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By the Grace of God

On the train that I rode today, into town I was on my way. You never know what you will see, out the window were clouds of gray. An old man came on with one knee, he hobbled over ~ sat by me. By God's loving wonderful grace, I softly said a pray to thee. An old lady with a sad face, filled with hurt and pain sat in place. All her pearly white teeth were gone, leaving just a wide open space. She could have been up near the dawn, she really slept on the lawn. I wondered what her life was like, so tired she gave a big ~ big yawn. Next a kid with a minibike, the kid looked like a hunger strike. God's loving grace has been on me, so that my life could be christlike. Date Written:5/11/2022 2 place Rubaiyat Contest Contest Judged: 6/13/2022 Sponsored by: Sotto Poet ~~Note~~A true story from a train ride on 5/1/2022. Any of these could have been me. By God's loving wonderful grace, I was able to watch and then pray.

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Valsa George

Date: 6/14/2022 8:53:00 PM

Compared to many around us, we are better placed and need to be extra thankful to God. Beautiful sentiments on the sad scenes.....! Congratulations on your win, dear Paula

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 6/15/2022 10:15:00 AM

Thank You for your visit, note and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this win. Glad you like this write. Yes, be extra thankful to God. Have a great/blessed day writing away...........................

Vijay Pandit

Date: 6/14/2022 2:50:00 PM

Powerful--true to life. BIG congrats on your win, Paula.

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 6/14/2022 3:00:00 PM

Thank You for your visit, note and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this win. Glad you enjoyed this write. Yes, it was a powerful day/train ride. I say, "Always Be thankful." Have a great/blessed day writing away...........................

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 6/14/2022 12:53:00 PM

Bless your beautiful empath heart and your keen eye, a much deserving win dear Paula, Congrats, and hugs to close the deal xo

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 6/14/2022 1:25:00 PM

Thank You for your visit, note and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this win. Glad you enjoyed my story. I say, "Always Be thankful." Have a great/blessed day writing away with hugs............................

I Am Anaya

Date: 6/14/2022 12:23:00 PM

Congratulations Paula on your 2nd place win! An interesting non-fiction story that captured your day on the train, as difficult as I found the Rubiet, you knocked it out! Have a nice day...Anaya P.S. you may like to see my poem...Marky-Mark The Shark

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 6/14/2022 1:24:00 PM

Thank You for your visit, note and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this win. Glad you enjoyed this true train ride story. I say, "Always Be thankful." I will check out your write. Have a great/blessed day writing away............................

Len Gasun

Date: 6/13/2022 11:47:00 PM

You've penned a wonderful rubaiyat poem my dear friend, Paula. I think this form is quite difficult for me just like terzanelle but you did it amazingly dear friend. I like it a lot. You're trully blessed by God and He did this because He wants to bless others too through you. CONGRATULATIONS on your win! Hugs

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 6/14/2022 9:08:00 AM

Thank You for your visit, note and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this win. Glad you enjoyed this true story. Your words are so very kind. They made my day. "Thank You." I am blessed by God. I hope I can bless others. I love to give out smiles. I say, "Always Be thankful." Have a great/blessed day writing away............................

Christuraj Alex

Date: 6/13/2022 8:13:00 PM

Christlike life. Beautifully written. Congratulations!

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 6/14/2022 9:03:00 AM

Thank You for your visit, note and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this win. I am glad you enjoyed this true story. I say, "Always Be thankful." Have a great/blessed day writing away............................

Sotto Poet

Date: 6/13/2022 5:02:00 PM

Congratulations on your win in my contest Paula, you did a wonderful job in this poem. Best regards

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 6/14/2022 9:02:00 AM

Thank You for your visit, note and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this win in your contest. I am glad you enjoyed this true story/write. I say, "Always Be thankful." Have a great/blessed day writing away............................

Timothy Ray

Date: 6/8/2022 1:19:00 PM

along the road, we view many a train wreck, bow our heads and thankful prayer, there but for the Grace of God go i....you have excellently captured this

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 6/9/2022 12:19:00 PM

Thanks for your visit/note. Glad you enjoyed this write. I say, "Always Be thankful." Have a great/blessed day..........................

