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Ti: The Four Prayers
| Open Poetry #36 |
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Ti: The Four Prayers |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass 
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Ti: The Four Prayers Black lava battles time itself and wins wave by wave, even while it shatters, losing wave by wave, and I know such a man. The price of his defiance leaves him standing frozen hard, denying every softness, choosing not to know even the heat where he began, though the battles that it wrought still shape his waking dreams. You love him, and if he could find within himself a way to turn and see the beauty poised so near, to know that there is more than battle, more than life, that love is real.... On a loud stark shore backed by a gentle forest I came to a need to make a simple prayer for him of life surmounting death, of love and hope to ease cold truth, and so I made a prayer the way Hawaiians do, of leaf and stone, and left it there for him, for you. ~~8~~ I know a man too gentle for the world, so bruised, so bruised; somehow he finds the strength to stand and take it yet again, like flowers patiently regrowing after fire and storm, while life drains more of life out of his weary frame. You love him, and if he could heal and grow and bloom, be strong again for you... I found a place for such a man, a valley of green and sheltered cliffs, soft rain, cool sun, where always there is growth and gentle life; I made a prayer within that place the way Hawaiians do, of hope and love, of leaf and stone, and left it there for him, for you. ~~8~~ Sometimes life will bring a man to choices he can't change; and through the years locked in his step so very long, they come to haunt his soul. There is a man so taken by the past he sees what isn't there; ghosts of evil in the ceiling, terrors at the bolted door. It is too late for him, and yet you love; if he could change, find peace within and make a peace with you... I found a place of quiet and reflection, where the forest holds back time itself by changing every moment, by drawing every traveler on from wonder into wonder.... Alone within that quiet wood I made another prayer the way Hawaiians do, a hopeful prayer of leaf and stone, and placed it there for him, for you. ~~8~~ I know a man who laughs at life with tears so deep, so hidden no one ever sees the pain; who’s tried so hard to stay a man he is a broken boy, crouched so desperate behind the joke that some days he believes he is a smile and nothing more, while life takes all from him, relentless. You love him, and if he could find new life, find laughter that is real, find joy.... I crossed the boulders to a magic place where water showers down like shimmering confetti and the pretty girls come laughing in the sunlight, to be blessed beneath a tropic waterfall. In that sweet place, under the spell, I made a final prayer of love and hope, Ti leaf and stone the way Hawaiians do, and with another kind of prayer and left it there for him, for you. ~~8~~ [This message has been edited by Ratleader (08-20-2005 09:40 AM).] |
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| © Copyright 2005 Ed Ratledge - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Startime55 Member Elite
since 2003-04-05
Posts 2148Alberta, Canada |
How does one respond to such a masterpiece as this....I was caught in your spell from the beginning and saw the vision of each of your prayers as each place spoke to your heart....Absolutely stunning writing...If you don't mind I will keep a copy of it...*big hugs* |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
and four beautiful prayers at that! Felt like I know him, too. Everytime I think I find a favorite poem of yours, you write another. How can I choose from a favorite? EVery poem breathes... miscellanea |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
I made a final prayer of love and hope, Ti leaf and stone ~*~ Thank you, Ed. For all of it. |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
when ever your name is at the top of the pages, I'm knowing before the click, that what I'm about to read is going to be really "something" and this, dear man, is not to be excluded from the marvelous walks of life you not only experience, but also, feel. Excellent seems so small of a word to articulate what this gives to all who read. |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Ratleader Such is the leaf and stone I turn and clone. Excellent |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
    ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Ed This poem brought such emotion welling up in me, with each prayer, the sweetness of the man you are became more obvious.  And so it made me cry and say a prayer, although I don't pray as well as you...I said a prayer for you, for me.  |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Ed~ I've never read anything lovelier from your inkwell~ Printed ...~ Kept ...~ *Huglets* ~*Marge*~ ~*When the heart grieves over what it has lost, |
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Huan Yi Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688Waukegan |
A rising peak The naked girl— Jungle wild Waves crashing shore |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Ed,This is absloutely the most stunning piece of work. Why are you not published? or are you? A small humble prayer sent up for you. The photos match so well. martyjo |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
I just started -- four submissions have been out long enough for responses. One -- Avocet Journal -- accepted a poem of mine, and asked for more. A second said they would have taken what I sent, but it didn't match a theme they were doing for their next issue -- so I'm stoked! ....so stoked that now there are a hundred of my poems either out or in envelopes waiting for review periods to open....more to come, I HOPE! ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
Oh -- and that's a pink bikini -- it just doesn't show very well...or maybe it shows very very well! ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
