by Debbie G.
Member since:
July 16, 2006

Not forgotten

August 18, 2009 12:56 PM UTC (Updated: August 18, 2009 06:43 PM UTC)
views: 0 | 3 people recommend this | comments: 44

Phengphang

Crossed the mountains fleeing
with her children and her husband
fell and got up in the dark.

By the time I knew her
her oldest spoke some English.
Left some notes and on one day
her mother's last request.

A real bath.
A soak in the tub with water
warm water
unlike a refugee's cold night of fear.

I carried her.
Featherlight
the day before she died.

Lowered gently
she almost floated
Smiled.

I wasn't there when she crossed either mountain.
One hand I missed holding.
One hand I still miss.

Comments: 44

Tonia, who hugs trees G. Aug 18, 2009, 1:06pm UTC
You have such a beautiful way of honoring the lives of those who have been under your care. This one brought tears.
Debbie G. Aug 18, 2009, 2:24pm UTC
Thank you, Tonia.
mona d. Aug 18, 2009, 2:38pm UTC
you reach all of the senses with this, deb. it is both beautiful and powerful.
Debbie G. Aug 18, 2009, 2:48pm UTC
Mona, thank you. I appreciate that.
Sue * Aug 18, 2009, 3:08pm UTC
Deb-this is so beautiful, it is like a whisper. I'm very touched.
Debbie G. Aug 18, 2009, 10:15pm UTC
Thank you, Sue. That means a lot to me.
Svetlana Goryacheva Aug 18, 2009, 3:47pm UTC
Yes, Tonechka is so right... powerful and moving to the verge of tears.

Hugs and blessings - S.
Debbie G. Aug 18, 2009, 10:17pm UTC
I often hesitate to put my experiences out there. Thank you Sveta.
Faith H. Aug 18, 2009, 4:09pm UTC
Just beautiful.
Debbie G. Aug 18, 2009, 10:17pm UTC
Thank you, Faith.
Granny Janny Aug 18, 2009, 4:32pm UTC
Made me cry too. Thanks Tonia for pointing me to this masterpiece. Now, Debbie, please post this to Poet's Weekly Muse
Granny Janny Aug 18, 2009, 4:33pm UTC
Because I want to feature it there.
Debbie G. Aug 18, 2009, 5:50pm UTC
Thank you, Granny. I will repost.
Granny Janny Aug 19, 2009, 12:58am UTC
Now Featured in Poet's Weekly Muse.
Debbie G. Aug 18, 2009, 5:53pm UTC
I appreciate all the comments. I was uncertain whether to publish this in it's present, initial form.
Madame Donna C. Aug 18, 2009, 6:31pm UTC
Beautiful work, Deb and what a special way to honor someone. It certainly caused my heart to surge.
Debbie G. Aug 18, 2009, 10:18pm UTC
Madame D, I thank you. It is a real privilege to be a part of someones journey.
Dannielle S. Aug 18, 2009, 6:42pm UTC
Gentle and yet so powerful, Deb.
Debbie G. Aug 18, 2009, 10:19pm UTC
Thank you, Danniellle.
Verie Sandborg Aug 18, 2009, 6:46pm UTC
Debbie, I agree with all that's been said before this, and I add one more comment. Thank you for loving Phengphang in life and for honoring her so beautifully and so simply in death.
Debbie G. Aug 18, 2009, 10:13pm UTC
Much moved by your comment, Verie. Thank you.
Wesley W. Aug 18, 2009, 7:24pm UTC
Dearest Debbie, this is what I have missed for so many long years away from you. I so fervently hope this is but one of many I am privelleged enough to see flow from my old friend. There is a wealth of them in you lady. Thank you. Wes
Debbie G. Aug 18, 2009, 10:12pm UTC
Wes, thank you for such a kind comment. I'm so pleased to see you here in Gather. There are some fine people here I hope you will meet. :)
Roy ☯ Hilbinger Aug 18, 2009, 8:02pm UTC
Beautiful Deb!
Debra H. Aug 18, 2009, 9:18pm UTC
Very tender and touching thank you
aniko    Aug 18, 2009, 11:15pm UTC
Beautiful poem, Deb. You use just the right words to convey your meaning.
elizabeth evans Aug 19, 2009, 4:47am UTC
With your hands and your heart
You reach out and bestow love
To those who have suffered and
Give their life the dignity they deserve.
elizabeth evans Aug 19, 2009, 6:30pm UTC
Featured in Angels on Our Pillows.
jessie voigts Aug 20, 2009, 12:12am UTC
your most powerful work yet, deb. BRILLIANT. this will stick with me for a very long time.
Tory H. Aug 20, 2009, 8:18pm UTC
This is beautiful. So sad, but with a touch of happiness at the bath part. Very well done.
d g. Aug 24, 2009, 8:29am UTC
A tear of joy, a tear of sadness.
Beryl Singleton Bissell Aug 27, 2009, 9:40pm UTC
Deb's huge compassionate heart has captured, with such lyric beauty, the pathos and tenderness and loss experienced by this elderly woman, her children, and our Deb.
Laurun M. Aug 28, 2009, 7:55am UTC
Deb, What wonderful sentiments of this person's life. I can imagine a whole story of this person's life just from you lines. It's so sentimental. I would be breaking down all the time if I had your profession. It's great that you can express it in art.
Good to see you here on gather. I've had no extra time lately.
Wilma M. Sep 1, 2009, 11:46am UTC
This actually gave me chills at the conclusion. How beautiful! You were able to grant that final request and undoubtedly made her "crossing over" more comfortable.
Debbie G. Sep 1, 2009, 4:06pm UTC
Thank you for all these warm and meaningful comments.
Maureen Sullivan Stemberg Sep 1, 2009, 4:15pm UTC
Hi Deb, I just "drop" into gather today...I came here only to find this beautiful piece of work. It made me cry simply beautiful ox, mo-zy
Miz Lynn aka/BooBoo Sep 4, 2009, 1:54am UTC
Heartbreaking....but ohhhhh so beautiful :)
Rose (just an ole GA peach) W. Sep 8, 2009, 4:53pm UTC
Dear Deb...your heart, so filled with love and compassion spills out through your pen and you share a life here with us in such a beautiful, poignant way. I'm so glad T sent this my way ;-)
Alison H. Mar 20, 2010, 11:50pm UTC
A lovely, moving tribute.
This reached out and grabbed my heart.
Kathryn Flynn Apr 30, 2010, 5:04pm UTC
Startlingly brutal and honest, grabbed my heart, too.

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