17 Comments
User's avatar
Kim Nelson's avatar

The embedded rhymes are SO well done.

X. P. Callahan's avatar

Thank you, Kim. This is Richard Howards's 7-10-10 syllabic tercet. I don't think he invented it, but he used it a lot.

Ann's avatar

Oh, I love this. Perfection.

X. P. Callahan's avatar

Thank you, Ann.

Tina Carlson's avatar

wow. Brilliant

X. P. Callahan's avatar

Thanks so much, Tina. I wrote the first draft 19 years ago but could not get it to work. Last week I ran across that draft in some old files and decided to take another crack at it. Hope you are well.

Mary Holscher's avatar

So cool that you found the right moment to complete it. I agree with Ann. Perfection. And completed at exactly the right time.

X. P. Callahan's avatar

Thank you, Mary. Revision is my favorite part of the writing process.

Kathleen Wedl's avatar

What a poetic tribute!

X. P. Callahan's avatar

Thanks, Kathleen.

Mary Roblyn's avatar

Beautiful, X. P. So glad you kept that draft.

X. P. Callahan's avatar

Thank you, Mary. I had given up on it.

Cathy Wickham's avatar

Doug Carey was one of the kindest, truly best people I’ve ever met. I feel so sad remembering what a great loss this still is!

X. P. Callahan's avatar

Of course. Always. And you introduced us!

Martin Garcia's avatar

Callahan! I really like this line, "a tableau floating up from memory-"!

That's some sick stuff!

Janie Braverman's avatar

Powerful work, XP.