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Open Poetry #29
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Ratleader
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Member Rara Avis
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026
Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass

0 posted 2003-09-22 02:14 PM


The Unfolding

You told me this once:
that sometimes a touch will take you
by surprise, slip past all defenses
before they exist; that the change
comes rising up through you
like bubbles in the sand,
will open deep within you
as a seed in warm soil
and burst forth unbidden.

The touch of time is always so,
the map unfolding turn by turn.
Each time we think we near
the destination, that we see
the final wrinkle at the edge
where the hands of time have
soiled it with that touch,
it opens yet again and there
is road enough to travel,
goals within the unseen goals.

The bubbles rising,
rising through the sand,
The wave not spent,
its force turned back
from this shore on toward
another, another, thrown
across time once again,
an undreamed destination


And the map, I know no more of it
than you, except for this:
It has no edge to find,
no demarcation, only roads
that run and turn and run again
to sudden intersections,
toward a destination we
may never see

The seed, the seed
pulled up toward the sun
unbidden and ordained
the soil warm, welcoming
and it will both leave,
leave and remain
return to the eternal
turning of the earth.
That is the core of it.


But the map is not the road,
and for us no sign along the way
can tell the destination
or even the distance
we have come. No map
can show a change of season,
shine with the color of
the trees along the way,
describe the petals of
a wayside flower,
the widening whiteness of
a breaking wave where the road
brings us along the shore.

This is the side we see,
and still we know that
as this map is opened
to us turn by turn,
expanding far beyond
the way we'll travel,
there is yet another side,
another map that we will
never see, and know that
both are true; for if time
has an end at all,
it isn't time.

[This message has been edited by Ratleader (09-22-2003 02:17 PM).]

© Copyright 2003 Ed Ratledge - All Rights Reserved
QjQ
Member Elite
since 2003-04-18
Posts 3756
U.S.A.
1 posted 2003-09-22 02:16 PM


nice penning for martie,,,

well expressed,,,

                                       

icebox
Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383
in the shadows
2 posted 2003-09-22 02:20 PM


An excellent creation for a wonderful Lady.

Well don, Sir.

Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

3 posted 2003-09-22 02:30 PM


The seed, the seed
pulled up toward the sun
unbidden and ordained
the soil warm, welcoming
and it will both leave,
leave and remain
return to the eternal
turning of the earth.
That is the core of it.


(what a very very cool verse that is)

But the map is not the road,
and for us no sign along the way
can tell the destination
or even the distance
we have come. No map
can show a change of season,
shine with the color of
the trees along the way,
describe the petals of
a wayside flower,
the widening whiteness of
a breaking wave where the road
brings us along the shore.

This is the side we see,
and still we know that
as this map is opened
to us turn by turn,
expanding far beyond
the way we'll travel,
there is yet another side,
another map that we will
never see, and know that
both are true; for if time
has an end at all,
it isn't time.

==========================

this is cooler than a mere moth has words for...she will be so very touched by this...
its a wonderful sharing of verse...but what makes it even more special is how by your words it shows how much of her words have touched you. You have encompassed her spirit true.

No map
can show a change of season,
shine with the color of
the trees along the way,
describe the petals of
a wayside flower,
the widening whiteness of
a breaking wave where the road
brings us along the shore.


OH MAN!!!
I wish I had wrote that!!!
awesome analogy and imagery!!

for if time
has an end at all,
it isn't time.


I love that verse of wisdom


one of your best poet sir!!

Happy B-day Martie

"If you see lonely, clear skies turning stormy ...
Lightning strikes and all you see is blue ... this is me missing you"

JH

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
4 posted 2003-09-22 02:30 PM



Ah Ed.  This was not a poem.
It was a heart's conversation
with one who listens.

As I know how well
Martie listens, I am sure she heard
this heartbeat
from a page away...

What a delightful birthday present.
I know she will be ever so pleased...
with a possible
that you captured her spirit, if only
momentarily...

so very well.

Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

5 posted 2003-09-22 02:34 PM


silly moth...ya gotta click the library button.

(love the title too btw)

1slick_lady
Member Ascendant
since 2000-12-22
Posts 6088
standing on a shadow's lace
6 posted 2003-09-22 02:36 PM


ed...you are such a tender talented touch...happy birthday martie...h
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
7 posted 2003-09-22 02:59 PM


Ed...This is a very special gift to me...I will treasure it today and every day.  You are beautiful!  
suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
8 posted 2003-09-22 03:26 PM


I truly tried to pick a favorite part... and it's impossible... the whole is too perfect. *S* What a wonderful, caring gift for a special lady... birthday gifts don't get better than this. *S*
Mysteria
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
9 posted 2003-09-22 03:45 PM


Right behind Suthern in not being too sure what the best part of this was for me, but I settled for this as it went below the surface:

This is the side we see,
and still we know that
as this map is opened
to us turn by turn,
expanding far beyond
the way we'll travel,
there is yet another side,
another map that we will
never see, and know that
both are true; for if time
has an end at all,
it isn't time.

Excellent work as usual and for one of the most special people I know!  

      Carpe' Diem
The Canuck, Sharon  

Ratleader
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026
Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass
10 posted 2003-09-22 04:04 PM


Thank you.....that's about all there is to be said, I think. I'm humbled by the responses here.

Ought to note that I wrote this as an answer to Martie's own birthday poem: /pip/Forum82/HTML/000039.html

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________

BluesSerenade
Member Patricius
since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549
By the Seaside
11 posted 2003-09-22 04:44 PM


Oh Happy Day to you Martie,~
and Ed, you are such a kind and decent man!
What a heartwarmer this is!!!

"People,  who need poeple, are the luckiest people in the world"

Jason Lyle
Senior Member
since 2003-02-07
Posts 1438
With my darkling
12 posted 2003-09-22 04:45 PM


Excellent writing, for an excellent writer.Happy birthday Martie.

Jason

Mistletoe Angel
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Empyrean
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
13 posted 2003-09-22 04:52 PM




(smiles) Oh Ed, this is soooooooo beautiful and heartfelt, sweet friend, I marvel at how smooth and true your words flow and I know that Martie will forever cherish these words and know time will continue to gift her with many blessings and joys just as they will for you! (big hugggsssssss) You are one special friend to us all, sweet friend, God Bless You, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Ed, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

I don't need no proof when it comes to God and truth
I can see the sun set and I perceive

***Live***

Dark Angel
Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095

14 posted 2003-09-23 07:46 AM


This is the side we see,
and still we know that
as this map is opened
to us turn by turn,
expanding far beyond
the way we'll travel,
there is yet another side,
another map that we will
never see, and know that
both are true; for if time
has an end at all,
it isn't time.


I have to agree that this is one of your best Ed.

Hope you've had a wonderful day Martie

Keeping it.

Maree

fate is not just
whose cooking  smells good
but which way the wind blows

(Ani DiFranco)


Richy
Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 3050

15 posted 2003-09-28 01:59 AM




Ed, this unfolding of your heart, and sharing of your affection
for a very special friend, was truly inspiring!
Gifts like this are, best given by surprise.
Ensuring that the reaction one feels,
is genuine, and spontaneous.

And how true, that no matter how hard
we sometimes try and map out the most
favorable course along life’s winding roads.

It is how far we have gone, “inside the heart of others."            ”
That truly matters...

Ed, you and Martie, are both very lucky,
to have each other as friends.

This was great Ed!

And, sorry I‘m late, but...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARTIE!!!


[This message has been edited by Richy (09-28-2003 03:24 AM).]

passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
16 posted 2003-09-28 03:20 AM


wonderful write! I always enjoy you...

Happy B-Day Martie!

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
17 posted 2004-01-23 11:42 PM


Ed...Just needed to revisit this and send another thankyou and a hug.  
passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
18 posted 2004-02-22 11:15 PM


needed to come back here too
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