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In Midst of Life - Fragility of Dreams

A lovely night beneath the stars with ocean waves glazed by the moon; nearby, the music of guitars strums soft, a melancholy tune. Iced tea in hand soothes thirsty lips. Upon the cruise line deck, he dreams of future leisure ocean trips 'neath moonlit seas or sunny beams. From his soft chair, he views the sky in rapture with this nighttime bliss, without a thought to say goodbye or know the future he would miss- No warning- in the midst of life- that death would visit him this night; discovered by his loving wife- eyes open, fixed, on sky's delight. May 16, 2018 ~2nd Place~ Contest: In The Fragility of Dreams Sponsor: Silent One Judged: 05/27/20 ~6th Place~ Premiere Contest: Mid-Summer 2018 Sponsor: Brian Strand Judged: 07/02/2018 ~1st Place~ Contest: A Poem About Death ~ Theme: In The Midst Of Life Sponsor: Broken Wings Judged: 05/18/2018 Based on Truth. This happened to someone we knew many years ago, aboard a cruise ship in the Caribbean. My poem was originally titled- "In Midst Of Life"

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Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 5/27/2020 2:30:00 PM

- Dreams can be so much and it's not always easy to understand them - Dreams are the best therapy for us humans ... and dreams can be fulfilled - Congratulations on your winning poem, Sandra :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Aditi Mishra

Date: 5/27/2020 1:41:00 PM

This one is such a picturesque description of the events along with overflowing emotions. Congratulations on your win Sandra :)

Silent One

Date: 5/27/2020 6:07:00 AM

Lovely flowing poem.. Congratulations on your placement in the contest..

Sylvia Coulstock

Date: 8/6/2018 9:51:00 AM

It appears I had a very senior moment and had commented on this piece,nevertheless it is worthy of all the praise I can give it.It is an emotional and very commendable piece and has touched me again.Thank you.

Sandra Haight
Date: 8/9/2018 5:49:00 PM

Thank you so much, Sylvia, for you very empathetic and uplifting comments. I appreciate your visit and support. Hugs, Sandra

Sylvia Coulstock

Date: 8/6/2018 9:46:00 AM

I had already made this a favourite but your last line hit me hard and I was too emotional to comment on it at the time.I think this is sad but really beautiful.I love the simplistic easy going style leading to the unexpected impact at end.Congratulations on your well deserved win.

Reginald Telemacque

Date: 7/7/2018 12:23:00 PM

great piece

Sandra Haight
Date: 7/9/2018 3:39:00 PM

Thank you so much, Reginald! Sandra

Line Gauthier

Date: 7/5/2018 10:10:00 PM

Back with well deserved congrats on your win, Sandra.

Sandra Haight
Date: 7/9/2018 3:39:00 PM

Thank you once again, Line. Much appreciated! Hugs, Sandra

Carrie Richards

Date: 7/2/2018 7:45:00 PM

Oh my goodness.......I did not expect this lovely poem (or the trip) to have such a terribly sad ending. You told your story well, Sandra, as heartbreaking as it is :( Well penned . Congratulations on your placement!

Sandra Haight
Date: 7/5/2018 8:07:00 PM

Thank you very much, Carrie, for your visit, supportive comment and congrats. Yes, it was a heartbreaking experience. Hugs, Sandra

Suzanne Delaney

Date: 7/2/2018 7:02:00 PM

Congratulations Sandra: Such a smooth flowing poem. It seems so was his passing. So sad he never got to go on any future cruises. SuZ

Sandra Haight
Date: 7/5/2018 8:04:00 PM

Thank you, Suzanne, for your supportive comment. Much appreciated. Hugs, Sandra

Susan Gentry

Date: 7/2/2018 6:02:00 PM

I thought this was familiar. Back to congratulate you on your win again with this thought-provoking poem. :)

Sandra Haight
Date: 7/5/2018 8:04:00 PM

Thank you once again for your lovely comment, Susan! Hugs, Sandra

Agnes Krampe

Date: 7/2/2018 3:10:00 PM

Skillfully done, Sandra. The title already foreshadows what is going to happen. I think this would be a great way to die, much better than prolonged cancer or dementia. I guess we must strive to have our affairs in order at all times.

