48 Comments
User's avatar
Edgar Ballantyne's avatar

So... Here's my months-late reply!

Of the moon I love the full yolk of harvest

I laugh in summer at the year attempting to leave quietly

Of H and A one makes hay, while the sun shines 
My wife walks not through my dreams, but leaves them as she walks for me to find

From Forty Six and 2 I see my shadow as a strange friend

I do like to be beside the seaside

At dawn one relishes another day, and ravishes accordingly

Colours are colours; words are attempts at colours

I do not pray but whisper to myself for more time

I hope to hum softly, a vibrant violin

From the birds I hope to hear what I need to know

I swear there is a secret joy in any old moment

Expand full comment
26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Splendid, Edgar, thank you!

Expand full comment
Shondra Bowie's avatar

This is fantastic

Expand full comment
26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Just saw this, Shondra -- thanks so much!

Expand full comment
The Sea in Me    (Síodhna)'s avatar

Full moon. Half moon. Slip moon.

Summer laughing. Lately letting the winter laughs out. Encouraging them Nourishing from where they come!

I love Mmmmms

Os

So many sounds. Shadow walks in my dreams sometimes. The shadow of fear or falling. Only just getting to know this frenemy.

A cottage by the sea

A lover’s tryst – at dawn

Words. And music if I can.

Blessings in a whisper? Love that lasts, presence, patience, forgiveness.

Instrument like your voice? Air, I'd like to say flute but I can't really answer this. I hear me mostly from the inside.

Animal can you speak with in their language? Is birds bending the rules?

I'm left handed. (That explains it!)

Expand full comment
26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Even if it were bending the rules (it's not), birds is a wonderful answer! Thank you for returning with this post full of wonderful answers, Siodhna. 💛from another left-hander

Expand full comment
The Sea in Me    (Síodhna)'s avatar

👋

Expand full comment
Writer Pilgrim by So Elite's avatar

"Your shadow – enemy, friend, or stranger?" This question is one of a kind! Wonderful poem

Expand full comment
26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

So glad you enjoyed it, Writer Pilgrim! (And so ... what's the deal with you and your shadow??)

Expand full comment
Writer Pilgrim by So Elite's avatar

I need to figure it out still. What about you?

Expand full comment
26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Sometimes stranger, sometimes friend….

Expand full comment
Fotini Masika's avatar

My answers begged me to put them on a post -- they do deserve a post of their own :)

And I must thank you for that dear Elizabeth! 🖤

Tomorrow...

Expand full comment
26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Oooh, I will be on the lookout! Thank you, Fotini. 🙏🏼💛🌿

Expand full comment
Cindy Angyal's avatar

You asked—I’ll answer:

Full moon -makes me awestruck!

Winter in Oregon is laughable.

Consonant K

Vowel Y

Figure in my dreams: it is often myself walking paths unknown.

My shadow is a stranger in a wheelchair.

A cottage by the sea, or I can look out and see endless possibilities.

A lover’s tryst— I would think it would midnight but I don’t know. I haven’t had one lately..

Colors or words: I would pick words because they have endless possibilities.

The blessings I pray for are for my friend who is going through a serious mental health problem.

My voice does not sound musical But if it did not musical, I would choose the harp.

I can speak dog because I have one!

What is my left hand raised I would swear to believe in a brighter future for the United States. That’s an odd thing to swear to, but somebody has to!

What an interesting poem, Elizabeth! I think you’re wanting to make us think and also you want to get to know us better'

Expand full comment
26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Thank you for these heartfelt, generous answers, sister Loocinda. 💛🌿

Expand full comment
Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

Oh, the gorgeousness of this poem. I will have to think about my answers. My instinctive answer to the shadow question is "stranger."

Expand full comment
26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Oh, I agree with you about the shadow, Margaret Ann! And I'm so glad you enjoyed the poem. Please drop by any time if other answers occur.

Expand full comment
Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

But of course 😊.

Expand full comment
Weston Parker's avatar

Such a fun and interesting poem. Answer to #1- new horn moon, last night. It occurs in a song in Pocohantas, "Colors of the Wind"

Expand full comment
26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Excellent! Thank you, Wes.

Expand full comment
Mahdi Meshkatee's avatar

Thank you for the poetic questions. Much needed.

Expand full comment
26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Questions can start things stirring in us, can't they? Thank you for reading, Mahdi.

