I.
she loosens draped veils,
they snake down her body slowly,
revealing buttery flesh
rounded by breath of offering
that kind of tenderness
II.
Mother, holding her dying baby,
memorizing each feature, finger and toe
by heart that will wait eternity
that kind of tenderness
III.
a soldier holds his wounded veteran wife
even though she can no longer
hold him back because a roadside bomb
tore her baby blue wedding dress dreams
that kind of tenderness
IV.
I trace the ragged scars
that once represented something of femininity;
babies’ suckle, lover’s taste,
still able to feel what it can not know
except by the tender cup of his palm
holding air
that kind of tenderness
Author notes
After watching a CNN special tribute of a young, newly married pair of soldiers who have to face her life with her arms gone
In a list
A contest entry
- Words Dipped In Tenderness- closes after 15 entries by Touchof1der.
600 points, ended May 28, 2008, 13 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
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Carol,
even if you did not receive a 'gold', this deserves one. The title attracts and sets mood; the images are wonderfully selected and sensitively conveyed with a richness of flow that grips the heart [and soul]. I only read the authors notes later, therefore, my mind was 'free' of bias, and by not reading them, your words dug deep ... so deep ... there is power in them. I shall later return to this poem, as within my soul 'meaning' is not yet finished! Frans
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There was much between the lines here.... but if I be anything..let me be tender without having to go through too much tenderizing, methinks.
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So very powerful, tenderness of love and despair made bearable by another dimension in the human spirit. Congratulations on the trophy, and thank you for this write.
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ty for your kind comment.... tenderness is what the world is lacking, methinks...
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You have such an "easy" way with words, so gentle and tender and yet very meaningful on one hand and on the other, they are stark, powerful and ignite amazings depths of compassion from within even the coldest of hearts. Thank you for sharing and best wishes to you in all of your endeavors. Keep that pen handy and ever ready for use dear poet. GGod luck in the contest!
♥ Touchof1der
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ty dear heart for the gold...but more...for recognizing tenderness when you see it.
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Carol...stop this...
I cannot deny the unspeakable beauty in such sorrows tribulations
nor the evious ways I wish I could render tender words of a amazing woman...
your cup runnith over
Mal
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aw, Mal, youa re such a stupendous soulful pen friend... Let there be tenderness, for if there is tenderness, there can enver be war, or horror or any other thing but soulful bliss.
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This just makes one ache to want to soften just one broken someone's blow, with a touch of human tenderness...
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and it can be done..it can....
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Oh carol... this is so tender, so painfully perfect. sigh.
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bless your heart, Rowan....you know I now....I send tenderness to you, dear friend.
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powerful & very emotional...
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ty ardentmarch....I so appreciate your stopping by and commenting...it always gives me a surege to know you ahve checked in on me. *smile*
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