It Only Takes An Outstretched Hand 2 by lordoftherings at All poetry

~by Gregg Rowe~

~for Cheryl (MagicLady)~

What is this tear streaming down my clown’s face
A tragedy has knocked upon her door
To test all her faith, strength and empathy
With her bleeding heart, she has room for grace
Pleading with God’s angels whom she adores
To bring her Katie back to her healthy

She sits nightly beside her daughter’s bed
In the dim moonlight, with a lowered head

My magical clown whose tears touch soft lace
Time passes us like pebbles in the sand
Come together as friends let us embrace
Wipe these tears and together as we stand
Protecting your precious daughter, Katie.
God sings: It only takes an outstretched hand!

Author notes

THE FORM An Alfred Dorn Sonnet

Winner of the Formalist Publication Contest for developing a new sonnet form. Each year the Formalist runs a sonnet contest where the applicants make up their own form of sonnet. The sonnet form is named after the winning applicant. In this case Alfred Dorn won and this type of sonnet was named after him

The Alfred Dorn is iambic pentameter, 14 lines but has two sextets (six lines) with the couplet in the middle. The rhyme scheme is ABCABC DD AEAEAE.

The title of this poem is a line from Rod McKuen's 'Outstretched Hand', Magic Lady's favorite poem as of this writing, which also appeared on her front page a few months ago:

allpoetry.com/poets/MagicLady

Outstretched Hand by Rod McKuen

Each of us was made by God
and some of us grew tall.
Others stood out in the wind
their branches bent and fell.
Those of us who walk in light
must help the ones in darkness up.
For that's what life is all about
and love is all there is to life.

Each of us was made by God
beautiful in His mind's eye.
Those of us who turned out sound
should look across our shoulders once
and help the weak ones to their feet.

It only takes an outstretched hand.

The title is 2 because this is the second Alfred Dorn Sonnet I have penned for Cheryl. The original can be found at his link:

allpoetry.com/Poem/729769

Written December 18th, 2004

In a list

A contest entry

Some Christmas Magic for MagicLady (contest) by Touchof1der. 400 points, ended December 22, 2004, 21 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest

What did you think

Comments

1 - 18 of 18

By me, right now

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SexyAngel0418
February 20, 2005
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This is a very beautiful poem... It is a wonderful tribute to your friend...

Beth
Edited on Feb 20, 9:05 p.m. because ''.
lordoftherings
December 21, 2004
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Ever since I came across your front page and read the poem, and some of your works that you have shared with us, I cannot but think of how you have had a profound effect on me and my life with your words. I could only redo the honors by reciprocating the love. gregg May you have the peacefulness you deserve this holiday season and safe within your family. Gregg
Edited on Dec 22, 2:14 p.m. because ''.
MagicLady
December 21, 2004
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I have read and applauded your poem. It is so beautiful to me. Everytime I go to to comment on any of the poems, I start to cry. I sat in the back yard with Katie yesterday on the glider swing. I have five different wind chimes and we sat out there after filling up the bird feeders and changing the bird bath. The wind was strong but not cold (we are in southern TX).

I sat there with her and listened to the wind moving the chimes to whatever music it wanted to play, and listed the things I was grateful for. I sat looking at my backyard, knowing this was my last Christmas here in Texas. My husband is retiring in less than six months. He has been in the air force for 20 years. I was inspired looking out my backyard with Katie at my side, the birds singing, thanking us for the fresh food and bath, and the wind singing a special song.

With that said, I write this little bit of insight for all of you. May you all have a blessed holiday.

allpoetry.com/poem/957911

Thank you Gregg, again you write with such beauty.
Cheryl
Nelak
December 19, 2004
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Beautifully written, Gregg
Gregg,

Sweet and precious words written here. I could feel this, it comforted the heart... This just makes me smile, the beauty in this -everlasting joy. You have a very strong heart, Gregg... it can be felt miles away. Cherish each day. Breathe in and out and enjoy the winters beauty (if it isn't too cold there... freezing here like -20 degrees out there....burrr). Take good care of yourself. Hope you are doing well.

