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<DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"># 1
Val<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The language and
imagery are exquisite.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">In line 1: I love the
word surfaces as used here with line 2, because it plays with the unspoken word
surf. The poem leaves options as to whose voice is being referred to. Is it the
minstrel? Is it a lost lover? Is it something in the poet which has been lost
like sight? Is it home?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Is it all
of the above plus more? All of these possibilities speak to me and within the
context of this poem, they play with my emotions.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Line 3: This is a
gentle expression of sorrow. As I walk along that shore with you, I am also
aware of the surf crashing, which is not so gentle. Somehow the poem allows me
the freedom of that violent feeling, while also feeling the gentler experience
of the writer. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Line 4: Great
line.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Line 5: The s sounds
here are Beautiful in their alliteration, and they hold the sound of the gentle,
sad, touch of earth and water in an ebb and flow.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I find myself wondering who and
what is the minstrel. My heart knows the answer to these questions but I can’t
describe the answer. It is an ineffable quality that is always there singing to
us, as a companion and, somehow, a guide. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">2<SUP>nd</SUP> verse.
Again the question of what was lost comes up.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>By leaving it open, everyone can
identify with that verse and that poem. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Line 2: the last 3
words, “Never wanted to take,” is a staccato beat of the ‘T’s. The poem is not.
so gentle here. In line 3, the smooth sands and craggy rocks, speaks of smooth
times and hard rocky times.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In the
last line of that verse, the lack of clarity of the minstrel is emphasized. If
the minstrel is a guide, than the path she leads us down is always vague. He
hides in shadow, seen and not seen.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">It occurs to me that
the minstrel, or singer, ends each verse. This makes this poem a lot, if not
mostly, about what the singer stands for. Yet the title is about love.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Is the minstrel the path of love?<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We know love is a path of beauty and
wonder, as well as heart break and loss. Yet, it is love, I believe, that leads
the way. Love is also the quest. The poet is willing to walk barefooted on
pebbles. Barefooted on pebbles is often very painful. They are hard on the soul.
They are broken rock that may have smoothed in their life times or remain sharp
and cracked.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P
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class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">This is an absolutely
marvelous poem. I whish I had written it.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 3.25in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Love
Notes<BR><BR>10-8-16<BR><BR><BR><BR>Your voice surfaces in my mind<BR><BR>like
ocean touching shore,<BR><BR>flowing, then subsiding as my <BR><BR>heart answers
<BR><BR>and the minstrel sings of sorrow.<BR><BR><BR><BR>On this journey of
loss<BR><BR>I never wanted to take,<BR><BR>I walk along grief's
shoreline,<BR><BR>smooth sands and craggy rocks<BR><BR>and the minstrel stays in
shadow.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Waves break in and out,<BR><BR>heart tide often deep,
then shallow--<BR><BR>I move ahead, pebbles underfoot<BR><BR>as the singer leads
me toward tomorrow.<BR><BR>---------<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 3.25in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 3.25in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">#2 Abbi
e<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 3.25in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">There are two stories
here. One is about an encounter with a fox; the other is about the relationship
between the couple which, in this story, centers around the conflict between
Scott and Brenda. Brenda can’t have children, and Scott won’t adopt, so
Snowflake is the surrogate child for Brenda. Scott can’t relate to that. So the
conflict is unresolved. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">You say the fox was
wary of people, and that is usually the case. They can also sometimes be brazen,
when they are confident about their superior ability to evade an enemy. So I can
buy that he got very close to the couple. But he would be exceedingly alert. At
the first sign of movement on Scott’s part, he would have been a black streak.
