25 Comments
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Fotini Masika's avatar

I remember the poem from last year. Loved it then, love it again. 💛

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Thank you, Fotini. 💛🌿

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

What a precious moment, Elizabeth, and so elegantly captured in your spectacular poem.

My husband often says if he could have one gift not given to humans it would be to have the ability to fly. Such freedom in it!

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Thanks so much, Elizabeth. And if your husband finds his way to flight some day, please let us know! 💛🌿

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

I suspect you'll hear the elation as he wings his way across the skies. 🪶

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Weston Parker's avatar

Rereading this a year later reminds me again about the way a good poem has plenty to say again when a year has passed, probably more because we are older and can see more in it and we get the warmth of “hello again”. There was something about the bafflement that caught my eye, maybe I’ll think of it. Thanks Elizabeth.

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Thanks so much, Wes -- for the thoughtful reading (as always) and the reassurance that these "hello again" poems are not a bore but welcome. Good to hear that!

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Weston Parker's avatar

Every year, sometime during Christmas, my dad would read the Charles Dickens Christmas tale. Our birthdays were close enough that we would read alternating stanzas of Thomas Gray "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard". To this day, I guess I have never read a better written or more moving poem. It is my standard for how good a poem can be. Thanks again, Elizabeth.

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Barbara Webb's avatar

This is in the same slot as "Jesus on the Bus" Two of my very favorite of your poems. Thanks for repeating it.

Auntie B

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

For some reason this makes me laugh (I think it's "Jesus On the Bus"), but it also warms my heart. Thanks for always reading, B.!

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Ann Collins's avatar

To be truly seen like this--what beautiful prayer of a poem.

Such a tribute and tender portrait. Love this one so much, Elizabeth.

I miss my dad, too. 💛

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

He was not always an easy man to deal with, but he was absolutely at his best when he was out of doors. Especially when he was watching birds.

Thank you so much for reading, Ann. Holding you and your dad in my heart. 💛🌿

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Ann Collins's avatar

💛 same to you, dear one.

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MK Creel's avatar

This one is a favorite of mine.

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

I'm glad, MK, thank you. 💛🌿

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Sandy S's avatar

Your poem/story of your father touches me deeply. Thank you for sharing it.

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Thank you for reading it, Sandy -- I'm honored that you found it touching. 💛🌿

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Robin T's avatar

Sublime.

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Thank you so much for reading, Robin! I'm glad it spoke to you. 💛🌿

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Jeni Hankins's avatar

Thank you so much for this memory of your dad and for your deep gift with storytelling. I couldn't write about my dad this year. Too much this time around. So, I felt like I was drinking this up, this time spent with you and your dad.

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Now I'm thinking about "A Body Is A Delicate House" and all the stories and songs about your dad that are embraced in that one album. Glad to share a story back to you, friend.

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Sulima Malzin's avatar

I'm so glad to be reminded of this poem, Elizabeth. I remember how, last year on Father's Day, it was so well received when I read it as part of our Sunday Worship Service.

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

So glad to be reminded of you reading it there, Sulima! Love to you and everyone at WHUUF. 💛🌿

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Simon Brooks's avatar

Beautiful.

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26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Thank you, Simon. 💛🌿

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