Poetry Contests Online at The Poetic Link

This Poem was Submitted By: Kenneth R. Patton On Date: 2005-06-14 09:00:16 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

To Listen to Music While Reading this Poem, just Click Here!

Click Here To add this poem to your "Voting Possibilities" list!

I Don't Know

I know little of spirituality But I know you encompass it Nor much about strength But I know I would offer it And so much I don’t know about life But I know that you live it I know the very least about love But please know you have mine

Additional Notes:
For a friend who is losing a 10 year battle with cancer. In her early 40's she has more grace than anyone I know. I'm glad I had the chance to give her this.

This Poem was Critiqued By: Mandie J Overocker On Date: 2005-06-24 07:22:44
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.51852
Kenneth, This is a beautiful, short and to the point piece of art. IT is well written and conveys your thoughts poignantly. My only suggestion would be to say "But I know [you] would offer it" at the end of the 2nd stanza. Perhaps it is that you would offer her your strength, but in my humble opinion, which doesn't mean much, I think that change would suit the structure of the poem more befittingly. I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. Cancer is an ugly evil and steals the beauties of life all too quickly and maliciously. I'm glad you had the chance to give her this too. Peace, Mandie

This Poem was Critiqued By: Joanne M Uppendahl On Date: 2005-06-14 17:17:59
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Ken: By way of saying the effort is definitely worth it, splendid work. We can never go wrong, in my estimation, by appreciating our friends. This poem is lovely and I can still feel the lump in my throat from reading your additional notes. It was already very moving but that information reminds me of many things, not the least of which is that time is all we *really* have. You show wise use of it in this spare, deeply honoring poem for your friend. This is less of a critique than my acknowledgment of the wisdom in your words. May we all heed them and do likewise. Magnificent tribute. Kudos. Best always, Joanne

This Poem was Critiqued By: Claire H. Currier On Date: 2005-06-14 16:22:28
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.90000
Poet.....What can one say......this is so touching and I too am glad you were able to give this to your friend though I know she knew how much you cared and what a good friend you are......good structure and word flow, you pick up right from the most important portion of her and that is the soul for it will live forever and she knows that.......a year long battle with cancer she must be exhausted though her strength and that she was able to shift from her family and friends allowed her to where she is......you further tell us that this friend certainly lived life and I am certain even with her sickness she managed to enjoy some of it and perhaps still does......remember the battle is never lost till the Lord calls you home and until then by all means, live, love, laugh and be happy knowing your spirit is alive and the Lord is in your life... In closing Poet I see you there with your friend, holding her hand, talking with her and listening to her if she is able to speak to you ......love comes in all shapes, forms and sizes.......and I can feel the love you have for this friend within your heart and I can feel how you have reached out and touched her.........very well done poet and I would not change a thing and I do thank you for sharing this with us....please know that I will pray for you and your friend......once her suffering is over and she is back with the Lord in His Heavenly Garden, you will be the one with a sad heart...........just hoping you do understand she will be free once more to be who she was before the sickness took over.....God Bless, Claire Received your book and I thank you so much for thinking of me. I will write you personally in a little while........I so enjoy the way you have put this one together...........the Lord moves in all ways my friend and He certainly has blessed you and your work.

This Poem was Critiqued By: Dellena Rovito On Date: 2005-06-14 15:09:44
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Kenneth, This is sooooooooo nice. It is such a wonderful tribute. I have a best friend battling cancer right now also. What a sad thing. I like you saying she has your love. She sounds like a lovely lady. I'm sorry she is suffering as are you. It's just a great gift to give a poem showing your heart. Showing your respect. People we let enter our lives become part of us as we become part of them. Thanks for showing and sharing bits of you...... Blessings Dellena

This Poem was Critiqued By: Lora Silvey On Date: 2005-06-14 10:42:42
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.52000
Kenneth, You may suggest that your friend has more grace than you know, but dear poet in this offering you show a graciousness that is rare even in the oldest of souls. Splendid wording, rhyming, very humbling. This spoke to my heart of compassion, adoration, friendship and selfless giving. You are awesome, great work. Lora

This Poem was Critiqued By: Rebecca B. Whited On Date: 2005-06-14 09:20:41
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.70000
Kenneth, You speak so lovingly about this friend; all your strength and love you would give to help her in her time of need. The undertone [for me] here, is that she has spirituality, strength, and love to give, her love of life [as evidentally, she lives each day to its fullest] and you draw these things from her spirit, a spirit willing to live. "I know little of spirituality But I know you encompass it" [how well founded she must be in her spiritual quest, as her spirit shines brightly enough for you to see that she encompasses it] "Nor much about strength But I know I would offer it' [all the strength you have, you would offer it...sometimes when we see others struggle with illness, it is our only hope that we could take the pain away in whatever strentghs we possess, be it the ability to heal, or just be there for those who are suffering] "And so much I don?t know about life But I know that you live it" [she has evidentally lived her life to it's fullness...a fine testament to one living and enjoying the fruits of one's labor, all that one can be. Sometimes, when we face life's trials, our character is defined by the way we deal with heartache, pain, and loss of one's former existence, as represented by the pain and suffering she has coped with for 10 years. She lives life and strives to conquer whatever comes her way] "I know the very least about love But please know you have mine" [this is very touching...all the love you have, you offer to her.] Kenneth, this is a nice tribute to your friend and the impact that she has evidentally had upon your life. Please give her my best, and I pray that she might be allowed to conquer the cancer. If she loses her battle, you can find peace in the fact that she lived her life to the fullest, and bestowed many true blessings [love, strength, honor, grace, spirituality] upon her friends. Thanks for posting, I enjoyed meeting your friend through your words of love, BEck

Poetry Contests Online at The Poetic Link

Click HERE to return to ThePoeticLink.com Database Page!