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Open Poetry #37
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Reflections on Grief - XIV
| Open Poetry #37 |
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Reflections on Grief - XIV |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana 
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Ecumenical Education Grief is a teacher No professorial pontification Or formal classes Are offered But registration Is not optional Students are summoned To its seminars Attendance is required The syllabus is flexible With instruction tailored To the individual Lessons are learned by living And by acceptance of Our limitations Each passing grade Is earned at great cost And homework is unceasing But ultimately, focus shifts From dwelling on despair and loss To appreciating what luck Once graced our existence We eventually acknowledge That embracing the pain Doesn’t enhance memory Just withholds comfort And denies recall of joy No diplomas are awarded We graduate to awareness That the legacy of love Should not be reign of tears Or lack of laughter But a kindly heart More capable Of compassion (Dedicated to my Daddy, 3/8/1919-11/13/2005) |
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| © Copyright 2006 suthern - All Rights Reserved | |||
Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
You know I have kept all these tributes and this one in particular hits home for me, with this its last stanza. For without the process, how would we be better for it? quote:Doesn't make the loss any less painful but gives some purpose to the process in a way doesn't it?  |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Ruth...Thank you for this....you are a wise woman and I think you have a degree that you're not admitting to.  |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Dear Ruth~I really really needed to read this today... Thank you for sharing this with us now. Heart Hugs~Nancy ~ Trace my body with your words, |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
suthern Didn't I say you were a butterfly today. Beautiful write. |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
OhSweetSisterOfMyHeart~  Especially today ... this touches me deeply~ Your loved one ... your loss My loved one ... my loss And through it all ... trying to tread tears by holding onto memories preserver~ *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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skyshine
since 2002-02-07
Posts 3058Beneath the northern stars |
I am very soorry to hare about your dad's death, Suthern. I did not know this until I read your poem. But this is a very wise piece. I never thought of grief in quite this way before. ~sky I hope someday you get the chance to live like you were dying.... |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
"You're a better (man!!) than I am, Gunga Din", Suthern. After nearly 4 years, I still don't want to not embrace the pain - but I relate well to the rest of the poem and acknowledge the truth (for other people) of that one part that I don't relate to. A wonderful poem embued with Suthern-wisdom, maturity and courage. Thank you for sharing this very intimate thinking with us. I haven't seen the other 13 parts to Reflections of Grief. Would it be a terrible imposition for me to ask you to email me the other 13 to save me the time and money of searching for them? I understand if you don't have them at hand and if you don't have time. - Owl |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
....sigh..... You know my thoughts, dear lady.....you've had such grief, and now yet another....it puts cracks in my heart, just to think of it. This is a subject you know far too much of, Laura....far, far too much. ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> |
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beaniebaby Member
since 2005-11-17
Posts 55 |
ah my friend, we too are lucky for your daddy, for without him, there would not be you... this is beautifully and insightfully written love you |
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icequeen Senior Member
since 2001-12-09
Posts 633FL USA |
You are wise, and wonderful... and you always share what needs be shared in a beautiful way. Caroline He who wants a rose must respect the thorn. |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you so much Ruth for sending the rest to me. No rush, but just mentioning, in case you didn't get my email back, that XI, XII and XIII are missing. As I said in my email to you in words to the following effect: they are all so beautiful, wise, mature and courageous - not to mention offering the reader understanding and solace and you have outdone your normal excellence with them. - Owl |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
suthern, You make it mighty hard to choose a favorite! This is superb, but so many of them are. Still, I think I have a new favorite! There is so much wisdom in this, said in such a poetic manner! Running straight to the library with this! miscellanea |
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Gentle Spirit Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989 |
Oh my Ruth, this lands so gently and softly upon the soul...Peace to you sweetie... |
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Buttons Junior Member
since 2006-02-27
Posts 34 |
Liked this alot. It sounds like you are an expert on the process. Great poem! Buttons |
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Edward Grim Senior Member
since 2005-12-18
Posts 1154Greenville, South Carolina |
I'm sorry to hear about your dad. It must be tough. You write about it so beautifully though. And I know I'm stealing Rainbowdust's signature, but I think it's appropriate: "The soul would have no rainbows, had the eyes no tears". (Who better to "borrow from" than such a great poet; I know Rainbowdust won't mind.) “True absurdism is not less but more real than reality” |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
