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I CARE DO YOU?
Contributed by
lovingcritters
on
Sunday, 13th June 2010 @ 01:02:56 PM in AEST
Topic:
Lifepoems
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I CARE DO YOU?
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 and 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
"May we each care,
and love one another
intensely from the heart!"
***
Taken from Henry Porter's works
O'Henry's "Last Leaf"
One of my favorite
stories that I read
at my Mother's
Memorial.
*Caring Smiles*
Copyright ©
lovingcritters
... [
2010-06-13 13:02:56]
(Date/Time posted on
site)
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Re: I CARE DO YOU?
(User Rating: 1 )
by iodinelove on
Sunday, 13th June 2010 @ 11:18:36 PM AEST
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Info | Send
a Message)
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i like to say i care, but i don't really know if i do. I'm an LPN, and it's a strange thing to be in a room with a dying person, watching their pain, their suffering.... in caring for them, do i care? Or am i just doing my job?
I go home and no longer think about the patient, no longer think about whether or not they're going to survive the night.
If i cared, wouldn't i do more than i do? wouldn't i try to change the world?
It's perplexing.
thanks for the read. always, abraham |
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Re: I CARE DO YOU?
(User Rating: 1 )
by Elizabeth_Dandy on
Monday, 14th June 2010 @ 12:01:48 PM AEST
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A heart-wrenching story of heroic love.Consue. This is the love of Agape, its highest form. The outward form and circumstance could be taken direcly from the Boheme, in its artistic set up, the sense of pure spiritual ad universal.
.Long time no hear Consue - right?
This is a great work.
Love and peace
Elizabeth Dandy |
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Re: I CARE DO YOU?
(User Rating: 1 )
by RAJNANDY on
Wednesday, 16th June 2010 @ 08:48:09 PM AEST
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a Message)
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DEAR CONNIE ,
YOU HAVE WRITTEN WELL ! I READ 'THE LAST LEAF' DURING MY STUDENT DAYS !
IT BROUGHT BACK OLD MEMORIES TOO !
THANK YOU !
-Raj |
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