I didn’t see you today
I waited for the sun to rise
The moon came up instead
I waited to see your face tonight
I looked for it in the moon
It hid behind the clouds
I saw your smile in my mind
Remembering the warmth it brings
A cold wind blew
I held your words in my hands
I looked up and asked if they were true
The sky became gray-with a misty rain
I dreamt your hands were touching me
I reveled in your ecstasy
The empty pain before you- returned
I heard your voice in the darkness
Thunder roared your name
A deafening silence followed
I begged that He would hold my heart
Release me from this pain so that I may catch my breath
Numbness was His reply
I wandered without direction, some how you found me
You were exactly as I remembered
Joan of Arc
Through tears I prayed for strength
You stepped from behind the trees
I never knew you were there
You stood before me with compassion and love
You enveloped me-you fed me
St. Michael
I opened my eyes to hope today
I fell to my knees praying your love be returned
The angels bathed me in their tears
Still I looked heavenward, praying for acceptance
That I may never know why
The sun came out today
I continued to pray, that I may know love
At least once before I go Home
The birds began singing
Author notes
The artist, Jules Bastien-LePage ` 1880
~Michelle~
"The cruelty wasn't in your leaving, it was in your silence and never saying why."
Written October 19th, 2005
In a list
A contest entry
- LUCKY # 7 by poetryality.
1000 points, ended March 24, 2007, 21 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Invite Only; Me on Their List by Ted E Bare.
300 points, ended January 3, 2008, 79 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 51 of 51
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I'm sure the painting has to be a phenominal one to bear witness to as your poem is phenominal in itself. This is a masterpiece of art as your pen was the brush and the paper became the canvas. I want to thank you for entering my "Invite Only; Me On Their List" contest.
Ted E
PS: Once I have commented on all of your entries, then I will reread them all and choose the one that will be brought forward for being selected as Gold, Silver, Bronze or HM.
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This is a heartfelt work of word-art that adorns the beauty of the painting with an elegant cloth weaved with well placed words. You made me feel as if I were there with you. According to you author's note, it seems you had a spiritual awakening at the age of five. A wonderfully written work here poet. I am inspired by this writing. You are a a contender! Thank you for this entry into my contest. I wish you well.
Much Love ♥
Renee
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Thank you so very much. If ever you get to go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art see this painting. I promise you, you will not be disappointed.
~Michelle~
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St. Michael is indeed a powerful angel of protection and many times in my life I have also felt this angelic presence. Thank you for sharing such a spiritual and emotionally poignent poem. I also enjoyed reading your author's comments about how you came upon this feeling and image. Well done.
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Thank you! I'm genuinely happy that you enjoyed.
~Michelle ~
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I am speechless... all i can say is this was truly beautiful! just lovely.
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It is genuinely an amazing experience to be touched in such a profound way. She has been my hero since the first time I laid eyes on her. Thank you for reading,it does my heart good to know you enjoyed this. Really means a lot to me. ~Michelle~
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oh michelle
this was an amazing piece of self you have shared. I am sure she was standing there and levied love and strength to you this is a fantastic write hun very well done and love will find you when you are truly ready to be loved as you deserve
love and light
blaze -
My Dearest Sammy,
I am so profoundly touched that you think my work a classic. I cannot begin to tell you what this means to me. My deepest heartfelt thanks.
I agree, the format not only looks better visually, but when spoken genuinely emphasises the feeling I mean to convey.
Thank you Sammy, thank you.
~Michelle~
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EXCELLENT
My Dear Michelle ... You have given us here a true classic in every sense of the word. This is a superb write worthy of a better home than one at Allpoetry. This poem ranks among the best ever penned. You have been truly inspired with this write and it glowingly shows. It is an honour to be asked to read it. I have only one minor suggestion and that is to do with the format. A space before the last line in each stanza. i.e.
I didn’t see you today
I waited for the sun to rise
The moon came up instead
Thank you dear friend for posting this remarkable work.
Sammy -
Paula,
That I should be able to touch you in this way, truly, truly does humble me. LePage's brush I truly believe was guided by a hand other than his own. My pen, was guided by my heart. Joan of Arc has been an inspiration to me and a great source of strength since the day I first laid on her. Thank you Paula, for a truly beautiful compliment..
