She found faith
watching Grandmother pray,
head beneath an olden tub
as many slaves had done, of need
by breath wanting freedom;
speaking aloud to God in this land of liberty.
She tested her faith
when daughter's rejected suitor
jealousy enraged, came to force her child,
standing before bullet blasts
hatred crushed breath from her body;
sacrificed for love, heart's last sight
closing eyes to sunlight with a smile.
Awakened to a stony day
for survival's blessing
took the life she might’ve saved
striking two but leaving a piece of one,
beneath sun; forever dimming
the light of her days.
Aged by life
yet fresh in spirit
first angel come to my childhood sight.
I found faith in her eyes
strength in her words,
love in touch of softest skin;
a world of imaginings, living memories
flowing as honey from copper skinned lips.
We traveled over time
to grateful days of freedom
the rise of a family, and shining faith;
softening my eyes still
after so many, many days gone by;
love and reminding
to find joy and happiness
and those dreams whispered beneath buckets.
In a list
A contest entry
- Looking for Quality Poetry ... by ecrivain01.
450 points, ended January 11, 31 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Deliverance by Danna Hobart.
375 points, ended March 15, 8 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 9 of 9
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This was lovely. Thanks for entering.
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Jeez... My man! Man, this tugs.
Not all moms are deserving. I mean, just b/c through biology and nature not all women should be called moms like not all men should be called dads. We know all too well about deadbeats.
But what MAKES moms moms and dads dads is what makes us. What they instill in us. BUT what hurts most about moms (that LOVED us) is that heartbeat. The first sound constant we hear. That thing that helped us sleep at nights.
Wonderful tribute to grandma.
One.
Dez
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In absolute pain and joy with this can feel touch see this woman know this woman love this woman. I see the farm house and tub God bless your grand momma..we were special PK.
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thank you Rheea
based on your story and family history, i thought this might have some special meaning...so glad you got to see this...PK
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6 (judged on a scale 1-10)
i must admit you are not without talent. however i specifically asked for non-religious poetry or subject matter such as displayed in this poem. i think with different, less conventional subject matter you could write something very good. -
It's an engrossing poem ...
and there are certainly some good lines here. I'd like to know more about praying underneath a tub. What was that all about? There are some rather nebulous lines in this, but overall, I'd say the meaning is clear enough.
Thanks for entering and Happy New Year.
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I've read this about four times. I am just so engrossed with the story not only because it reminds me of my grandmother but reminds me of the comfort women in my country during World War II. My great grandmother has endured the Japs cruelty. She was there when my country was enslaved and when it tasted triumph and freedom. She's a tough one like many other Filipinas during that time and I think it is their faith and spirituality that has given them the inner strength to withstand such torment. I wonder if my generation still carries the same kind of spirit, if we could withstand the kind of suffering the older generations did... This is really an amazing write Mr. PK.
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What a touching poem and tribute to Grandmother who endured hardships, loss, but persevered ... passing on faith, memories, and abiding love to her family.
"Aged by life
yet fresh in spirit"
~~~
"I found faith in her eyes
strength in her words,
love in touch of softest skin
a world of imaginings, living memories"
Good luck in the contest.
...JB♥
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Loved the last line. The imagery of buckets which helps me associate back to the beginning of the poem and the olden tub. Not many pieces work well to make me remember the opening lines as much as I remember the ending. It's not necessarily as edited and "clean" as I generally appreciate, but here, it works. Whatever you've done... just works. Thanks for entering.
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