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Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

0 posted 2006-05-27 11:31 PM

Memorial to Time

There is no weakness in her voice;
she is 97 years, six months,
and nine days of age;

on this Saturday before Memorial Day
or the other Thursdays, or Fridays, or whatever
two or three days before the day
becomes the chosen day,

it comes to be that it is time to drive
from here, to there, among the vast
plains of Kansas, to lay the wreath, situate
mums, count the blessings that memories
can be told and retold, and

she is there, carrying the past
into the future.

For a life’s while now,
after being able to be able,
she has reckoned on need and grace;
perhaps someone will take her,
someone that understands her will,
and mission.

Today she does not leave the car, but through
an open window, against high and hot
gusting winds, her voice carries
to place the reds, yellows,
and white mums, there,
and there, and there.

Then parked in another area,
her voice is picked up again by
skin-shivering winds,
and brilliant under sunlight, are
those memories rekindled like flame
keeping us warm with her spirit
that will always press on.

Some tombstones are over a century old;
still they stand in list, bearing the time of
Pioneer

as she herself was seed of that very pluck.

Where the dustbowl occurred, far and after
those millennia gone, and when all
that once was, now under salt and time;
when fossil in limestone can now
be seen on monumental buildings;

still and all, the voice of generations
speaks in memory to all that occurred,

and even of time before.

In memory, lies history.

Even then, again, in her stories.

Underneath the change of life;
where the sun-baked ground still teems
with earth worms rising;
where robins seek the fresh of morn
and cardinals seek mates;

where wheat and oat, rye and corn still grow;
and cornflowers beg the sky
look at me;

where, in the middle of what always seemed
to be the middle of upheavals, between
this Nation’s boundaries,

The flags still wave in brilliant light
on this Memorial Day.

And memories are still grand in one woman’s
blue eyes.

God bless those who won’t forget
why we should all remember.

~*~

© Karilea Rilling Jungel
May 27, 2006
In tribute to my Mother Jungel

" It matters not this distance now " Excerpt, Yesterday's Love
~*~
KRJ

The One & Only
Member

since 2005-01-26

Posts 58
Kansas USA

1 posted 2006-05-27 11:42 PM

To My Grandmother,
She holds my heart so close to her,
yet I don't know all her stories,
of life, love and hardships,
but never the less,
she keeps me going,
with the wisdom of decades!
We love you grandmother,

and to my mother,
thank you for being you and
bring life to me through your writings

love always and forever

me

The One & Only

SEA

Moderator

Member Seraphic

since 2000-01-18

Posts 22676
with you

2 posted 2006-05-27 11:43 PM

Reading your poetry sometimes makes me wish to be a little kid at your knee, listening to you read your work aloud. That is what this one did to me...

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate

since 2000-10-29

Posts 19200
Between the Lines

3 posted 2006-05-28 06:24 AM

Love your poem and that of thanks below it...
I will be hearing some of those stories myself, today.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if people really remembered the reason for this holiday and those of some others?

M

Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius

since 2000-10-09

Posts 13989

4 posted 2006-05-28 08:57 AM

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

5 posted 2006-05-28 10:40 AM

Sissie....It is so important to listen to these lessons of time that come together with the now and paint a kind of reverence that we should realize every day. You have done that here with much grace and consideration and especially love for this special woman.

Magnus

Member Laureate

since 2001-10-10

Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA

6 posted 2006-05-28 12:30 PM

Obviously a grand lady who has seen more than
our eyes ever shall. Who has suffered loss,
has smelled victory...has shared many moments
of life over so many years..

No, this man shall never forget this day
of a memorial...when those who have been
lost are again reminded we have not nor
ever will forget them.

Skippyrick
Member

since 2006-05-16

Posts 150
Rohnert Park

7 posted 2006-05-28 12:43 PM

Hi:

Was alittle long for me. but I did love the seocend stanza, kept me reading looking for this same Elusiveness>

Rick

vandana

Member Patricius

since 1999-10-22

Posts 10463
USA

8 posted 2006-05-29 11:06 AM

nice read

Marge Tindal

Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-06

Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores

9 posted 2006-05-29 01:31 PM

Karilea~
This is heartfelt and precious~
*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but it's echo endures much longer*~
Email - [email protected]

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean

since 2002-08-27

Posts 40215
Realms of Light

10 posted 2006-05-29 01:50 PM

I savored the flavor of your poetic genius on my second and third read-throughs. The first time, I read it too quickly because I was devouring your words and hungering for more!

