From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=66">willtobe1</a><BR>
Date: 9 March 2003<P>

To Ali, oh Ali: You are a sweet fly caught in bitter ointment, my dear.  <BR>
<BR>
I tossed of “Delicate” in a spirit of determined unthinking, in an atmosphere of dark, cavernous tiredness, in a state of mind most lonely and un-“muse”-ical.  <BR>
<BR>
I posted “Delicate” in the cynical knowledge that it would not be commented on (except by you, my Friend); or that, if it were, then such comments as there were would laughably fall upon a hollow effort.  <BR>
<BR>
Lest any feel I aim offense in this, let me hasten to point out that the poniards, I feel, are all pointed at me.  <BR>
<BR>
For I love words, breathe for words, suck on words as hard candies.  Always have.<BR>
<BR>
But there is some part of my brain that disconnects in the presence of poetry.  That has difficulty seeing most poetry as having any more just claim to the name than the fact of its being broken up into random stacks, instead of sticking to the more honest linear leanings.  A brain that goes blank at the thought of concocting a Gettysburg-esque distillation of the greatest meaning into the simplest terms, as I (perhaps falsely) see as the true purpose of poetry.  <BR>
<BR>
A brain whose only honest outpouring of heart in poetical form rendered a 1000-word monstrosity so un-Gettysburg-esque that it collapse into the black hole of its own shear unreadability, and so garnered, as “Delicate” now, almost no comment except from a certain Ali (and also, I think, B.K.).  <BR>
<BR>
And so when I stop by to check on the beautiful works of my Friend, and when I read other works and the message board and see how radiantly you enjoy each others mysterious works, I feel like an outsider looking in, like words are manacles and bars and not the wind beneath my wings.  <BR>
<BR>
A bitter taste, and hard to swallow, for one who sucks on words as hard candy.<BR>
<BR>
So in a sad, sorry, self-pitying little way, I lashed out.  <BR>
<BR>
But my muse visits, sometimes, in its own way, and not at my bidding, nor in forms of my choosing, alas.   <BR>
<BR>
My Ali-angel knows I can dance like no one is watching, sometimes. <BR>
<BR>
Willtobe1<BR>
<BR>
<BR>

<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=752">somedaysoon</a><BR>
Date: 9 March 2003<P>

ladyinwaiting~ thanks for your comment... even a little thing like that encourages me to keep writing... and posting, too, maybe.  <BR>
<BR>
~somedaysoon~
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1176">aparajita</a><BR>
Date: 9 March 2003<P>

dearest willtobel:<BR>
kindred spirit in the appetite for and delight in words; i could not let your comments go unnoticed.  i was remiss in not commenting at once after reading and enjoying your poetry.  i have had a longstanding love affair with vocabulary, even as a child i would 'choose' to read dictionaries for pleasure.  i lived for learning new ways to express myself.  unfortunately for me, the atmsphere in which i was reared did not always lend a favorable ear toward my meager attempts to sound learned...  ridicule was more often than not.  <BR>
<BR>
your attempt was not by any means hollow, and the cynical part of you needs to make way for the all too obvious creative side of you.  i must admit to you that even though it made me sad for you, i drank upon and savored your comments on the board because of the wonderful way with which you put out your feelings there.  lest you think you are the "only", all of us when pressed to confess would most likely say that we are all outsiders looking in on life in our daily walks.  that is why this means of expressing ideas, emotions, and longings is so safe for us.<BR>
<BR>
i, too, dance when no one is looking.  and, because i finally am secure within myself i dance when others are:  not to be an exhibitionist by any means, but because it is another way to express myself.  my other love affair is with music in many of it's forms.  i see and feel music even more than i hear it.  music is like words in that it finds my most deepest hidden parts and brings them out in the open where i can most effectively deal with them.<BR>
<BR>
enough for now, just wanted to let you know that you DID NOT go unobserved by all, and to beg you to please continue bringing at least to me the pleasure of words.
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1103">ladyinwaiting</a><BR>
Date: 9 March 2003<P>

Blue ~ thank you for your lovely compliment...I have never imagined a fan...thank you I am honored...I only write what I feel...a form in itself...I have read your submissions and love them...thank you again<BR>
<BR>
Aparajita ~ welcome aboard my friend...looking forward to reading more...please more...<BR>
<BR>
willtobe1 ~ I loved your poem...it speaks loud...but, I must admit your comment to the board has left me breathless...such words of compassion, the essence of love...oh, how you write beautifully...please share more...<BR>

<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1176">aparajita</a><BR>
Date: 9 March 2003<P>

lady...  thanks for the encouragement and most of all thanks for the invitation here.  as i have said many times over, you too must never stop writing, your gift with 'simple words' is all too apparent.  keep on keeping on.
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1176">aparajita</a><BR>
Date: 9 March 2003<P>

chances:  beauty routine is priceless, there is not a woman alive that could not relate to your message, thanks.
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=739">His Little Fullback</a><BR>
Date: 9 March 2003<P>

Poetic Wheels!<BR>
<BR>
So Am I!!!<BR>
<BR>
~H~L~F~
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1179">amaryllis</a><BR>
Date: 9 March 2003<P>

wolfscreamer-  I am new to the Blender, but i was able to read your writings "Simplest Things" and "Late Lament".  I'm not trying to disect your writings by any means, but you write so straight forward which brings a sense of smooth comfort and thoughtfulness.  Thank you for sharing, I throughly enjoy reading your writings.
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1176">aparajita</a><BR>
Date: 9 March 2003<P>

j knip:<BR>
love & hate, so closely related.  your expressions of both were incredible.  to see what you love about s was such a vivid impression of you; and, succinctly put thoughts on hate was another display of love.  thanks for sharing.
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1139">jwb71913</a><BR>
Date: 9 March 2003<P>

<a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2003.03.09.11.41.13883">inspire me</a><BR>
<BR>
Isn't it lovely to dream again?  Very nice!<BR>
<BR>
Jim
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=436">Jon</a><BR>
Date: 9 March 2003<P>

aparajita~<a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2003.03.07.18.37.10039">whispers</a> spoke to me. Welcome to the Blender, I hope to see more from you.<BR>
<BR>
Take care<BR>
<BR>
-Jon
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1154">kareem</a><BR>
Date: 9 March 2003<P>

aparajita - whispers was wonderful.  Really looking forward to your writing.
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=436">Jon</a><BR>
Date: 9 March 2003<P>

jwb71913~<a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2003.03.09.19.10.18628">Dinner for two?</a> is delicious. :-)
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1139">jwb71913</a><BR>
Date: 9 March 2003<P>

Thanks jon,<BR>
<BR>
For the comment, and for the gauntlet.  Maybe it's time for me to work at it.  Contacts is still the winner IMHO though.<BR>
<BR>
jim
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=220">wolfscreamer</a><BR>
Date: 9 March 2003<P>

amaryllis   Thanks for your comments
<HR>
From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1176">aparajita</a><BR>
Date: 9 March 2003<P>

athena:  crush is too awesome!!  i can not tell you of the pleasure i received just from the incredible display of words!!  thanks.<BR>
<BR>
jim, jon, kareem:  you have no idea how delighted i am at your kind words.  thanks for building up my confidence.  jon, thanks for the welcome!!  i must say i have enjoyed your works as well.
<HR>