<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML xmlns:o = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:st1 =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"><HEAD>
<META content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" http-equiv=Content-Type>
<META name=GENERATOR content="MSHTML 8.00.6001.23952"></HEAD>
<BODY style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 10pt" id=role_body
bottomMargin=7 leftMargin=7 rightMargin=7 topMargin=7><FONT id=role_document
color=#000000 size=2 face=Arial>
<DIV>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"></SPAN></o:p></SPAN></U> </P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none">I have Val's piece in here twice. It was too much
trouble to isolate and delete. forgive my Laziness.</SPAN></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"></SPAN></o:p></SPAN></U> </P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"></SPAN></o:p></SPAN></U> </P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"></SPAN></o:p></SPAN></U> </P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none">Alice Sub</SPAN></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"></SPAN></o:p></SPAN></U> </P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"> </SPAN></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I enjoyed this piece
very much. It’s sprinkled with humor, excellent descriptions, good poetic
devices and certainly easy for someone like me to relate personally to. Don’t
feel guilty about your pretender flower pots. Mine are made of discarded tires.
Just because you didn’t make your own soil, doesn’t mean it’s not organic.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Good qualities of
alliteration<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal align=center><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="COLOR: black">The Gift of
summer?</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="COLOR: black"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">by Alice Jane-Marie
Massa<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Oh, Summer, sweet
Summer—<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">at last, you are
here!<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">I have waited one long Wisconsin winter
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">for your short
visit--<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">each day of you like a
vacation<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Leave out ‘like’<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></U></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">to be relished and
revered.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">(Second Stanza)<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Through your lush, warm
days,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">I need not bedeck myself in
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">polar bear coats, doubled
hats,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">I would prefer ‘in’ to be the first, rather than the last
word in these last 2 lines. But I understand your
reasoning.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></U></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">scarves, gloves, and fake-fur-lined
boots<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">each time my guide dog and I venture
outside.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Instead of ‘outside’, simply say ‘out’. It sounds better
to me, and it is obvious that ‘out’ means
‘outside’.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></U></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Thank you!<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Thank you!<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">I like the double
emphasis.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></U></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">(Third Stanza)<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Through the tender days of
Summer,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">I need not shovel my <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Snow</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Garden</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">I prefer ‘garden snow’ rather than ‘snow garden. It’s a
matter of rhythm and beat.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Hard to
explain. Maybe our musicians here would like to weigh in on
this.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></U></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">I shovel soil<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">into my flower and herb
garden<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">which soothes my soul<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">All summer long.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">I love the subtle rhyme scheme on these last 4
lines.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></U></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">(Fourth Stanza)<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Okay, okay, the soil
is<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">a concoction<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">from a plastic bag;<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">and the containers are
plastic,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">painted to look like clay
pots.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Good use of the hard ‘c’ and ‘k’ sounds. It reflects the
mood of the lines.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></U></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">You see, I live in the heart
of<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">a sidewalk city.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">My precious garden may not be
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">organic;<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">but daily,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">during this season of
growth,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">I am energized and
enriched<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">by my pink and white
geraniums,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Gerbera daisies,
lavender,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">rosemary, mint, and
basil.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">The names of plants are in themselves poetic. You’ve done
a good job in lining them up in a musical sounding order.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></U></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">I have no purple sage yet this
summer;<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">nevertheless, in my summer
garden,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">I feel wise and
wonderful.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">(Fifth Stanza)<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">On these beautifully bright days
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Or caressing velvet nights of
Summer,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">walks with <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Willow</st1:City></st1:place>,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">my fourth Leader Dog,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">wipe away frozen
thoughts<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">of salt-covered sidewalks and
streets,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">snow stacked at curbs, and surprising
ice.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">(I do prefer my ice<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">in other forms,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">such as iced tea and ice
cream.)<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Carefree, <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Willow</st1:place></st1:City> and I
walk<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">as if we are at a state
park<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">and enjoy the melodious sounds of
songbirds,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">occasional whiffs <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">of lavish lilacs and other fragrant
flowers.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><U><SPAN
style="COLOR: black">Thank you for taking me on your walk. It was
delightful.</SPAN></U><SPAN
style="COLOR: black"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">(Sixth Stanza)<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Oh, Mother Nature, <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">you could take this
season<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">of Summer--<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">this superb gift--<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">and tie it with a
bow.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Oh, NO!<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>No,
you can't!<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Someone from the
city--<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">please blame the
mayor--<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">tied up the season<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">not with a bow,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">but with<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">CONSTRUCTION!<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <U>Humorous, sadness and anger provoking.
