Tears

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

This poem was written by my grandmother, watercolor artist Colleen (MacArthur) Carson, while she was in high school in 1947.  She recently found and gave it to me with permission to share with you. 
If each tear could tell its story, 'twould make the earth's bowels shake.
If each tear could tell its story, 'twould make the mountains quake.

The tear of the mother, giving suck to her newborn babe;
The tear of the battle-worn hero, watching o'er his buddy's grave;
The tear of the young lass, as she tries on her first white gown;
The tear of the little boy, as he watched his playmate drown;

The tear of the old man, remembering days gone by;
If these tears could tell their story, 'twould make the soul cry.
So 'tis best that tears do come and go; their thoughts do not remain.
'Tis best the wind carry the burden, too heavy for the brain.

I see a tear upon your cheek, and I know your pain and grief is deep;
But I'll not ask the reason why those tears do tarry there.
Nor will I ask what each tear means.
I'll only comfort you all the while,
And wait until, again, I see your bright and shining smile.

55 comments:

  1. Very touching post. Every part of life is represented in it. Wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Grandma's poem covers from the happiest to the saddest days of life. I was impressed when I first read it.

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  2. I thinks its great to find things that your family have done - its like a shared secret.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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    1. Yes! I wish more of my ancestors had been more prolific writers. I know many names and dates going back into the 1700s but their characters and beliefs are forgotten.

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  3. This poem is a real treasure as your grandmother was so young when she wrote it. And my, what an artist! I took a look at her site. There's a lot of talent in your family. :)

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    1. I love looking at her gallery whenever I stop by her place! She is talented.

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  4. how beautiful, and perfectly accompanied by your images.

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  5. Wow, that is beautiful! I love writing poetry as well, but I will never be able to compare to her writings, it's just so deep! It is so beautiful. :)
    ~Sarah Margaret♥

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    1. You're a talented writer and photographer, Sarah!

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    2. Thanks, Bethany! I've been trying to learn to write more, I find I like writing poems more than stories, It just makes you feel so great when words flow together. :)

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  6. "Aqueles que passam por nós, não vão sós,
    não nos deixam sós.
    Deixam um pouco de si, levam um pouco de nós." (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry)
    Esse poema da sua avó é tão atual...cala fundo na nossa alma, lindo!!!!!!
    Um abençoado dia!
    Beijos Marie.

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  7. That is a very beautiful poem and it's great that your grandmother kept it after so many years. Now, I see where you get your amazing writing skills.... :)

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  8. Beautiful poem, and your accompanying images are perfect, Bethany! I clicked over to your grandmother's page. She is an amazing artist. But you already knew that, lol :) My husband is quite fond of trains... still looking for Christmas presents - thank you for sharing your grandmother with us!

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    1. Her artwork is always a pleasure to look at! Thanks for visiting her online gallery! :)

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  9. Bethany I think it is a good poem and your grandma was creative girl.

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  10. Beautiful poem! How neat that your grandmother wrote it. :)

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  11. Beautiful post- and gorgeous photos. Have a wonderful week, Bethany!

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  12. What a lovely poem, Bethany, and the fact that your grandmother wrote it...how wonderful. Beautiful post.

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  13. Beautiful photos and I love the poem too!

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  14. This poem is so good! Your grandma is talented and I am sure she knows that :) I am speechless about photographs, they are so lovely. Stunning photos Bethany!!! Have a good night, Liuba.

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  15. This is such a beautiful post, Bethany. And your images are breathtaking. How wonderful that you have something so special from your grandmother.

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    1. Yes! She has mentioned she has many other poems; I'm hoping she finds them and affords me the opportunity to read them!

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  16. Of all days for me to read this poem. . . Thank you, dear Bethany, for sharing, and a bug thankf to your Grandma for allowing you the use of it on your blog. The pictures that accompanied the words are beautiful.

    Hugs to you!

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    1. You and your family are in my prayers, Stephanie. Funerals are always so sad--especially when they are for those we love. I just went to a grand-aunt's visitation whom I had not seen in about a decade, and there were children running around in the funeral home. Time passes and so do we, but life continues on. What matters is our relationship with Jesus, eternal life, and the heritage we leave behind.

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  17. Beautiful photos Bethany! Ah. parts of that poem could make me shed tears if I were to dwell on the words too much :(
    Blessings, Aimee

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    1. Same here Aimee. Sadness has touched each of our lives at one point or another, but the Lord leads us through to the brighter joys of tomorrow. Blessings to you as well!

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  18. Great poem and images. Thanks for sharing. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  19. What a lovely poem! So nice you shared it with us - and those beautiful photos!

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  20. a beautiful poem, the pictures represent the words well!!!!

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  21. Wow that is quite the poem. Your photos went beautifully with it.

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    1. Thanks Ida...I was so glad when my grandma found it and gave it to me!

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  22. Hi Bethany! Wow, this poem is so pretty! And the pictures too.

    And thank you for your comforting comment! Yes, I need to get my energy back, because I miss the blogging world.

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  23. What a beautiful treasure, and your photos match the sombre mood of the poem. Such a thoughtful poem for such a young writer, she must have experienced a lot of life to write about it so well. Wendy

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    1. Grandma has many stories about her childhood...I enjoy listening!

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  24. Very nice. Your pictures are very good too Bethany.

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  25. Very nice. Your pictures go well with the poem.
    Nice job!
    Peace :)

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  26. It's one of my favorite cemeteries in the area...so peaceful ;)

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  27. I've come back three times to read your grandmother's poem, and each time, its beauty strikes a little deeper. The idea of burdens too heavy for the brain floating away on the wind is especially comforting. And, as others have said, your photographs were perfect!

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    1. Thank you, Carol! That is probably my favorite part of the poem as well.

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  28. It is such a beautiful and true touching poem...the photographs are amazing, the colors so vivid and capture the true essence of the poem. I checked out your grandmother's website and she is so talented!! her watercolor paintings are so beautiful. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful post.

    Blessings,

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    1. I agree--I have an amazing grandmother! Thank you!

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  29. What a touching poem....absolutely beautiful! God bless!

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