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Open Poetry #36
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A Song for the South
| Open Poetry #36 |
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A Song for the South |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana 
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With humble apologies to the carol "Oh, Christmas Tree"... the devastated forests near the Sabine River reminded me how much is different this Christmas... and how much is the same. *S* Oh, southern trees, Oh, southern trees How broken are your branches Oh, southern trees, Oh, southern trees How broken are your branches Uprooted, twisted, torn apart To see you dying hurts my heart Oh, southern trees, Oh, southern trees How broken are your branches. Oh, southern homes, Oh, southern homes How bright blue are your rooftops Oh, southern homes, Oh, southern homes How bright blue are your rooftops Those plastic tarps keep out the rain But reindeer landings'll be a pain Oh, southern homes, Oh, southern homes How bright blue are your rooftops Oh, southern streets, Oh, southern streets How crowded are your curbsides Oh, southern streets, Oh, southern streets How crowded are your curbsides Rows of reeking refrigerators Await a trash pick-up later Oh, southern streets, Oh, southern streets How crowded are your curbsides. Oh, southern states, Oh, southern states How selfless are your people Oh, southern states, Oh, southern states How selfless are your people No matter what may be their curse They know that others have it worse Oh, southern states, Oh, southern states How selfless are your people! |
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| © Copyright 2005 suthern - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
suthern Well done and a delight to read.  |
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Gentle Spirit Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989 |
Huggin you for this one Suthern. |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
You know, doncha, this is now permanently etched in my head.  and nodding 'bout the trees. Ain't it weird? Some areas look like they were just "buzz cut"--all at the same level... and nodding again. I rode out Rita in Crowley and it was trees that saved our butts there. The owner of the camp had planted them as a wind block...way in the back. Like many things, after the storm? They ain't there no more. sigh. (I owe you an e mail, my suthern buddy.) Thank you for this. And my daughter, after watching the national news with me last night said we should work harder to not let people forget what happened here, along the gulf coast. So thanks from her too.  |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
SweetSuthernFriend~ This is WONDERFUL, THOUGHTFUL, CARING and so YOU~  *Huglets*  ~*Marge*~ ~*No matter what I search for ... |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Well done, Ruth!!! |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Oh, Suthern Belle, oh, Suthern Belle ~ how moving are your thoughts this day... Your words were a good reminder for those of us who live far from the devastation and turmoil. God bless you for this ~ Lest we forget. Hugging you with love, Linda |
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garysgirl
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
So true, Suthern. I live in an area where so many trees were uprooted during Ivan......then Dennis came through our little county here in Northwest Florida and got so many more of our beautiful trees. I live almost in the Blackwater State Forestry and we ARE trees. Thank you, Suthern, for remembering us in this poem too.Yes, knowing because of the devastation of Ivan around here, people do tend to forget about you after a time. I hope this doesn't happen with La, Mississippi, and the Gulf Coast parts of Alabama.  Heart Hugs to you, Ethel |
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Kethry Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082Victoria Australia |
I haven't seen the trees or the Sabine, but your words make the devestation real enough for me to know. Here in the midst of my lonely abyss, a single joy I find...your presence in my mind. Unknown |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
Ah, Laura, it’s good to see a poem with real wit in it -- the old-fashioned kind that's meant for pathos, not humor. I love that kind of thing, you know, and you're a master at it. The images you paint here absolutely drew me in....and with each one I knew that “AAUGH! Moment” was coming, but I rode that train anyway..... Yours are always a treat, and I hope to see more of you around here! ....psst...I know some of the things you've done for others during this awful time, and I think you're the best example of this poem that could be found. ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> ______________Ratleader______________ |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Seymour: YOU are the delight, my friend. *S* Thank you so much!!! GS: Thank you, ma'am... *S* I appreciate the hugs! *S* serenity: I was afraid of that. LOL Because it sure got stuck in MY head... and wouldn't leave! *S* Trees definitely saved my car and my Dad's van... I'll be digging out pine straw until the vehicles fall apart... but they're running and aren't hurricane-convertibles... because of the trees. *S* As for the email... I'll be waiting. *S* Thank YOU... and your daughter... so much! *S* Marge: Thank you so much, sweet lady. *S* Martie: Thank you! *S* EA: You dear. *S* I wish I COULD forget... but know I never will. Thank you so much! garysgirl: It's a shock to the senses to drive between the affected areas and those that escaped... the contrast is simply overwhelming. Sometimes, the only way I can keep my emotions from getting the better of me is to concentrate on the trees... rather than the human misery. But even that's great enough... Thank you so much!! Kethry: I grew up surrounded by land owned by timber companies... so trees hold a special place in my heart. For you to know things you haven't seen through this... I'm grateful. *S* Thank you!! Ratleader: You see me through such kind eyes, dear friend... I can't thank you enough for that! *S* Thank you for riding this train... the repetition doesn't begin to describe the devastation that's repeated over and over... but if my favorite poet approves, I'm happy with the poem. *S* Thank you!! |
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Gentle Spirit Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989 |
I really think this song needs to be heard again m'dear..... so that many more, may enjoy....and remember....back to the top it goes! |
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luminosity Senior Member
since 2005-11-18
Posts 813 |
am glad I didn't miss this, so many go back to what they were doing, and forget the damage, but for so many, the damage is every day dealings......you wrote this wonderfully |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
suthern... With hearts like yours, and our serenity's, and all of our poets of the south... oh, it SHALL rise again! And in THAT, I firmly believe! Long Live the South! |
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Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
Yup, That's the spirit Ruthie! You go girl  If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
Back for a second look at our southern gal....of course! ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
Back for a second look at our southern gal....of course! LOL my second second -- that's what I get for letting myself dwindle down to a PDA! ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> ______________Ratleader______________ |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Let me know if you're coming to town, k? If not for carnival, then French Quarter Festival! (I just wrote Mysteria to tell her that they set up the stages right in the middle of the Royal street SHOPPING district.  )*hugging you tight* The streetcars are up and running again here and I consider that a small miracle. Love to you my suthern friend! with prayers for all of those along the gulf coast... |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
I'll never hear the song the same -- and I shouldn't. Hugging you, Ruth, for this one. I hope the new year brings is a good one for you. ......jo |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Somehow missed this. and let's hope in 2006 there are no hurricanes.Carpe' Diem |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you for this, Suthern. If any of the others in the South are like you, then the South will rise again, more beautiful than before! - Owl |
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lucky Senior Member
since 2000-01-17
Posts 1601Idaho |
Oh yea, the south's gonna do it again. best wishes, dale Speaking of ghosts, wouldn't you know here comes mine again... |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
This is beautiful.. Between hurricanes,floods and fires, we have all gone through some type of devastation. This is a good way to remember as we all keep humming these words. thank you martyjo |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Thank you... all of you... so very much. *S* |
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