<o:p></o:p></U></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <U>Delightful poem.</U></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><U></U></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><U></U></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P><SPAN
style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><U>Val's
Sub</U></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><U></U></SPAN> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><U>VThis piece has
Love, hate, forgiveness, and pain, a fall from grace, pleasure, sorrow, and
grief. What more could you ask for?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The poem encapsulates a whole lifetime in a tiny space, in the best
poetic way.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>All thumbs up.
<o:p></o:p></U></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR><BR>Father<BR><BR><BR><BR>I
remember <BR><BR>sitting on your lap<BR><BR>at five and six years old<BR><BR>as
you sang songs to me--<BR><BR>Let Me Call You Sweetheart,<BR><BR>A Tree In A
Hole<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><U>An ideal, or
idealized, relationship with a wonderful Dad.<o:p></o:p></U></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR><BR>I remember
<BR><BR>walking to the park <BR><BR>as the sun began to set, happy until <BR>you
threw a softball, telling me to find it...<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN><U>If the reader did not
know that the writer was blind, they might miss the full import of why this was
so bad. I’m glad you did comment about your limited
vision.<BR><BR></U>Desperate, I ran through grass,<BR><BR>tripping on rocks,
wondering why <BR><BR>you expected so much from me<BR><BR>and my very limited
vision.<BR><BR>"She's lazy!" You yelled later to my mother. "She has to exercize
that<BR>eye to see better."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN><U>This boils my blood. Did
he think you were faking it? It’s possible he had good intensions, but that kind
of denial and ignorance is hard to stomach.<BR><BR></U>In bed, not asleep, I hid
under <BR><BR>my blanket, wishing I would disappear, then, you
wouldn't<BR><BR>be mad.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN><U>The dynamic of having
established such a warm and trusting relationship, to have it turn around to the
opposite is heart-breaking. You were in an extremely vulnerable emotional
setup.<BR><BR><BR></U>Sickness, pressure and calamity<BR><BR>drove you to the
bottle, beligerence <BR><BR>and the belt--it never hurt as much<BR>as the raging
words <BR>that cut my spirit--ragged declarations <BR>pouring in to my
soul...<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN><U>Consider putting in more
detail here.<BR><BR><BR></U>When you died, I had no tears,<BR><BR>numbing,
coarse sadness for a dad<BR><BR>I lost years before.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Now, I see
your illness,<BR><BR>alcoholism and feeling lost.<BR><BR>Twenty years on, grief
came in<BR><BR>looming, unyielding waves,<BR><BR>crashing through rocks of
fury,<BR><BR>heartbreak and sorrow, leaving a clean<BR><BR>place for you in my
heart.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN><U>Terrific verse.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is very accurate in describing the
process you were going through.<BR><BR><BR></U>Rest there
comfortably,<BR><BR>shadows move away<BR><BR>as I now sing to
you.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><U>Strong
finish.<o:p></o:p></U></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR><BR>Valerie
Moreno<BR>______<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"><U>I love this
piece.</U></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><U></U></SPAN> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><U><o:p></o:p></U></SPAN> </P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT></o:p> </P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT></o:p> </P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Brad's sub</FONT></o:p></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT></o:p> </P><o:p>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">This is an
archetypical tale of renewal or the banishment of darkness.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Your descriptions of the perilous
terrain the heroes had to traverse were particularly well done, as were the
descriptions of the characters themselves. The story is rich in symbolism. It
would be fun to explore them.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></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>The Long Awaited
Quest<BR>C By Brad Corallo<BR>Word count 600<BR><BR>After traversing the be
fowled swamp and bog land; where they encountered<BR>dangerous, sucking
entrapping muck. Where constant swarms of loathsome<BR>buzzing, flying biting
insectsdrove them nearly to distraction. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">“Nearly to distraction
is too pedestrian.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They were
probably driven nearly or beyond insanity. I would be.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"> </SPAN></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">And they<BR>moved
among putrid smelling expanses of stagnant water which emitted a fog<BR>like
effluence that made eyes run and stomachs heave: <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Wonderfully disgusting
descriptions. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"> </SPAN></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">they arrived at
a<BR>grey, stony waist land with mounds of old bones scattered about. Though
a<BR>cold damp wind swirled dust about their steps, the God forsaken place
was<BR>almost a relief after the bogs. They pulled scarves over their noses
and<BR>mouths and went on doggedly. <BR><BR>They were an unlikely band of four.
