13 Comments
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Mary Holscher's avatar

I love this. Such fun and interesting phrases: "serenely biodegrade," "bee hotel" and "mumblecore." As always, I appreciate the links. And the particularity of your sense of humor!

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Alexis R Kane's avatar

Omg I adore this. Every one of my synapsis sing as I leash up Maddie and step out the door for our morning walk.

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Jim Sanders's avatar

Again I learned something new. ‘Mumblecore’. Loved this poem.

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Josh Datko's avatar

I remember you making a comment about the visible and invisible in poetry. Among the many things I think you do well, is how you sharpen, through poetry, the attention of a psyche like a special camera. I really enjoy this about your poetry.

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X. P. Callahan's avatar

Thanks so much.

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Kim Nelson's avatar

I'm mulling over these lines again and again:

"I’ve earned my peace and quiet after seventy years or so

of watching my carbon footprint."

When

do we deserve peace

and quiet?

How

do we

know?

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Janie Braverman's avatar

Oh, yes!

But I am wondering (although not seriously) ... is that my daughter's blue settee?

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X. P. Callahan's avatar

Why, yes . . . yes, it is!

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Janie Braverman's avatar

I'm so relieved that she recovered her collection of vintage cameras from the settee first! 30 or so of them, in one of my favorite photos. Which I have around here somewhere ...

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Jim Sanders's avatar

How do I understand your poetry?

WIMP versus MACHO

How can we discuss this

Without context

We cannot

You think I'm referencing

Two different type behaviors

When I'm discussing

Two different theories

Of Dark Matter

Theories

A discussion

Without experimental measurement

You say no Datta

I hear data

Which we do not have

No you meant Datta

Referencing a Hindu god

So the we dissolves

Into the me

Where I know

What I mean

The words above are not specific

To anyone like you or me

They are general

For anyone without context

How can I discuss the future

Or even the moment

When all context is speculative

I cannot

So I choose to live

In the world of spontaneity

And interpret your poetry

By what it means

To me

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X. P. Callahan's avatar

Fair enough.

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Victoria Nordgren's avatar

Why do I want to see more of the house in the photo? Why do I want to watch “Drinking Buddies” again? Why am I as troubled by the great Pacific garbage patch as I am by the fast fashion waste piles* in Africa? These questions arise from your unique vision and this distinctive poem. Thank you!

* https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/jun/05/yvette-yaa-konadu-tetteh-how-ghana-became-fast-fashions-dumping-ground

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X. P. Callahan's avatar

Wow. Amazing and horrible. Thanks for this.

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