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Open Poetry #32
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The Old China Ball Tree (from Boyhood Tales)
| Open Poetry #32 |
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The Old China Ball Tree (from Boyhood Tales) |
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jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas 
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The Old China Ball Tree (from Boyhood Tales) When I was young and the preacher came to see my grandmother, I went out back by the chicken-coop, and threw rocks at the ants climbing the China Ball Tree. Like always, the preacher came out and in his preacher way, spoke to me about attendance, Sunday School, fellowship, being a good Christian. I bounced another rock off that Tree and told him - - - when I look at the Tree I see God, and when I’m angry I can throw rocks at him, rocks he catches and tosses aside, until I’m through. Then he stands there and he listens to me. He doesn’t get on to me about my attendance in church, the tithing I haven’t done, or carry on about going to heaven or hell. He just listens – then touches me inside, refilling my soul with strength and faith, and all of that from just an Old China Ball Tree. I think if you stood in my church more often, your flock would grow exponentially. It was a couple years before I went to church with my grandmother again, and I was amazed at how the church had grown, awed at the message the preacher passed on. I was baptized there that year, but for a long time, I still chunked rocks at that Old China Ball Tree, and when it died, that preacher gave me another to plant in it’s place. Looking back on that time I realize that Old Tree died just about the time I didn’t need it anymore. I was full of His power and saw Him in everything, could speak with Him anywhere, and I knew even that preacher, in his stumbling way with a fifteen year old, was as powerful as that Old China Ball had been. In the years since, I’ve known God and lost God, loved and hated Him, all from the viewpoint of the flesh; but through it all He’s never left me. Deep in my soul He planted a picture of an Old China Ball Tree with rocks at it’s base for me to throw, and he’s always refilled my soul with strength and faith, and the love I’ve always known. w. james beard, jr. (c) april 2004 [This message has been edited by jwesley (04-18-2004 11:28 PM).] |
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| © Copyright 2004 Wesley James Beard, Jr. - All Rights Reserved | |||
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ThisDiamond Member Rara Avis
since 2002-02-22
Posts 9353Michigan, USA |
Standing ovation! This is an outstanding write...in presentation, in message and in your words. TD |
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azblond Senior Member
since 1999-07-01
Posts 637The Steamy Desert |
This is powerful...and I loved every word you wrote. Let my words fall first upon deaf ears before a closed mind... |
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muted
since 2004-01-15
Posts 2949Elapsing, Eclipsing, Evolving |
oh my!! what a beautiful write this is!!! |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Powerful, outstanding write m'friend! Quite the story you have told and I am a very pleased reader. ~Smiles & Hugs, Nancy~ To have lived the dream of a love so true... |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
jwesley Good thoughts, good write, good read. |
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garysgirl 
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
James, this really touched me. I didn't through rocks at a China ball tree, except in my mind, I guess...... but I do relate. Good writing, my friend. Hugs, Ethel |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Enjoyed....James |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Jimmy, this touched me so deeply, very much so. I'm sending a copy of this to my mom, who I know will appreciate the story.  ...jo |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
gorgeously touching! |
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inkedgoddess Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-19
Posts 7392Ohio |
full of wisdom and joy a great sunday morning revelation to cme upon |
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jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas |
Thanks a lot to all who have read and replied - always happy to hear from you. Note: This is a revised copy, particularly the last several lines - please let me know what you think. The Old China Ball Tree (from Boyhood Tales) When I was young and the preacher came to see my grandmother, I went out back by the chicken-coop and threw rocks at the ants climbing the China Ball Tree. Like always, the preacher came out and in his preacher way, spoke to me about attendance, Sunday School, fellowship, being a good Christian. I bounced another rock off that Tree and told him - - - when I look at that Tree, I see God, and when I'm angry I throw rocks at him, rocks he catches and tosses aside until I'm through. Then he stands there and listens to me. He doesn't get on about my attendance in church, the tithing I haven't done, or carry on about going to heaven or hell. He just listens - then touches me inside, refilling my soul with strength and faith, and all of that from just an old China Ball Tree. I think if you stood in my church more often, your flock would grow exponentially. It was several years before I went to church with my grandmother again, and I was amazed at how the church had grown, awed at the message the preacher passed on. I was baptized there that year, but for a long time I still chunked rocks at that old China Ball tree, and when it died, that preacher gave me another to plant in it's place. Looking back on that time, I realize that old Tree died just about the time I didn't need it anymore. I was full of His power and saw Him in everything. I could speak with Him anywhere, and I knew that preacher, in his stumbling way with a fifteen year old, was as powerful as that old China Ball Tree had been. In the years since, I've know God and lost God, loved and hated Him, all from the viewpoint of the flesh, but through it all He's never left me. Deep in my soul He planted a picture of an old China Ball Tree, with rocks at it's base for me to throw, and he's always refilled my soul with strength, faith and love. And all of that . . . from and old China Ball Tree. w. james beard, jr. (c) april 2004 |
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GlisteningRain Member
since 2004-05-06
Posts 103The clouds |
That was very good. It inspired me to work harder at my own poetry. - B |
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Nightshade
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962just out of reach |
Jimmy, your wonderful way of writing always makes me smile....sometimes thru tears...but that too is a good thing. hugs, Chris Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale. |
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BluesSerenade Member Patricius
since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549By the Seaside |
but through it all He’s never left me. Deep in my soul He planted a picture of an Old China Ball Tree with rocks at it’s base for me to throw, and he’s always refilled my soul with strength and faith, and the love I’ve always known. Amen! We either know, or we don't! This is quite an uplifting piece of poetry, and so very special, jwesley~ |
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