Elizabeth, I loved Incognito! And your challenge to reveal my secret identity can't be resisted, although I didn't really know I had one until I read you poem! I am much bigger and stronger, though still female, in my imagination to make up for all the frustration of not being able to easily do things a taller, stronger, healthier person could do. Not that my present size has stopped from from doing what what I wanted to do, like backpacking and horse back riding, but it would have been so much easier if . . .Thanks.
Amazon Rose! I am in awe of her. Of course, I'm more in awe of who you actually are and all you've undertaken and worked at and enjoyed at your "present size." ❤️
I remember a bookstore owner in San Francisco who was trying to figure out why folks always seemed to ask him directions or whatever. I rather think it’s a combination of his seeming intelligent and approachable. Folks who seem intent on their way or intent on their phones, nope, not someone I would ask. But someone who seems to see the people around him, who seems to be enjoying her walk but not in a hurry, someone like that I can feel brave enough to ask for directions. And be amused and delighted to hear her explanation of the bus route to Brigadoon.
Thank you, Brian! I read my poems out loud over and over as I write them, so recording them turns out to be easy and fun. I'm glad they're good to listen to as well.
"...defining myself by what I love and what I do."
Beyond looks, that's a practice that makes you a magnet for others-- there's a generosity that's subtle and woven into the fabric of your being. It's how you show up here for your readers, too. I love both of these poems! The way you break the lines feels playful and makes me curious to keep reading.
These are both wonderful poems! Several years ago, I had an idea to write an occasional series of poems called Self Portraits of the Poet, I only ever wrote one or two, but your poems today have me inspired to revisit this idea.
First things first- how did the farmer's dog do? You don't have to tell me, some secrets must be kept. I knew nun with ouzo breathe as I went to Catholic school in Greece so we have that in common. The "Looks" prompt is about the first one that have ever caught my attention. I have never needed or noticed prompt as I have a difficult time stemming this flood but on looks topic. Forty years of carpentry has whittled at my face etc and what's left has patience for suffering and pain but none for fools, arrogance, entitlement, ego or pretentious asses. I really dislike writing about myself so this is about as far as I'll go down that dull road. Love your stuff. Wes
The farmer's dog scratched halfway through the first race -- heard some sheep bleating from across the fairground and sprinted off to keep them out of trouble. I won't tell you why the farmer said he entered his dog in the race in the first place. ;-)
I believe I could recognize you from that self-portrait!
Writing about one's looks [edited from "oneself"] is a fine line to walk, between insight and self-indulgence. Useful if there's a point to be made ... and then there are so many other creatures to pay attention to and write about.
I wanted to respond to the first one before reading anything else. Very dense, packed with images that alter shape as the poem progresses- it's got that protean magic driven by the visual dissonance.
Elizabeth, I loved Incognito! And your challenge to reveal my secret identity can't be resisted, although I didn't really know I had one until I read you poem! I am much bigger and stronger, though still female, in my imagination to make up for all the frustration of not being able to easily do things a taller, stronger, healthier person could do. Not that my present size has stopped from from doing what what I wanted to do, like backpacking and horse back riding, but it would have been so much easier if . . .Thanks.
Amazon Rose! I am in awe of her. Of course, I'm more in awe of who you actually are and all you've undertaken and worked at and enjoyed at your "present size." ❤️
You are amazing! I marvel…
Are you a Gemini? Twins. I know one, the other I read.
Nope, can't blame it on the sun-sign! :-) Just natural duplicity, or maybe a written-out example of how intricate most people are on the inside.
The Woman Who Actually Writes These Poems... wow, really powerful! and you have a great voice for reading poetry.
Thank you so much! Glad to have you as a reader (and listener!).
I remember a bookstore owner in San Francisco who was trying to figure out why folks always seemed to ask him directions or whatever. I rather think it’s a combination of his seeming intelligent and approachable. Folks who seem intent on their way or intent on their phones, nope, not someone I would ask. But someone who seems to see the people around him, who seems to be enjoying her walk but not in a hurry, someone like that I can feel brave enough to ask for directions. And be amused and delighted to hear her explanation of the bus route to Brigadoon.
Let's catch that bus together soon, Nancy! ❤️
Love the audio so much. I love reading poetry but I LOVE listening to a writer read their poetry!!
Thank you, Brian! I read my poems out loud over and over as I write them, so recording them turns out to be easy and fun. I'm glad they're good to listen to as well.
"...defining myself by what I love and what I do."
Beyond looks, that's a practice that makes you a magnet for others-- there's a generosity that's subtle and woven into the fabric of your being. It's how you show up here for your readers, too. I love both of these poems! The way you break the lines feels playful and makes me curious to keep reading.
Thanks so much, Ann - what a generous response.
Oh, I love both these poems. Wonderful writing!
Thank you, Arjan - glad to have you read them.
Heh! I never have passed you on the street but found you in the BACK of my BUG.
Having said that:—
Here’s a haiku for you:
Wispy fog rolls in.
She arrives incognito.
Sunshine! Revealing?
Pssst…loved hearing you read your wonderful Poems!
What a glorious haiku, Looocinda! I love it!
Love you too -- ever since I was riding around in the 'way-back of your VW bug!
These are both wonderful poems! Several years ago, I had an idea to write an occasional series of poems called Self Portraits of the Poet, I only ever wrote one or two, but your poems today have me inspired to revisit this idea.
Thanks, Jason, I'm glad you like them -- and I'd be delighted to read your own self-portraits.
First things first- how did the farmer's dog do? You don't have to tell me, some secrets must be kept. I knew nun with ouzo breathe as I went to Catholic school in Greece so we have that in common. The "Looks" prompt is about the first one that have ever caught my attention. I have never needed or noticed prompt as I have a difficult time stemming this flood but on looks topic. Forty years of carpentry has whittled at my face etc and what's left has patience for suffering and pain but none for fools, arrogance, entitlement, ego or pretentious asses. I really dislike writing about myself so this is about as far as I'll go down that dull road. Love your stuff. Wes
The farmer's dog scratched halfway through the first race -- heard some sheep bleating from across the fairground and sprinted off to keep them out of trouble. I won't tell you why the farmer said he entered his dog in the race in the first place. ;-)
I believe I could recognize you from that self-portrait!
Writing about one's looks [edited from "oneself"] is a fine line to walk, between insight and self-indulgence. Useful if there's a point to be made ... and then there are so many other creatures to pay attention to and write about.
I wanted to respond to the first one before reading anything else. Very dense, packed with images that alter shape as the poem progresses- it's got that protean magic driven by the visual dissonance.
Thank you, Weston - it's a poem that's lived close to my heart for years, and I'm glad to know it speaks powerfully to someone else.
It did and that’s all we can hope for.
Moving and funny by turns.
Thank you, Jonathan! Just the response I hoped for.