At the rear of the party trudged an old<BR>woman. Though her hair hung in wisps
and she bore many wrinkles her features<BR>were set in an expression of
determination and resolution. <BR><BR>Before her strode a beautiful young woman
with long flowing auburn tresses.<BR>Though she was attired in only a robe of
many colors and sandals she seemed<BR>unaffected by the wind and dust which
swirled about constantly. Her<BR>expression of immeasurable kindness never
wavered. <BR><BR>Their apparent leader was a thin, dark skinned boy dressed in
beggars' rags.<BR>Though he possessed only one arm, a sword and an ornate copper
hunting horn<BR>hung on a sturdy leather belt about his waste. At his side a
young wolf with<BR>startlingly intelligent blue eyes paced. He seemed to be
finding their path<BR>forward and the young man would lean upon him when the
terrain became<BR>difficult. <BR><BR>And so, our rather unusual band of pilgrims
came to the final desert. Though<BR>each carried two large water skins on cords
across their shoulders, there<BR>were many leagues of burning sands before them.
During the day the<BR>relentless sun burned their bodies so that the icy cold
nights were almost a<BR>relief. They would huddle together in a tight group for
warmth until the sun<BR>rose and they had to go on.<BR>The times when they made
their best progress were just before sunrise and<BR>just after sunset.<BR><BR>It
took five days to cross the desert and they arrived at the mouth of a<BR>lush
green valley with crystal streams and small water falls flowing into<BR>cool,
clear, sparkling pools. When they beheld this vista of almost<BR>inexpressible
beauty, they stood as if turned to stone. Time seemed to
stand<BR>still!<BR><BR>Until, their leader took from his belt
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">How about, “He took
the copper, bejewled horn from is belt.”<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">the copper, be jeweled
horn and sent<BR>forth a resounding blast. After he did so three times; a dark
prominence<BR>began to push upward out of the sward of green grass before them.
With it<BR>came a dark whirlwind and an aura of paralyzing terror. The three
joined<BR>hands and the young wolf pressed himself against the armless side of
the<BR>boy. In unison they proclaimed in loud ringing voices: "We have
come!<BR>Together we stand and deny the power of your evil forever. You are
nothing!<BR>You cannot stand against us! Be gone, and trouble this world no
more; until<BR>time itself comes to an end."<U>This sounds reminiscent of
Christians casting out the Devil. </U><BR><BR>There was a flash and an almost
inaudible wail, followed by a deafening<BR>silence. Then softly at first,
birdsong which seemed to come from<BR>everywhere, slowly waxing filled the
silence with a joyful music of serenity<BR>and renewal!<BR><BR><BR>This piece is
dedicated to the memory of William Cates perhaps the greatest<BR>English teacher
ever. It was inspired by the many legends and tales of The<BR><st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Dark</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Tower</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> to which he introduced me. May the
fall of The Dark Tower come<BR>soon!<BR><BR><U>Ah Men to
that.</U></SPAN><U><o:p></o:p></U></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">This piece has Love,
hate, forgiveness, and pain, a fall from grace, pleasure, sorrow, and grief.
