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About This Poem

My Favorite Devonshire

   Ten seconds after I posted my first poem on Poetry Soup, Carolyn's comment was there! Her support and encouragement has been always present in my humble poetry. Yes, I know what you're thinking... blame it on her! : ) She's not only a warm friend but also a talented poetess. This lovely-gifted Lady writes through her heart; and she does it brilliantly. Caring, friendly, loving, intelligent, creative...her style, her humor, her kindness...Carolyn Devonshire is unique in many ways. Have I said that I love her? This is my modest tribute to her...
   The poem I've chosen to celebrate Carolyn's poetry is "Too Fast for Me;" it's in her first book: Vision of Devonshire. Every time I read it, an intense emotion makes my eyes shine... Oops! Look at my eyes right now! When I remember my father, Carolyn's words arise immediately in my mind because the time I shared with him "has been too short for me." 

                              "Too Fast for Me"

                               For every step my father took
                               my child's legs took three
                               "Daddy, please," I called to him
                               "You walk too fast for me."

                                My sister took a husband
                                my brother went to sea
                                my father sighed, "Our family time
                                has been too short for me."

                                Then when my teen years ended
                                and college lay before me
                                Dad shook his head in sadness
                                "It's all too fast for me."

                                When Mama died, we reminisced
                                their forty-seven years,
                                the passing time, the life they shared
                                was captured in our tears.

                                And when computers came of age
                                Dad watched me surf the net
                                "I'd like to learn," he said to me,
                                "but I'm not ready yet."

                                 As Dad lay dying carrying years
                                 that numbered ninety-three
                                 I could not help but say aloud
                                 "They went too fast for me."




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  1. Date: 11/24/2012 10:53:00 AM

    Yes, this is a very well penned poem. I liked the message and how well it applies to everyones life. Thanks for sharing this one.

  1. Date: 6/12/2012 1:23:00 PM

    Congratulations on your super win in Gwen's contest Ruben. This is one of my favorites you have written Ruben as Carolyn is all you say and then some. Love, Carol

  1. Date: 6/11/2012 9:35:00 AM

    Dear Ruben, I think you know I wrote this poem on the flight to my father's funeral. I'm glad it means something to you, even thought the message is sad. Thanks so much for your kind words. Congratulations on your win! Love, Carolyn

  1. Date: 6/11/2012 2:01:00 AM

    Ruben congrats on your win..David

  1. Date: 6/10/2012 6:33:00 AM

    Hi Ruben, Hope u are having a great weekend. Just wanted to stop by and thank u again for jumping in on the action to show your appreciation for a great poet, Carolyn. :) Gwendolen

  1. Date: 6/2/2012 2:37:00 PM

    that is a good one - what a powerful ending! i can see why you chose this one!

  1. Date: 5/28/2012 1:55:00 PM

    This poem of Carolyn's just grips me right in the heart. It had to have touched many people as they read it...especially those who adored their fathers so much. For Carolyn to have had her father til the age of 93 is a blessing, but I know she wished for more. This makes me miss my own father who died on my bday in 2005..It is hard to visit his grave site as I see my bday on his tombstone. We were very close and I write poetry today as a way of continuing a hobby that he shared with me! Gotta save this one, Ruben. Thanks for posting this!

    R. Avatar Gwendolen R. Date: 5/28/2012 1:58:00 PM Block poet from commenting on your poetry

    and....thanks for participating in this very special tribute to one of our finest! Thanks so much! Gwendolen
  1. Date: 5/26/2012 3:39:00 PM

    I see why you picked this poem of Carolyn's.....bought a tear to my eye, the poem and the tribute, both wonderful and beautiful.

  1. Date: 5/24/2012 11:42:00 AM

    This grabbed my heart as well!! Yours and hers, such loving words ......... are you trying to make me cry? Well...you did! oh..ps....love your new avatar, you handsome devil!