Expand full comment
MK Creel's avatar

Love this one. So engaging.

Expand full comment
26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Thank you, Mary Katherine! So glad it speaks to you.

Expand full comment
Linda Thompson's avatar

This was so inspiring - I just had to pick up a pen and answer the questions!

Which phase of the moon most deepens your breath?

The full moon, hanging low and glowing orange in the night sky, steals my breath away then returns it to me in slow, even inhales/exhales.

Which time of year most often finds you laughing?

Summer – the antics of the birds, wild rabbits and squirrels regale me.

What is your favorite consonant? Your favorite vowel?

I love O, when it shapes someone’s lips and escapes as a breathy ‘Oh!’ of delight or surprise. Favorite consonant? I will have to ponder that one.

What figure walks through all your dreams?

My late father. I miss his words of wisdom, offered with kindness and objectivity. With them came these unspoken words, “This is what I think, but the decision is always, always yours.”

Your shadow – enemy, friend or stranger?

Friend, though only a fair-weather friend.

A cottage – in the forest, or by the sea?

I was born under the sign of Cancer, a water sign; it’s the sea that calls to me again and again.

A lover’s tryst – at dusk, midnight or dawn?

At dawn, when everyone else sleeps, but our bodies are fully awake.

Words, or colors – which, if you have to choose?

Must I choose?

Which blessings do you pray for in a whisper?

I pray for continued health – for myself and my loved ones – so we can continue to enjoy the blessings of our lives.

What instrument sounds most like your voice?

One that is not front and centre, but whose discreet performances (hopefully) add value.

Which animal can you speak with in their language?

Definitely cats. They may see in me a kindred spirit who trusts only a select few, but fully and unconditionally.

What would you swear to, with your left-hand raised?

I would swear to my belief that, with time, the good will prevail.

Expand full comment
26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Your answers are inspiring, Linda! Thanks so much for reading and responding.

Expand full comment
Poetry Kitt's avatar

Happy Birthday Elizabeth. I have enjoyed the reading !

Expand full comment
26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it.

Expand full comment
LeeAnn Pickrell's avatar

A full harvest moon

Our early California spring when the plum blossoms start blooming in February

An L, an E

My ex-husband won’t leave me alone

Your shadow – My other half

A cottage – By the sea

A lover’s tryst – at dusk

Words, or colors – words

Help me

A squeaky violin

Cat

To be true to what I believe

Expand full comment
26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Wonderful, LeeAnn, thank you!

Expand full comment
Tamsin's avatar

Which phase of the moon most deepens your breath? The thinest sliver in the sky speaking of possibility and renewal

Which time of year most often finds you laughing? Spring

What is your favorite consonant? your favorite vowel? B, O, then I can say Bob over and over and over.

What figure walks through all your dreams? A stalking stranger

Your shadow – enemy, friend, or stranger? Friend, a playmate, a comfort,

A cottage – in the forest, or by the sea? By the sea in front, forest behind me.

A lover’s tryst – at dusk, midnight, or dawn? Midnight, leading into the deepest soul of the night

Words, or colors – which, if you had to choose? Colours. Every hue, every shade, muted, vivid I want them all.

Which blessings do you pray for in a whisper? To be well, it’s a boring selfish wish I know

What instrument sounds most like your voice? UG, I hate my voice, so it’s probably a squeaky badly blown reed instrument.

Which animal can you speak with in their language? Microbes - prove me wrong.

What would you swear to, with your left hand raised? The power of Greyskull, oops sorry thats a cartoon, and I am devoid of sword. Hmm, 🧐, mmm, 🤔, every time I rise my hand to inspire thought, my hand just claps my cheek, so no idea. Not big on swearing that way, words don’t really mean much actions do.

Expand full comment
26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

This is fabulous, Tamsin. So many lovely lines, and the one that made me laugh of course: "Then I can say Bob over and over and over."

Expand full comment
Tara Connor's avatar

It's like a whole poem made up of poetry prompts! How lovely!

Expand full comment
26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

A questionnaire to assess Poetic Capacity! (Everybody's got some!)

Expand full comment
Petrina's avatar

Fun! I thought answers to your poem of unique questions would spark poems from your poet friends. Indeed, some lovely ones below. Still pondering my answers! And we can all embody the approach of that curious owl friend!

Expand full comment
26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Thanks, Petrina! I hope you share some of your answers if you feel so inclined.

Expand full comment