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Open Poetry #35
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Death Of The God Tree
| Open Poetry #35 |
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Death Of The God Tree |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass 
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Death Of The God Tree There’s a line of them like koala high-rises, if there were any outside the zoo here, but only one counts and it’s dead, gone. I didn’t go back there much, and after this maybe never, not with the God Tree gone. It’s only a place now, nothing special, in a useless corner by the storm fence where a block of Eucalyptus walls off the back of the plant from the river levee. The difference used to be that I prayed there once and believed it would happen, then more times when it did, and things got answered at least in some ways sometimes, if not in others. So I prayed there and that tree made me feel like God had laid me a special conduit, built a celestial phone booth where any day now Superman would stride out and give me a hand. It’s been a year and more, not prayer-less, no, but spent elsewhere; I quit coming. A few left-over sticks like broken white bones scattered around, and a dirt mound where the trunk would have been. A couple of castor weeds growing out of it, their wide green almost obscene to me. That’s all there was. I got curious enough to ask, stopped at the Dewatering shack on the way back in. “Lightning,” somebody said. |
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| © Copyright 2005 Ed Ratledge - All Rights Reserved | |||
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
There are so many striking passages in this... I love the image of a celestial phone booth... a smile in the midst of so much loss. *S* Beautiful work! [This message has been edited by suthern (02-16-2005 04:52 PM).] |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
So I prayed there and that tree made me feel like God had laid me a special conduit, built a celestial phone booth where any day now Superman would stride out and give me a hand. Reeves would have liked this... It’s been a year and more, not prayer-less, no, but spent elsewhere; I quit coming. And this brings to mind, you lose what you don't use... Hugging you for this one. Need to library it with a special light... Karilea - if I whisper, will you listen? Keeping in mind, I must stand close...and keep my promises... |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Ed...agreeing with our sissie, but also want to say this, it was the prayer, not the tree...and the person that prayed that had God's ear. Wonderful poem!  |
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Ericc Member Elite
since 2003-01-31
Posts 4178 |
Loved it! Eric |
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EvocativeVerse2 Senior Member
since 2003-09-10
Posts 1279 |
This is absolutley freakin' great. I love this. Holy crap I can't believe it slipped to page 2 without more comments. This is an amazing piece of work. The ending just jerked right at me. Reminded me of a tree I use to visit. Bravo! This is going back to the top where it belongs. Come-on people take a look at this. It deserves better. |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
an awesome story here |
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Susan Member Ascendant
since 2004-03-27
Posts 5104walking the surreal |
Moving - so well understood - Susan If I wander far enough, long enough, will I finally know . . . |
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ThisDiamond Member Rara Avis
since 2002-02-22
Posts 9353Michigan, USA |
There is something special in the upturned limbs that seem to reach right up to tap His pantleg... A keeper here Ed. Thank you for the read. TD |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Mr. Rat, you most definitely are one of the Leaders of the PiP Pack! This poem is Library bound!...  I do so understand ~ and you penned it perfectly! May another God Tree make itself known to you!  Linda |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
One of your finest, without question or reservation...Yes, it is. |
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Opoetry4me Member
since 2002-10-11
Posts 126Dixon, Ky USA |
Beautiful work here, and I agree you don't need a tree, just a prayer.  Dara Beth |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
I agree, we don't need a tree ~~ but this special altar, a tree, I understand, marty [This message has been edited by latearrival (02-22-2005 12:34 PM).] |
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steavenr Member Elite
since 2003-11-17
Posts 4058 |
great...as usual...even a short visit reveals this kind of sustaining quality...excellent read, but of course... |
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Zinsser Senior Member
since 2001-02-27
Posts 1641Calif. |
I love this.... Words used so well ~~ Connie ~~ |
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GG Member Elite
since 2002-12-03
Posts 3532Lost in thought |
I've got this place by the river I like to go. Although, more serious prayers are usually either on my bedroom floor or knelt over and sobbing in the shower... but I know, there are just those places, sometimes. I'm glad it's only our faith that changes and not our actual connection with Him. Love your writing, sir. This is awesome... Always, Alyssa He was a man of sorrows ...I am a girl of tears. |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
some habits are a good thing...this was amazingly beautiful...the message it serves up on a fine golden plate...I'm going back in for another read...just to remind me not to leave...you own a very broad forehead my friend.... |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Hi Ed I just felt like reading this special poem again, so I did! And, it is still very special! |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Excellent excellent write... Hugs~ Life is one great big canvas; |
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Aleta Member
since 2005-04-17
Posts 102Louisiana |
Your writing brings the reader with you, as though standing next to you and listening as you share your emotions on this loss of something special. Beautiful…. |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Fantastic...James |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
had to return for another read, sort of a re-strengthening of faith...Astounding work, my friend!!!! |
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Greeneyes 
since 2000-09-09
Posts 9903In Your Poetic Mind |
WOW Ed this is powerful! in images and meaning.... I came from the mountain |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
Ed, I saw the title of this at work the other day, but didn't read it because I knew that anything you write deserves time for reflection! Its richness should be savored! Before I read your responses, I cut and pasted: "So I prayed there and that tree made me feel like God had laid me a special conduit, built a celestial phone booth where any day now Superman would stride out and give me a hand." (Seems like it is a favorite passage of many...) Brilliant writing, my friend. miscee |
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youcan'tseeme Member
since 2004-01-30
Posts 88 |
capturing |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
I once realized in shock the death of a Pine Tree with which I had a special connection ... that's why I FEEL the pain you convey here in such a powerful way. An excellent write full of emotion. Love, Margherita |
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Paul Wilson
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711United States |
Ed...Touching write. Faith is a wonderful thing, so maybe you will find another God Tree.Enjoyede very much...Paul ~~To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you~~ |
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