Beryl Edmonds

Date: 5/31/2022 8:22:00 PM

How sad for those you saw on the train Paula, there for the grace of God go you and me, we’re so very lucky. A wonderful true story told through poetry… Belle

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 6/9/2022 12:16:00 PM

Thanks for your visit/note. The train ride was sad. We are very lucky. Most do not know just how lucky they really are. I say, "Always Be thankful." Have a great/blessed day..........................

Panagiota Romios

Date: 5/25/2022 11:46:00 PM

Think I was on the train with you! Roflmao. Must go to bed. Be well Pangie

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 5/26/2022 7:15:00 AM

Thanks for your visit/note. Glad you like this powerful write. Sweet dreams. You also be well/blessed/happy. Have a great/blessed day with a hug...........

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 5/25/2022 7:53:00 AM

This makes me sad as my teeth are so incredibly bad "All her pearly white teeth were gone, leaving just a wide open space." - I hope it does not come to pass but it might. Great pen!

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 5/25/2022 10:56:00 AM

Thanks for your visit/note. I did not mean to make you sad. Maybe you have a dental school that can help you. Have a great/blessed day with a hug...........

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 5/15/2022 11:01:00 AM

Hi Paula, small everyday happenings and some bigger, are just life passing us by, as it is all happening to and with others.. We should often say, Thank-you God for what I am, all of us as we get older have some or other ailment, but there are always those that are a lot worse than me. A blessed poem, thanks for sharing my friend. Hugs Jennifer,

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 5/16/2022 9:19:00 AM

Thanks for your visit/note. Glad you enjoyed this write. I say Thank You to God daily. I feel this is very important. Thank You, two little words that many forget to say. Say to God and to people. Have a great/blessed~day/week........

Unseeking Seeker

Date: 5/14/2022 7:25:00 PM

Softened attention akin to a mindful Buddha ~ enjoyed this superb write, Paula

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 5/15/2022 7:57:00 AM

Thanks for your visit/note. Glad you enjoyed this write. Have a blessed day/week........

Mark Koplin

Date: 5/14/2022 3:07:00 PM

Very powerfully said Paula!

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 5/15/2022 7:56:00 AM

Thanks for your visit/note. Glad you like this powerful write. Have a blessed day/week........

Line Gauthier

Date: 5/14/2022 12:35:00 PM

Lovely poem, Paula ~

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 5/15/2022 7:55:00 AM

Thanks for your visit/note. Glad you love this one. Have a blessed day/week........

Harry Horsman

Date: 5/13/2022 10:45:00 PM

Love this Paula, a poetic gem that leaves me with many thoughts.

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 5/14/2022 8:10:00 AM

Thanks for your visit/note. Glad you love this one. Yes, many thoughts about this true story. Have a blessed day/weekend...................

Supraja Kannan

Date: 5/13/2022 10:25:00 PM

What a wonderful poetry!!! So beautifully penned... Thanks for sharing...

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 5/14/2022 8:09:00 AM

Thanks for your visit/note. Glad you enjoyed this write. It is a true story. Have a blessed day/weekend...................

Delice Arleen Skelly

Date: 5/13/2022 9:35:00 AM

I see you have your Rubaiyat written Paula, well done...still struggling with mine.Delice

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 5/13/2022 11:40:00 AM

Thanks for your visit/note. It was not easy to write. Took some time/thought. Be thankful to God for His grace. Have a blessed day/weekend...................

Anil Deo

Date: 5/12/2022 11:05:00 PM

What a simplecway to focus on Grace. But it takes loving eyes. Superb contribution to PS. Amen

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 5/13/2022 11:38:00 AM

Thanks for your visit/note and for your kind words. Glad you like my focus on Grace write. Always be thankful to God for grace. Have a blessed day/weekend...................

Panagiota Romios

Date: 5/12/2022 11:11:00 AM

Love, it, Paula. From beginning to end! So touching and descriptive. A fav! Pangie

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 5/12/2022 11:45:00 AM

Thanks for your visit/note. Glad you love this one. Always be thankful for the grace of God. Have a blessed day...................

Gershon Wolf

Date: 5/11/2022 6:38:00 PM

That's right - and so humbly and lovingly penned. Wonderful write, Paula! ... There but for the grace of God goeth we! ~ Gershon

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 5/12/2022 11:45:00 AM

Thanks for your visit/note. Glad you like this write. Always be thankful for the grace of God. Have a blessed day...................