Jack Benny beyond the grave!

George_K · #1 (**permalink**) 05-10-2006, 09:26 AM

The person who did this was Jack Benny....

You have to read this it is absolutely beautiful......

Each year he sent her roses,

and the note would always say,

I love you even more this year,

than last year on this day.

My love for you will always grow,

with every passing year."

She knew this was the last time

that the roses would appear.

She thought, he ordered roses

in advance before this day.

Her loving husband did not know,

that he would pass away.

He always liked to do things early,

way before the time.

Then, if he got too busy,

everything would work out fine.

She trimmed the stems and

placed them in a very special vase.
Then, sat the vase beside

the portrait of his smiling face.

She would sit for hours,

In her husband's favorite chair.

While staring at his picture,

and the roses sitting there.

A year went by, and it was

to live without her mate.

With loneliness and solitude,

that had become her fate.

Then, the very hour,

The doorbell rang, and there

were roses sitting by her door.

She brought the roses in,

and then just looked at them in shock.

Then, went to get the telephone,

to call the florist shop.

The owner answered, and she asked him,

if he would explain, Why would someone would

do this to her, causing her such pain?

"I know your husband passed away,

more than a year ago,"

The owner said,

"I knew you'd call, and you would want to know.

The flowers you received today,

were paid for in advance.

Your husband always planned ahead,

he left nothing to chance.

There is a standing order,

that I have on file down here,

And he has paid, well in advance,

you'll get them every year.

There also is another thing,

that I think you should know,

He wrote a special little card...he did this years

ago. Then, should ever I find out that he's no longer here,

that's the card that should be sent to you the following year."

She thanked him and hung up the phone, her tears now
flowing hard.

Her fingers shaking,

as she slowly reached to get the card.

Inside the card, she saw that he
had written her a note.

Then, as she stared in total silence,
this is what he wrote...

"Hello my love, I know it's been a year

since I've been gone.

I hope it hasn't been too hard for you to

overcome.

I know it must be lonely,

and the pain is very real.

Or if it was the other way,

I know how I would feel.

The love we shared made everything

so beautiful in life.

I loved you more than words can say,

you were the perfect wife.

You were my friend and lover,

you fulfilled my every need.

I know it's only been a year,

but please try not to grieve.

I want you to be happy,

even when you shed your tears.

That is why the roses will be sent to you for years.

When you get these roses,

think of all the happiness that we had together,

and how both of us were blessed.

I have always loved you and

I know I always will.

But, my love, you must go on,

you have some living still.

Please...try to find happiness,

while living out your days.

I know it is not easy,

but I hope you find some ways.

The roses will come every year,

and they will only stop,

When your door's not answered,

when the florist stops to knock.

He will come five times that day,

in case you have gone out.

But after his last visit,

he will know without a doubt!

To take the roses to the place,

where I've instructed him

and place the roses where we are,

together once again.

Sometimes in life, you find a special friend;

Someone who changes your life

just by being part of it.

Someone who makes you laugh

until you can't stop;

Someone who makes you believe

that there really is good in the world.
Someone who convinces you

that there really is an unlocked door

just waiting for you to open it.

This is Forever Friendship.

This is the sacred RED ROSE.

Damuna_Nova · #2 (**permalink**) 05-10-2006, 09:43 AM

Fiona · #3 (**permalink**) 05-10-2006, 10:06 AM

Great! A dead stalker. That is all anybody needs

Lestat · #4 (**permalink**) 05-10-2006, 10:09 AM

Yeah, I was also wondering, what if the woman does get past her grief and remarries... The second husband will really appreciate those roses that keep coming every year.

Darzog · #5 (**permalink**) 05-10-2006, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiona

Great! A dead stalker. That is all anybody needs

Ah, Fiona, you die-hard romantic. No need to get all weepy and sentimental.

I kept waiting for the clause if she finds someone else. EDIT: Looks like Lestat beat me to that comment.

Fiona · #6 (**permalink**) 05-10-2006, 10:15 AM

One Perfect Rose

A single flower he sent me, since we met.
All tenderly his messenger he chose;
Deep-hearted, pure, with scented dew still wet--
One perfect rose.

I knew the language of the floweret;
"My fragile leaves," it said, "his heart enclose."
Love long has taken for his amulet
One perfect rose.

Why is it no one ever sent me yet
One perfect limousine, do you suppose?
Ah no, it's always just my luck to get
One perfect rose.

Dorothy Parker

Wonder if he had insurance and a pension scheme

Aztaroth · #7 (**permalink**) 05-10-2006, 10:16 AM

Lestat... why are you being so cynical? That was a damned beautiful poem, and you ruin it by being realistic? Sheesh!!

Seriously, if you can't appreciate art made with words, keep your opinions to yourself... I'm sorry, it just annoys me that someone can't, just ONCE, admire the surface, without going deeper and digging up dirt! If you see a beautiful flower, do you rip it up and say it's roots are ugly??

Damuna_Nova · #8 (**permalink**) 05-10-2006, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aztaroth

Lestat... why are you being so cynical? That was a damned beautiful poem, and you ruin it by being realistic? Sheesh!!

Seriously, if you can't appreciate art made with words, keep your opinions to yourself... I'm sorry, it just annoys me that someone can't, just ONCE, admire the surface, without going deeper and digging up dirt! If you see a beautiful flower, do you rip it up and say it's roots are ugly??

Yes.

fable · #9 (**permalink**) 05-10-2006, 10:26 AM

All I can find is that it's "author unknown," but it definitely wasn't Jack Benny. Benny couldn't write anything--in fact, it was so well known in show business that Fred Allen, his good friend (and both an excellent writer and radio comic) once said, "Jack Benny couldn't adlib a belch in a Hungarian restaurant."

On the other hand, Benny was known for his excellent relationship with his writers, that went on in some cases for more than 30 years. (The one he had for only 18 years they always called "the new boy.") In a field where comics almost always took credit for what their writers thought up, and where writers could be terminated at any time, Benny can be credited with being a genuinely nice guy.

As a side note, my father, who was a sergeant in Intelligence during WWII, actually ended up at the Benny mansion, once. Benny opened the place to enlisted men, and treated them to a large buffet while mingling. There's even a picture of him and my dad.

Lestat · #10 (**permalink**) 05-10-2006, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aztaroth

Lestat... why are you being so cynical? That was a damned beautiful poem, and you ruin it by being realistic? Sheesh!!

Because I find this concept of love from beyond the grave somewhat obsessional, mildly deranged and inappropriate and the poem a bit airportnovelly romantic.

But, George_K, welcome to SYM btw, didn't see you before I think, don't let that stop you from posting anything else you find worthwile, we bite occasionnally but seldom draw blood (djeez, should have changed avatar and username, would have sounded more sincere then) and if you feel like retorting and defending the inherent qualities of this poem, go for it.

Aztaroth · #11 (**permalink**) 05-10-2006, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lestat

Because I find this concept of love from beyond the grave somewhat obsessional, mildly deranged and inappropriate and the poem a bit airportnovelly romantic.

True enough.

I think like it because I have an odd respect for people who actually love someone.... as I haven't been able to.