Clara Mae Gregory

2026-09-13
Good words....which your writing preserves.....it is a blessing to all that value your words, which I do very much. Keep writing my dear friend.
And hug Carol every chance you get. 💗

2026-09-11
Not a nice new normal and no denying it. I appreciate you sharing your view of this horrific event. Scripture does seem to be fulfilling prophecy. I don't think any of us quite understand it and many don't believe any of it at all.
Concerning end times, it states:

It will get darker, still. Some might say these are interesting days we are living in and not everyone will be effected similarly during it.
Prophecy speaks of mark and seal........AND THIS:

1 Thessalonians 5:3

“For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.”

I believe in the prophecy. Understanding prophecy correctly is another matter.

I do not believe Trump is an antichrist or the AntiChrist.

I have pondered, though, whether or not he could possibly represents the head wounded like unto death and then is healed from the 7 headed beast of Revelation 🤔

Love ya, brother.

2026-09-11
Enjoy your sip of wine and may it help relieve your pain. I pray that you may be showered with many blessings that will be soothing to your soul. Keep writing.......please. 💗

2026-09-11
I pray you have safe travels and for your healing, Ann. God Bless.

2026-09-11
Ahhh, Edward Lear, The Father of nonsense. He opened wonderful doors in the 19th century poetry world and the future writers like yourself. He was the springboard to the wonderful poem I just read and thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you, Rob, I loved your clever limerick.

2026-09-11
One word: MASTERPIECE

I am remembering- and I shed many tears over that day in almost disbelief
and Shock-and-Awe

My God, my God -- What have they all done!

My eyes teared up reading this. It leaves me almost speechless as it rekindled the horror and hate and the pain of that day. Truly evil.

2026-09-11
Alan, I am humbly honored and you and Carol are my friends. I love reading about your love for her. I have no doubt, she is quite a lady. God bless you both and we shall be friends til the end. 💗🙏

2026-09-10
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2026-09-10
🙏

2026-09-10
And it's good therapy to write. Let it out. Relieve your emotional pain. I cried too, once I knew about your grandson. You are not alone and don't give up. As for my own painful experiences, I prayed and I did not give up. But the scars of emotional trauma don't completely disappear. The potential exists to heal and renew and restore those relationships within the family and others. It can be done. I'm old fashioned- where there is a WILL, there is a WAY. I didn't mention earlier, that as my dying brother's caregiver-- I made it happen, what he most needed and received-- I was able to bring David's ex-wife and David back together in his final months of life. That, in itself, was a miracle. They had achieved long over due reconciliation and closure to the wounds both still carried. She never remarried and neither did he. They still loved each other and it took his death bed to discover that realization

2026-09-10
The time WILL GO. Fast or slow. Make the most of it, Alan.
And continue doing your best and try not to fret. And most if all, dear one, Please, please, please keep on writing and sharing. .

2026-09-10
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2026-09-09
For those that may not know:

An Epulaeryu is a seven-line poetic form entirely dedicated to food, featuring a strict 33-syllable count distributed in a 7/5/7/5/5/3/1 structure.

(http://www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/wip/epulaeryu.html)

Structure and Rules:

Lines and Syllables:
Line 1: 7 syllables
Line 2: 5 syllables
Line 3: 7 syllables
Line 4: 5 syllables
Line 5: 5 syllables
Line 6: 3 syllables
Line 7: 1 syllable
ending with an exclamation mark (!)
Theme: Every line focuses on a specific dish, main course, or culinary treat. Ending: The final one-syllable word captures the writer's excitement and sums up their feelings about the food.

(https://www.poetrysoup.com/dictionary/epulaeryu)

The form was invented by Joseph S. Spence, Sr. while studying poetry and culture at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The name combines the Latin word epulae (meaning feast) with the Asian term ryu (meaning style or form).

Personally, I have never written one and this wonderful poem challenges me to do just that!

2026-09-09
Can I say "yum!"? Those metaphors are delicious!
Can I have more?

You are a wonderful word crafter--
Your poems fill my heart often
With fantasy, joy and laughter

Something you deserve a "Thank You" for.


Thank You
°🙃°🐞°🙂°

2026-09-09
Alan, this poetry is beautiful and super special....I am praying for you and your wife to receive special blessings as you fulfill your days together. What you two must navigate is very challenging....but I believe true love conquers all. A special time is due for celebrating the both of you and your life together. I hope someone close in your family can make that happen. At the very least, you can read and see your best memories-- even if you have forgotten the man that made them, you can still feel the joy of that life. Love and hugs and lots of prayers sent up and your way.🙏💗🙏

2026-09-09
This is how my spouse looked when we first married. I am older than him- I married a younger man. They say women outlive men...maybe it will balance things a bit. I seem to have aged a bit better than him. Now he looks a little older than me. He looks completely different sporting an aged face with long hair and beard.

2026-09-09
No need for a formal critique-

This poem speaks.
And I love it!

Very nice, Sona--
The last line fits so superbly well and is a perfect closure.

2026-09-08
Just keep writing, Alan. It is very beneficial for you and your brain. So is music and hugs. It will help remind you of who you are and your name. I pray for a cure so your thoughts are regained. I do not like it that you may feel lost in your own mind. I pray you will always be loved and people are kind.
💗

2026-09-08
This is so beautifully expressed. It is appealing to the romantic side of humans. I am just amazed by your creativity and mastery with words.
I think I am dazed and speechless.
You really are gifted. I love this. Truly.

