18 Comments
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Andrew Jazprose Hill's avatar

Absolutely wonderful, Alan! Your work is sublime.

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man of aran's avatar

Ah, and you are sublime for saying so, Andrew. So glad you like it.

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Ronald Drimmel's avatar

Hitting your mark, as usual.

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man of aran's avatar

Nice, but don’t jinx me! :) Thanks, Ronald.

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Ann Collins's avatar

Poetry as a flaming arrow. Incredible work, Alan.

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man of aran's avatar

:-)

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Brent Daniel Schei/Hagen's avatar

Fantastic! Thanks, man of aran. 🙏

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man of aran's avatar

Thank you so much, Brent! And for stopping by.

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Dian Parker's avatar

Yes, your poetry is gaining in excellence. Brava! Love this one.

Have you read Jack Gilbert’s poetry? Buy “Refusing Heaven” right now. His poems will enrich yours. And I think he will “speak” deeply to you.

Your work IS sublime.

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man of aran's avatar

I do know a bit of Jack Gilbert, some of the Michiko poems. Very good stuff. I will look more into him. Thanks, Dian. Hope you enjoy Italy!

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Annie Choate's avatar

What a hook! Who doesn’t want a poem written to them! If it were written in Russian I would know if ‘you’ was singular or plural, informal or formal. We all love to be captured by your words!

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man of aran's avatar

Well, Russian sure opens up some possibilities, it seems. I took a Russian lit class once, all in translation, though. Thanks, Annie!

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Weston Parker's avatar

I thought that was an interesting poem, subtle, thanks

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man of aran's avatar

Thank you, Wes. Glad you enjoyed.

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Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

"the very apple of you—"--I love this.

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man of aran's avatar

Thanks to the painting! Thank you, Margaret.

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Allegra's avatar

Wow! I’m speechless, this poem took me by surprise. It is so creative! The theme, writing a poem that the writer hopes, with a quiver, to find belonging in this other person, is such an elegant expression of introspection and it is done exquisitely. I truly enjoyed the read, and every verse poured over so naturally, I particularly loved

“ordinary instances, natural

forces, extraordinary

happenings, in an attempt

to suggest, gesture,

somehow evoke,

even, in form, enact,

the very apple of you”

it felt like the words were skipping with rhythm.

Thanks for sharing!

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man of aran's avatar

Much appreciated, Allegra! Very glad you came by, and thank you for subscribing, too.

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