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Parchment

Missing image

 





We plant immaculate gardens
& dig terrible trenches with our words.

Bows quiver as we arch back
towards the gates of oblivion,
lingering on the periphery of laudable visions.

There are subtle nuances
to this Dance ~
this Dirge.

Many cannot understand the music,
but we must sing at all costs,
even unheard.

I pried away from unlatched oven doors
& untended depths of compassionless lakes
many years ago;

I will be a proud & gentle recluse.

I will not go gently, ever.
I will kick & scream with every breath
left in my worn & weary bones.

This is my Life ~
my Love ~
perhaps even my Legacy.

My pen demands my attendance,
requires my survival.

I have bushels of seeds left to scatter
into the wildest Wind.




          ~ July 9, 2006
              2:40 p.m.



Author notes



Picture credit: "Solitude" by Frederick Lord Leighton


Picture courtesy of art.com



Written July 9th, 2006

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Comments

1 - 77 of 77
  • restful.soul
    May 24, 2007

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    beautiful poetry can change us. its changed me. and your poem is an example of beauty. also wonderful background

  • PageTurner
    May 24, 2007

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    I understand... the music and the must sing at any cost analogy, and I wish I had it... I'm envious!

    I never experienced such fervor and resolve for anything, 'cept maybe, my Nicky.

    Your convictions come across with unfathomable force...
    while still maintaining your trademark,
    swaying & sighing qualities.

    Wanda, you are blessed, you are doing
    what you were put on this good earth to do...
    and you're doing it, exceptionally well!!

    Never stop singing or planting, Wanda! You're being heard!! Seeds are flowering!!!

    Your benevolent beneficiary. ~ Nicholas ~


  • Nicolette Everett
    May 24, 2007

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    Great Job!

    You wrote such an excellent piece. The whole thing was very lovely and flowed very well in my opinion. I can feel connected to your poem and can really understand it. Great Job!

  • Night Hope gold member
    September 2, 2006
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    Thank you for your gracious words, AngelicMistress. I'm pleased you enjoyed my work. I appreciate your kindness & your time. Be well, Poet. Wanda

  • Night Hope gold member
    September 2, 2006
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    Thank you for your gracious words, Albert. I'm pleased you enjoy my work, Kind Sir. I appreciate your thoughtfulness & your time. Yeahh, we Poets can be kinda animalistic at times... Be well, Poet. Wanda

  • agazeley gold member
    September 2, 2006
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    I loved this – but as parchment is really sheepskin rather than a papyrus type paper material - I thought your wondrous poetic sprinkling might have touched on its animal form somewhere – before becoming a foundation for prose of all and sundry kinds for posterity . . A great write, no wonder you are one of my favorites . .

    Albert.

    Edited on Sep 02, 8:15 p.m. because ''.

  • AngelicMistress gold member
    September 2, 2006
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    EXCELLENCE AT IT'S BEST!!!!!

    Wanda:

    The intensity of this piece is noted throughout.....

    Very passionate, profound, awesome work.....

    One more piece that has left me in Awe, go poetess, keep on penning, you do this well.

    Be blessd with love and light always.....

    Your friend,
    AngleicMistress


  • Night Hope gold member
    September 2, 2006
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    You been peekin' inside my brain, Poet???

  • Night Hope gold member
    September 2, 2006
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    Thank you for your gracious words, Epsilina. I'm pleased you enjoyed my work. I appreciate your kindness & your time. Be well, Poet. Wanda

  • tomisb
    August 28, 2006
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    I read this and note the contrasts, the dichotomies from the first line on. There is a war in this poem from the first moment that it was born and most of all it shows a poet who is not at peace with her passions, but instead is someone who is too often used by her creativity, vulnerable from her sensitivity to easily set on the sidelines of this theater of life. It is easy to see why people can catch a glimmer of themselves because all of felt it slightly, but few are the number who are pulled off their feet by the tides of their nature and even fewer are those that seek to bathe totally in the pushem pullem effects of there life and who search out the full flavors of their greatest highs and lowest lows. Such an artist, full blooded, conflicted, demanding, easyily hurt, a warrior of the heart, such conflicts, such extremes. Hallalleuah.
    Welcome to this world that creates such wonderous art. Love, Tom B.

