Friday, February 7, 2014

Special Feature Collaborative Poem--By Sheri Stanley and Kristina Hooper--United States

When You Miss A Loved One

By Sheri Stanley and Kristina Hooper

Just take a little stroll into the garden
to the Dynamite Crepe Myrtle.
Let its radiance shine upon your face.
Relax and feel the breeze, touch the smile,
and know they are there by your side.
A flutter of tears soon overwhelms
to ease the sorrow that penetrates
through your falling tears;

every tear is a memory,
gently caressing the aching heart
frozen by grief, trapped in sorrow.
The warmth permeates,
and slowly the heart begins to heal again,
a sign that life is present and worth living.
Just as the Crepe Myrtle stands strong through storms,
so shall we survive and carry on.

23 comments:

  1. Dear Sheri and Kristina, you have captured both the pain of grief and the joy memories of lost loved ones bring us. Wow! Really liked the comparison to the Crepe Myrtle (one of my favorite bushes) and the way it survives life's storms and carries on. Very moving, genuine. Excellent co-write! Best wishes, Carolyn Devonshire

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    1. Well, thank you for these incredible comments! It is very tough to lose someone we love and it is sometimes difficult to recover from that loss, as I have learned in the recent loss of my dear, precious grandmother. I found that I "wanted to stay in grief", so your comments touch me - thank you, and God bless! Sheri

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    2. Thank you, Carolyn. I've had trouble writing and Sheri coaxed me, gently and softly. Grief does strange things. I'm so glad you enjoyed our effort. Thank you for taking the time to write your thoughts. Kristina

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  2. A good collaborative work I love crepe myrtles, such a great plant for Florida.

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    1. Since I live in Florida, I wish I could take credit for the crepe myrtle, but alas, that was Sheri. Thanks for reading! Kristina

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  3. Wow, don't what happened to the first response I made to your much appreciated comments, but thank you so much. Yes, it is a most vibrant, luscious and unique tree with beautiful and durable color lasting through any months after all others have dwindled down! Thanks again, Joann! Sheri & Krissie

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  4. Beautiful poem so well put together with wonderful imagery and flow. Who does not love the Crepe Myrtle, a favorite of mine. They are indeed hardy plans and so beautiful most all summer. So good to see you two posting together, so talented.
    Bob

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    1. Thank you, big guy! You are the big encourager, you know. On behalf of Krissie and me, thanks for the lovely encouragement and great comments! Sheri

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    2. I have never heard of the Crepe Myrtle - looked it up on Google - what a beautiful tree/bush. The colors are fabulous. Now that I know what a Crepe Myrtle is - I gain new meaning upon reading your poetry. Lovely thoughts Sheri and Kristina...

      Rhoda Galgiani

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    3. Sheri is right, Bob...due to your encouragement I was able to write this with her. And yours will be forthcoming. You are an inspiration to, and Sheri! Kristina

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    4. Hi, Rhoda, yes! I am pleased you researched this gorgeous specimen. At full growth, they are incomparable. Thank you so much! Sheri & Krissie

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  5. Sheri and Kristina, I really love your cooperative effort. As all of us have felt the sorrow of having lost a loved one and the healing that time does bring, so this poem is easy to relate to. I especially liked the simile you used of the strength of Crepe Myrtle and the healed heart in spite of the storms of life. The poem was a great success at revealing both your talents. Thank you for sharing.
    Love, Charlene

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    1. Charlene, your comments touch my spirit. Thank you so much. I've had trouble writing now for a couple of years, almost like my spirit is frozen inside. This write helped to ease some of that, and I believe there is a thaw ahead. One can only hope. Thank you so much for taking the time to read. Kristina

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    2. Charlene, your comments are wonderful and encouraging. Thank you! Life can hand out some real doozies - there comes a certain forgiveness and consolation in nature, strengthened by one's own faith. God bless and thank you, Sheri

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  6. This is so inspirational to me and had me in tears, but there is such a hopeful note to it as well. Well done, both of you. Thank you so much for sharing such a piece of your hearts with us.

    Pam

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    1. Pam, there is no greater compliment than to know my words touched you so deeply. I lost my Dad in January 2011, and then January 2013, my brother-in-law died suddenly. My sister is slowly recovering and she was my inspiration. Thank you so much for taking the time to read, and comment.

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  7. Dear Sheri and Kristina, you have both composed a beautiful heartfelt poem to a loving memory. You captured treasured moments that will live forever in your heart and soul, their spirit lives on for love is eternal. Blessings sent with love, Leokadia

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    1. Oh, indeed, love is eternal and I feel my loved ones with me every day. Thank you for your gracious comments. I appreciate the fact you took the time to read, and comment. Kristina

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    2. Lee! Thank you so much for your wonderful and warm comments. Yes! I believe all you say for it takes much faith and strength to live and to move on in tragedy. Love to you, my sweet friend! Sheri

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    3. When I was diagnosed with cancer my brother's spirit came every day to hold me and I felt so very safe knowing he was there with me. I nursed him until his last breath. He was a Vietnam Veteran, developed an aggressive form of Leukaemia from Agent Orange died in 1981 I was diagnosed in 2004. My dad also came laid his hand on my abdomen and told me I was going to be alright. At the time I was going in for a second surgery because a lumped had developed. One kilo lump turned out to be just fatty tissues. Bob has my story on his Hub page. Life is a gift and we should always treasure it. I was blessed to live to hold my granddaughter in my arms and now another blessing is to be. I know I have Angels looking after me. Wishing you a beautiful day, Leokadia

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  8. Dear Sheri and and Kristina,

    What a duo you are. Seamlessly written, you have touched my heart in a place not usually seen from the outside. I love how you smoothly make the break from one to the other with "tears" The authorship is only divulged by italics. "Life is present and worth living". This is the key, faltering now and again. Thank you for writing this gem.

    love,
    Kathy

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  9. Sheri and Kristina, I salute you both for penning such an amazing and touching poem. It really hurts when a loved one is no longer with us, but the words and verses of this poem bring comfort and remembrance that although the physical is gone, the memories will never die. Thank you both for sharing this. Continued blessings!

    -Maurice J. Reynolds, Owner / Editor
    TGBTG! Publications / Creative Inspirations
    www.tgbtgpublictions.com

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  10. Wow, don't what happened to the first response I made to your much appreciated comments, but thank you so much. Yes, it is a most vibrant, luscious and unique tree with beautiful and durable color lasting through any months after all others have dwindled down! Thanks again, Joann! Sheri & Krissie
    collaborative law

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