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And Then I Smiled

When I was a small child, I was plagued with bad dreams... I said Mom, I'm afraid . She said, you can rest, there is nothing in this house but Love.. And Then.... She Smiled.. When I was in Sunday School the preacher spoke of Sin , Hell and Damnation.. I was old enough to know, I was a sinner. I said Mom, I don't want to go to Hell.. She said, you have nothing to fear . You Love God and God Loves you.. And Then.... She Kissed me.. It was my wedding day, butterflies filled my stomach, I damn near fainted when my beautiful wife to be walked down the aisle . At the reception I said Mom, I am nervous . She said, if you Love her with all your heart, you will be forever happy.. And Then.... We danced.. Mom was in the hospital with heart trouble . I rushed there wanting to help but knowing I wouldn't be able to. I said, Mom are you OK how do you feel.. She said, I am going to die. Don't you cry for me, I lived a life of Love . I had a great life and Love is all that matters in this world.. And Then.... She Hugged me.. At her funeral , I felt so weak I could hardly stand. My whole body seemed to be trembling . My wife of 30 years took notice. She grabbed both my hands pulling me to her embrace and said, You've been my rock for so long, let me be your rock today. Everything my Mom had taught me ran through my head. How Love makes life Beautiful . I pulled away from my wife to see her tear filled eyes.. And Then.... I Smiled..

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Susan Ashley

Date: 10/26/2017 7:06:00 PM

Glen, your fantastic poem is filled with wonderful emotions both heartwarming and heartbreaking, and you write both with equal parts of sincere love and poignancy. Truly an exceptional write that I enjoyed this evening!

Glen Schwartz
Date: 11/5/2017 6:30:00 AM

Thank you so much Susan for such nice words, so happy you enjoyed something I wrote :)

Sunlite Wanter

Date: 5/18/2017 6:51:00 PM

I am so glad you commented on my poem, because it introduced me to you and this beautiful, beautiful entry. A big 7.

Glen Schwartz
Date: 5/18/2017 8:57:00 PM

Thank you Sunlite for your kind words your friend Glen :)

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 5/7/2017 6:40:00 PM

I was moved by your life story Glen. You were very fortunate that you were shown such love and had such a wonderful mother. This is truly a beautiful poem and tribute to your loving mother. 7 ; )

Glen Schwartz
Date: 5/7/2017 7:12:00 PM

Thank you Connie for the kind words , I was so very lucky growing up with a Mom who made Hugs an everyday must.. I still say to this day Hugs are the best medicine :)

Carl Jent

Date: 5/1/2017 5:25:00 PM

Great Poem, I lost my mom two and a half years ago. I spent four years taking care of her. The best years of my life, She was 84. Thanks for the poem. Carl Wayne Jent

Glen Schwartz
Date: 5/1/2017 6:08:00 PM

Thank you Carl, Great you got to spend that time with her at the end.. I don't mind being a Mama's Boy.. lol I'll take spending tine with my Mom over anybody..

Alan L Boles

Date: 4/30/2017 8:58:00 PM

beautifully done, I love the last stanza

Glen Schwartz
Date: 5/1/2017 4:24:00 AM

Thank you Alan :)

Emile Pinet

Date: 4/30/2017 1:40:00 PM

A somewhat surreal over the edge mixture of emotions that speak of love within the author's heart. The emotion and imagery are perfect. I felt the words as well as read them and they are powerful, Great Job! Emile. #7

Glen Schwartz
Date: 4/30/2017 8:33:00 PM

Thank you so much Emile for such kind words :)

Ralph Sergi

Date: 4/28/2017 12:51:00 PM

Hi Glen, nice to know you. Although your prose was more narrative, it really touched my soul. My dearest compliments!

Glen Schwartz
Date: 4/28/2017 3:30:00 PM

Thank you so much that's the best compliment I could ever get, because that's all I write for . To touch souls and soften hearts. :)

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 4/26/2017 11:07:00 PM

Awesome, Glen.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 4/26/2017 5:57:00 PM

wow, Glen, this is FANTASTIC writing. Was it posted for any of the contests? If so, It should place high. And if not, it makes no difference, you have penned a marvelous work which captures a lifetime of special and heartbreaking moments.

Glen Schwartz
Date: 4/28/2017 7:06:00 PM

It didn't even place because I had it down as the wrong Form , But Ralph wrote me a nice note about it all good .. I'd rather touch a heart than place in a contest :)

Glen Schwartz
Date: 4/26/2017 9:02:00 PM

Thank you Andrea It's for the contest ...And Then, Its my first poem that Is non rhyming.. Reading other peoples work and being cheered on by nice people like yourself has given my the trust in my work to try new things. I still need to have feelings for my subject matter or I feel it's not worth the write..

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 4/26/2017 5:57:00 PM

oh , and I forgot to put my seven.

Glen Schwartz
Date: 4/26/2017 9:03:00 PM

You are too kind to me :)

Akkina Downing

Date: 4/23/2017 8:23:00 PM

Oh how beautiful this is. So deeply touching. I'm sorry for your loss. Hugs :)

Glen Schwartz
Date: 4/24/2017 3:30:00 AM

Thank you Akkina for such kind words, so glad it touched your heart.. :)