Sandra Haight
Date: 7/2/2018 5:37:00 PM

Thank you, Agnes. You are right about 'passing unexpectedly' this way. Easier for the one who passed, but such a shock to the family with no warning. I appreciate your visit and nice comments. Hugs, Sandra

Pandita Sietesantos

Date: 7/2/2018 2:21:00 PM

Sandra, this is a brilliant Quatrain in which you skillfully and beautifully told a story that captured me with awesome imagery, smooth flow, and rhymes that I didn't see the sad end coming! Congratulations on your win, my friend! Hugs and best regards. Pandita

Sandra Haight
Date: 7/2/2018 2:44:00 PM

Thank you so much, Pandita, for your very supportive and uplifting comments! Hugs, Sandra

Susan Ashley

Date: 6/15/2018 9:22:00 PM

Your brilliant title caps off a beautiful, and in the end, poignant poem Sandra. Such a deep feeling of intimacy is achieved with your soft and thoughtful imagery. A superb write my friend. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Sandra Haight
Date: 7/2/2018 2:43:00 PM

A belated thank you, Susan, for your visit and always so lovely comments. Much appreciated! Hugs, Sandra

Sylvia Coulstock

Date: 6/15/2018 2:33:00 AM

This really touched me.I love the way you’ve written it.Understated yet emotionally strong and really quite beautiful.

Sandra Haight
Date: 7/2/2018 2:42:00 PM

Thank you so much, Sylvia. I appreciate your visit and supportive comment. Sandra

Line Gauthier

Date: 6/2/2018 8:53:00 PM

Wow what vivid imagery. A lovely poem, Sandra. Superbly done.

Sandra Haight
Date: 7/2/2018 2:42:00 PM

A belated thank you, Line. Hugs, Sandra

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 6/1/2018 5:30:00 PM

hello Sandra, a beautiful written poem. I felt myself being lost in it as i read. Have a nice evening my friend.

Sandra Haight
Date: 7/2/2018 2:41:00 PM

Thank you so much for the wonderful, uplifting comment, Darlene. I'm finally catching up with my comments and replies! Sandra

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 6/1/2018 3:27:00 AM

This poem is so beautiful, though sad. I hope you are able to share this poem with that person. It deserves its first placement Sandra. Outstanding! Congratulations! Gregory expressed my feelings about this masterpiece perfectly! xxoo : )

Sandra Haight
Date: 7/2/2018 2:40:00 PM

A belated thank you, Connie, for your lovely, supportive comments. Hugs, Sandra

Gregory Richard Barden

Date: 5/28/2018 2:03:00 AM

I have read this about twenty times now, Sandra ... the power of his unseeing eyes fixed on such exquisite beauty in the sky, (but no longer appreciating it), the power of his having been admiring such beauty at the time of his passing, the power of realizing that all of us are taken at moments we do not expect, and when just in the midst of "living" ... there are many layers to this that I simply adore. This touches me like Whitman - I can give no greater praise than that. Superb! :-)

Sandra Haight
Date: 5/28/2018 8:39:00 PM

Oh, I am so honored, Gregory, with your continued uplifting support. Your words about the 'power' in the 'beauty' of this death mirrored my feelings exactly years ago when I learned how he passed, and those feelings surface from time to time. That vision haunted me. When I saw the theme, 'in the midst of life'...they came back full force for me to put them into poetic words. Again, thank you, dear friend, for your support. Sandra :) <3

Gregory Richard Barden

Date: 5/27/2018 12:36:00 AM

(2) I adore beauty, but beauty that is in the reflection of loss and darkness, because it is JUST that dichotomy that creates deep appreciation for the things we truly love and value and grasp onto in the night. Some poems just hit us more than others for reasons we can't always explain also, and this is one for me. I have read few poems on The Soup that compare, (fav-ing). You are so gifted, and you have enriched my day with this work of art. Poem of the Year, IMHO. Blessings, my friend! :-) <3

Sandra Haight
Date: 5/27/2018 8:43:00 PM

Dear Gregory, your very uplifting and supportive words made my day on this very unseasonably gloomy and chilly day here in the Hudson Valley. I so much appreciate your encouraging comments, and I feel blessed and honored that you can relate to and enjoy the feelings about life that I try to express in my poetry. Thank you so much, my friend and blessings to you too. Sandra <3

Gregory Richard Barden

Date: 5/27/2018 12:34:00 AM

(1) Oh, this is poetry perfection, Sandra, and I do NOT say that carelessly ... I have so little time to read others' work of late, but I need to find time, because THIS is the kind of reward waiting when I do, and I am NEVER disappointed when I open a poem of yours. You are one of my very favorite poets here, and this is a perfect example ... I wish there was a favorite category on my "Favorites" page, cuz this would be near the top of the list. (continued)