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Sleep Under Willows
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Sleep Under Willows |
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Street Heart Member
since 2002-09-05
Posts 349Pennsylvania,USA 
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Back in March of 1991,I had the honour of being asked to be one of the support assistants for a regional AIDS quilt exhibition which was brought to Lehigh Valley College in Allentown,PA.This was to be my first and only contact with that incredible memorial to so many lives which were prematurely snuffed out by an out-of-control epidemic.I am a little ashamed to admit this.I was so overcome by the astounding artistry,the amount of lives that were taken,but mostly,by the astounding Love which was poured into all those offerings by those who missed their loved ones,that I was practically rendered non compos mentis.Emotions overtook me.I was stunned.Be that as it may,there was one panel that struck me particularly hard.With exquisite artistry,it depicted a baby held in the palm of, seemingly,God's hand,with a beautiful white lily over her head.It stated that she was one year,one month,one day old when she died.The tears just rolled down my face.The next morning while I was still asleep,I had a dream.In the dream,I was by a river...and this little baby bird flew down and landed in my hand.As I looked,this little one curled up within my palm as if to quietly sleep and so gently died. Suddenly,I heard the sweetest music,just a segment,words and all,that went,"...and she never stopped smiling when the angel came and took her away."With such strong emotion,I awoke and promptly went to the piano.The following is what I wrote.It is in 3/4 time.I am currently arranging and recording this.I wish I could share the entire song with you,but the words will have to suffice. Peace... 1st Verse: One day you looked in my eyes. I dream of the way you slept in my arms But visions of slumbering never do comfort me now Byways and weeks hasten by I dream of the days you played by and by Scenes of you smiling...always are riling me mile after mile how my Heart travels far... Chorus: Sleep under willows where flowers are crowning you Riding the waves of Sweet By and By Never in shadows Rivers meandering... reflecting the clouds that were swept from your eyes (...and she never stopped smiling when the angel came and took her away...) 2nd Verse: Years fly and seas gently foam when tossed by the winds we call Father Time Ever reminding me,your Love's still finding me now Someday,when searching the skies I'll look toward the stars just to search for your eyes Scenes of her filling me...never are stilling me Time after time...all the time slipped away... 2nd Chorus: But sleep under willows where flowers are crowning you Riding the waves of Sweet By and By Never in shadow Rivers meandering... reflecting the clouds that were swept from your eyes (...and she never stopped smiling when the angel came and took her away...) 3rd Verse: Someday I'll look in your eyes We'll live all the days within Sweet By and By Ever together...never apart again Dream after dream seems to gleam of the time... Final Chorus: when we'll sleep under willows where flowers are crowning us Riding the waves of Sweet By and By Never in shadow Rivers meandering... reflecting the clouds that were swept from our eyes And you never stopped smiling when the angel came and took you away... March 4,1991 Geoffrey Sonnen If a man has not discovered something he is willing to die for,his life is not worth living. Martin Luther King,Jr. Detroit,1963 [This message has been edited by Street Heart (03-14-2003 12:50 PM).] |
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| © Copyright 2003 Geoffrey Sonnen - All Rights Reserved | |||
Mistletoe Angel 
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
 (tears fall down my cheeks) This is by far, in my opinion, my favorite of all your poems and by far the most deepest poem I've read of yours, just because while all of your poems hold such an honest emotion to them of your struggles with living on the streets and finding forgiveness along the way, this one delves deep into a much more intense issue that affects ever so many unfortunate victims! (wipes tears) It breaks my heart to see so many diagnosed with this disease and I know deep down all our children are always watched over by angels, and for those with the disease, are constantly praying for them and consoling them and their parents with love and strength! (sad sigh) There are no more words to say, sweet friend, God Bless You, this is bound to touch so many nurses and doctors who are doing all they can to end this crisis, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Geoffrey, thank you for sharing! May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton "Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..." Shakira [This message has been edited by Mistletoe Angel (03-14-2003 11:59 AM).] |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Gets my vote! ~Hugs~ ~ Trace my body with your words.. |
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SPIRIT Senior Member
since 2002-12-29
Posts 1745California Desert |
This is a very emotional write - thank you. My vote is in |
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DawnG
