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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>Today’s Group-2 Critiques 7-27-23<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><o:p> </o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;text-align:justify;line-height:200%'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>1. Sandra’s piece or should I say Emily’s piece?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;text-align:justify;line-height:200%'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;text-align:justify;line-height:200%'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>This delightful piece, written from the cat’s point of view is illustrative of a routine played out by the feline and her “two-legs.” As all cat fanciers know, each cat is a unique individual. My cat would have no interest in chips, let alone Mexican seasoned one. But such openness to gustatory exploration is exhibited by some cats and perhaps even more so by dogs. My cat only knows four foods: salmon (his favorite), chicken, turkey and tuna. And though he consumes same like they’re going out of style, that’s it, he is pleased by boring sameness. My only criticism of this poem, is that the poor kitty seems to have only gotten one chip. Come on “two-legs,” share the wealth a bit more freely!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>***<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'>2. Joan’s piece:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'>This piece seems to address those moments and states when our ability to connect with both those things in our selves and in the universe, that are our compass and vision of hope and beauty, becomes compromised. Such can occur for multiple reasons. Our perceptions and awareness become “Cloudy.”<o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;text-align:justify;line-height:200%'>we are separated from: “<span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>the inner light and joy the beam beyond the dream of living.” Though this is not a good place to be, I believe that for most of us, it is temporary. This poem nicely captures the attendant feelings of this condition.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;text-align:justify;line-height:200%'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>***<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;text-align:justify;line-height:200%'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>3. Leonard’s piece:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;text-align:justify;line-height:200%'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;text-align:justify;line-height:200%'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Perhaps the poor tired bird was taking her well earned rest and all of a sudden, a large unwanted alarm clock disturbed her peaceful slumber. Maby, to her the poet is the enigma. “Why can’t this intrusive, hulking human just leave me alone?” What motivates other living creatures is very difficult to determine much of the time. As I always say to my cat: “who knows why a cat does anything?” And I can almost hear him think: “On the other hand, who knows why a human being does anything.” The poem draws a clear and vivid picture of the scene. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;text-align:justify;line-height:200%'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>***<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;text-align:justify;line-height:200%'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;text-align:justify;line-height:200%'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>4. Valerie’s piece:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;text-align:justify;line-height:200%'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>A heart-felt tribute to Annabel Jones and Paris Jackson, two female vocal artists. The single songs I have heard by both are quite different. As I don’t know the “back story” I don’t know if there is an actual life connection or if the poet writes of the connection, she feels between the music of both. Sharing similarities: “</span>one shakes her fist, weeping..<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>the other cries,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>wrapped in silent need.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Twin hearts searching for peace.” A clear illustration of how the art of music can inspire and influence the art of a poet. <o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;text-align:justify;line-height:200%'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;text-align:justify;line-height:200%'><o:p> </o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;text-align:justify;line-height:200%'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>