  1. Date: 5/23/2012 8:56:00 PM

    WOW! Ruben, the poem you posted ,,from the Devinshire collection... IS Very deep... Carolyn, is one of the best poets here on the soup... I'm glad this contest was offered in her honor. Good luck in the contest! ** about your comment.. I think you actually hit the nail on the wall.. lol..yes, my poems always come with hidden messages... and poor poor puppy... anyways... thank you so very much.. always~ The Poet Destroyer

  1. Date: 5/23/2012 2:26:00 PM

    heartwarming tribute, ruben... i'm still picking my fave poem from carolyn's list... re rick's tanka, i gotcha .. was choosing between 2 lines and forgot to edit.. done!.. thanks and huggs! :)

  1. Date: 5/21/2012 10:48:00 PM

    You chose a moving poem, Ruben. A very lovely simple one of hers! Great words you said for her. Luv, Andrea

  1. Date: 5/21/2012 8:00:00 PM

    A soul stirring write Ruben, this wonderful tribute to your family is a celebration of love. You must miss your dad very much.

    wesley Avatar elizabeth wesley Date: 5/21/2012 8:01:00 PM Block poet from commenting on your poetry

    By the way, your words about Carolyn are really sweet; I think she affects all of us on Soup in the same way
  1. Date: 5/21/2012 4:10:00 PM

    why have i never seen this one. it's a jewel!!! i gotta go fav it.

    loving iii Avatar john loving iii Date: 5/21/2012 4:16:00 PM Block poet from commenting on your poetry

    i guess i'll have to fav this one
  1. Date: 5/21/2012 1:39:00 PM

    Dear Ruben, thank you for your very kind words and for choosing this poem. It's special to me. I wrote it as I was flying to Dad's funeral, but my sister said it was too "amateurish" to read at the funeral. Now I wish I had read it anyway. God bless you,my friend. Love, Carolyn

    loving iii Avatar john loving iii Date: 5/21/2012 4:17:00 PM Block poet from commenting on your poetry

    you should have read it. but i think she was thinking you probably would not have made it through before breaking down.
  1. Date: 5/21/2012 1:33:00 PM

    Such a lovely choice, a tribute to loving fathers everywhere. This is exactly how I feel about my children, time moves too fast.

  1. Date: 5/21/2012 11:56:00 AM

    She has so many beautiful poems,difficult to chose just one. - Like your chose Ruben - thank you for visit and comments mine today. - oxox love Anne-Lise

  1. Date: 5/21/2012 11:44:00 AM

    Hey Ruben, quick soupmail ;)

  1. Date: 5/21/2012 9:29:00 AM

    'Wrappings give way' is one of my favourite favourites and'The mountain i believed to be id'.. I love the one you picked too,and i do understand why it touches you so deep.Lovely tribute to our Carolyn.. :)GOING TMFVS

  1. Date: 5/21/2012 7:05:00 AM

    This is an awesome choice Ruben, you have captured her soul in your tribute as well... This made me smile today for so many reasons.. *hugs* Wilma

  1. Date: 5/21/2012 6:47:00 AM

    Great honor to Carolyn..Is there a contest going on?...Thanks for stopping by...Sara

  1. Date: 5/21/2012 1:35:00 AM

    WOW,STUPENDOUS WRITE!!!!

  1. Date: 5/20/2012 11:16:00 PM

    Oh! I am not able to check your fav list anymore....

    O. Avatar Ruben O. Date: 5/20/2012 11:35:00 PM Block poet from commenting on your poetry

    I told you...Im not one of you anymore!
  1. Date: 5/20/2012 11:14:00 PM

    Ruben, if I remembered the title, I most likey wouldn't be in this predicament? I thought the poem was in my fav list. Hmmmm, a lot of Carolyn's free verse have short, one or two world titles and I am mixing them up. I will take a peek at your own fav list.

    O. Avatar Ruben O. Date: 5/20/2012 11:35:00 PM Block poet from commenting on your poetry

    LOL! I got it!
  1. Date: 5/20/2012 10:58:00 PM

    Ah Ruben, this is a wonderful choice for your favourite Devonshire. I can't find my favourite Devonshire. It is an earlier free verse of hers, and the list is gigantic.

  1. Date: 5/20/2012 9:47:00 PM

    yep they went too fast for me.... Well done here Ruben....

  1. Date: 5/20/2012 6:43:00 PM

    Wow...I'm speechless Ruben..no words to describe this emotional yet superb write here..love it..from the intro to the end!!!