  • Epsilina
    August 28, 2006
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    Very interesting write (sorry, my comment won't have smiley faces like the others).
    I thought that reading it was really interesting, and I liked it, even though I don't think I as a person took in the full blast of it (that's the best way I can describe it).
    I think that you did a nice job though.
    ~Epsilina Elizabeth Eshilon~

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 30, 2006
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    Thank you for your gracious words, caiyte-morbid-one. I'm pleased you enjoyed my work. I appreciate your kindness & your time. I never let the possibility of sounding daft stop me... Be well, Poet. Wanda

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 30, 2006
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    {swoons precariously} Jeepers, Ron...careful where ya aim that thing, will ya, Poet?!? Tennyson & Thomas??? Wowzer... Good thing I'm a humble Soul by nature...or I'd be havin' to buy a bigger hat... Actually, my great nephew was named after Dylan Thomas...When my nephew said his name would be Dylan, I inquired "Bob or Thomas???" He looked at me kinda funny... He didn't know how thrilled I was that he'd ever even heard of him...After all, AP did that poll not long ago & 41% responding to it had never heard of Walt Whitman...Sighhh... Thank you for your Beauty~full comments, my Friend... Wanda

  • Caiyte
    July 30, 2006
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    Brilliant

    That was amazing - i can't use language like that without soudning...well, a bit daft.
    But yours was so good!

  • Winklings Account gold member
    July 30, 2006
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    astonishing endeavor

    This passionate poem reminds me of the thrust of Tennyson's poem, "Ulysses". You will not rust out but go into that 'goodnight', shining. Parchment is a fine poem; a good title. It is an enactment of hope; knowledge of fertility of the mind ~ "I have bushels of seeds left to scatter". There is a touch of Dylan Thomas in your intention to be pulled kicking and screaming into oblivion ~ and over your dead body. Again, this poem is a very passionate write. Ron.

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 29, 2006
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    Thank you for reading & for your kind comments, surfergirl...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • Trellis
    July 23, 2006
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    Wow! I'm nearly speechless. I love the word "dirge!" I don't think I've read a poem that contained that word before.

    Those last 2 sentences are to die for! You have amazing creativity. You have captured the essence of the writer's lot in life with great precision.

    A stunning piece of work that you should be very proud of.

    This is a winner for sure!

    Surfergirl

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 23, 2006
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    Thank you for hosting a great contest & for your kind comments, Lea...I'm pleased you enjoyed it, my Friend...& I'm glad I entered, too...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • g r e y i s m gold member
    July 23, 2006
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    this is a great piece. I am glad you entered.

    thanks and best wishes,
    Lea

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 15, 2006
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    Thank you for reading & for your kind comments, lynn...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 15, 2006
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    Thank you for reading & for your kind comments, AutumnButterfly...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 15, 2006
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    Thank you for reading & for your kind comments, wavelengths...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 15, 2006
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    Thank you for reading & for your kind comments, Kiglorion...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • July 15, 2006
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    a very personal and lovely poem
    with many layers with light and hope
    reigning in the end. i could feel
    the dispair and then slowly; there
    was light. this is a magnificant write
    and a message i believe will help
    many many people.
    thank you for sharing this very moving poem.
    lynn

  • SkyQuill
    July 15, 2006
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    Stunning

    This poem is so true....a pure work of genius and honesty. The format and rhythem was great, and the word choice was phenomenal.

    This is so inspiring...I just love it. As a writer myself, I feel as though I can relate to the very spirit of your poem.

    Keep writing,
    ~AutumnButterfly

  • wavelengths
    July 14, 2006
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    it's almost cryptic, but with lots of thought, i finally get parts of it. it was great to read and left me with lots of visuals.
    Good Luck!!
    ~

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 14, 2006
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    Thank you for reading & for your kind comments, Triplickated...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 14, 2006
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    Thank you, Renee...I know you understand this one well, my Sister... Wanda

  • NathansFather
    July 13, 2006
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    EXCELLENT !!!

    Excellence at its best. Very scriptive, very well versed. What I say...need I Say more.

  • poetryality silver member
    July 13, 2006
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    Oh Wanda! These sentiments embed themselves deep into my soul. My psyche hears the siren calls of many gardens that need to be tended. Your words are effortlessly written, streaming from such a surreal spirit. I adore these words. The entire presentation is a sensory feast. Simply elegant. I wish you the best in this challenge. You have a work of word art here dear sister.

