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When I Leave You

[A love poem for my wife of 43 years] When I leave you... it won't be out of anger, it won't be out of jealousy, it won't be for another woman, and it won't be for freedom. When I leave you, it won't be with grace-- it will be hard, hard to do. I could try to fight it, but with what power? Taken quick or slowly, I'll still be taken-- out of this world, out of your life.... Never out of your heart, I know, I'm planted there, a Gibraltar till time's end. Yet...yet I fear for the weight, the heaviness on you: all the times you'll need a touch, or miss my breath on the nape of your neck.... When the stars weep, when songbirds die, then, only then, will my love be left by your lonely side. Do I yet know how much I love you? Will my soul chant in mourning for you? Will it long for this world, this world of night and day only because you are still in it?

Copyright © | Year Posted 2014




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Date: 7/5/2023 1:35:00 AM
Congrats and God bless you, Love, Gina
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L. J. Carber
Date: 7/6/2023 10:22:00 AM
Thank you, Regina
Date: 2/11/2022 5:43:00 PM
Your poem is so moving. I am happy to see it honored with First Place. Congratulations. I bought your book just now and I think it is great that the proceeds go to help the poor. I look forward to receiving your book and I hope this wonderful poem is in it? Happy Valentine’s Day. Blessings xxoo
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L. J. Carber
Date: 2/12/2022 12:42:00 PM
Thank you Connie, for both the good words and the kind act! God with God always...
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Connie Marcum Wong
Date: 2/11/2022 8:17:00 PM
Yes, I see it is in your book. <3
Date: 2/8/2022 11:41:00 PM
This is so beautiful, so touching, and such an amazing tribute to forever love. Congratulations on your First-Place win, God bless you! ~BJ
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L. J. Carber
Date: 2/9/2022 3:01:00 PM
Thank you, and go with God as well, my friend
Date: 12/11/2020 1:31:00 PM
Wow ~ made me cry. Thank you ~ a definite FAVE.
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L. J. Carber
Date: 12/12/2020 9:50:00 AM
Thank you, Line
Date: 11/25/2020 11:10:00 AM
Congratulations. Such a beautiful love poem.
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L. J. Carber
Date: 11/26/2020 10:41:00 AM
Thank you, Marilene
Date: 11/24/2020 5:47:00 PM
Congratulations on your win. Such a heartfelt and beautiful poem. ~ Mala
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L. J. Carber
Date: 11/25/2020 9:46:00 AM
Thank you, Mala
Date: 11/24/2020 5:13:00 AM
LJ,f you would like to soupmail a link thereto I'll add it to the thank you blog to Line
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L. J. Carber
Date: 11/24/2020 1:56:00 PM
Thank you very much, Brian--will do so
Date: 11/24/2020 3:42:00 AM
Congrats on your win in Line's contest. God bless you with many more wonderful writes. I enjoyed this so much.
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L. J. Carber
Date: 11/24/2020 1:58:00 PM
Thank you Regina--and you're right--I have come to realize that all our creativity comes through our souls, ultimately from God. In my case, it just took 60 plus years!
Date: 11/24/2020 3:29:00 AM
LJ, congratulations in Line's, Have You Published with this beautiful poem, each line, each word is amazing _Constance
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L. J. Carber
Date: 11/24/2020 2:01:00 PM
Thank you, Constance--that is the strange thing about love-- none of us ever really know its depths....
Date: 11/24/2020 1:30:00 AM
Wow! Congrats! Thanks for sharing this. God bless you.
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L. J. Carber
Date: 11/24/2020 2:02:00 PM
As my alter ego, Nolo Segundo would say, 'Gracias, mi amiga, y vaya con Dios siempre!'
Date: 6/1/2020 4:05:00 PM
This is deep, heartfelt and an emotional expression of your feelings. I wish you show it to her. Congratulations on your win.
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L. J. Carber
