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Open Poetry #24
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An Angel's Heart . . . (a bit of a true story)
| Open Poetry #24 |
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An Angel's Heart . . . (a bit of a true story) |
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Rex Allen McCoy Member Elite
since 2000-01-30
Posts 2863Sippin a Timmy's in London 
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A bit of a true story  An Angel's Heart ~~~ The wind in gale o'er Erie raged north east to rape the land a floundered schooner gripped encaged Long Point's the noose at hand The Point ... a sandy island swamp where waterfowl abound where gull and snipe and divers croon pervading skies with sound ~ The pitch o' night her captain feared her leeward pending doom November's raging breath enspeared ... to daunting reef she loomed Her belly shattered pitched and gorged in rigging swayed her crew as drift of break flew blizzard cold their hapless lives but through ~ With dawn the reaper's closing hand splayed hunger 'long the spar till sainted voice of Abigail beseeched him from afar The Point ... from distant outer swell to landing ... twenty mile the Becker's kept the only shack a trapper's wife her style ~ Her children mustered ... husband gone on beach their fire trim The kettle sang as Abigail ... wade out though could not swim Stood shouting waved with beckoned hands Just swim I'll pull you to Abigail ... six foot and more though undertows she knew ~ One by one they slipped their cage the captain first along his trust was met with grappling hands her legs and arms were strong Her crippled son wade in to help e'er though soon both she found through crashing surf she never tired till all were safe aground ~ Though life is dear these men were brave to drop from mast to swell perhaps she caught with Angel's might their souls from Erie's Hell Said ... November 1854 that twenty fourth day of yore those Long Point Angel's blessed hands forever span her shore ~~~ Crash Test Drunk Drivers ... spare the dummies! [This message has been edited by Rex Allen McCoy (12-22-2002 11:44 AM).] |
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| © Copyright 2002 Rex Allen McCoy - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Fantastic retelling of this tale Rex. Lake Erie is a dangerous one under favorable conditions... she can turn mean in the blink of an eye. So great to see you here today! ~Sending hugs and waves up the 401~ Wishing a wonderful Christmas to you and yours, Nancy! ~ Season's Greetings to my 'family' at Passions ~ |
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Rex Allen McCoy Member Elite
since 2000-01-30
Posts 2863Sippin a Timmy's in London |
thankyou Nancy ... always nice to hear from a wonderful neighbour |
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Pilgrimage Member Elite
since 2001-12-04
Posts 3945Texas, USA |
Rex, I must be emotional this morning. This one has me teary-eyed. Well done. Nan (Pilgrim variety) |
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Gentle Spirit Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989 |
A tale well told Rex. Lake Erie can be unforgiving, it's very true. Enjoyed the read. |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Rex, A story told very well....enjoyed this... Excellent!! |
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Rex Allen McCoy Member Elite
since 2000-01-30
Posts 2863Sippin a Timmy's in London |
Thanks everyone ... I guess I should mention ... As the story of Abigail's courageous rescue became known among the captains and crews of the ships that plied the Great Lakes, they spread the tale far and wide. She received a number of honours, many of them through the efforts of E.P. Dorr, a local captain. A banquet was given in her honour in Buffalo, at which she was given a purse of $500, most of it contri-buted by sailors. A letter signed by Queen Victoria herself acknowledged her feat and enclosed a gift of £50. In 1860 the Prince of Wales presented a further gift while he was duck hunting on Long Point. And the governor- general sent a belated congratulatory letter in the 1890s. The Benevolent Life Saving Association of New York wished to recognize the heroine. President Joseph Walker wrote Captain Dorr: "The giving of our medal is confined to the saving of American life. If thee wilt find that there was an American life saved from on board Schooner Conductor, Abigail shall have our best medal." Indeed there were two ... she received the medal |
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Mistletoe Angel 
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
 (big hugggssssssss) God Bless You, sweet friend, Abigail is such a wonderful person and deserves to forever be recognized for her heroism as there are few who are as courageous as she is and she sets an example for one true angel of a hero! (sigh) This is wonderful, sweet friend, I love it, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Rex, 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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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
You've made heaven smile with this historical re-iteration, Rex. Thanks so much for all you bring to Passions... God gives us much when we act in His name... |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Rex A wonderful read, enjoyed. |
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GG Member Elite
since 2002-12-03
Posts 3532Lost in thought |
wonderful retelling of a truly courageos soul! I enjoyed it much. Always, Alyssa - And so it was that time stood still - |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
I missed this "bit of a true story" on the first round - Must have been the holidays - I'm sure pleased to see it resurface - What a great tale... |
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Nightshade
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962just out of reach |
Rex - I also missed this great tale the first time round. Well done sir!! Chris "Hope" is the thing with feathers- |
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Rex Allen McCoy Member Elite
since 2000-01-30
Posts 2863Sippin a Timmy's in London |
Thanks everyone ... good to see you all again |
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