<div style="font-size:10pt;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;color:black;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv3497771051msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></span></o:p></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv3497771051msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></span></o:p></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv3497771051msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Abbie<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv3497771051msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></span></o:p></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv3497771051msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">The message is clear and poignant. The
fact that it is in the past tense hints at his absence. You give the hint that
he is not just not with you, but that he is deceased by focusing on his disability.
There is a note of sad, wistful satisfaction. The piece confirms the depth and
reality of a relationship no longer in the flesh. Good job. It paints a picture
of what his life was like in a most economical way. It only talks about the positive
things, which is fitting for this poem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></font><font size="3">I can’t think of anything to change.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv3497771051msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv3497771051msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">He
was happiest when <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv3497771051msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv3497771051msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Not
while at his computer, <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv3497771051msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">hunting
and pecking with his good hand, <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv3497771051msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">not
when stretched out in his recliner <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv3497771051msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">or
sitting in his wheelchair outdoors, <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv3497771051msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">not
while talking on the phone in person with people he knew, <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv3497771051msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">but
when snuggled in bed with me, <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv3497771051msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">his
good arm around my waist, <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv3497771051msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">his
head next to mine on the pillow. <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv3497771051msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">-- <br></font><font size="3">
Abbie Johnson Taylor, Author </font></font><a href="https://abbiescorner.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#0000ff" face="Times New Roman" size="3">https://abbiescorner.wordpress.com</font></a><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><a href="http://www.abbiejohnsontaylor.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#0000ff" face="Times New Roman" size="3">http://www.abbiejohnsontaylor.com</font></a><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><a href="mailto:abbietaylor945@gmail.com" target="_blank"><font color="#0000ff" face="Times New Roman" size="3">abbietaylor945@gmail.com</font></a><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">
<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">_______________________________________________<br></font><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
Group2 mailing list<br>
</font><a href="mailto:Group2@bluegrasspals.com"><font color="#0000ff" face="Times New Roman" size="3">Group2@bluegrasspals.com</font></a><br><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><a href="http://bluegrasspals.com/mailman/listinfo/group2" target="_blank"><font color="#0000ff" face="Times New Roman" size="3">http://bluegrasspals.com/mailman/listinfo/group2</font></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><div style="border-width: medium medium 1pt; border-style: none none solid; border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; padding: 0in 0in 1pt; mso-element: para-border-div; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; padding: 0in; border: currentColor; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="https://mail.aol.com/webmail-std/en-us/basic"><font color="#0000ff" face="Times New Roman" size="3">Jump to Toolbar</font></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font></div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Alice</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><b><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">As in a song, the phrasing is very important in this poem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></font><font size="3">A screen reader cannot do this well. Once I
was able to hear it in my head in the way it was meant to be heard, it was beautiful.
The last line was especially good. <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p align="center" class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p align="center" class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in; text-align: center;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><st1:place w:st="on"><b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Mission</span></b></st1:place><b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> Mistletoe</span></b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p align="center" class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p align="center" class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">(a fictional, acrostic, story poem in nine
lines)<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p align="center" class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p align="center" class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">by Alice Jane-Marie Massa<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">M</span></b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">agical moments, come my way!<o:p></o:p></span></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">I</span></b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">cicles, ice storms--be gone!<o:p></o:p></span></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">S</span></b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">nowflakes come slowly, settle softly,<o:p></o:p></span></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">t</span></b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">enderly transform<o:p></o:p></span></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">l</span></b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">andscape in the December moonlight<o:p></o:p></span></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">e</span></b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">legantly keeping clear the path--<o:p></o:p></span></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">t</span></b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">rail of holiday hope and love.<o:p></o:p></span></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">O</span></b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">nce-upon-a-wish becomes reality:<o:p></o:p></span></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">The<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></font><font size="3">screen reader doesn’t do justice to this line. </font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font size="3"> </font></span><font size="3">It can’t read the hyphenated</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font size="3"> </font></span><font size="3">phrase as a unit. Once the</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font size="3"> </font></span><font size="3">reader realizes it is like one word,, it
works much better.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">E</span></b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">nlisted, Sergeant, First Class, comes home
for Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">This is a dynamite closing. <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">* *
*<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Thinking
of our military families during this holiday season, and<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">sending
best wishes to all--<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Peaceful
and Merry Christmas!</span></b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><st1:city w:st="on"><i><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Alice</span></i></st1:city><i><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> and Leader Dog <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Willow</st1:city></st1:place></span></i><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">December
19, 2018, Wednesday<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv8443041929msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">_______________________________________________<br></font><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
Group2 mailing list<br>
</font><a href="mailto:Group2@bluegrasspals.com"><font color="#0000ff" face="Times New Roman" size="3">Group2@bluegrasspals.com</font></a><br><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><a href="http://bluegrasspals.com/mailman/listinfo/group2" target="_blank"><font color="#0000ff" face="Times New Roman" size="3">http://bluegrasspals.com/mailman/listinfo/group2</font></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><div style="border-width: medium medium 1pt; border-style: none none solid; border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; padding: 0in 0in 1pt; mso-element: para-border-div; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; padding: 0in; border: currentColor; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="https://mail.aol.com/webmail-std/en-us/basic"><font color="#0000ff" face="Times New Roman" size="3">Jump to Toolbar</font></a></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font></div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Brad</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">I love this story poem. I’m glad it had a happy
ending. Eventhough I suspected it would end that way, I wasn’t sure, so the
story held me in suspense because it was easy to identify with the sailor. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></font><font size="3">Although the gist of the story is very
clear</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font size="3"> </font></span><font size="3">and can be understood on at least
2 levels, the details I fhound confusing.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font size="3">
</font></span><font size="3">It doesn’t hurt the overall meaning and emotional import, but is never
the less bothersome. <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Cottage Window