    BRILLIANT!

    Much Love & Many Blessings,
    Renee

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 12, 2006
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    Thank you for reading & for your kind comments, Narcotic Ginger...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 12, 2006
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    Thank you for reading & for your kind comments, koppaspider...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...This wasn't inspired by the picture, though; I added it after I wrote this poem...Unless it is specifically for a picture~inspired contest, I always do...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • koppaspider
    July 12, 2006
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    Great

    Good write, can't really pick apart the poem. Which you should take as a complement! Good writing style keep it up, and keep your style going! Not many people can look at a picture and write.

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 11, 2006
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    Thank you for reading & for your kind comments, Walt...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 11, 2006
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    Thank you for reading & for your kind comments, Lost-Soul-Maybe...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 11, 2006
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    Thank you for reading & for your kind comments, sunshinegirl...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 11, 2006
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    Good for you, Ben~Jammin...give 'em the Truth instead of leavin' 'em guessin', my Friend...& I'm workin' on it, Scribe...
  • Turtledove
    July 11, 2006
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    Excellent

    I have bushels of seeds left to scatter
    into the wildest Wind.

    Your words are like water upon a dry and parched land. My soul is yearning to read more...and when it hears the words of your wonderful talented pen...it spins with joy!

    Can't be critical of this piece. It is too lovely. I too will not go "gentle into that cold, cold night!" Right on sister. Rock on. Walt.
    Edited on Jul 11, 9:30 p.m. because 'misspelling'.

  • Abariel Raven gold member
    July 11, 2006
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    Very lovely poem. I love the quietness of mylife and my home. This was a very thought provoking poem and it touched me in a way were I could keep it near me forever.

    Great write.

    Hope you win.

  • deercatcher
    July 11, 2006
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    I know 2 words about my great great grandfather Issac. Herb doctor. I decided that If I wrote, no descendant who cared would wonder about who I was. It is a small victory in the battle with death...

    Birth them poems, queen bee of poetry

  • sunshinegirl
    July 11, 2006
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    I love this!!!!!!! We live in the country! and it is quite, which I prefer! I don't mind having quite time either alone or with the family here, when we have company, i am always ready for the quite time after they leave! I love this write! keep that pen forever flowing!

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 10, 2006
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    You gots it... I decided many, many moons ago that "suicide by Poet" was trite, cliche & hardly an original concept...I decided, instead, that I'd live to a ripe old age, perish in my sleep with a smile upon my lips, having just cashed my last royalty check... Then I came to my senses... & thought, "Ehhh, as long as I'm not anything's dinner." Thanks, CokebottleEyes... Wanda

  • CokebottleEyes
    July 10, 2006
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    'bushels of seeds' the words that grow into poetry if we tend to them words can be used for good or bad, we have a choice. often doing both.
    oven doors and lakes...no suicide for you you are here to write...it is your passion, your purpose
    am i close?
    i was here last night and too tired to leave a comment that would have been legible

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 10, 2006
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    Thank you for reading & for your kind words, Dee...I'm pleased you enjoyed it, Lady...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 10, 2006
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    Thank you, my Sister of the Soul....I enjoy your "untended gardens" immensely, too, Nic...We both have so many seeds to scatter, adrift on the winds of Dream...& we are never really alone, my Friend...Love you, Woman...Write somethin' purty for my hungry eyes, will ya??? Vlindertjie

  • SimpleSarcasm
    July 10, 2006
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    Excellent write Wanda. Love your word use and voice.

  • Nicolette gold member
    July 10, 2006
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    I will be a proud & gentle recluse.
    I will not go gently, ever.

    You write the words and I can only say Amen, sister of the soul. This is such a beautiful poem; so very you, so very POET. Somehow it reminds me of a little poem I wrote end of last year about to put myself away in my words.... Solitude produces the best poetry, the best art, an open mind, the best-flowing ink... Of course there is a difference between being lonely and being alone and sometimes we hover between those two. "Scatter more seeds", Vlindertjie...more like these because this one blooms!

    ~ Nicolette

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 10, 2006
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    Thank you for reading & for your kind comments, Blood of Lady Rage...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • Blood of Lady Rage
    July 10, 2006
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    wow , this is deep. it reminds me of my best friend poetry. nice work...