My heartfelt thanks to each of you... for sharing my heart on a special day... and making each hour easier. *S* Mysteria: That you have kept them truly touches me. *S* And you're right... for me, it helps to think there's some purpose beyond the pain. *S* Thank you! Martie: If I do, it's from the school of hard knocks. *S* Thank you very much! *S* Enchantress: Thank you, sweet lady... so much. I wish I could make things easier for you and Chris! Seymour: You are so dear... Thank you very much... I'll try to take care of those wings! *S* Marge: We'll tread tears together, my friend... friendship makes a fine raft. *S* Thank you so very much... and hugs to you. skyshine: Thank you so very much for your kind thoughts... I appreciate them! *S* Owl: The pain's there whether I embrace it or not... and probably makes me grow. I just refuse to welcome it. *S* Thank you so very much... I'm honored by your interest in the series! *S* Ratleader: I do know your thoughts... and hope you know how much you've helped... even if I don't want cracks in that beautiful heart of yours. *S* Thank you, my friend... thank you. beaniebaby: You dear... I wish I could hug you for that... thank you so much!! icequeen: Neither wise nor wonderful, my friend... just trying to muddle through... but I thank you so much for seeing me so kindly. *S* Owl: I can't tell you how you've touched my heart, dear friend... Thank you so much! *S* And yes... there are some missing... for I sent you the ones from PIP and several haven't been posted yet. *S* The numbers refer to when they were started... not necessarily when they were finished. *G* miscellanea: I like some more than others... but can't choose favorites... they're all me. *S* But I'm so glad you like this one, especially since it's for Daddy. *S* Thank you so much!! GS: Thank you so much, dear lady. *S* I'm glad it found such a lovely home. *S* Buttons: I've lost a lot of the people I love... but I can't really claim credit for this series... it pretty much writes itself. *S* Thank you!! Edward: Thank you... it is. *S* But I have so many good memories and I cherish them. *S* Thank you for that quote... it's lovely... and so true! *S* |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
~ and through your poetry, you continue to be our teacher... Ruth, my thoughts and love are with you. Linda  |
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XOx Uriah xOX Senior Member
since 2006-02-11
Posts 1403Virginia |
The pupil has one teacher....himself The teacher has one pupil....himself Oh, How we teach, that we may learn. ((( Suthern ))) Beautiful! |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
EA: I feel both... and thank you so much!! *S* Uriah: Thank you very much! *S* I'm so glad you liked! *S* |
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Marsha
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423Maidstone Kent England |
Beloved one Oh my, can I ever hope to have one half of the ability you have? I think not, I do know you've had more than anyone's fair share of sorrow darling one, and I, even here across the miles and wide ocean, hold your hand and walk with you and I always will. This is such a beautiful poem and shows in every single line how truly beautiful is your soul. No wonder I love you muchly Like you FOREVER Mushy x x x x x Words cannot express how amazing I know you are Tomorrow is another day I don't know what it holds |
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Toerag Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622Ala bam a |
This is incredible!!!!! |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
"That the legacy of love Should not be reign of tears Or lack of laughter But a kindly heart More capable Of compassion" Surthern girl....this was a tremendously well donw poem.....the anaologies throughout are amazing. All so true. *hugs*...jo |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Suthern, You are my teacher. You can say all the things I feel and say it so beautifully. Love to you, martyjo |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
what can I say that hasn't already been said? just |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Marsha: Who're you kidding, lady? *G* I've read your work... don't you be knocking your ability! *S* Thank you, sweet lady... you've listened to a lot of tears... and I appreciate you. *S* Toerag: Thank you, my friend... so much!! latearrival: You fill my heart, lady... you truly do. *S* Thank you!! PS: Thank you so much! *S* |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
just wanted to let you know I reposted one of your favorites  /pip/Forum94/HTML/002910.html |
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luminosity Senior Member
since 2005-11-18
Posts 813 |
oh my gosh! every single person at PIP should stand and applaud......and if no one else joins me, then I still will *stands and starts the applause* oh my gosh, I have never read such wisdom lady........wisdom at a price no one is willing to pay, but a price that is exacted regardless |
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StevenS Senior Member
since 2005-09-21
Posts 945L. A. (Lower Alabama) |
Great write Suthern. :-) |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
PS: Thank you for letting me know... It is indeed one of my favorites... and I found The Planetarium, too! *S* Thank you! luminosity: Oh, lady... your generosity and enthusiasm take my breath away... how can I hope to find words beyond these two... Thank you!!! *S* Steven: Thank you very much! *S* |
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