No chance that a thrown rock would have hit him, unless Scott is a professional
baseball pitcher. Even if he were, he couldn’t have gotten off a really good
shot sitting on his duff.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I thought the
relational aspect of the piece was well done, but had some questions about some
story technicalities regarding the encounter with the fox. One is the
description of the fox as large.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I
can accept that it was large for a fox, but even small terriers would not be
that much smaller. Terriers are a feisty lot and not cowed easily. There are
exceptions to the rule, I realize.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The description of the fox crashing into the woods stopped me, because
they are very graceful creatures and the word crash, though I know what you
mean, doesn’t seem to me to fit in describing their movements.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The description of
Brenda comforting Snowflake was well done and true to life, as were all the
relational descriptions.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Scott acts like he
doesn’t have a clue. He must know how Brenda feels about wanting to be a parent,
yet he throws out a stupid quip about Snowflake being a baby to Brenda. The guy
is pretty stupid or maybe just mean and rubbing it in for some reason. Great job
in describing him through action rather than adjectives.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Scott shows his
warmer, more loving side in other interactions between him and Brenda. Again,
you have taken a show-me approach and it is expertly done.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Scott’s reticence to
respond further to the relationship between Brenda and Snowflake leads me to
consider some possibilities of what was going on in him. Maybe he is rethinking
his position on the baby issue. Maybe he is jealous of the relationship his wife
has with their pet. Maybe he doesn’t want to share her with an adopted child.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">As the reader, I am
certain this issue is not going to go away. You’ve described in Brenda’s
dialogue that she feels inadequate due to her vision lack and her inability to
have children. Her only weapon is to be unresponsive to Scott. She is too
dependent to do much with that at this point, but as resentment grows, if it
does, there is no telling what level of discord will develop in their
relationship. <BR style="mso-special-character: line-break"><BR
style="mso-special-character: line-break"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">ADVENTURE (714
words)<BR><BR><BR><BR>The big black fox stood and gazed with a curious
expression at the <BR>little white Terrier who lay snoozing in the grass in a
sunny meadow <BR>next to a babbling brook. The pooch, sensing a presence, opened
her <BR>eyes with a start and stared, horrified, into the fox's green, glinting
<BR>eyes. Giving a yelp of terror, she leapt to her feet and dashed,
<BR>barking, across the field to the couple on the blanket, her white back
<BR>and tail becoming a blur. The fox turned and scurried in the opposite
<BR>direction, crashing into the adjacent woods.<BR><BR>After a three-mile hike,
Scott and Brenda were exhausted. They ate a <BR>picnic lunch, and then dozed,
entwined on their blanket, surrounded by <BR>empty Subway sandwich wrappers and
water bottles. Awakened by the dog's <BR>shrill barks, they sat up and rubbed
their eyes. Brenda extended her <BR>arms, and the little dog jumped into them,
apparently not giving the <BR>remnants of their meal any
thought.<BR><BR>"Snowflake, what is it, sweetie?" said Brenda, holding and
rocking the <BR>little dog. "You're shaking like a leaf!"<BR><BR>Scott surveyed
the landscape. "I don't see anything," he said. "The <BR>last time I looked, she
was sleeping in the sun, drying off after <BR>playing in the creek. Maybe she
just had a bad doggy dream or something."<BR><BR>"You're okay," said Brenda,
cuddling Snowflake against her. “You’re <BR>safe with Mommy now.” The dog licked
her face.<BR><BR>"Jesus," said Scott. "You'd think she was your
baby."<BR><BR>Brenda turned to her husband, her eyes filling with tears. "Well,
you <BR>know we can't have children because of my stupid body, not to mention
<BR>my vision loss, and you don’t want to adopt. Snowflake is all we
have."<BR><BR>Scott sighed, shrugged, and lay down. Brenda could hold the tears
back <BR>no longer. She buried her face in Snowflake’s fur, and the dog
<BR>delivered wet, slobbery, comforting kisses. Eventually, Brenda lay down
<BR>on the blanket next to Scott, without touching him. Soon, the couple <BR>and
their dog were asleep.<BR><BR><BR>In the woods, the fox cowered; fearing the
humans on the blanket would <BR>come after him at any moment. When they didn't,
and after an <BR>interminable amount of time passed, the fox was distracted by a
<BR>tantalizing aroma born to his nostrils by a cool mountain summer <BR>breeze.
