Open Poetry #26 |
Consequences |
Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Consequences They placed the infant on her lap Wrapped in the peace of slumbering nap She softly cupped the newborn child And smiled as though it hurt to smile The joy of life evoked a tear Just cradling an infant near For she was growing old and weak And spoke as though it hurt to speak She said how different it would be If only he were here to see A child born and free from harm, No number etched upon his arm Four generations have survived And kept the family name alive And for the ones she left behind Her wrist was still their living shrine This child, she said, will never hold The scars I’ve carried in my soul She pulled the bottom of her sleeve As though this child would never grieve Five generations gathered round An infant’s breath the only sound Though life to them ,a precious gift Some lived as though it hurt to live For degradation, hurt, and shame Still flowed with tenants through the vein Into a heart with sorrow laced Until the numbers were erased Survivors never were set free From consequence of tyranny When stripped of dignity and pride They somehow lived as though they died How beautiful this tiny child That now brought on a tearless smile Though questions lingered in a sigh As though it hurt to wonder why Elizabeth Santos [This message has been edited by Elizabeth Santos (05-03-2003 10:15 AM).] |
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© Copyright 2003 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved | |||
RSWells Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533 |
So many survivors feel guilt for surviving disasters (or pogroms) that they appear the walking dead. Yet others cherish life in a new light. Your poem begs the question why. |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Elizabeth, Excellent and I hope you are feeling better. Sy |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Elizabeth, so good to have you home... you never fail to wake the conscience... and you never fail to write anything that we don't keep... hugs, my friend... |
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garysgirl
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
Elizabeth, this felt so real. You have a way of doing that. And, I'm glad to be abvle to read you again. Thank you for sharing this. Even though it's sad to me, it is also beautiful. Hugs Ethel |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
Elizabeth: you amaze me - this is breathtaking and the newness seems to just wash away all of the sorrow for a spell reminds me of a song by Creed "Whats This Life For" amazing tune - everything you have painted here for us xxoo |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Now that one actually took my breath away Liz. Karilea is looking for poems to read aloud regarding an amendment about something in the States, and I am sending this to her pronto. You simply astound me with your work m'friend. [This message has been edited by Mysteria (05-04-2003 05:14 AM).] |
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Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
Excellent write Liz. |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Liz please don't forget to send this to Karilea as a submission for her presentation - just a reminder hon. |
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Richy Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 3050 |
How special you are to share something like this with so many... A giant of a piece... one I will keep... Blessings to you, Richy [This message has been edited by Richy (05-04-2003 09:06 AM).] |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
This is especially beautiful for me, dear Liz... Having spent a most unique day just last week, beginning with welcoming our family's newest member - and ending with a very teary farewell to his great-great-grandmother (my grandmother)... I thank you for your eloquence, you wondrous lady... |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
You all have warmed my heart with your beautiful comments and I am grateful to know your sentiments upon having read it. Thank you so much Liz |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
(big hugggssssssss) God Bless You, sweet friend, your beautiful compassionate words consequentially always bring tears to my eyes and make me smile knowing your golden heart as I pray for the children and that they will be nurtured with love and not stung by the same tears and knowledge of sorrow! (wipes tears) This is precious, 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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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Survivors never were set free From consequence of tyranny When stripped of dignity and pride They somehow lived as though they died What an eloquent, emotional sharing of pain that permeates generations... and the hope that the next generation will be the one free of its bondage. This is simply superb. |
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Sven
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937East Lansing, MI USA |
you have always been one of my favorites. . . this is why. . . well done my friend. . . ---------------------------------------------------------- To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world. |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
You have been missed, Elizabeth. I hope all is well. Excellent expression! |
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