35 Comments
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Thomas Rist's avatar

Lovely poem, Paul. It reminds me of one of Wordsworth’s “Lucy” poems. Beautifully read too.

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Thank you, Thomas

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Kevin Maher's avatar

..’and when the rain has passed away..

each petal sheds a tear’..

Beautifully written, Paul. I loved the above words, the way you have interwoven nature, life and death into the lines is remarkable.one for the archives! 👏✍️

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Thank you, Kevin. It is one of my own favorites.

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Karen Kenworthy's avatar

Beautiful and emotional. Sorrowful and yet accepting.

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Pamela's avatar

BTW Paul - thank you so much for the followers from your referral- it actually has made me start writing on my topic - right now it is a draft - but the Forward and a beginning….. thanks 🙏🏼

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

You're welcome-Happy to hear that you're making progress, Pamela!

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Ronald Drimmel's avatar

exceptional work Paul. Thanks for the reading.

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Thanks, Ron, for taking the time to both read and listen. I don't do audio versions of my work as often as I'd like. Maybe I'll start again.

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Kevin Maher's avatar

It’s ideal for those of us that are on the move.. on this occasion I listened first.. then read your marvellous piece later in the day.. a couple of times, as it was stunningly executed.. each line a gem.. good for the soul, Paul. Thanks again.👏💚✍️

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Thank you, Kevin. It's one of the only things I've written that I can recite from memory. I've done a few audio versions of poems I've written. Maybe I'll do more. I guess I figure most everything I write is usually a short read so I assume people will take the minute or two involved in reading, but life keeps moving so quickly and it seems everyone is in a hurry to get to a place they want to leave as soon as they get there...I'll give it some thought—if I have time.

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Kevin Maher's avatar

Release a cd, individually or with some of the lads right here on Substack. I’d buy one! At least one. ;)

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Kevin Maher's avatar

If I have time ..

the mantra of human extinction the year 2024!

We were promised flying cars, robotic servants, lives of leisure as the menial jobs would be a thing of the past! The only flying cars are getaway cars, Alexa is our home companion, great for selecting songs to listen to, but just don’t ask her to hoover, and they were right about not having a job.. you now need 2 or 3 gigs to keep your show on the road!

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Kevin Maher's avatar

The rushing around robs us of the present, but at times, it’s a necessary evil. Listening to poetry, while on the move, can actually make you appreciate the world around you, depending on the threads contained within the poem. Others simply have to be read, and reread,left alone, then revisited. This piece is so achingly beautiful it stopped me in my tracks.😂I kept going back as line after line were so good, I missed the next couple.. so listened in total probably 9 to 10 times. Then, as I said, I reread it into the early hours. As a matter of fact, I’m sick of you now, Paul. ;) Bring on the next masterpiece ! Todays poem was simply gorgeous, by the way. Brightened my day. Again. Thank you kindly sir!👏✍️💚

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

You're too kind. Kevin.

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Kevin Maher's avatar

Had to delete a comment pertaining to human extinction when I meant to write existence!!!

😂blood y specs.. I wouldn’t mind.. they are on top of me head!

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Sea's avatar

I’m not reading any comments but I’m going to say I love your voice, and I love this poem!

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Kevin Maher's avatar

We read yours! ;) cmon.. bring it in! The love is bouncing off the screen in this comments section. Just as i imagined, naively, it would be from its early days. One visit to a toxic YouTube comments section and that illusion was shattered. Substack gave me fresh hope for the future of the net, and people in general. And then there are poems like this that move the needle on the Richter scale.

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

I can say that my experience on Substack has been truly positive, Kevin. It took a bit of time but I'm happy I stayed.

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Thanks, Sea - Appreciate your comment!

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Joy W's avatar

Wow.

Just beautiful

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Jeff RE's avatar

Superb!

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Thank you, Jeff-I appreciate your comment!

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Daniel Henderson's avatar

Great juxtaposition of life and death. The right amount of both so neither overpower each other. Very calming.

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

As I indicated elsewhere, it’s one of the few poems I’ve written that I can recite from memory. I think it’s calming, too.

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Karen E Sandberg's avatar

Beautiful poem. Good writing.

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Thank you, Karen!

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Pamela's avatar

Touching … it is a feeling of missing yet understanding, sorrow and peace. Beautifully written and read ❤️ ✌🏻

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Thank you, Pamela - It is one of my favorites

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appleton king's avatar

so moving

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Thank you, A K

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Thanks for the restack, @rena !

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Thanks for restacking this, @Joy W

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Thanks for restacking this, @Gary Spangler

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david wells's avatar

Ashes to Ashes and Dust to Dust.

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