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 9, 2006
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    Thank you for reading & for your kind comments, raggyann...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • raggyann
    July 9, 2006
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    wow
    this is a realy great poem


  • brown paper bag
    July 9, 2006
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    I have always been a bit of a loner LOL.I have spent the past 4 days surrounded by different people.So hopefully tomorrow I can have some alone time but probably not.I get up really early most mornings so I can write in peace.
    Having my own business takes away most of my free time but I'm not complaining.

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 9, 2006
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    Thank you, Moon Girl...I've always loved my solitude...People that can't stand to be alone concern me a bit...I don't want to always be alone, but writers must have some time to compose their thoughts in silence...Thank you for your generous words, Helen...I'm pleased you liked it so much, my Friend... Wanda

  • brown paper bag
    July 9, 2006
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    I will be a proud & gentle recluse

    That line really jolted me because I love my solitude.Does not mean I am alone but just enjoy being alone.You wrote a truly visionary poem and I wish luck in the contest with this.Parchment what a wonderful thought.
    Helen

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 9, 2006
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    Sure makes it easier to sit down without injuries, too... When I was first diagnosed with Graves' Disease, I was in denial & thought the doctor must be wrong...Then I sat down on a wooden step one night & immediately said "Ouch!!!" It seems I'd dropped 22 pounds in less than 2 weeks...sighhh...I'm at the opposite end of the realm now, though...Can't seem to lose any, no matter what I do...I've been ill with a bad cold that turned into bronchitis for the past 3 weeks; if I've lost any weight at all, it isn't noticeable to me...dammit... I couldn't have handled that much heat, my Sister, or for that long...I am vewwy, vewwy pale...burn, freckle a lil' bit, peel, then start all over again... Don would go out for 45 minutes & come back in all bronze...sighhh... I envied his ability to tan; he envied my ability to shed skin... He was a lil' strange like that sometimes... I hope sales were brisk & went well for ya, Carol... Wanda

  • CarolDesjarlais silver member
    July 9, 2006
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    OMG, I did a Yard Art Sale these last two days. it was close to a hundred in the shade yesterday and today, the afternoon got hotter and hotter. it was 90 in the shade at 4...I am perishing....I came in and dunked my head under cold water..now I really have curls...geesh.

    I do nto have baker's hips..but I sure have bannock belly. Hee hee...

    it is good to have a few shadows behind us..keeps us humble methinks.

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 9, 2006
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    Ohhh...wowzer, Lady... Someone once asked me if I'd "ever written a bad poem"; I replied, "Of course I have...I just try not to post them." Thank you for reading & for your gracious words, Cherokee...I'm pleased you enjoyed it so much, my Friend...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 9, 2006
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    Thank you for reading me so well & for your very generous words, Chocolate Poetry...I'm pleased you enjoy my work so much...My passion extends beyond my writing & into my "normal" Life, too...One cannot have one without the other, it seems...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • Elvis
    July 9, 2006
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    The first two lines really grab. They remind me of another poem that Claide wrote on the subject though they are quite different. I'll send you the link. You will enjoy it. I love this poem. You never write a paper airplane poem. They should all be framed.

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 9, 2006
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    Indeed, but without them, the landscape would be flat & unremarkable, my Friend...Would we truly appreciate the mountains, if not for the valleys & canyons??? Thank you for reading & for your wise, intuitive words, my Sister...Did I ever mention to you that my mother was a professional cook & she once worked in my sister's donut shop for awhile??? Yes, I do have baker's bones, Dear Lady...Unfortunately, I also now have the hips to go with 'em... I'm pleased you enjoyed it, Carol...Be well, Poet... Wanda
  • Chocolate Poetry
    July 9, 2006
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    You speak with a truth and wisdom beyond what I can fully grasp. This poem is marvelous and moving, with every word vital to its existence.

    --Many cannot understand the music,
    but we must sing at all costs,
    even unheard.

    I love this part. Such a lesson learned in life can brighten even the darkest shadow.

    --We plant immaculate gardens
    & dig terrible trenches with our words.

    Oh how true this is! And often the trench is hidden beyond the immaculate gardens, concealed within fake flowers. A fake happiness... a show put on to bury our unhappiness from the world.

    --My pen demands my attendance,
    requires my survival.