~Michelle~
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Michelle, your work, my friend, is always beautiful, and a true joy to read, but you've outdone yourself, here! It's as though the painting was just waiting for your beautiful words to make it complete! I'd give anything if I could be there, and see, and experience what you felt when you saw this painting, and yet, your words have allowed my spiritual eyes to be opened to the truth and beauty that must have been the artist's intent when the first thought of this magnicficent painting was conceived! This beautiful work lifted my heart, and gave me such encouragement! I believe with all my heart that some artistic works are truly "inspired;" both the painting, and your words, seem to prove the validity of that! Just beautiful, my friend! This has encouraged, and uplifted me more than I can tell you! Simply beautiful!
Paula -
Dear Myra,
I honestly can say that this day was one of the most profound experiences of my life! Thank you Myra, for a truly beautiful comment.
~Michelle~
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Divinely inspired
Dearest Michelle
Somewhere in the spiritual realm, Light moves around, touching souls in the most precious way, and that is by Love. Such was your experience, such is your poem. Sharing your experience and its poetic manifestation, adds to the intensity of awareness.
Love, and blessed be, dearest Poetess.
Myra -
A very beautiful poem, written with such feeling you can almost reach out and touch the angels, I was in orleans( France) the place that Joan was burned at the stake, I felt i could feel angels there, the town has a magical feel(oops maybe I shouldnt mention magic they might come to get me to,
but a goood job very well done, congratulations#
Silver -
Truly a beautiful piece and well-penned to say the least. My comment doesn't do it much justice nor my mere applause, but WOW...
~Swt -
WOW! This is such a moving piece. As I read it, I was moved nearly to tears. Very powerful and heartfelt, awesome imagery. Sometimes we have those experiances that are so great in wonder that they are never forgotten. This is an amazing picture, thanks for the story behind it and for sharing how it made you feel. Your commentary was as great and the poem itself.
Hope all is well in your corner of the world. Be Well and Be Blessed
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This is a beautiful poem, both of content and writing.
I have bookmarked it.
Zayra
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Maybe that was the whole idea the artist was trying to convey; to make St. Michael appear from no where. He's a brilliant artist and perhaps you may be right, 'his brush may have been moved by the hands of God' but whatever the case, he's a remarkable artist. I would also like to check out more of his work to compare. Thanks again and you are definitely talented yourself. Joan of Arc would be proud. Avril
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Thank you! I must tell you, she is separate from the painting. While the painting looks like a painting, the technique used for Joan is totally different she looks real. St. Michael seems to become ever more present when you look at her. For if you didn't know where to look for him. He would it seems to appear out of nowhere. St. Mary and St. Margaret seem to be gentle whispers. This is one artist that I can truly say and feel, that his brush was moved by the hand of God! I dare say, you will not be able to move your feet.
Thank you for such a beautiful and warm comment. I am deeply moved.
~Michelle~
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TS,
I am humbled, truly humbled. I cannot even begin to express just how your comment has made me feel!
~Michelle~
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Masterfully Composed!
I'm happy to have been pointed in the direction of this poem, it's an emotinal creative piece that was masterfully and intellectually composed. Looking at the picture, she looks almost separate from it and the image of Michael is astounding. I spend a great deal of time in the NYC so I must make it my business to stop in and view this wonderful work of art that inspired this creative poem. Avril
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Just had to read this again, this is definately one of my favorite poems of all time, if I publish another book of poetry and it's not a humor one I shall defintely ask your permissio to publish this, it's too good not to be shared
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Thank you for such a beautiful compliment! So glad you enjoyed..
~Michelle~
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This was excellent from begining to end. Great Job. You have such a graceful way of bringing forth emotion. The imagery of your work so stong the message so clear. Excellent Job with this. I look foward to more
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Oh Sue,
Thank you.....I'm so happy that you've come by. Happier still that you enjoyed so much! Hey!I've missed you! Hope all is well...will be back later tonight to RTF's.
~Michelle~
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I am truly speechless, this was written with such feeling that the reader can sense your heart... I feel that this is the most beautiful poem you have ever written...
S~
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All I can say to maybe show how good this poem really is, is that this is the quality in poetry, that sold the first book of poems, this took me there with you, I love it.