Love & Sun Light,

Linda

skyshine

Member Elite

since 2002-02-07

Posts 3058
Beneath the northern stars

11 posted 2006-05-29 02:01 PM

quote:
In memory, lies history.

And in history lies so much truth. I'm thankful that there are still people who can share our history with us. This was a beautiful tribute.

~sky

I hope someday you get the chance to live like you were dying....
~Tim McGraw

scorpio
Member Ascendant

since 2002-10-02

Posts 5178
right...there

12 posted 2006-05-29 02:28 PM

Very poignant tribute!

believe in what your heart feels...

Will Rhyme
Member

since 2006-05-22

Posts 149

13 posted 2006-05-29 03:48 PM

Enjoyed this one.

Will

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-11-07

Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

14 posted 2006-05-30 01:32 PM

Wow, 97! I am proud of my 60 years, but that is outstanding! I especially love - oops! (copied each stanza - so especially loved all of it!)

- Owl

Aimster
Member Elite

since 2000-02-19

Posts 4297
Charlotte, NC

15 posted 2006-05-30 01:43 PM

Your writing shines brilliantly with love!

With people like you others shall not be forgotten...

Beautiful tribute!

"When life gives you sorrow, may you experience the spirit of laughter"

iliana
Member Patricius

since 2003-12-05

Posts 13434
USA

16 posted 2006-05-30 11:21 PM

What a fine tribute, SIL. Very visually expressive and so perfect in every way. *hugs*....jo

Liz Sinclair
Member

since 2006-05-06

Posts 93
Atlantis

17 posted 2006-05-30 11:28 PM

Such an epic piece of work. It read beautifully, giving cause to ponder. Thanks for sharing yourself. Take care, Liz...Carpe Diem

JL
Member Ascendant

since 2004-04-01

Posts 6128
Texas, USA

18 posted 2006-05-31 06:59 PM

This is beautiful. Not just the words not just the sentiment.
The memories and someone to recount a meaningful existence of another’s precious life. Very nice.

JL

garysgirl

Member Laureate

since 2002-09-29

Posts 19237
Florida, USA

19 posted 2006-05-31 07:38 PM

A very beautiful tribute to your Mother-in-law,
Karilea. Isn't it wonderful to hear the stories
they have to tell? Thanks for sharing your
"story" with us, dear lady.
Hugs,
Ethel

passing shadows
Member Empyrean

since 1999-08-26

Posts 45577
displaced

20 posted 2006-05-31 11:00 PM

well I think Sea said it best but I do have to agree with all the above comments

latearrival
Member Ascendant

since 2003-03-21

Posts 5499
Florida

21 posted 2006-06-01 02:43 AM

Beautiful!The post I loved after yours was from "one and only"!! You are rich ideed to have her love and caring. Too many do not have time to listen or read what Mother or Dad writes until much too late. Consider your self a millionairess!! best to you . martyjo

StevenS
Senior Member

since 2005-09-21

Posts 945
L. A. (Lower Alabama)

22 posted 2006-06-01 11:40 AM

A very beautiful sentiment Sunshine. We truly do have much to be thankful for. :-)

SmartChick
Member Rara Avis

since 2001-09-23

Posts 7081
On A Journey To The Unknown

23 posted 2006-06-02 10:00 AM

A beautiful tribute to your mother, Karilea.

Robert Edward Levin
Junior Member

since 2006-06-01

Posts 45
can't remember. somewhere in midwest

24 posted 2006-06-02 10:44 AM

profound read.

R~

www.robertedwardlevin.com

kayjay
Member Elite

since 2002-06-24

Posts 2015
Oregon

25 posted 2006-06-03 09:32 AM

You so ably phrase thoughts we think, but can't quite find the words. Memories become more precious as we age; this is a beautiful story and an honor for your lady. Ken

Through rubble and trouble and dark of night
The yawn of a dawn will hasten the light

luminosity
Senior Member

since 2005-11-18

Posts 813

26 posted 2006-06-06 02:09 PM

beautiful *stands and puts hand on heart*
just beautiful

The Lady
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-12-26

Posts 7634
The Southwest

27 posted 2006-06-06 04:03 PM

I could see and hear her Karilea. Beautifully done. But this line.. this line is so strong :

"and cornflowers beg the sky
look at me"

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