40 Comments
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Jonathan Potter's avatar

This had me at blue o'clock and just got better and better with so many wonderful words and names. A squeem of fish! Marvelous.

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Thank you, Jonathan !

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Jonathan Potter's avatar

I plan on stealing every one of them words

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

If you see a small school of fish moving quickly underwater, grouped together so the bodies look like a sort of amorphous silvery gel sliding along, that’s a squeem.

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Chen Rafaeli's avatar

I had to google, like, ten of them.

Frankly, even if I hadn't to-would I know? I forgot all...

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House of Neglected Poetry's avatar

“I am like the lake” and “squeem” !!!

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BmG's avatar

I love “squeem” too 😄

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House of Neglected Poetry's avatar

yeah, I'm definitely stealing that one :)

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Bonnie Canelakes's avatar

That is lovely. I wish I lived THERE! All we have in the city is a squeem (what a great word I shall use forever more) of traffic.

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Traffic passes quickly in an amorphous blur? Having lived in Los Angeles and environs I can relate to that.

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BmG's avatar

It still does out here in the wilderness of L. A.

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Vinoth's avatar

Beautiful, I loved it. Keep writing and make our day..

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Rich Moore's avatar

I love this piece, Paul, as I absolutely love those early morning moments! You've captured this moment beautifully!

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Thank you, Rich!

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Patris's avatar

This is all feeling and stars

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Feelings and stars should be there for us always, Patris-Thank you!

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Patris's avatar

Yes - and thank you for reminding us Paul. A poets true vocation, yes?

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

All writers, I think.

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Patris's avatar

The best ones

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BmG's avatar

This whole poem took me back to the many times and places I’ve camped all over our great country. “Blue o’clock” . Lovely.🥰

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Thank you so much!

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Diane’s Blue Forum 👩‍💻's avatar

Lovely phrase “at blue o’clock”! I wish it were mine! It would be perfect for my Substack!

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Take it and use it, Diane. It’s free!

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Diane’s Blue Forum 👩‍💻's avatar

Thanks, Paul! 🦋

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Pamela's avatar

Paul this is wonderful! I grew up on a very large lake and this took me home 🥰 love it!

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Glad you connected with it, Pamela! I think everyone has a place like that.

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Berkana's avatar

Those last tree lines ... love you!

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Thank you, Berkana!

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Reena Kapoor's avatar

Those last three lines.... loved this Paul!

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Thank you, Reena - That’s my favorite moment in the piece.

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Stanley Wotring's avatar

So marvelous, I have no words. That is a rare moment for me.

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Thank you, Stanley!

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Stanley Wotring's avatar

Call me Stan.

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Will do, Stan!

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Karen E Sandberg's avatar

This is such a fine poem. I've read it many times. The images & lines are amazing. Thank you, Paul!

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Thank You, Karen-Much appreciated!

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Karen E Sandberg's avatar

The lines & images in this poem are amazing, blow the top of my head off. Thank you!

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Patris's avatar

Wow

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Thank you for restacking!

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