From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=141">wistful</a><BR>
Date: 2 October 2001<P>

I’ve been rather self-involved of late, and have not taken the time to respond to comments that I *really* appreciate getting.   So, in efforts to play catch up:<BR>
<BR>
Smiling Kat ~ thanks for smiling with me on “All Rapped Up”.   A little whimsy goes a long way . . .<BR>
<BR>
BlueDenim ~ yes, alliterations-r-us.  Nothing pleasures like plays-on-words.  Thanks for the nod re. “Ob Sessions”<BR>
<BR>
Stephen ~ thanks for sharing giggles re. “Top 10 Reasons”.  It’s good to know that *all* the good ones aren’t gay . . . maybe this perspective is enhanced because I live in San Francisco?  And as for “Simple Things”: I thought you’d appreciate this New York Times article regarding the power of poetry to console:  http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nyt/20011001/en/the_eerily_intimate_power_of_poetry_to_console_1.html<BR>
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B.K. ~ Thanks for taking the relationship journey with me.  What’s the line from the song that keeps playing lately? “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end”.  *sigh*  What?  400 poems of *unrequited* love?  Your work is some of the most lovingly playful on the blender!  If this is unrequited, your bliss when sated must be overwhelming . . .<BR>
<BR>
flash ~  Thanks for the feedback on “It’s up to you”. I see why it resonated with you; it’s very close in style to how you explore your own work/self/passion.  (which I like very much, by the way: simple statements, with rushing undercurrents of emotion).  FYI, I shared my poem “Holding Air #2” with the guy who inspired both poems, and he called me later and said: “Wow.  I’m a piss poor friend.”  And now, at least, he’s trying. (Well, he was “trying” before, but in a completely different way ;-p)<BR>
<BR>
Getting ready to bust back out on the dating scene.  Ick.  Sex is so easy, intimacy so much harder, and a committed, passionate love nearly impossible.  Wish me luck; my bday's coming up on the 21st! (Lots of Libras here, huh?)
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=10">Galadrial</a><BR>
Date: 2 October 2001<P>

Hey SC!<BR>
<BR>
          Do we need maybe some sort of evil, nasty Autumn Challenge to get the creative juices flowing around here? I've seen lots of killer stuff...but maybe one little dare you to do it sort of thing?<BR>
<BR>
          Please advise...and thanks again girl. You really floored me!<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
                                         Gala
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=2">scqueen</a><BR>
Date: 2 October 2001<P>

Gala ~ Sounds like a good idea if we, ummm...leave out the evil and nasty part? I know you're probably referring to Halloween but I'm kind of ready for some lovey-dovey and nice :-)
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=2">scqueen</a><BR>
Date: 2 October 2001<P>

Well, Gala ~ Looks  like the contest is already over. Did you read jackryhme's 'Evening Candle'? Awesome spooky quality to it.
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=205">Violet</a><BR>
Date: 2 October 2001<P>

Hey Rhet~ What a lovely poem you've produced. Each one you write, I think "wow! that's really good" and feel the need to comment on them... though i don't know what to say...except wow! that's really good! :-P 
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=328">Rhetoric</a><BR>
Date: 2 October 2001<P>

How 'do Blenderites?<BR>
<BR>
A cool, breezy day has left me too delicate to ponder the where's and why's - but are we in the middle of a war?  I am confused.  I am completely unable to sort through the evening propaganda to determine the severity of our recourse.  A more sober mind PLEASE explain the current political climate.<BR>
<BR>
Now, on to more concrete messages:<BR>
<BR>
 ~*Truelies*~ <BR>
I meant to tell you that I was reading some of your past posts and this one screamed at me to praise:<a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2001.09.27.12.00.13510">Just Waiting</a>.  It is wonderful.<BR>
<BR>
Kev ~<BR>
<a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2001.10.02.13.47.7400">possibility</a> is poignant and strong.  I like it more than you know. <BR>
When your<BR>
question is searching<BR>
I am your yes ... WOW!<BR>
<BR>
 jackryhme ~<BR>
<a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2001.10.02.00.00.12468">evening candle</a> is haunting - just like Gala said.  I am caught in the first 2 lines:<BR>
tis night and the evening candle burns<BR>
slow to a molten remnant of sluggish remains<BR>
I am not sure how to describe the expression you leave me with...ah, wonderful work.<BR>
<BR>
Violet -<BR>
Golly girl, thanks!  You are my little cheerleader these days.  I am reading a book that has me smitten with its character.  Savage Beauty - about Edna St. Vincent Millay makes me wish I would have met that elfen woman on the streets of NYC all those years ago.  She is a vixen and she draws you in with words.  <BR>
Maybe after you read the works suggested to you by other Blenderites, you will find time to discover Ms. Millay if you haven't already.<BR>
<BR>
Rhetoric, in heaven with words<BR>
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=328">Rhetoric</a><BR>
Date: 2 October 2001<P>

