he sits stoically awaiting a messiah
to descend slowly
the cloud's blue edges
measures small tremors;
a distant song
on tuning fork ribs
his faith often found
in very small portions
and when it is not,
he wishes it were so
In a list
A contest entry
- gentleness: by Nicolette.
950 points, ended June 1, 30 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 36 of 36
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I keep coming back to read this, so simply beautiful..
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Good stuff.
Clean, tight and most important, interesting.
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You are very good at saying a lot with few words. That surely proves the adage, "less IS more". I enjoyed this. ***Pam***
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What beautiful imagery. So simple, yet profound.
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Congratulations on Gold.This is an excellent write.I have enjoyed reading your work today, Ros
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i love the last two lines especially
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congrats on the gold, Al
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Absolutely tender & beautiful, Al. Congratulations, my Friend. 
Wanda
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Beautiful Poem
Congratulations on winning the Gold. A poem well deserving of the honor. Your words do portray the gentleness of God's love as He awaits His children to accept Him completely and unconditionally in their hearts. A beautiful poem to read this Sunday morning. Very uplifting!! Take care.
Bless You,
Sandy
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Well done with the win! The final verse really makes this poem
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love it, yes, its into the gentle lane lol
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As I grow older, my closeness to an Almighty Spirit becomes stronger, more endowed... no credit to myself, for I do nothing different than before. These "gentle" words share with the reader how ambivilant we can be in this area.
The beauty of this work is my ability to see every word you've written. I wish you well in the challenge.
Much Love & Respect ♥
Renee
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you with your writing.. you make one wish and feel..
the last two years I have had a love/hate thing going with the Big Guy upstairs.. funny how a poem I read on this lil box reminds me of him..
darn the internet anyways..
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Faith is the hardest thing of all. It requires letting go of vain attempts at controlling the future -- attempts to restructure the universe in our own image.
This poem is beautiful and demonstrates such a peacefulness and acceptance of things -- including the natural tendency to exhaust faith, yet cling to that faith even when we don't have it.
Excellent. Good luck in the contest.
Garrison
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There is a quietude about this poem, a slow rhythm...inner-music, a soft deep murmur.
Loved the "tuning fork ribs", Al - wonderful. As always you create such great images and movement through brevity and a simplicity that holds so much depth within it.
Loved this one - really a gorgeous poem that lays so gently on the mind (remember that old song?). Thank you for this entry - great poetry.
~ Nicolette
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Insightful
This hit so close to home, reminding me of all the little things I share with my husband about random prayers and sayings (we're supposed to be Muslim + Catholic but you can't tell the difference).
Cozy from my perspective.
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I love this one Al.
I can so completely feel it...I am in it right now.
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the essence of nothing...
gaffed, croned and beveled at the edges - soft at all the right moments. nice job, mate!
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He sounds a bit like me - looking for meaning/faith in the small things, perhaps even assigning meaning where there is none.
Excellent write.
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A quirky image I found here...I like this. Love, Lane
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i don't know what to say- sometimes, beautiful isn't good enough, y'know.
- namita
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Beautiful write. I liked the title of this piece. It reminded me of philosophy and the teachings of Socrates. I liked the first stanza, as well. It seemed to have a spiritual aspect to it. Thanks for sharing and best of luck in the contest.
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nice work this...
very atmospheric
something about the last stanza resonates. lol
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Fine work A.J.! The poem is beautiful to read and to thinking about. THANKS for sharing!
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"I don't need you to save me / I already did that myself / when your God as my witness didn't show up"-Buddy Wakefield, "Horsehead"
-C -
this is beautifully written.
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tuning fork ribs sound like coughing
infectious spits that split in space
the faith in faith led generations
after generations of coffins
where stone heads outlive their symbols
and epitaphs word all that is left:
a label gravitating sentences
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We all want some form of rescue. From the memories, the past, our demons. Very richly worded. Very deeply felt. Best of luck in the contest
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gentle longing:
a sad song
beautiful sound words
love that you are writing again- me
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hopeful, gentle, beautiful
your words always soothe me
elaine
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Reminds me of a quiet, elderly Catholic man at a picnic eating corn on the cob with those little forked pins stuck in the ends of the cob, or is it just my imagination.
This is some fine poetry AJ, and best of luck in the contest friend.
mj.
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As always a stunning piece, you know how much I enjoy your poetry, and this piece is no exception
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ahh tuning fork ribs, yes we play gentle music there, to remind us of what is and what can be....
placed in a moment of time and feeling in-step with life. so gentle on the mind
beautimous poem Al
Gillian.x
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The thing I like best about this is that the voice that describes the man is just as gentle. If that makes sense..
Nicely done.
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