Candle on the Shore<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">C By Brad Corallo<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Word count 220<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">So many years-<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">That is a long time to stay away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></font><font size="3">I wonder if he had a choice in the matter. <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></span></o:p></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">this weary
traveler's ship, <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Interesting that you say he is a traveler rather
than a sailor. It takes away some of my empathy for him. <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></span></o:p></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">sailing through
dark unknown seas.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Do I see a tiny
light on the shore?<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Could it be?<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">That which I have
sought for so long?<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">At this point I understand that this is also a
metaphor for a person searching for something. We all are doing that. But as Dorothy
says, “there is no place like home.” <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></span></o:p></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Is it my star to
steer bye?<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">He is asking the question, “Is this where my path
should be?”<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></span></o:p></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Have I wandered,
storm tossed, for far too many years?<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">He is not a fast learner.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></span></o:p></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Do I arrive too
late once again?<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">This <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></font><font size="3">line
throws me. It indicates he has gone this route before, and has always arived
too late. So why does he think the door will be open this time?<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></span></o:p></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Or do her loving
arms still await?<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">This line seems to contradict the line above. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></font><font size="3">If her arms were open before, how could he
have been too late?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font size="3"> </font></span><font size="3">I think this issue
needs clarification.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></span></o:p></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Can there truly
be for me<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">this scarce
imagined home coming?<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></span></o:p></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">My ship draws
closer.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Waves crash on
the rocky shore.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">I’m asking the question, “Is he a passenger or a
crew member?<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></span></o:p></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Heart begins to
pound.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Slowly, sky
begins to lighten.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Yes, it is the
home I left so long ago.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">The tiny light
brings me hope.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">It is not
abandoned. <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">What is ‘it’ that is not abandoned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></font><font size="3">I assume his hope is what is not abandoned.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Resolving out of
night, the ancient doc takes shape. <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Infused with
longing, I steer her true.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Finally tying up
at the weathered grey peer.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">So he is in control of the ship. Is he the
captain?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></font><font size="3">Is the main ship moored in the
bay while he takes a dingy to the warf when it is light enough for him to see
it? Either way, he must be a man of means.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></span></o:p></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Exhausted though
hopeful I disembark.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Moving over spray
washed planks, I reach land.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Following a path,
unknown though somehow familiar<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">This confuses me. Has he or has he not been here
before? Maybe the path has changed and therefore is both familiar and
unfamiliar.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">I approach the
cottage door. <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Suffused with a
strange mixture of:<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Doubt, hope,
apprehension and excitement, I knock.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Great description of his emotional state, and very
realistic.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></span></o:p></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Suddenly the door
is thrown open.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Her perfumed warm
softness is in my arms.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Ovviously, she has had time to prepare. How did
she know e was coming.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></span></o:p></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">And through our
joined tears I hear her say<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">"oh joyous
welcome, beyond all my fears and dreams, you are home!" <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Very satisfying end. <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="mailto:jamesstarfire@gmail.com"><font color="#0000ff" face="Times New Roman" size="3">jamesstarfire@gmail.com</font></a><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Your message is
ready to be sent with the following file or link<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">attachments:<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><div style="border-width: medium medium 1pt; border-style: none none solid; border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; padding: 0in 0in 1pt; mso-element: para-border-div; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; padding: 0in; border: currentColor; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Cottage Window Candle on the Shore<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font></div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Val<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Sometimes you manage to astound me with the
beauty, breadth and depth of your poetry. This is one of those times.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Wilderness<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Here in life's
wilderness,<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">I walk amid trees
of shadow—<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">It is significant that you say trees of shadow
rather than<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></font><font size="3">trees and shadows. That
emphasizes</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font size="3"> </font></span><font size="3">that darkness is the
prevailing, important quality. It is a not knowing , or being in the dark.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></span></o:p></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">the leaves are
the silver-green<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">of tears
unconsoled.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">I love the metaphor<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></font><font size="3">of leaves for tears. They are tears hanging
on</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font size="3"> </font></span><font size="3">but which cannot drop, and thus be
shed. The color of silver-green has the right effect, but I don’t know why. How
did you choose that color?<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Shivering with
grief, I stagger<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">in poor,
misfitting shoes,<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Again, a master of metaphor. <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">longing for
smooth clarity—<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">To understand the ground upon which you try to
walk, but can barely stumble about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></font><font size="3">Absolutely beautiful</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font size="3"> </font></span><font size="3">description
done in a way that only poetry can do.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></span></o:p></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">promise of
blessed relief.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">I don't like this
raw place,<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">yet, I know going
through is the<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">way to
understand, if just to escape.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Wilderness is<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></font><font size="3">where souls must go for understanding.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font size="3">
</font></span><font size="3">That is where we wrestle with angels and demons.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font size="3"> </font></span><font size="3">The writer knows this.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font size="3"> </font></span><font size="3">She would not choose to be in the wilderness,
but knows it is required , and</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font size="3">
</font></span><font size="3">parradoxically, a blessing.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">In the barron
brokenness, <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">I whisper a
lullabye,<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">sing a prayer,<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">grasp the sweet
evenness of tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Wow!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></font><font size="3">Such a
wonderful ending. That is the soft way in which the writer walks through the
difficult places in life and manages to be</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font size="3">
</font></span><font size="3">aware of the understanding and</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font size="3">
</font></span><font size="3">blessings</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font size="3"> </font></span><font size="3">that the future will
bring.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font></div>