Sorry scqueen - YOU told Gala about evening candle.<BR>
<BR>
I am reading upside down these days..<BR>
Rhet
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=205">violet</a><BR>
Date: 2 October 2001<P>

madison~ "as we do" is fabulous! 
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=8">Ali</a><BR>
Date: 2 October 2001<P>

Madison~<BR>
<BR>
I loved 'as we do'...Wonderful work...You are an amazing write, girl...*smile*<BR>
<BR>
Love and truth, Ali
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=8">Ali</a><BR>
Date: 2 October 2001<P>

Madison~<BR>
<BR>
Ummm...that's suppose to be writer...not write...lol...My bad...<BR>
<BR>
Love and light, Ali
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=396">Tangerine</a><BR>
Date: 2 October 2001<P>

To JackRhyme:<BR>
<BR>
<a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2001.10.02.00.00.12468">evening candle</a> <BR>
<BR>
My favorite part is : <BR>
<BR>
slow to a molten remnant of sluggish remains<BR>
with a flame sobbing its light<BR>
<BR>
You captured the sound of a candle when it is ready to go out -  AMAZING....  "A FLAME SOBBING ITS LIGHT"  <BR>
That is EXACTLY how it sounds....  <BR>
<BR>
T.
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=9">Madison</a><BR>
Date: 2 October 2001<P>

violet, I'm really glad you liked that.  Ali, I don't see _any_thing bad in what you said :) I'm so very flattered, thank you.  Jack - your latest was very good and kevin you inspire me; I always love reading your work.  scqueen - what a thoughtful friend to write for Gala and wow did it ever turn out nice.  <BR>
<BR>
Madi
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=91">flash</a><BR>
Date: 2 October 2001<P>

sarahsehee...<BR>
<BR>
I loved "touching souls."  Especially the lines "If only your thoughts were mine/and our bodies dust,/then maybe, just maybe.../this aching would fade."  It invokes, for me, a feeling of potential freedom that always seems just out of reach.<BR>
<BR>
I also went back and read "Remembering."  Wow!  I love the "earthy" imagery you use... until the last stanza it is like being in a dream, a dream about being a child perhaps, safe in the arms of someone who loved and protected me.... in a word, it feels comfortable.  Then in the last stanza, it is like waking up and realizing that, as real as it may have seemed, it was still only a dream... but as Poe put it, <BR>
<BR>
You are not wrong, who deem<BR>
that my days have been a dream;<BR>
yet if hope has flown away<BR>
in a night or in a day,<BR>
in a vision or in none,<BR>
is it therefore the less gone?<BR>
<BR>
I suppose it is difficult to find a distinction between dreams and reality sometimes...<BR>
<BR>
thanks...<BR>
<BR>
peace,<BR>
flash
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=205">violet</a><BR>
Date: 2 October 2001<P>

Arwen~ wonderful poem! which portland??? are you an oregonian? ;-) ~*Violet*~
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=2">scqueen</a><BR>
Date: 2 October 2001<P>

Violet ~ 'Mixed Berry Muffins' just gave me a much needed smile :-) Thanks!
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=205">Violet</a><BR>
Date: 2 October 2001<P>

Scqueen~ Thank you! :-) I'm glad it made you smile... I've been all smiles, all week. ;-) ~*Violet*~
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