Open Poetry #34 |
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An Ol' family friend |
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wranx Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689Moved from a shack to a barn ![]() |
I liked him best, I think, when he was a rumor Only a notion, like love, ubiquitous And as substantial as smoke Until I saw him seated at the bedside Of a young woman, my mother A corner of his great cloak Draped onto her blankets As if to comfort her from the disease The radiation, the chemistries that wasted her His face, though obscured behind his cowl Shone plain within her eyes I met Ol’ Scratch once more, years later Attending another His hand, a shadow on my father’s chest Darkening patiently as deals were rejected And all appeals finally exhausted Then again, with Joe, at the end The three of us at the kitchen table In Joe’s old farmhouse Drinking coffee, with enhancements His hood thrown back, bare-headed casual Joking about this, or that turn of events And laughing with the comfortable ease Possible, only between those without secrets And most recently, this past week Standing resplendent Behind my grandmother’s wheelchair His robes, that day, made up of ravens Lent life by their eyes Glittering like sequins against the iridescence His thin pale hands, like birds themselves Rested lightly on her shoulders In gentle regard of her ninety-nine years |
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© Copyright 2005 E.F.Rose - All Rights Reserved | |||
Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
"Darkening patiently as deals were rejected And all appeals finally exhausted" So sorry... ![]() "cast me gently into the morning, for the night has been unkind" |
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Midnitesun![]()
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Oh my, but this is such an expresion of LOVE for your family, written with a heart that understands ol'Scratch eventually greets us all, whether we've been good or bad. My condolences, Ed, for your loss. Ninety nine? Wow. |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
Wow Bro, superb imagery. I'm sorry for your loss ![]() Mxx ![]() into this night i wonder, it's morning that i dread, another day of knowing of, the path i fear to tread. |
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Startime55 Member Elite
since 2003-04-05
Posts 2148Alberta, Canada |
WOW!!! an absolutely stunning vision filled with the love you have in your heart for family...A powerful and moving poem that touches the heart... |
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suthern![]() ![]()
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I am so sorry for your loss... his visits never get easier, do they? Excellent write! |
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JL Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128Texas, USA |
A sad, true to life, but excellent write. JL |
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Cpat Hair![]()
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793 |
odd.... or not so odd perhaps... Old scratch was in my thoughts this last weekend...with my own words about him threatening to spill onto some page and ruin it..as I would have the thoughts I had.... as always my friend... your words always touch something inside me... and as for losses... those too sir..I understand and offer my condolences |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
His hood thrown back, bare-headed casual Joking about this, or that turn of events And laughing with the comfortable ease Possible, only between those without secrets And most recently, this past week Standing resplendent Behind my grandmother’s wheelchair His robes, that day, made up of ravens Lent life by their eyes Glittering like sequins against the iridescence His thin pale hands, like birds themselves Rested lightly on her shoulders In gentle regard of her ninety-nine years ~*~ I know you didn't mean for this to be one for the Kleenex box... but as I have had those losses... and one just frequently... well, heck...you weren't here for me to borrow your kerchief... and to extend to you my understanding... |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
wranx Superb write almost like eating a piece of dark chocolate. |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Powerful write..and I too am sorry for your loss. He will visit us all eventually. This was extremely well written. Heart Hugs In the midst of winter, |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
... nodding and hugging you hard and there's more, but as usual your words leave me thinking more than I wanna say... *hearthugs* |
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Mysteria![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Good grief, so much emotion going on and being absorbed here Ed. A lot of lives got touched in a great way. Accept my hugs on your family's loss as well. |
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Aenimal Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350the ass-end of space |
so sorry ed. sheer beauty from sadness, thanks for sharing this post |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
His robes, that day, made up of ravens Lent life by their eyes Glittering like sequins against the iridescence His thin pale hands, like birds themselves Rested lightly on her shoulders In gentle regard of her ninety-nine years Loved those last two stanzas, Wranx. This is an interesting spiritual take on death. I've spent the past six months madly trying to push him away from my family. One day I hope to be as accepting as you. Corinne |
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*Alli4000*![]()
since 2004-03-21
Posts 3188The World of Poetry |
Very nice write! ![]() ~Alli~ Happy 2005! |
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icebox Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383in the shadows |
"His robes, that day, made up of ravens Lent life by their eyes Glittering like sequins against the iridescence" Amazing imagery. There is much strength in your sadness. Thank you for letting us inside these thoughts. |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Haunting write, wranx, and full of eloquent imagery. I am so sorry to hear about your Grandmother. ![]() |
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inkedgoddess Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-19
Posts 7392Ohio |
tender in its sadness condolences to you |
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PouringJewels Member
since 2003-09-18
Posts 158Maryland |
99 years of ones life desevers this poem to be brought back. It was superb! Maybe because I lived it with you, or maybe because you are simply that talented. |
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