What more could you ask for?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The
poem encapsulates a whole lifetime in a tiny space, in the best poetic way.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>All thumbs up.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR><BR>Father<BR><BR><BR><BR>I
remember <BR><BR>sitting on your lap<BR><BR>at five and six years old<BR><BR>as
you sang songs to me--<BR><BR>Let Me Call You Sweetheart,<BR><BR>A Tree In A
Hole<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">An ideal, or
idealized, relationship with a wonderful Dad.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR><BR>I remember
<BR><BR>walking to the park <BR><BR>as the sun began to set, happy until <BR>you
threw a softball, telling me to find it...<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">If the reader did not
know that the writer was blind, they might miss the full import of why this was
so bad. I’m glad you did comment about your limited vision.</SPAN></U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR><BR>Desperate, I
ran through grass,<BR><BR>tripping on rocks, wondering why <BR><BR>you expected
so much from me<BR><BR>and my very limited vision.<BR><BR>"She's lazy!" You
yelled later to my mother. "She has to exercize that<BR>eye to see
better."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">This boils my blood.
Did he think you were faking it? It’s possible he had good intensions, but that
kind of denial and ignorance is hard to stomach.</SPAN></U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR><BR>In bed, not
asleep, I hid under <BR><BR>my blanket, wishing I would disappear, then, you
wouldn't<BR><BR>be mad.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The dynamic of having
established such a warm and trusting relationship, to have it turn around to the
opposite is heart-breaking. You were in an extremely vulnerable emotional
setup.</SPAN></U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR><BR><BR>Sickness,
pressure and calamity<BR><BR>drove you to the bottle, beligerence <BR><BR>and
the belt--it never hurt as much<BR>as the raging words <BR>that cut my
spirit--ragged declarations <BR>pouring in to my soul...<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Consider putting in
more detail here.</SPAN></U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR><BR><BR>When you
died, I had no tears,<BR><BR>numbing, coarse sadness for a dad<BR><BR>I lost
years before.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Now, I see your illness,<BR><BR>alcoholism and
feeling lost.<BR><BR>Twenty years on, grief came in<BR><BR>looming, unyielding
waves,<BR><BR>crashing through rocks of fury,<BR><BR>heartbreak and sorrow,
leaving a clean<BR><BR>place for you in my heart.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Terrific verse.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is very accurate in describing the
process you were going through.</SPAN></U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR><BR><BR>Rest there
comfortably,<BR><BR>shadows move away<BR><BR>as I now sing to
you.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Strong
finish.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR><BR>Valerie
Moreno<BR>______<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><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN></U> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN></U> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN></U> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Abbie's
Sub</SPAN></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN></U> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I love this
piece.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I love this
over-the-top approach. Everything that could go wrong will go wrong. It reminds
me of what a sage old man once told me. “If your back wheels ever catch up to
your front wheels, you’ll know you’re in trouble.</SPAN></U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR><BR>STAY AWAY FROM
My TREEHOUSE<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I love the title.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It’s in your face.</SPAN></U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR><BR>Little one, it
looks inviting, doesn't it, A house nestled in an old oak tree? <BR>It's far
from homey.<BR style="mso-special-character: line-break"><BR
style="mso-special-character: line-break"><U><o:p></o:p></U></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR>I don't know how
long it's been there. <BR>The wooden ladder is no doubt rickety, perhaps
unstable.<BR><BR>If you manage to get to the top,<BR>who knows if the structure
will bear weight? <BR>Like the cradled baby in the treetop, <BR>you and
the house could tumble down, down, down, <BR>land on the ground all
broken.<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>The ambulance
would come and take you away. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I think they are
coming to take you away, Abby.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR>You'd spend weeks,
months in the hospital, <BR>wearing a body cast from head to toe. <BR>All you'd
be able to do <BR>is lie there and watch television. <BR>Dora the Explorer would
get old after a while.<BR>You'd long to be outside with your
friends.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Are you going to
torture these poor little kids before you let them die?</SPAN></U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR><BR>Your parents
would sue me.<BR>I'd have to sell my house<BR>in order to pay your hospital
bill,<BR>move to a senior apartment complex,<BR>no longer enjoy my own back
yard,<BR><U>With Trumcare, you might not be able to do that.</U><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">so you'd better not
climb into my treehouse<BR>if you know what's good for both of
us.<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><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I love this.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This would make a great standup comedy
routine. </SPAN></U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR><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><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><FONT size=2
face=Arial></FONT></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>