Thanks Patris. I think that may be one of the shortest poems of mine. I just this morning "finished" my longest ever, which I started 25-30 years ago. I'm gonna stick it on substack in late December, it's a doozy. I've got an essay tomorrow about high speed carpentry.
I’ll look for it - they are compelling to me Wes. I think I told you that I’ve been forwarding them to my son-in-law and grandson - (partners in building some beautiful small structures in their backyard). P.
I love to hear that, father and son. I had that great pleasure with both my sons but not with my father, who never understood anything to do with the hands. 40 Years ago I was putting a deck on my folks house in Vienna, Virginia and Dad "helped". It was a real exercise in self restraint as he was forever clueless, but always a wonderful man.
I often do the same, just to see if others tend to write as long as I do. And I often think, if people first scroll the length of my average poem they'll probably click away, which I fully understand with no hard feelings, but dang it, I've got so much to say! even though almost every poem of mine starts out as a sonnet, which, generally, is my favorite type of poem when it comes to length.
Love this - and if we deem a poem too long for that day… it calls to mind Robert Frost's dilemma:
“Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.” 🤗
Thanks Jennifer. That Frost really doesn't get old, just better.
Me too, very wise words.
That approach works for me, Wes.
Do you do something like that too?
Yeah, I have to make judgments before I jump in. Some work requires weight-training.
That is so true. Sometimes, I'm just not capable of absorbing lengthy work.
Exactly, and there’s so much good work to read, I hate to pick and choose, and the eyes aren’t getting any younger.
This leaves me grateful for your work. Honesty and beauty, Wes.
Thanks Patris. I think that may be one of the shortest poems of mine. I just this morning "finished" my longest ever, which I started 25-30 years ago. I'm gonna stick it on substack in late December, it's a doozy. I've got an essay tomorrow about high speed carpentry.
I’ll look for it - they are compelling to me Wes. I think I told you that I’ve been forwarding them to my son-in-law and grandson - (partners in building some beautiful small structures in their backyard). P.
I love to hear that, father and son. I had that great pleasure with both my sons but not with my father, who never understood anything to do with the hands. 40 Years ago I was putting a deck on my folks house in Vienna, Virginia and Dad "helped". It was a real exercise in self restraint as he was forever clueless, but always a wonderful man.
What a gift for all of you - and the kindness you extended to your dad speaks to the fact that you are without a doubt a very good man.
I’m the one who terrifies the men in the family when I offer to stand as helper in any project…
and is it because your skills are so overwhelmingly good that they know they would become superfluous?
Hahahaaaa
bring on your well loved opus Wes
this is the time for you to shine
your words shall fill our open hearts
your carpentry transformed to art
Patris, you have put in words the feelings that I too have as I first encounter Wes today. You have such a gift for appreciation!
I admire how you experience and encourage so many of our fine writers on Substack.
That’s very kind - I’m just happy to be here and get to read them. What amazing writers they are.
I like this poem very much, I do this too. I enjoy your work, will become a paid subscriber as soon as I can
Thanks Bette. I have an essay coming tomorrow filled with "colorful" language. Hope you like it.
just took the plunge
the plunge
so brief
found
you
🌿
So, we're swimming along together, how nice.
yes
it is the first poem of yours
that I have read
it is so astonishingly good
that all I could think was:
I have found a poet!
a real one!
o my o my
Dr. Hall, these are some other poets I have found who are very much worth the time to read. I know there are others,
https://wittenberger.substack.com/
https://substack.com/@brianfunke
https://substack.com/@alangirling
https://26thavenuepoet.substack.com/
https://achristinemyers.substack.com/
Well, that is lovely to hear. If you like romancy, smoochy type stuff check these out:
https://westonpparker.substack.com/p/rose-of-all-roses. about a rose
https://westonpparker.substack.com/p/these-steps. fairly sad
https://westonpparker.substack.com/p/the-post-box. fairly silly
https://westonpparker.substack.com/p/what-a-day. silly and romantic
I often do the same, just to see if others tend to write as long as I do. And I often think, if people first scroll the length of my average poem they'll probably click away, which I fully understand with no hard feelings, but dang it, I've got so much to say! even though almost every poem of mine starts out as a sonnet, which, generally, is my favorite type of poem when it comes to length.
When I see a poem of substantial length, I read the first two dozen lines to see if the skill is there and continue if it is.