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Open Poetry #31
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The Heartbeat
| Open Poetry #31 |
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The Heartbeat |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania 
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The Heartbeat I’m a little pigeon waddling on Ipanema’s strand On an old mosaic puzzle that was hammered in by hand And the artist was a poor man, but was richly blessed in life For he made the sound of laughter more important than his strife And his feet could dance the samba and his fingers strummed guitar He was just a lowly peasant, but was February’s star He descended from a hillside in the early morning haze And the tapping of a hammer was the rhythm of his days I am just a lowly pigeon hanging out among the eves Higher than the ancient tiles, lower than the tropic breeze I am humbled by an architect who built this palace wall Which for centuries has withstood the beating drums of carnival There’s a man among the masses who has come down from the hill He has put a year of wages in his spirit and his will I can see the schools of samba heading down the golden street I can feel the hammer beating out impressions of his feet I am just a little pigeon, picking crumbs from tourist hands I have risen to the Sugar Loaf to view surrounding lands For the Bay of Guanabara wears a halo round her face It’s the gleam of diamond beaches that surround this magic place And from here I hear the tapping of a hammer down below Its an old familiar rhythm that I love and that I know It’s the heartbeat of a city like no other on the earth Whose inherent grace and beauty lived before a hammer’s birth I am just a little pigeon hanging out among the eves In a city with a heart that never stops and never grieves Elizabeth Santos |
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| © Copyright 2004 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Oh my, Liz...this has to be one of my favorites ...I can't even say why..it just touched me so, but part of it is the rhythm!  |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Martie, Or could it be the desire to sprout wings? |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
How wonderful Elizabeth! Another keeper by you for my library. ~Smiles & Hugs, Nancy~ ~ Time has cast a spell on you, |
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Grover Senior Member
since 2004-01-27
Posts 1967London, ON, Canada |
Exquisite writing... you have a gift!  |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Liz, I feel like soaring and cooing ~ & dancing!  A very enjoyable reading experience! Love & Light, Linda |
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Charisma
since 2000-09-30
Posts 5906lost in blue pages |
awwww Liz splendid write as usual, as always a joy to read you! Charisma |
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Krishankins
since 2002-06-23
Posts 972Texas |
"For he made the sound of laughter more important than his strife" We could all learn a bit from this line! If you're not yourself, then there is no you. |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
And from here I hear the tapping of a hammer down below Its an old familiar rhythm that I love and that I know It’s the heartbeat of a city like no other on the earth Whose inherent grace and beauty lived before a hammer’s birth such beautiful writing, Liz.. hugs M |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
Liz, Have you ever considered doing something that WASN'T perfect? You have such an incredible "eye" for creativity. I love your poetry because it is so wonderfully easy to read and appreciate. And, I hate your poetry because it makes me feel small when I try to emulate you. You are so beautiful. |
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Kristabell Senior Member
since 2003-11-29
Posts 678Portland, OR |
Very powerful. Great write!! Sad though. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
My dear Lady Santos, may I use this poem in a language arts class that my grand-daughter got me in to this coming Monday? She told her teacher, "My grandma is a poet" but even I know I need to pull some "new art" from some of the best, and I'm asking you now, may I use this? Not only will it each a grace in poetry, but geography as well. Please? |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Of course, Lady Sunshine. Hope you enjoy reading it to them. THank you, my fellow cariocas, for your very touvhing remarks. Liz |
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