You are incredibly sanguine about death, both here and in it's companion piece, which I liked very much, even though Dylan Thomas probably didn't. I suppose you've written enough good poems at this stage to make any poet relatively happy with his work - just one small question, Paul: 'Will your best poem go unwritten?'
Will my best poem go unwritten? Hard to tell, Martin. I think I wrote a poem about that. I don't think in terms of having a "best poem." I don't even know if I've written a "best poem" yet. Each piece takes me somewhere or provides a way for me to look at something with different eyes, but I don't see any one of them being "the best." I'm still waiting to see if I arrive at the point.
Thanks for replying. I find "yet" the interesting word here. Do we not live on, seizing each day in the hope that some amazing poem, or revelation, still awaits us, here in this world. Or will death be the great poem ... the great revelation?
D-day comes. No need to fight. It’s your right, your responsibility to leave food on your plate for others to consume. Go easy. You are on stage. When the curtain closes . Show opens some where else. I got a ticket early, but the door was closed for renovations. I’m trying to get my money back. Refunds are booked now way past Easter 🐣.
This poem preceded the writing of "When Life Turns the Page" by a month, or so. I think I may have re-read "Dark Embrace" and decided I could expand on the idea expressed in the longer piece, which is a kind of formal opposition to the Dylan Thomas villanelle.
I accept your quiet philosophical exception on our end. By the way, in Russian, which has the genders, death is feminine, as in French, in any lousy case, cherche la femme.
Grateful to @Kristin Swan for this restack
You’re so welcome Paul 😊
Thanks to @Kathleen Hobbs for sharing this 😊🙏
You're welcome, Paul
You are incredibly sanguine about death, both here and in it's companion piece, which I liked very much, even though Dylan Thomas probably didn't. I suppose you've written enough good poems at this stage to make any poet relatively happy with his work - just one small question, Paul: 'Will your best poem go unwritten?'
Will my best poem go unwritten? Hard to tell, Martin. I think I wrote a poem about that. I don't think in terms of having a "best poem." I don't even know if I've written a "best poem" yet. Each piece takes me somewhere or provides a way for me to look at something with different eyes, but I don't see any one of them being "the best." I'm still waiting to see if I arrive at the point.
“I don’t think in terms of having a “best Poem. . .” I’m grinning from ear to ear, you really turn my head, Sir Paul. LG🧚♂️💚✌️
Thanks, Lady G. It’s true. I just don’t think in those terms.
Thanks for replying. I find "yet" the interesting word here. Do we not live on, seizing each day in the hope that some amazing poem, or revelation, still awaits us, here in this world. Or will death be the great poem ... the great revelation?
Very true. 🩵
When a poet has so many great ones, it’s very hard to pick just one as being “the best.” 🩵
I know, Grace. And I've never seen any other poet come up each day with as many truly satisfying poems as Paul has.
I just write poems, Martin. I don’t do much more than that. But I try to do it every day.
Quiet and so deceptively simply written.
It is sort of quiet, inviting reflection, I hope.
Saturday, March 22, 2025 19:41
Our Dearest Paul,
Paul, Your poem, “Dark Embrace”, comes to me at a period when I feel like all this struggle ought to come to an end…So, I need to comment with Hope…
Beyond the veil of time,
death waits—not as thief,
but as keeper, silent and kind.
Its dark embrace whispers,
not of endings,
but of quiet becoming.
Paul, you have my deepest respect and love; please always stay with Him.
Simply Richard
-30-
Thank you, Richard. May you, too, be always with Him.
Yes!
I remember something that I wrote years ago that deals with the same topic. Keep an eye out I will post it as soon as I can find the file.
Thanks, Paul—I'll keep an eye out for it.
So it will be for all of us.
D-day comes. No need to fight. It’s your right, your responsibility to leave food on your plate for others to consume. Go easy. You are on stage. When the curtain closes . Show opens some where else. I got a ticket early, but the door was closed for renovations. I’m trying to get my money back. Refunds are booked now way past Easter 🐣.
this truth, Paul.
This poem preceded the writing of "When Life Turns the Page" by a month, or so. I think I may have re-read "Dark Embrace" and decided I could expand on the idea expressed in the longer piece, which is a kind of formal opposition to the Dylan Thomas villanelle.
Short, sweet, and to the point. Thanks for all your good efforts.
Thank you, Gary, for your comment and for your continued support!
I’m not Dan Rather, Paul, but you can expect my support to be steady.
Thank you, Gary!
Knowing that Death comes allows meaning to exist before its’s arrival. Daniel
Thank you, Paul.
I accept your quiet philosophical exception on our end. By the way, in Russian, which has the genders, death is feminine, as in French, in any lousy case, cherche la femme.
It could be translated into Russian with death feminine
I love the second stanza.
Thanks, Harley. This came very quickly.
Sometimes they do come quickly.Almost as if they write themselves.
I'm not complaining, Harley. Th companion piece, "When Life Turns the Page," took longer but it was a bit more complicated.
Paul, sounds peaceful
It’s more of a reflection where “When Life Turns the Page” is more of a statement of intent.
Nice — a preliminary epitaph
Maybe saying it will keep the event at bay?
Thanks to @Francesca Bossert for sharing this