Curious, he snuck out and stood in the open field for a moment.<BR><BR>In the
distance, he glimpsed the figures on the blanket, lying <BR>motionless. The
breeze grew stronger and so did the aroma. He inched closer.<BR><BR>Snowflake
sensed the fox's approach first. She whined and started <BR>shaking. Alert,
Brenda held the dog close to her and said, "its okay, <BR>sweetie. You're just
having another bad dream."<BR><BR>In answer, Snowflake barked once. The fox
stopped. Brenda opened her <BR>eyes, sat up, and spotted the creature in the
distance. With her <BR>limited eyesight, she couldn't tell what it was but
sensed it was a <BR>predator by the way it just stood there. "Scott!” she
cried.<BR><BR>He sat bolt upright. "What the hell!" He flung a nearby rock at
the <BR>fox. It hit the animal’s nose and thudded to the ground. The fox
<BR>yelped, turned, and dashed into the woods.<BR><BR>Now Brenda and Snowflake
were shaking. Scott put an arm around Brenda’s <BR>shoulders and said, "It's
okay, babe. It was just a fox. He won't come back."<BR><BR>Brenda rested on her
husband's shoulder for a moment, feeling his <BR>comforting warmth. Then,
remembering their earlier conversation, she <BR>looked at her watch and said,
"It's getting late. We probably should <BR>head back."<BR><BR>"Whatever," said
Scott with a sigh.<BR><BR>As they packed the remains of their lunch, Snowflake
whined constantly <BR>and stayed by Brenda's side. As she stuffed items into her
back pack, <BR>she murmured soothing endearments to the dog. Scott ignored them
both.<BR><BR>As they trudged along the rocky trail, Brenda holding Scott's arm
so he <BR>could guide her, they said nothing except for the occasional moment
<BR>Scott pointed out logs or other obstacles. Snowflake scampered ahead,
<BR>then turned and rushed back to see if they were coming. She <BR>occasionally
barked at squirrels and birds in trees, and Brenda <BR>laughed, but Scott said
nothing. When they finally reached the car, the <BR>pooch was only too happy to
collapse onto her blanket on the back seat <BR>and fall fast asleep.<BR><BR>--
-------<BR style="mso-special-character: line-break"><BR
style="mso-special-character: line-break"></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">#4 <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Alice</st1:place></st1:City></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">It is no surprise that I
find this poem superb. It touched me deeply. The courtroom setup is enticingly
interesting, and I wonder how and why you chose that milieu. How and why is it
questioned that she feels deep emotion? <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Why does she need proof of it? I clearly
relate to the need to know one has heart felt tears. When my eyes burn with the
spilling of tears, for a sundry of reasons, I feel I am affirming my humanity
and am grateful for that connection even though it is often painful.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>But why the need for glasses to give
that proof? Did your eyes lose the feeling of tears spilling over when they were
damaged? <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">You use the term ‘holding
emotion;. I wondered whether hold, in this case, meant holding in emotion as
opposed to showing emotion. A dam doesn’t just old water. It regulates the water
it holds. Either the water flows over the top and the dam has little control as
to when the water flows. Or the dam has vents that allow the water to flow when
the decision is made to lower the pressure or to use the pressure. The poem
answers these questions in verse 5. She does have a regulating system, but is
constantly checking as to whether she is achieving the right balance.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Poetry itself is a way she sublimates
and creatively expresses her feelings as this piece so deeply and convincingly
.does. The poet courageously bares her heart, including her doubts.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The poem seems to be pointing out that
she is constantly judging herself, or does she feel judged?<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I love the last lines of that verse that
describe how the poet uses poetry. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">That leads my thoughts back to the
glasses. They are their in part, the poet testifies, to protect her from hurt.
They are a shield from harm. Do they hide the emotion from others, while also
proving to the wearer that there is emotion?</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">The judge is unqualified. Can the verdict
be then trusted? Is she unqualified for lack of understanding because he cannot
stand in the poet’s shoes. Who is the judge? Is he or she people who don’t have
a clue? Is she an extension of the poet who asks the questions? Can her verdict
be trusted? Does the poet need to convince somebody?</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">Verse 5 makes a clear and surprising
statement of how much the glasses have become part of the poet.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">“Congenitally impaired vanity,” is
a wow statement or description. I wonder if all handicaps which makes a person
stand out in a negative way or impairs their ability to function with their
peers have a deprecating effect. Is the author saying that, or just that it
applied to her circumstances and psyche. To give it a positive twist, does it
provide an early lesson in humility? Of course to be humiliated is not so good,
and unfortunately we know that victims are often wont to feel shame and even
guilt for being a victim. So much is in that little phrase.<SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">The word enjambment gave me a merry chase through two
dictionaries. The spelling here is the closest I came to the word in the fifth
verse at the end. Am I the only one who has never heard that word
before?</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">I enjoyed the humor of the last verse. It was a great way
to end the piece. Of course, no verdict is rendered.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I think this is a court of in
perpetuity.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">All thumbs up on this one.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Evidence of Emotion</FONT></B></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">by Alice Jane-Marie
Massa</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">In the courtroom of the heart,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">I offer you Exhibit A--</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">clear lenses of glasses</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">stained with teardrops.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Stanza 1 and 2<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>blend. They could be merged, but I like it the way it is.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The question is asked whether wiping
away the signs of deep emotional experience<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>in anyway mitigates<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>their reality lasting effect. Since I,
the reader, is so sure of the answer, I wonder about the motive for this
question. Doesn’t the poet know the answer?<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>At this point I’m only to verse
2.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Washing these unnecessarily prescription