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I am humbled in her presence. I have and continue to derive great strength from her. It is the knowledge that what ever it is that I have to do or am going through, pales in comparrison to the life she led. It is the knowledge, that even at her end she still believed with every fiber of her being. I have often wondered growing up, and more so when I stood before her this time, when she went Home, was it upon the current of St. Michaels wings? I like to think so.
~Michelle~
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fair maiden of brave heart who spared you the loss she must have felt, when she was strapped over the flames, as you felt the heat of isolation from those and all you loved and held dear, and so she raised an arc of comfort over you and you mother found you in it's warm embracing glow...lovely indeed...artis
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Thank you Elba, I'm so very touched!
~Michelle~
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Excellent Write
Powerful and eloquent work... Your mind is extremely creative and a loving one. What a wonderful write you have penned today. I am in awe with your words and your creativity. Thank you for the magnificent gift of your pen.
~Elba
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Why thank you Black Lace, I'm so very happy that you enjoyed. Free verse is not my forte.Especially after reading your work I do feel encouraged. Thank you!
~Michelle~
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From your opening lines to the close, this poem holds unexpected paths. It gently takes the reader into your mind. It's lovely absolutely lovely.
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Some day, I'll tell you the story behind this. But for now, this is the only way I could purge it. Thank you Don, for being so warma and encouraging. One day, I will write a piece that will certainly do her the justice she so rightfully deserves. She's there now, at the Museum. So is Manet, Gogahn, Van Gogh, Monet, Degas. In the very next room! I'm going back Friday. I have my own mission.
~Michelle~
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Another totally moving piece!I can only imagine the awe that something like this could convey so powerfully it seems.I could envision standing there, looking up at her, and just staring at her greatness.Very well written piece here, and the picture was wonderful too.Keep up the awesome work.
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My Dear Kevin,
That I have moved you, pleases me. That I have stirred your soul, pleases me even more. I'm genuinely touched that I have done this for you.
~Michelle~
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Timothy,
Thank you for such a beautiful and intutive comment on so many levels. I'm so happy that you enjoyed this.
~Michelle~
Edited on Oct 19, 4:08 p.m. because 'it wasn't seemingly intuitive....it was intutive..'. -
Thank you VJ, I'm so genuinely touched that you enjoyed this. Your comments are warmly recieved.
~Michelle~
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Jo,
I cannot express well enough how your comment genuinely touched me.Also, how intuitive you are. Thank you from my heart, your p.s. was so very encouraging.
~Michelle~
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Thank you so very much! I am so very happy that you enjoyed. Thank you for such a beautiful comments.
~Michelle~
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A TRULY BEAUTIFUL AND MOVING POEM
So beautiful Michelle; Your words are a breath of fresh sweet gentle air. This poem reached me and moved me very much -
Wow! This is a very powerful read, seems like you could never get that glimps you once had, but in the end the sun comforts your soul...Much appreciated for writing such an indepth piece, this moved me, and how many I'm sure can relate to it...I did...
Pen on, again, great job!
-Timothy The Poetic Weaver~~~~~~~~~~~ -
I loved this from the title to the last word. So eloquently spoken with such an evident tenderness. Well done!~vj
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Thank you for your comments, they are much apprecitated. There is sequence here. It is in everyone of the first lines. Calvin, love IS abstract! That's what makes so hard to read between the lines.
~Michelle~
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this is...... beautitful. such a hopeful write, this is extremly well written. i like the structure of the poem. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Leo,
That I moved you in such a way, I'm truly, truly touched and humbled. I am equally moved.
~Michelle~
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very moving and sad poem Heart, definitely written of one whom you loved and still love very much. it reminded me to a poem the funeral director had read at my own father's funeral years back...but yours is of course more personal, even more eloquent and touching.
Jo
P.S.: as far as Calvin's comment above, this is not a narrative piece of poetry. it doesn't need an event, a storyline. I believe you wrote it just fine. -
I think this is a very touching piece which has an almost prayer like quality.
The angels bathed me in their tears, Beautiful. I really enjoyed reading your poem. Well done and keep up the good work -
You have said many things, but most of them were abstract...as a reader to get engaged or interested a poem I need to see some sequence, some events...some real stuff! There are some excellent lines, but then poem itself stays in ether althroughout!
Calvin -
This nearly moved me to tears. It is extremely rare when something touches me that deeply. Thanks so much for sharing your feelings with me.
Sincerely,
Leo Long
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