33 Comments
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Elaine Michaud's avatar

I swear I read this poem, tumbling down the lines, as if reading an action thriller. Poetry and life are like that for poets and poetry lovers. Thank you!

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Fotini Masika's avatar

The realisation there are others like us and yet so unlike us...

Such a beautiful poem, Elizabeth!

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

The way other people are such an oddly familiar mystery ... !

Thank you so much for reading, Fotini. 💛🌿

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Cindy Angyal's avatar

you both came alone to school— He to play his pipes and you on your bike alone..

Wonderful discovery an adult who likes solitude as much as you do!

"I enjoyed your reading of this Voiceover.

I could just see you paddling away to the tune of the bagpipes as you discovered this wonderful aspect of your teacher alone .

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Thanks and love, Looocinda! 💛🌿

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Linda Thompson's avatar

Wonderful - through your words I could clearly see "... egg-shaped Mr. Hartzell striding up and down his stuffy classroom, the bagpipe in his arms ...".

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

I'm so glad, Linda -- thank you!

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Tara Connor's avatar

Wonderful, Elizabeth. Really, such a pleasure to read. You've perfectly captured that sense of a child who doesn't quite know the rules of the grown up world, so it's strange and familiar all at once. You've drawn this with such precision, I feel like I saw it, like a scene from movie. Thank you for sharing this.

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Thanks so much, Tara!

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Somebody had to write the moment down, indeed, and you did it so skillfully. Thanks for working through the challenge of this one so we could enjoy it.

Hope you are back in full health again soon!

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Thanks so much, Elizabeth!

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Simon Brooks's avatar

the two months were absolutely worth it. What a great poem. "And now Alone means something new..." Brilliant. Thanks for sharing.

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Glad you enjoyed it, Simon! Thank you for reading.

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LeeAnn Pickrell's avatar

This is such a wonderful poem about a moment when the world shifts and suddenly things are a bit different. Magical. I could see it so vividly. I was right there.

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

I'm so glad, LeeAnn, thank you!

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Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

"-- and now Alone

means something new." I love this.

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Thank you, Margaret Ann! 💛🌿

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Sunny M's avatar

Wonderful, heartfelt sequences culminating in that last heart-in-mouth glimpse of a lone piper... Everything necessary is in this poem, driving us to its final vision.

As a loner myself, I would say this poem is a loner's paradise of moods and understanding.

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Thanks so much for this generous, appreciative reading, Sunny

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Barbara Webb's avatar

Took courage to bare your soul. Thank you.

Auntie B

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Thanks for being such a faithful reader, B.!

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Weston Parker's avatar

Somebody had to write that moment down and that somebody was you, and that's how we roll, we become that somebody because we have to. Who else is going to use skirl so perfectly? Loved every moment.

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

I was so tickled when skirl showed up at just the right moment ... ! Thanks so much for your generous reading, Wes.

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MsLucy's avatar

Beautiful, heartfelt, relatable! Thank you for opening up in this way. It’s much appreciated.

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

So glad you enjoyed it, MsLucy!

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Kim Nelson's avatar

You beckoned me to join you in the classroom, on the bike, in the curiosity and connection. Not usually a fan of long, prose poems, I could not read this one fast enough; wanting to know more, see more, feel more.

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

So glad it captured you, Kim. Thank you for reading.

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Linda Ruth's avatar

"That odd, solitary kid, staring at him through the window with her mouth open."

This struck a chord because it could have easily been me.

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

We are a quiet legion, we odd solitary kids! Thanks so much for reading, Linda Ruth.

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MK Creel's avatar

I think you did a great job at welcoming the reader in to the heart of your poem (and memory).

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Thank you so much, Mary Katherine.

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