lenses</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">on this nearly frosted morning,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">I think of the evidence of emotion,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">the tear stains,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">disappearing beneath </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">a cascade of water</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">and the touch of my finger.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Is the sadness of yesterday </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">now erased, forgotten,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">evaluated, or forestalled?</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Back in the courtroom of the heart,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">an unqualified judge asked,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">"Why do you wear these glasses</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">if you have no vision?"</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">My testimony began:</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">"Since I was seven,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">I have been wearing glasses:</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">they seem as much a part of me</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">as my right hand </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">and my left leg,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">as the clothes</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">I don each day.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Exhibit A has protected me</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">from hurt</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">or from greater injury</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">when I fell off my bike,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">when a door was accidentally slung into my
face,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">when I encountered a piece of construction
equipment</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">on the Kilbourn Drawbridge.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Wearing these glasses</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">calms my concerns </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">about being poked</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">by a low-hanging branch.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Through so many seasons of walking,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">these glasses have shielded my broken eyes</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">from raindrops, snowflakes,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">stinging sleet, and drying winds.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Believe me, I do not wear them for vanity:</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">I let my congenitally impaired vanity</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">dissolve decades ago.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Most of all,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">I wear these glasses</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">to catch the tears</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">of emotions</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">so that I have proof</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">that I did not squelch</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">nor hide</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">all that I felt </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">on any yesterday.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">I will admit</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">that I am not </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">an amateur holder of emotions:</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">I ascend from Italian descent;</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">I am </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">a professional holder of emotions--</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">a poet</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">who translates</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">tear stains</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">into the adversities of verse,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">the joy of injamment,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">and the strides of stanzas."</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Midst the murmurs</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">magnifying in the courtroom,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">the judge,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">with unknown poetic license,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">tapped his gavel and bellowed,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">"Poetic order in the court!"</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">October 14, 2016, Friday</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">number of words:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>318</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">number of lines:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>70</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">***</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Evidence of Emotion</FONT></B></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">by Alice Jane-Marie
Massa</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">(Verse 1)<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">In the courtroom of the heart,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">I offer you Exhibit A--</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">clear lenses of glasses</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">stained with teardrops.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">(Verse 2)</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Washing these unnecessarily prescription
lenses</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">on this nearly frosted morning,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">I think of the evidence of emotion,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">the tear stains,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">disappearing beneath </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">a cascade of water</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">and the touch of my finger.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">(Verse 3)</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Is the sadness of yesterday </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">now erased, forgotten,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">evaluated, or forestalled?</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">(Verse 4)</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Back in the courtroom of the heart,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">an unqualified judge asked,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">"Why do you wear these glasses</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">if you have no vision?"</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">(Verse 5)</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">My testimony began:</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">"Since I was seven,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">I have been wearing glasses:</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">they seem as much a part of me</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">as my right hand </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">and my left leg,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">as the clothes</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">I don each day.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Exhibit A has protected me</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">from hurt</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">or from greater injury</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">when I fell off my bike,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">when a door was accidentally slung into my
face,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">when I encountered a piece of construction
