written for Constance's 'Tribute- To A PoetrySoup Poet Who Has Passed or A Missing Poet' Poetry Contest
A hungry ghoul came to my door
Demanding sweet treats, nothing more
When I offered broc'li
The ghoul flashed his “cockney”
(I don’t open doors anymore!)
a limerick by Carolyn Devonshire
My dearest Carolyn,
I miss our daily chat;
the tears and laughter shared.
You were a diplomat -
so tactful. How you cared!
My dearest Carolyn,
a clown whose grin was bright!*
I keep that photograph
and always say, 'Good night.'
(You'd smile but wouldn't laugh).
My dearest Carolyn,
I know one day that we
shall get to hug - we'll speak
and laugh again. I'll see
your face and kiss your cheek.
My dearest Carolyn,
I miss you...
* I have a framed photo in my bedroom that Carolyn once sent to me - LOL, she's dressed as a clown.
Caring woman, poetess, author, friend;
Always there with kindness until the end.
Resident first-rate of the Sunshine State
Ocean knowledge and love – part of your fate.
Lovely poems, contests brightened our days;
Your novel also enlightened our ways.
Now your legacy has captured our gaze.
Deep water boating and fishing your realm,
Each passenger safe with you at the helm.
Visions of Devonshire - poems galore,
On friends, nature, animals, war, and more!
Not one to shrink from helping those in need;
Saw contests on ‘Soup’ as a way to lead.
Heavy at times were the burdens you faced;
Inspiring poets with pieces you graced.
Rare, loving person whose years were too few;
Each day, dear sweet Carolyn – we miss you!
"Death gives us sleep, eternal youth, and immortality." — Jean Paul Richter
It has been stamped in my mind
The day you caught that red grouper
On Memorial Day in Florida.
Dear Carolyn, how can I forget
The kindness you always showed me
Although we lived so far away,
You in USA and I in Malta
Thousands of miles away.
Your last contest entry so sad.
It is a tribute on its own.
How can I ever forget
Your last soup mail,
Informing me that you were
Going to hospice to die there.
I trembled in fear until
I read that a week later
You were cremated
And your ashes spread over the ocean
That ocean you loved so much.
Now after so many years,
You are still my favorite poet.
And occasionally I search
And read your precious poems
All over again.
They are now written in Heaven.
PLaced 1
"Nothing to Fear"
"We never know when death will come,
so I cast my worries aside.
When I first heard the news,
my heart went numb,
and then the diagnosis I denied.
Finally acceptance came as I cried.
Sands are pouring through the hourglass,
but faith now saves me from fear.
The beauty of heaven waits and I have a pass.
At God’s plan, I will not sneer
as I prepare to approach a blessed frontier."
Copyright © Carolyn Devonshire | Year Posted 2012
This poem of Carolyn Devonshire exposes her faith, exclaims her trust in God, and expresses her perspective of death --- that it is not to be feared. I am personally blessed by this muse since it exhorts me to view death in a biblical way. According to 2Corinthians 5:8, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” Likewise, this reverberates her comments to my poems, which I treasure as a Christian writer in being “vocal” about my spiritual beliefs.
August 26, 2021
Contest Name: Celebrating Carolyn's Poetry: An Uncontest
Sponsor: Andrea Dietrich
A wonderful poet
You loved the ocean
You knew how to show it
Wrote with emotion
Remembered, you will be
Though now, we must part
Loved for eternity
Coz of your penned art
You have been a good friend
Generous and kind
These memories won't end
For you're a gem find
08.15.2021
Many blogs
many poems in her tribute
comments like I am devastated,
will miss her greatly,
was more than a loss for me,
umpteen comments on her blogs and poems
Many are born and die.
Nobody bothers.
Many poets join Soup and leave
No one talks about them or ask about their well-being.
But some are remembered till our last breath.
Among those who are heartbroken, how many met her?
How many lived with her? Yet they miss her
Therein lies the greatness of her personality.
It is easy to be ordinary, selfish human.
We should be extraordinaries like her.
Leave our footprints behind in a positive way.
We should be remembered for our good deeds.
Carolyn Devonshire is an inspiration to me.
15.08.2021
Constance La France
Tributes to Carolyn
Carolyn Devonshire
14th July 1951 - 3rd August 2021
Choose to be thankful for, rather than sad
The wonderful life Carolyn has had
The years that she spent on PoetrySoup
Were a treasure to members of the troupe.
A blessing to all those Carolyn knew
For friends there was nothing that she wouldn't do
In good times and bad, in sunshine and rain
Carolyn would appear despite her pain.
