|
 Menu
|
|
|
|
|
Social
|
|
|
|
|
' I CARED!
Contributed by
lovingcritters
on
Wednesday, 24th September 2003 @ 12:05:00 PM in AEST
Topic:
InspirationalPoems
|
In a large run-down tenement house,
Somewhere in the south of France.
The soul slowly ebbed, from a young woman,
who was weak, and propped up in bed.
The scene was a spacious room.
One large window, curtain of crimson red.
A single hot plate, one studio couch,
and a half painted canvas of "dread!"
Desperately ill, succumbing to pneumonia,
gasping for breathe, is Sarah.
Her neighbor is known as Joe.
Both are artists and childhood foe.
Joe is encouraging Sarah to sip...
Teaspoons of soup, with each tiny dip.
An old man, in a thread bare coat stands.
Holding back tears, clasping his hands.
Heinz is of German descent, and an artist too!
"Someday I'll paint a "Masterpiece"
If only you'll get well......
I'll give all the money to you!"
Turning with tears sliding down his cheek,
Joe follows and quietly whispers,
"She is so weak!"
The Dr. thinks she won't last!
I'm praying, and I'm going to go on a fast!"
"Heinz," said Joe, "She continually
watches the ivy,
of a few leaves hanging precariously,
on the brick building next door.
When the last leaf falls, she claims, her life.....
she will no longer store!"
Heinz is shaking, sobbing with grief!
He's loved little Sarah for years!
He can find no solace, nor relief!
Walking down the stairs, he is soaked in tears!
Sarah declares,
"There's only a few leaves left, Joe!"
as Joe returns to nurture......
"But Sarah," Joe says,
"You can't possibly believe,
that when the last leaf falls,
you'll have no future?"
Joe gingerly slides the red curtain,
and slowly shuts out Sarah's scene.
She then hugs her friend securely,
Leaving her weak, but serene.
All during the night, Joe will check.
Sarah is comfortable......
"Oh Please Dear God, don't let her go yet!
She too, has a "Masterpiece" to get!"
The winds continue to howl until dawn.
Another prayer is said, "Please Dear God,
help her to hang on!"
Could you please keep just one leaf
from falling to the lawn?"
During the night a fresh snow.
Only one leaf remains.
And has refused to fall below.
Joe is more than elated!
"Sarah is recovering, and I thank you
so much with a tear!
Please help old Heinz now.....
He too, has fallen ill over night.
To us he is so Dear!"
Each long day is slumbering past.
A new day they both watch,
as a single leaf will solidly last!
Through rain and sleet, clinging fast!
Sobs of sadness fill their room.
Old Heinz died last night!
Both hearts are overcome
with dreadful gloom!
"He died of pneumonia!" a neighbor states.
"He was out in the snow,
The night the fierce winds did blow!"
Propped up in bed, Sarah slowly said,
"I'll finish my painting of "dread!"
Then we won't have to bury him
in that vacant field....
"Oh, Joe, why did he have
to succumb and yield?"
He never got to paint his "Masterpiece!"
Joe replies, "Yes he did my dear!
Have you not watched the leaf
that refuses to fall?
That's Heinz's Masterpiece, Sarah.....
For it was he, that painted it for you
there on the wall!"
As you walk down life's path,
How many last leaves in your life will fall?
Will you be Heinz the artist?
Giving of your life for another,
so perhaps their life may return?
Possibly you are another Joe.
Loving, caring, and nurturing so!
Family first, close friends,
also strangers as you see them come & go.....
Homeless, down trodden, sick with
grief, paralyzed with hunger.
Do you just pass by?
Will you hold out your hand?
Will you help them to stand?
Could you give up a meal......
Money in their hand seal?
When the last leaf in your life appears....
What will be your "Masterpiece,"
for all your years?
Will you leave a huge bank account?
A large house, expensive car?
Nothing wrong with those.
if also you chose,
to love your fellow man,
To give him all you possibly can!
Did you give a piece of your heart?.
Did you show, and have you shared?
Then, when your last leaf falls,
Your "Masterpiece" will be,
"I cared!"
Created by
Cheri Cam LeBren
September 2003
"May we each care,
and love one another
intensely from the heart!"
This was taken from
O'Henry's "Last Leaf"
One of my favorite
stories all my life!
Copyright ©
lovingcritters
... [
2003-09-24 12:05:00]
(Date/Time posted on
site)
Advertisments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sorry, comments are no longer allowed for anonymous, please register for a free membership to access this feature and more
|
|
All comments are owned by the poster. Your Poetry
Dot Com is not responsible for the content of any
comment.
That said, if you find an offensive comment, please
contact via the FeedBack Form with details, including poem title
etc.
|
|
|
Re: ' I CARED!
(User Rating: 1 )
by Ilhar on
Wednesday, 24th September 2003 @ 12:56:31 PM AEST
(User
Info | Send
a Message)
|
very lovely
Shari |
|
|
Re: ' I CARED!
(User Rating: 1 )
by Former_Member on
Wednesday, 24th September 2003 @ 04:55:59 PM AEST
(User
Info | Send
a Message)
|
And I stayed through the whole story...
certainly glad I did.Loved it!
Thanks for sharing...
angel always...godspeed...joni |
|
|
Re: ' I CARED!
(User Rating: 1 )
by norm on
Wednesday, 24th September 2003 @ 05:06:47 PM AEST
(User
Info | Send
a Message)
|
With such a deep and moving poem
Taken from Henry Porter's works
Bitter sweet always grabs you
Therein's where the feeling lurks..
lovingcritters, you brought it out
We the poets, ought to shout
When a fine piece comes our way
That is what I have to say...
|
|
|
Re: ' I CARED!
(User Rating: 1 )
by Crow on
Wednesday, 24th September 2003 @ 08:56:09 PM AEST
(User
Info | Send
a Message)
|
| connie you always put a beautiful piece of work out, and a great read. Crow |
|
|
Re: ' I CARED!
(User Rating: 1 )
by Jenni_Kalicharan on
Wednesday, 24th September 2003 @ 11:41:23 PM AEST
(User
Info | Send
a Message)
|
Excellent write, beautiful story....loved it
Jenni |
|
|
Re: ' I CARED!
(User Rating: 1 )
by jaeann on
Thursday, 25th September 2003 @ 12:19:50 AM AEST
(User
Info | Send
a Message)
|
| as always.........you stand for inspiration!!!! |
|
|
Re: ' I CARED!
(User Rating: 1 )
by venkat on
Thursday, 25th September 2003 @ 02:09:36 AM AEST
(User
Info | Send
a Message)
|
| A beautiful story with a lovely message. venkat |
|
|
Re: ' I CARED!
(User Rating: 1 )
by Aika on
Thursday, 25th September 2003 @ 06:57:37 AM AEST
(User
Info | Send
a Message)
|
My dear CONNIE!
How lovely story
Sitting and tearing
trying to type
For your another great story
Looking forward!!!!
Love you, Aika
|
|
|
|
· 
Poetry
Community
Members
Areas
Reference
Search
Top
Others