    I love these words. It shows how truly passionate you are for your writing. Your passion writes excellence, Wanda.

    --I have bushels of seeds left to scatter
    into the wildest Wind.

    A seed has reached me, and planted itself in my heart and given me inspiration. I absolutely love your work.

  • CarolDesjarlais silver member
    July 9, 2006
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    Oh, now this one is fabuloussssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Baker's bones in deed. We do we do..we do dig terrible trenches with our words at times. I have a few I have filled in..and a few left as they were.

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 9, 2006
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    Thank you for reading & for your kind comments, Susie...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 9, 2006
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    Thank you for reading & for your kind comments, Sidra Sabella...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 9, 2006
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    Indeed, we do, stories untold...

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 9, 2006
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    Thank you for reading & for your kind comments, vicarious...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...You do make a valid point, as far as vocabulary is concerned...I've been writing since I was 14; I'll be 48 soon...However, I did earn the knowledge & the right to use whatever words I deem appropriate in whatever poems I pen...I learned them all by reading, by studying other people's writing, just as we do here at AP...I also have many others that are completely unadorned by language: just basic words & thoughts...To me, this is as much of a learning experience as a teaching experience...& anyone that isn't sure what a word means or that lacks the wherewithal to look it up is most welcome to ask...I'll surely be glad to explain it, in simple terminology...I don't think it's rude to ask at all...I'd prefer they did, rather than to be left confused...I also believe that a dictionary & a thesaurus is a mandatory part of a writer's desk space...Any time I lack inspiration, I flip one of them open & write from ideas I get from the first word I see on the page...Thank you for your consideration & candor; I agree it should be universal...& the universe is a very large & grand place...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • azure85 gold member
    July 9, 2006
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    This is a lovely poem, it contains many images that your portray very well.

    This stanza was so strong:

    "Bows quiver as we arch back
    towards the gates of oblivion,
    lingering on the periphery of laudable visions."

    I wish you luck in the contest!

    Susie

  • Sidra Sabella
    July 9, 2006
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    wow

    Many cannot understand the music,
    but we must sing at all costs,
    even unheard.

    you paint a wild a fierce heart that won't stop beaitng and entrances me to no end. i adore it.

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 9, 2006
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    "Drink chocolate kisses", ehhh, Scribe??? Now I'm hungry...& thirsty, too... Thank you, Rich...I'm pleased you liked it, my Friend... Wanda

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 9, 2006
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    Thank you for reading & for your kind comments, AngelicMistress...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 9, 2006
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    Thank you for reading & for your kind comments, neoladyem...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • storiesuntold gold member
    July 9, 2006
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    i think we all put up a heck of a fight just to survive in our own little world

  • vicarious
    July 9, 2006
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    I really enjoied this peice, you are one of the more talented writers I have seen on this site thus far. You did everything well, flow, imagery, comunicating your feelings to me as a reader. The only thing that I could honestly say is wrong with this piece is the vocabularly, and that's just a little pet peave of mine. While having a few juicy words is good, I think that too many can make it sound like you're trying to hard, and perhaps even distort the message of your poem to those less educated than yourself. By no means am I suggesting that you write in a simplistic or idiotic way, but just tone it down a bit. One thing that seperates a poem from an amazing poem, is it's ability to be read and understood by anyone, with a universal understanding of it and feeling that the reader can relate to it. And even this little pet peave of a problem is really only evident in the first, maybe 1/3 of you poem. A brilliant write though all the same. Well deserving of applause.

  • kaibab silver member
    July 9, 2006
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    Oh Boy!!!! what reading waits
    for eyes to drink
    in chocolate kisses
    unwrapped to taste
    as words will sound
    and leave us panting
    in our wishes

  • AngelicMistress gold member
    July 9, 2006
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    Beautifully written!!!!! :F

    This my friend is "PRICELESS".....

    Awesome work, be blessed and thank you for always sharing with me on this site.....


    Love ya:
    yOur friend always,
    AngelicMistress

  • neoladyem
    July 9, 2006
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    This is really amazing piece of poetry here. I love it! Everything is really grand. From the words themselves to the ryhtm you have got going here. I can really feel a very powerful feeling in these sentences. My favorite lines were: This is my Life ~
    my Love ~
    perhaps even my Legacy

    Those really spok to me the most.
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