Open Poetry #36 |
A Faded Photograph |
hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
A Faded Photograph The scattered fragments fall in wisps from aged and weathered fingertips. His calloused digits hold the pen they’ve clasped before, time and again. His mind, once sharp, now seems so dull. Though Mem’ries come, there’s still a lull, a gentle fog to ease the pain that wrinkled brow beneath its strain. The years have flown, though not been kind; they’ve left their mark on health and mind and with the passing of each day he feels her mem’ry slip away. He struggles now with bits of rhyme, his last attempt to stall the time, to grasp one glimpse of yesterday before death steals it all away. The aged and weary poet writes of love once young and star filled nights, of how love found, then nurtured grew, and of a life once shared by two. He writes of children, born, now grown, who settled out to find their own. He pens the tale of all those years, the tapestry of joy and tears. And as he writes the minutes fly. Sometimes he smiles, sometimes he sighs. Each page, each word becomes a part of all that ever touched his heart. The hours pass. The daylight wanes, until one story, yet, remains and though he’s tired, drained, and pale he must record this one last tale. Alas once more, aged fingers clasp his pen, his key, to open hasp that seals the chambers of his mind. He struggles, searches, just to find the words to pen his ancient pain that nearly drove this man insane. And then he writes of death and grief, of hurt that never finds relief. His shoulders quake. The teardrops fall to smear the ink that tells it all. He pictures mound with etched tombstone where many days he’s spent alone replacing flowers on the grave of faithful wife he couldn’t save. Each tear, each heartache put to words that wrinkled hand slowly records. When done the poet, void and dry, puts down his pen and starts to cry then lays his tale, his epitaph, beside her faded photograph. I am nothing special...and my name will soon be forgotten,but I've loved another with all my heart and soul,and to me,this has always been enough.~N.S |
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© Copyright 2005 Ruth Kephart - All Rights Reserved | |||
Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
Sighhhhh, i've missed reading your beautiful poetry Ruth. Thank you. it's a Maree xx take bread away from me, if you wish, take air away. but do not take from me your laughter. |
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SEA
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676with you |
goodness...this definately needs a tissue alert...beautifully touching... and yes, it's great to get to read you again!! |
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2dalimit Member Elite
since 2000-02-08
Posts 2228Mississippi coast |
I enjoyed your wonderful tale of love. Thanks. Melton |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
Some things fade, like photographs, but thank goodness there are those few things that last and last.... ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> |
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Tim Senior Member
since 1999-06-08
Posts 1794 |
Mike wanted ya to know, this one is a keeper. Wonderful writing. |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
"He struggles now with bits of rhyme, his last attempt to stall the time, to grasp one glimpse of yesterday before death steals it all away." ~sigh~ I will be keeping this tender piece. |
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BeWitched Junior Member
since 2005-07-06
Posts 31 |
Really really beautiful, enjoyed muchly |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
It is ok, I think to remind you to please issue hanky alerts ... Ruth... I found this very poignant, and full of heart on this first read... however, I shall be back, for more. "There's a reason they call God The Creator - he sides with talent." Julia Cameron |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Thank you all |
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Juju Member Elite
since 2003-12-29
Posts 3429In your dreams |
Reminds me of one of my horribly sad stories.... -JUju Juju - 1.) a magic charm or fetish 2.)Magic 3.)A taboo connected woth the use of magic |
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INclan Senior Member
since 1999-07-20
Posts 1024Indiana, USA |
OK, that isn't fair! No fair ripping my heart out. Yes, I also cry in movies...but don't tell anyone. INclan |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
oh my... how moving! |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Ruth you write such truth! I have been missing your presence and your poetry here at pip. You have gifted this reader with a that I will be visiting from time to time. Warm, welcome-back hugs, Linda P.S. Not only was your writing vividly descriptive and emotive, it's rhythmic cadence was spell-binding. |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Very touching words you put together. Sad but all too true. Best to you, martyjo |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Hoot..........you do it right!!! Very moving. ......jo |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
very moving and well written; enjoyed the life journey miscellanea |
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Paul Wilson
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711United States |
Ruth...Such tender and touching words. Worthy of a special place in my mind and on my wall forever...Paul ~~To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you~~ |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
HootieGal~ Your words move me through recall of photographs, long-faded, and fortunately ... memories that have not~ *Huglets* ~*Marge*~ ~*When the heart grieves over what it has lost, |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
You move me, Ruth... you are so easy to read~~~ Hope you are well M |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
You nudge the heart in all you write, No exception was this poem read tonight. I hope he never puts down the pen, never! Beautiful Ruth, and I sure wish I was there playing with you and the rest of the crew. |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Thank you all for your lovely comments to this piece. I know I am not here in presence often, but I am never far from here in mind. I appreciate your continued support of my poetry Hugs Ruth |
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