Carolyn faced illness with grace and style
Hiding her pain, she'd greet all with her smile
Although today we may well shed a tear
Find joy in that Carolyn was once here.
Fly gently dear Carolyn gently fly
Somewhere o'er rainbows in heavenly sky
To God's celestial paradise on high
Though you will be sorely missed, gently fly.
14th August 2021
Tributes to Carolyn Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Constance La France
My heart was pained to learn of your demise;
how could this be, no warning was in sight.
Dear poet friend, your passing fills my eyes
with tears as this small tribute, I now write.
So quick to read and praise poems I wrote
for your fine contests that were fun and fair.
In sync with yours, my views would oft denote
we shared mindsets on life we could compare.
Now, on my dresser, rests your box; inside,
fine prizes from your contests when I scored.
Such treasures, I hold dear and wear with pride-
rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets- so adored.
Dear Carolyn, you are so sadly missed;
your kindness here at PS was a gift.
Yet still, I feel your spirit in my midst-
as words within your poems soothe and lift.
Now out at sea- your precious place to be,
you drift with endless peace beneath the sky.
Your soul above- in God's Eternity;
embraced by loving angel wings- you fly.
August 13, 2021
Contest: Tributes To Carolyn
Sponsor: Constance La France
Carolyn Devonshire poured out her life
in a timeless journey with open eyes,
compassionate heart, wings to see the world's
passionate tranquil and gorgeous sunsets,
and breathless amber dawn's croon and beauty.
Giggled with joy in the refreshing cool
water and breathed the sweet scent of perfect
and imperfect world. A story that had
a beginning chasing and creating dreams
and an ethereal closing sunset.
8/13/2021
Tributes to Carolyn Devonshire
Sponsored by: Constance La France
Wayward sea bearing daughter;
Writer, poet, author;
Sailing of God's promises;
Sea worthy you be worthy;
Searching for you;
Beloved sunflower;
You whom had father of three;
One of them, thee;
~
You've gone on unto God's garden;
Dearly departed;
We now miss yes, continue to (honor you);
5-24-2021
Not just the last poem;
It's just the beginning;
You've been chosen;
Choices prayers needed;
We're believing;
Your words shall be history rising from the sea;
Daughter of father of 3;
~
O' rolling seas, wait for me;
Am still a fisher woman;
Spreading words placed in poems;
I've not fallen yet I've risen;
No sickness takes me I'm greatly in bound
To the heavenly waters in the the skies now
Words now reigns down from heavenly watch tower;
Life lives on Words dire this is so she inspired
I pay homage and dedicate this verse to Poetess Carolyn Devonshire;
Written words by James Edward Lee Sr © 2021
8/8/21
Let everyone be aware
of this prominent truth :
There is no eternal death,
no one dies forever!
If the body deteriorates,
the flesh of the spirit
it doesn't even putrefy in ground dust,
neither with time!
Though from this world she decided it was time to retire,
Her words will continue to inspire,
Even where there is no church spire.
And around the world others will never tire,
Of words of wisdom, from this Devonshire,
As far away in NZ did she inspire.
She left us at the top of her game,
Passing without shame,
And leaving no words of blame.
Live your life such a way
that when you pass away
you leave your footprints on the way
inspire others in every way
to lead life in better way.
They should want to emulate your ways!
You should be fondly remembered each day
for small acts, thoughtfully done every day
Carolyn Devonshire left an indelible impression on many minds through her actions. Many die, how many are remembered? She left many sad as she touched their life in a positive way. She is an inspiration to me.
Also Andrea Dietrich for her blogs and comments she left for Carolyn Devonshire. In a world where people don't do for own family, she is doing so much for a friend. My highest regards and appreciation to her.
she inspired me and showed that world still has many good people around
Thanks to both of you!
May her soul rest in peace.
Verse tribute to the late Carolyn Devonshire
a poetry souper who did not retire
A contest contestant to her very end
peer poet par excellente,& good friend
We never met, although we planned
to make our dream come true;
the will was strong, the body weak…
and then you bid adieu
when angels came and took your hand
(I called your name in vain).
You left this vale for pastures new
where peace replaced your pain.
Carolyn passed away, but her unconditional friendship and kindness,
together with her gift of words will never be forgotten. She was one
of the first to welcome me to Soup, and we bonded from the start.
We co-wrote several poems, some of which were published in
various anthologies. She will forever hold a special place in my heart.
Awarded POTD 5th August 2021
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