equipment</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">on the Kilbourn Drawbridge.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Wearing these glasses</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">calms my concerns </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">about being poked</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">by a low-hanging branch.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Through so many seasons of walking,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">these glasses have shielded my broken eyes</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">from raindrops, snowflakes,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">stinging sleet, and drying winds.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Believe me, I do not wear them for vanity:</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">I let my congenitally impaired vanity</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">dissolve decades ago.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Most of all,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">I wear these glasses</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">to catch the tears</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">of emotions</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">so that I have proof</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">that I did not squelch</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">nor hide</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">all that I felt </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">on any yesterday.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">I will admit</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">that I am not </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">an amateur holder of emotions:</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">I ascend from Italian descent;</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">I am </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">a professional holder of emotions--</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">a poet</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">who translates</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">tear stains</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">into the adversities of verse,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">the joy of injamment,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">and the strides of stanzas."</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">(Verse 6) </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Midst the murmurs</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">magnifying in the courtroom,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">the judge,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">with unknown poetic license,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">tapped his gavel and bellowed,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">"Poetic order in the court!"</FONT></P>
<DIV
style="BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1pt; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; mso-element: para-border-div; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt">
<P
style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"
class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"># 5 <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Brad</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Beautiful in line and
end of lines rhyming. It’s sprinkled around like
garnishing.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Wonderful imagery<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The first part of the
poem is reminiscent of the song, “Morning Has Broken, Like the First Morning.” I
wonder if you had that song in mind when you wrote this.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">It is a spiritual
story that teaches a spiritual lesson. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<DIV
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<P
style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Lines 1 and 2: Beautiful lines. Beautiful
beginning.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Line 4<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>It sounds great. It has lovely L alliteration.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Line 5: Good b, b and p alliteration.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Line 7: Good r sounds.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Line 10: “Bright triumphant stand.” I had to think a lot
about what that might mean. There are so many different meanings of the word
‘stand’. For me it slowed the flow. Upon second reading, I had no
problem.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Lines 14 and 15: good rhyme of morning and dawning.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There might be a little overuse of those
two words.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>After all, if this is a
poem about firstness, it might not be consistent to use the same words too many
times. On the other hand, every time I read it, it did not seem old. If this
were a song, the repetition would be a good thing.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Line 19: “Will be as light in the eyes of the
children.”</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Eliminate the second ‘the’.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Line 22: great g alliteration.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Line 23:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Doesn’t need the ‘the’. Likewise with line 25.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Line 29: “At Forever
Plains they fell upon her.” <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I love the concept of
‘forever plains’. Likewise the use of ‘shattered dreams in the next line.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Line 38: I question
whether you need ‘so’ to start this line. Likewise in the next line starting
with ‘And’. You don’t need them.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">These last two lines
are a powerful ending.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>More
powerful without the two antecedents.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR
style="mso-special-character: line-break"><BR
style="mso-special-character: line-break"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">The promise of the Guardian<BR>C by Brad Corallo<BR>Word
count 301<BR><BR>1. With water diamonds sparkling in her eyes<BR>2. fell
Guardian of Morning, through twilight autumn skies.<BR><BR>3. In skewed
formation, birds around her flew<BR>4. their gold eluminated by light no longer
true.<BR><BR>5. From her hair were scattered brilliant blazing sparks<BR>6. bits
of Morning love which<BR>7. all did reach their marks. <BR>8. At the point where
crystal blue caressed the land<BR>9. her Light touch down ,<BR>10. morphed, to
bright triumphant stand. <BR><BR>11. "I am Guardian of Morning returned<BR>12.
and I bring renewal of the days.<BR>13. I decree this is once again<BR>14. the
First Morning<BR>15. where all is washed clean with freshness dawning. <BR>16.
Love will rein as Lord of<BR>17. all emotion and sensation.<BR>18. and the
wonder of creation<BR>19. will be as light in the eyes of the children.
<BR><BR>20. These things all, I clearly see<BR>21. and nothing will prevent
them, I decree!" <BR><BR>22. But far off in grumbling grayish growling gremlin
gloom<BR>23. loathsome chattering time demons from the mists began to
loom.<BR>24. They would not see their Confining work undone.<BR>25. They were
committed to the dimming of the sun. <BR><BR>26. Among their tools were tedium,
repetition and routine.<BR>27. They worked to bind free spirits<BR>28. with
chains of time unseen.<BR><BR>29. At Forever Plains they fell upon her.<BR>30.
She swept them from her path like shattered dreams.<BR>31. And strode forward
undeterred, resolute with her renewal quest redeemed .<BR><BR>32. In
multitudes, they once again fell upon her like a hand.<BR>33. Their sheer
increasing quantity her burdon to withstand.<BR><BR>34. Their waxing mass
eventually bore her to the ground.<BR>35. The light of the renewal no longer
could be found.<BR><BR>36. But the bits of love that earlier showered from her
hair<BR>37. sowed seeds of hope and will to joy which ever fought despair.
<BR><BR>38. So down the yawning ages her legacy remains<BR>39. and whenever
spirit hearts give freely, demon power wanes.<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR
style="mso-special-character: line-break"><BR
style="mso-special-character: line-break"></FONT></P>
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