Date: 6/3/2020 12:57:00 PM
Thank you, Aditi--someday perhaps
Date: 4/7/2020 8:54:00 PM
beautiful poem, I do hope you share it with her... 40 years of love is a lifetime, many things shared, good and bad... congratulations on your win, enjoyed the read :)
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L. J. Carber
Date: 4/8/2020 11:54:00 AM
Thank you Sandra-- I'm still realizing how much this woman loves me--and who says there are no miracles!
Date: 4/7/2020 5:36:00 PM
Lovely, heartfelt--Congrats on your well deserved first place, L. J.
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L. J. Carber
Date: 4/8/2020 11:54:00 AM
Thank you, Vijay
Date: 1/19/2020 10:09:00 AM
Aha! I remember this masterwork! It's a pleasure to revisit it! Congrats for the win, L.J.:-) Listen to me, Jeanne and SO already!...teeheehee
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L. J. Carber
Date: 1/19/2020 10:28:00 AM
Masterwork? My God, Ed, my head just blew up! Seriously though, thanks buddy-- it always is sweet to hear kindness from another poet.
Date: 1/19/2020 7:30:00 AM
I think you should show her.. Congratulations on your placement in the contest..
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L. J. Carber
Date: 1/19/2020 9:26:00 AM
Perhaps Silent One, but it seems I've become something of a chicken**** in my old age...40 plus years doesn't make it any easier. Thank you for your kindness--vaya con Dios en 2020!
Date: 12/31/2019 10:50:00 AM
LJ congratulations on your top win!;)
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L. J. Carber
Date: 12/31/2019 6:58:00 PM
Thank you, Brenda--and happy 2020!
Date: 9/13/2019 7:53:00 PM
a very romantic poem ...you should definitely show it to her. Congrats on your win.
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L. J. Carber
Date: 9/14/2019 8:58:00 AM
Thank you Jeanne...maybe someday
Date: 9/12/2019 10:57:00 AM
Just wanted you to know L.J this poem inspired my latest song, maybe you would like it. I haven't showed my wife either.Thanks for the inspiration!
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John Hamilton
Date: 9/12/2019 6:23:00 PM
Go to my page it's called Please say you'll try, right now it's just lyrics but the music is coming!
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L. J. Carber
Date: 9/12/2019 2:19:00 PM
What a lovely response John-- you made my day! [And where can I hear the song?]
Date: 9/11/2019 3:42:00 PM
Show this to her, L.J.!:-) It will make her heart smile. You've written quite a beauty here. Such a superb romantic poem!
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L. J. Carber
Date: 9/12/2019 8:44:00 AM
Ah, alas, Edward, I still lack the courage to show her-- even though it was published in a lit mag (I hid it). There is something about love, in that the longer it goes on, the deeper it pulls one in....
Date: 9/11/2019 12:15:00 PM
Congrats L.J on a winning poem, I see this has won a lot in contests, you know why...it's amazing! I wrote a similar one before but I like yours better, very touching!
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L. J. Carber
Date: 9/12/2019 8:42:00 AM
Thank you John, I really appreciate it!
Date: 9/11/2019 9:02:00 AM
Such a great poem ~ congrats on you win L.J.!
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L. J. Carber
Date: 9/12/2019 8:41:00 AM
Thank you!
Date: 9/11/2019 7:51:00 AM
Wow, LJ. A most deserving gold medal winner. Bravo. A FAVE for me.
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L. J. Carber
Date: 9/11/2019 8:37:00 AM
Thanks, Line
Date: 9/11/2019 7:42:00 AM
I remember this one from my contest. I still think it is an exceptional piece. Congrats on another win.
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L. J. Carber
Date: 9/11/2019 8:37:00 AM
Thank you Richard
Date: 9/11/2019 3:41:00 AM
Congrats on your win!;)
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L. J. Carber
Date: 9/11/2019 8:37:00 AM
Thanks Brenda
Date: 9/11/2019 12:55:00 AM
Wow! Congrats! Love-filled indeed... God bless you.
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L. J. Carber
Date: 9/11/2019 8:38:00 AM
Much, much appreciated, Beata
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