oh yes) I was assured. Brother Tim received his meds. "But--" I heard him hesitate-- "Tim's been quite upset." It seems his pastor had just died... I did not bother to correct. "Yes, I know." I simply said. "His pastor was my brother." No condolences were coming-- just make sure Tim got 'home' fine. "Of course," I thought, "why would I not?" Nine was medication time. I put the phone back on the wall and told Tim "Have a seat." Already crying big man tears he smiled and took the captain's chair. His voice broke emotion's peace as he confessed to me: "I have no other place to grieve." I nodded and replied, "I know." I made a pot of coffee then and gave him the remote control. I never know when big Tim shows-- how long he plans to hang around. But after he escaped his keep from the halfway house last week I always checked with orderlies-- just to put their minds at ease. "Let's just humor them" I said. Tim nodded in conspiracy. I smiled at Tim and said, "Look here." I pulled a Bible from the shelf. A special print of the King James, the type was large and printed bold. Then I searched his eyes and asked as gently as our grief allowed. "Do you remember this, my friend?" He sobbed as I said, "It's yours now..." This Bible was a special gift a promise of the heart from Tim. He'd given this to his dear friend-- a quiet present for Christmas-- noticing my brother squint when they'd discuss the gospel truth. He never mentioned the large print-- the gift was wrapped in dignity the silences of men will speak so much more than words. Then Tim keened an anguished howl and held his forehead in his hand. "There's no one left who knows The Word-- nobody who can understand..." He wiped his eyes and cleared his throat and told me that my brother died saved by Jesus on the cross-- and said my brother had been kind... I didn't say a word but smiled sure now, Tim had lost his mind. I remembered their debates-- punctuated by their fists on my brother's kitchen table red-faced, they were both convinced the other was an idiot-- oh yeah, they spread The Word. I know I always left assured that all New Orleans had just heard-- but passion was their play. Silently he held the book. He rifled pages absently. Then The Word fell passively from his hands onto my floor and opened as an augury to the family page of Death. In my brother's intense script was my father's name. Just below the loyal son penned in my own pain: Keith D. Hood it was so plain-- we knew we could not argue fact. Tim and I met with eyes. Tim said to me, "I should get back." "There's this show I like to watch." He handed me the Hand of God. I took from him remote control he muttered something about a pill that seemed to give him happy dreams and how tonight he'd swallow it instead of tonguing it in cheek. Then he looked at me and winked-- destination--tv screen-- 'home'... to watch "Smallville." |
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| © Copyright 2003 serenity blaze - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
I'll be back.  |
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GG Member Elite
since 2002-12-03
Posts 3532Lost in thought |
kept my attention the whole way through. I could picture the whole thing so well, and it was fascinating, painful, and made me smile a few times too. Love the poem, and hope you're doing ok. Always, Alyssa - And so it was that time stood still - |
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Joyce Johnson
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912Washington State |
I found pain, worry, relief resignation and a bit of irony in your words. Well done. Joyce |
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Cpat Hair
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793 |
what part is missing here? I see nothing of you that is not touched in this telling. sorry..but I have to keep this one... too much in it not to. |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
There is something more here..can't put my finger on it or express it.. Going to library this and come back for another read later... Excellent write Ser. ~Hugs~ ~Time has cast a spell on you, |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
I smiled at Tim and said, "Look here." I pulled a Bible from the shelf. A special print of the King James, the type was large and printed bold. Then I searched his eyes and asked as gently as our grief allowed. "Do you remember this, my friend?" He sobbed as I said, "It's yours now..." This Bible was a special gift a promise of the heart from Tim. He'd given this to his dear friend-- a quiet present for Christmas-- noticing my brother squint when they'd discuss the gospel truth. He never mentioned the large print-- the gift was wrapped in dignity the silences of men will speak so much more than words. Then Tim keened an anguished howl and held his forehead in his hand. "There's no one left who knows The Word-- nobody who can understand..." He wiped his eyes and cleared his throat and told me that my brother died saved by Jesus on the cross-- and said my brother had been kind... I didn't say a word but smiled sure now, Tim had lost his mind. ====================================== Silently he held the book. He rifled pages absently. Then The Word fell passively from his hands onto my floor and opened as an augury to the family page of Death. In my brother's intense script was my father's name. Just below the loyal son penned in my own pain: Keith D. Hood it was so plain-- we knew we could not argue fact. Tim and I met with eyes. Tim said to me, "I should get back." =============================== KA? ... I just hugged me screen... love you me twin...  |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
serenity--Raw and real, full of emotional power and love...amazing really, like you.  |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
This touched me with a smile...the love is being passed around.  |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
I want to thank everybody, but especially the cap. This one was just sitting in the middle of my mental road and I didn't want to face it. I felt funny even posting it, knowing how so many grieve...so I thank you all a bit weepily tonight. Love you all. (especially Cap Ron...) |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
quote: Fathers, sons, go through this... mothers, daughters, go through this... more than we know... Serenity, I was hit hard by all of this... I was rendered weak...by all of this... and I know...most of this.. Thank you. a quiet, positive, thank you... |
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Aenimal Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350the ass-end of space |
I'll just nod with quiet reverance. You amaze, you inspire, you pen devine |
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carol Senior Member
since 2003-01-25
Posts 624Florida USA |
I really liked this. |
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Masked Intruder
Moderator
Senior Member
since 1999-05-23
Posts 1231Near golden sunsets |
strong, as ever |
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garysgirl
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
Karen, I triple what everyone above me said. K, you out-did yourself with this one. It's just so real. Thank you for posting this, friend... Heart hugs to you, Ethel |
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vlraynes Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229Somewhere... out there... |
Karen~ I just read your heart and it reached in and touched mine. Big HUGS to you, my friend. ~Vicky "...until you have read the verse on his heart, |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
You've shared a very, very personal moment with us, Karen... I think perhaps you and Tim have a special angel now... God Bless...  |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
serenity, Good quality, good write, enjoyed. |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
The very heart of you is wrapped within this piece Karen. Thank you for this personal library gift. You are beyond 3D. |
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Gentle Spirit Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989 |
Oh Karen, wow......this has so much wrapped up in this....this came from down deep lady.....just fantastic.  |
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