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Open Poetry #36
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Watch Night
| Open Poetry #36 |
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Watch Night |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana 
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While others dressed in party attire Or waited for a ball's drop To signal a new year Our family went to church The only fireworks sparked By hellfire and damnation preaching As we declared our faith And kept watch. There was singing and praying With the old deacons saying We would walk into the morning Having scorned sin, all adorned in The forgiving, loving light of the Lord The next day would always bring Superstitious consumption Of cabbage and blackeyed peas By folks lacking money and luck And football fans' first cheer Erupted at end of pretty parades But a year's last hour and the next one's first Belonged solely to God There was singing and praying Some fine piano playing And it seemed our tribulations Disappeared in jubilation As we enjoyed a fellowship with friends The youngest children might succumb to sleep But most watched for the new year With worship and praise and hearts full of thanks. Tonight, I'm far from that community And heaven's choir is sweetened By a beloved baritone so missed here on earth But I remember the faith of my father And count my blessings As I watch "... choose you this day whom ye will serve ... as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" Joshua 24:15 KJV. "And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:40-41 KJV. In loving memory of my Daddy |
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| © Copyright 2005 suthern - All Rights Reserved | |||
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet... You made remember what church was like.  Awesome, you. And I am keeping company with mine too. (but wince...I'm braising cabbage and slow-cooking some of those black-eye peas--just in case.  Besides, I know my Dad wouldn't have had it any other way!)Love you suthern sistah mine! Have a happy ...  |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
ringing in the new year with a wonderful poem, suthern! I can visualize the stirring!Thanks for the spiritual lift! misc |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
I watch with you....enjoyed reading this poem of you. Happy New Year!  |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Beautifully written, suthern gal...Happy New Year! |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
SweetSuthernFriend~ God be with you sweetie~ This is you ... and tenderly so~  2006 *Huglets* ~*Marge*~ ~*No matter what I search for ... |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Some of us forget that there are church services on New Year's Eve. I went once, a long time ago. I envy your continued faith, suthern. And your talent with words.  |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
Your life has brought you so few blessings compared to what you deserve....yet you are a blessing.....I sometimes marvel to think of it. I know that I wouldn't be able to be half of what you are, to virtually everyone whose life you touch, but still you inspire me to try. ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
But a year's last hour and the next one's first Belonged solely to God ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ what a beautiful verse of thought and a practice that instills and inspires. A touching tribute to "daddy" |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
What a beautiful nostalgic poem! How I envy you your goodness and the fact that you loved your parents. I hope that your New Year is very blessed. - Owl |
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dgvarner Member Elite
since 2000-05-13
Posts 3552High Springs, Florida |
Sounds like fun! I didn't realize church services were held for New Years... enjoyed your poem hugs, g "We of the craft are all crazy...all are more or less touched." Lord Byron |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Belle, yer beautiful! Your daddy must have been so proud to have a daughter like you! ~ and he must be smiling upon you now! I can see a Rockwell painting ~ or two or more! ~ in your words! May healing, peace, and harmony be yours in 2006. Love & blessings, Linda xo |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Ruth, this was a perfect suthern poem for New Years -- brought back many memories (of my Dad, too). ....jo |
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beaniebaby Member
since 2005-11-17
Posts 55 |
wow.....this is an awesome poem....I am afraid that this New Years found me sleeping, but I hope I will be 'watching' at the right time what a poem! love you |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
serenity: It just wouldn't be New Year's without the stench of cooking cabbage... right??? LOL And... it's holding on to a bit of them... with smiles instead of tears. *S* Thank you so much!! miscellanea: You always manage to make me feel like a poet... and not just a pretender. *S* Thank you so much! *S* Martie: And a happy one to you... thank you! *S* Balladeer: Thank you, my friend... Happy 2006! *S* Marge: Thank you, dear friend... I'm basking in all those huglets! *S* PDV: It's funny... I used to hate them... Of course... I've never been a night owl and was black and blue every year from Mother's pinches. *G* Thank you very much! Ratleader: If my blessings are few, the quality more than makes up for the quantity. *S* Thank you, my friend... you bless my life. *S* JM: Thank you so much... I wanted to write for him without writing a cry for him... didn't quite make it all the way through... but twas the best I could do. *S* OwlSA: Thank you so much... may your new year be a wonderful one!! dgvarner: In the rural south, they're prevalent... several churches often gather together for one service. *S* Thank you! EA: I hope so, dear lady... I do hope so. *S* Thank you so very much!! iliana: Thank you so much, dear lady... I hope your memories are good ones. *S* beaniebaby: I know you will, my friend... no doubts whatsoever! *S* Thank you so much! |
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