since 2000-06-23
Posts 1494United States |
Wow! If the story about your working with the Aids project wasn't enough to bring one to tears then the song will surely do it. I wish I could hear this, but I will have to imagine how beautiful it must be to hear you play and sing this song. Dawn |
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Street Heart Member
since 2002-09-05
Posts 349Pennsylvania,USA |
Thank you all so much for your votes Peace to you,Geoffrey If a man has not discovered something he is willing to die for,his life is not worth living. |
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WhiteRose Member Elite
since 2002-07-23
Posts 3208somebody's dungeon |
Again, I'm at a loss for words. |
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Kellie_Cantrell Senior Member
since 2002-05-22
Posts 1667New York |
You got my vote! (¨`·.·´¨) (¨`·.·´¨) |
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garysgirl
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
Very Touching...my vote.. |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Excellent again. I have emailed someone who may know how you can put this music so everyone can hear it on here, so stay tuned as I will wait for his email back. This is a poet that posts on this site, and we have heard his songs. Very emotional story and wonderful song. |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
Even the intro to this was poetry.... this is one of those times where the gift of inspiration comes from witnessing "little miracles" that change us forever. Very heart touching write Geoff.  The Sun The Moon The Stars The Sky |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
You have a caring heart and a poet's soul... Love & Light, Earth Angel |
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Lost Dreamer Member Elite
since 1999-06-20
Posts 2464Somewhere near the Rainbow |
Wow!  Sometimes we have to follow a stronger voice, even if it's silent. |
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Street Heart Member
since 2002-09-05
Posts 349Pennsylvania,USA |
Thank you so much,WhiteRose,Kellie,garysgirl, Janet,Earth Angel,Lost Dreamer,and Sharon. sharon,thank you so much for connecting me with Eric.I will tell you of any developements with the song. Peace,my friends,Geoffrey If a man has not discovered something he is willing to die for,his life is not worth living. |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
Beautiful writing, Street. |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
I was so sure I had replied and voted for this beautiful write. Touched me deeply. You know you have my vote m'friend. Maree.  |
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lorenlynn Member
since 2003-01-27
Posts 203California Beaches |
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Joyce Johnson
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912Washington State |
How did I miss thsi? I do so enjoy your poetry. Joyce |
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Justbleu Member Elite
since 1999-08-31
Posts 3329Oregon, Originally From Alaska :) |
This is a beautiful piece..... Bridgette  "Somewhere, somehow, it should be possible to touch someone and never let go again. To hold someone, not for a moment but forever." Unknown |
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Verve Member
since 1999-06-23
Posts 348Singapore |
Wow... this is wonderfully amazing... 2 thumbs up!!! Definitely has my vote too.  Cheers! |
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pjtalty Member
since 2002-07-17
Posts 111W.A., Australia |
The lead in to these touching lyrics is inspirational; the lyrics, well, they are created to be joined with a ballad, but the ballad will have to be formidable to match the quality of the lyrics. I won't go into an analysis of your creation because it is quite apparent that you have injected a magic quality into them which brings the emotions of the reader to the high level that empowered you to create such a profound work in such deceptively simple language. My thanks to you for sharing this go with my vote. Patrick Talty |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
thanks for sharing |
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Street Heart Member
since 2002-09-05
Posts 349Pennsylvania,USA |
Thank you all for your warm responses. It's funny,just recently I shared this with a group of people down in West Virginia,and someone made the comment of finding the ones who dedicated that incredibly beautiful and heart-rending quilt panel.He said that they would be so appreciative.Honestly,I wouldn't know where to begin or how to find them,since I don't have a name to go by.If anyone has a suggestion,please let me know. Thanks so much,Patrick,for your generous and touching comments. Peace,my friends, Geoffrey If a man has not discovered something he is willing to die for,his life is not worth living. Martin Luther King,Jr. Detroit,1963 [This message has been edited by Street Heart (04-17-2003 02:36 PM).] |
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Bill Charles Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619highways, & byways, for now |
Street Heart - words escape me with the feelings I have after reading this. Peace walk with you... My vote... BC |
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