hmmmm, looks like skin to me....pink skin!  |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Keep up the good work and publish publish. They will take it if you send enough.. Good luck. martyjo |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Oh, And I can see the pink bikni..LOL ,late |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Nice...James |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
All I can do is stomp and applaud... Great poetry moves me, to motion thusly.. Feet and hands tired now... Enjoyed muchly... ------------ice ><> |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
You do know don't you? How proud we are? |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
Someone said the photos match well...that's because they were taken in the actual places where I left those Ti prayers. In case anyone might take offense at my doing this...know that while I'm not Hawaiian, I've met Pele in person, and she accepted me as a worthy part of the world of people -- though the meeting was friendly, not worshipful. That's a story for another time, but I will never forget the hike we took across the crater of Kiluea Iki (Little Kiluea) two years ago.....and the happy presence I encountered near the lava vent, just seeming to be out like the rest of us, enjoying the day. So -- I figured those little messages of mine would be ok. ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> ______________Ratleader______________ |
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Toerag Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622Ala bam a |
Beautifully written my friend....I've never tried Ti prayers...most of my prayers have done nothing for me...(Thai stick did alot for me...or, at least to me?)....well done Rat.....pink bikini or not....great subject, innocent look was a perfect model for the photo.... |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
A magnificent and touching write Ed...beautiful! and congrats on getting your poem published, keep sending.  Mxx ~i want for myself your trembling~ |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
RatL...I believe this is your best yet. I am sort of overwhelmed and speechless in awe, no kidding. Thank you for sharing this splendid rendering. ....jo |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I read this early today... and I'm as much at a loss for words now as I was then. You know I think you're PIP's finest poet... but this shines spectacularly even among your gems. And it moves me to tears... for those who inspired the prayers... and for the one praying. You may not be Hawaiian... but your prayers spring from honor and goodness... How could Pele or any other power object to someone seeking the spiritual during his vacation... praying for others, feeling their lives? I could never pray as well as you... but I do so sincerely... that all the love and joy you ever wished for another would come back to you thousandfold and more. There is a peace in your words that permeates my being.... leaving me thankful for both the poem and the poet. Stunning work!!! |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I haven't been able to push worry aside to read poetry all week... but this beautiful write has stayed on my mind... for its excellence... and also as a reminder of goodness in a world that suddenly has too much horror. So... as I try to catch up on all the wonderful words I've missed...where better to start than with the best. *S* And this time... I'll remember to check the library box! LOL |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
I'm so happy to turn the page on these beauties  ~*No matter what I search for ... |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Ed, I was on vacation when this was posted. I feel humbled and at peace at this moment. What incredible talent you possess. Thank you for the link back to this one.. I once again feel centered and peaceful ..in the presence of your work. Heart hugs~Nancy Now - while the leaves still dance on the wind |
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Kaoru
since 2003-06-07
Posts 3892where the wild flowers grow |
This is such amazing, talented writing. I was reading it, noticing so many wonderful lines that I'd like to quote untill I realized I'd be reposting the whole damn thing! I'm saving it in my private library, of course. |
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Dr.Moose1 Member Elite
since 1999-09-05
Posts 3448Bewilderment , USA |
Ed, Simply stunning thoughts and visuals ( and the pics are nice also). An eloquent piece from an eloquent man. Doc |
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sandgrain Member Elite
since 1999-09-21
Posts 3662Sycamore, IL, USA |
Haven't come in here often but am I delighted this gem didn't get by me! What a work of art! On my trips to Hawaii, I greatly admired the oneness the islanders have with nature. It came across in this piece, too. Rae |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
What an exquisite poem! Those four men, they are the same person, aren't they? You? Whoever they are about - one person or four - they are beautiful people, and worthy of being called real men. - Owl |
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Misty Lilacs Senior Member
since 2005-11-15
Posts 1060White Birch Forest |
Truly, truly incredible. Your words have echoed in my head all morning. |
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Aenimal Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350the ass-end of space |
ah, if you knew how many times i've read this. unfortunately i still haven't managed a worthy reply, but know that while i dont comment often, i am reading. |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
In strolling the dusty corners of PiP's archived library ... I come once again upon one of the loveliest pieces of poetry that I ever found in these hallowed halls~ Bumping it ... in the hopes that all those who have come after this was originally posted ... will read it ... and sigh with the sheer beauty of it~  Ed~ ... *Huglets* ~*Marge*~ ~*The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but it's echo endures much longer*~ |
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