With love,

~ Kalen
Jacki D
December 18, 2004
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Marvelous
First I would like to tell you how beutiful and compassionate this is. You never disappoint. I turned my son's life over to God 4 yrs ago, and have never been disappointes when I tell Him that He is your please protect him. Yes just an outreaches hand is all it takes. It is great to have backup like you give MagicLady. It's a great feeling know another human is also in your corner. Sorry I make terrible Criques but I'm just a self- learned poet that only writed when the emotion inspires her. Again you did a fabulous job. Good luck in the contest. And as you give ppl your Montrel Standing Ovation, I will give this one the ole Hillbilly Stomp Ovation....lol Jacki
lordoftherings
December 18, 2004
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~Hugh~: Hit me over the head with a frying pan, how many times have I read the title and my bifocals have not worked, maybe if I washed them with water I would get rid of the dust spots on them and would see the dylexia a little clearer now. Thank you for bringing it to my attention and I will go and change it tout suite (right away)! Gregg
hugh wyles
December 18, 2004
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Dear Gregg,
Notwithstanding the analytical and opinionated comment of one 'critic' above, this is a touching entry which gives evidence of much care in its composition and foir Cheryl and Katie. As a sonnet it is well wrought but I wonder if the mis-spelled title is intended or accidental? Applause.
Good luck in the contest and best wishes. Hugh.
lordoftherings
December 18, 2004
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~Kimberly~: Thank you so much for the update from Cheryl, I wanted to write her a message but know exactly what she is going through and don't want to add to the overwhelmness of it all. Just by entering your contest, I am sure, will suffice to her that I am thinking about her and my heart goes out that she can pass this event with peace and to let her know that there is support for her visible and invisible. I am keeping my candles lit this Christmas season starting tonight. Gregg
Edited on Dec 18, 12:40 because ''.
Touchof1der
December 18, 2004
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Gregg;
Latest Update:
Received from MagicLady(12/18/2004 8:01:18 AM): Katie is home now. I will try to get on line in the next day or two and read the entries from the contest you said you had for me. I know it will give me strength but also make me cry. Right now I need to be with my whole family at home. We will wait to hear if Katie can have the surgery. Dr's should let us know in the next few days... but then the decision is ours as to if she has it or not. I think my biggest fear is that she CANNOT have the surgery, and then we have no choice at all. Keep praying.
xBeautifulxHellx
December 18, 2004
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Thsi was a beautiful poem!! It made me so sad when I read it! But you put a lot of work into it I can tell! Good job! And good luck in the contest!!
~!*Andrea*!~
LadyUnique
December 18, 2004
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i'm not one to shed a tear when i read poetry
or i wasn't till i read this

i'm really speechless and have no words to do justice to this poem or the poet

God bless
Lyrical Soul
December 18, 2004
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This is lovely. I like the way you incorporated the essence of Cheryl in this write...the magical clown specifically. This is very heartfelt and very uplifting. An outstretched hand indeed.

~Lyrical
Xx Alice xX
December 18, 2004
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Where would we be without God's loving hand to stroke our weary brows. We may not see His reasons for things, but we must trust his wisdom.
wishintreeUK
December 18, 2004
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This is truly beautiful! there is empathy and genuine concern threaded through the whole of this write. I am sure Cheryl will really appreciate the time and effort you have taken to do this for her and her precious daughter
There is nothing more comforting than knowing there are ones who are truly genuine in their concern for each other, here you have shown your caring way by doing this poem.
I have enjoyed reading your comforting words.
Megga Hugs ~Katie~
angelica
December 18, 2004
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very emotional poem
Gregg, you never cease to amaze me my friend, you are such a wonderful compassionate man, with your own health problems you still think of others. This puts you in the same catagory of two great poets we lost this year patric (repomen79) and jean (dittysri) who with all their health problems, thought of others before themselves. Brilliant my Canadian friend, Cheryl will love it, I hope her daughter returns to good health~Love~Joan
ricochet rabbit
December 18, 2004
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Creativity: There were moments of vivid description, but I found not much that created vivid pictures in my head. This good be from not knowing your subject well enough. 7/10

Innovation: As always, I am impressed by your voice. At the same time, I think that you weren't challenging yourself as an artist. You stayed in your comfort zone with this one. 6/10

Technique: You definitely have a keen eye for detail, and your craftsmanship is beautiful. However, I think you suffer from too much consistency. You need just a little sliver of an edge to make this poem really take off. Perhaps maybe you should throw a monkey wrench into the predicability? Not in the form -- I do know this is a sonnet. But maybe in the descriptions. 7/10

Readability: I breezed through this one no problem. In fact, I think it was fun to read. 8/10

Emotionality: I had a hard time connecting to this piece because I am uneducated about the subject. But, with what I know, I do appreciate. 5/10

Personal note: I really like the romanticism in this poem. It's got a hint of danger to it. Have you ever seen the Hitchcock film Vertigo? This is very similar to the feeling I had watching it.
Touchof1der
December 18, 2004
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Thank you so much for penning this stunningly beautiful sonnet for Cheryl. I remember this as being her favorite poem because it is also one of mine. This takes my breath away and I am sure it will have the same affect on Cheryl. She will be so moved by this. I know she is a special fan of your's. I want you to know that I really appreciate the time and effort you took out of your own busy days to pen this for her. You too have a most compassionate heart. Thank you and good luck in the contest.
~Kimberly
December 18, 2004
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This is a beautiful poem for her and I'm sure she'll appreciate it. Your heart shines in this piece Gregg. Very well done

~~Jessica