2026-09-07
Good one.

And yes....the element of suspense building up captured my attention.
ALL WORTH it....the last line....classic.
It made me laugh. I like your humorous approach in the expression of our own vanities that a soul can become riddled with from time to time.
When I look at trees, I see mankind.

Thank you for brightening my day with that little dose of laughter.

Good medicine.

2026-09-07
This is beautiful and brilliant-- I love every line. I personally think it is better than Baudelaire's. Yours dazzled my senses much much more. This should be a featured poem on Poetbay's main page. The word choice and structure is perfect and smooth...a real pleasure to read. THANK YOU.

2026-09-07
The reason the west was notoriously wild, was because of a lawless economy during a booming Gold Rush during that era... I enjoyed reading, Alan, especially that last stanza, which in my opinion, is the strongest and I liked the word play with incorporating the word "goat" with the famous gunslinger known as Billy the Kid. Clever with a moral message: crime doesn't pay.....just ask Billy.

2026-09-07
Enjoyed! As I read, I thought, these rhyming couplets would make good lyrics for a guitar song. I could hear the tune in my head. Thanks!

2026-09-06
Wow. This is well described. It evokes memories too, for I went to that same California beach when I was about 4-5 years old. It is relatable to me, all the same, because Atlantic Beach and Surf City, Carolina Beach, Myrtle and many beaches going down the East Coast and especially in Florida-- are like the one des ribed in the poem. The feeling it gives me, is the chill is symbolic for the isolation one potentially can feel emotionally, especially lost in a sea of strangers.I guess I'm selfish to say I prefer places with few or no people- imagine yourself going there minus the people! Hope this gives a chuckle ( my eyesight is poor now)- The line with the word "throng"-
When I first read, I thought it said "thong"....fortunately my vision corrected and I was able to reread that line correctly....for a second there, you had me trying to visualize you wearing a thong! Imagine that!.

I really enjoyed this one.

2026-09-05
Wow.🤔

2026-09-05
Beautifully expressed. I sighed, too. And you, sir, are a true poet, as your penned words have surely proven.

2026-09-05
Also, I want to share in other languages...well, how can one do that using rules of haiku [5/7/5] and tanka[5/7/5/7/7] syllables? I never thought about that before. When using translators the poem gets distorted and often loses intended meaning, especially symbolism and metaphor! Quite a challenge.

2026-09-05
I know it is not "traditional". A traditional tanka's last 2 lines should reflect a personal note at the turn. Maybe that one will be version 3 soon to come.

2026-09-04
This poem is EXCELLENT, like on genius level. Strange as it may be, it first evoked my memory of what a fugue is and my favorite thing to sing when I was young- "Row, Row Your Boat" in fugue style, at least three voices. You cleverly fuse water and fugue metaphors and the passage of days from dullness layering into an anxious counterpoint and a swirling centrifuge. It is a unique and creative description of the mounting tension hidden beneath a monotonous weekly routine.
It is a reflection of your recent reality in your country. Beneath the surface rhythm, an anxious counterpoint hints at a brewing chaos ready to shatter the routine at any moment....and it did.

2026-09-04
Ingvar, greetings! There is so much to digest here, you leave me speechless! The visions it evokes is intense.....at the very least...wow

2026-09-04
That is good news, Alan.Hopefully you can get up and do a little strolling. AND POETRY is good medicine for the mind---
Always has been!

2026-09-04
Good Luck, Ken!

2026-09-04
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2026-09-01
These activists need brain transplant. Duh.....having a G20 in Asheville was a huge and much needed boost of an economic stimulus.....these peeps are really stupid. They truly are.

2026-09-01
Hello Alan. First, apologies for this is also long and in defense of you, the
poem and topic. It is a great poem, but unpleasant for some and for those lacking full comprehension.
2nd- you do not need talking down to as if you are a little child and you also have every right to express those beliefs.

So, I'll begin where others dare not meddle:

There are those that have different opinions, different religions and different political affiliations or persuasions. There are those that bark up the wrong tree and wrongly accuse others of things that they, themselves, are wrong about to start with. And which is "right" or....which of the many circulating political and religious opinions may be factually correct? There are many "truths" but they are not all "truths" we all share because it depends on the view from where one is standing. It is my humble opinion that many need to remove their own "blinkers" obscuring their vision for the real truth. I agree with Alan and his right to express it--that it is an INAPPROPRIATE gesture of the legislation to provide this selected group with condoms....will they drum up something more like providing free abortions...and up to the moment of birth, as well?

The plight of refugee asylum seekers and immigrants is legitimate. Throughout history, it has always been the case. It still is but those entrusted have dropped the ball, so to speak, because there is extreme corruption and abuses. You are frigging blind if you deny it.

I also think it is a hypocritical, double standard for one to insert comments like this as part of a "critique" directed personally to an individual :

Re::
"I want to gently point out that the lines linking free condoms for asylum seekers and immigrants to a "green light" for raping children repeat a harmful and deeply racist stereotype. It's the same type of shit Donald Trump has been using to amass his army of White Supremacists in the US."
👆
This is an outrageous lie spawned by sucking up too much propaganda.

And this- By making a comparison of Alan and his poems to these creatures is disgusting and insulting and frankly, a bit over the top, no matter how many " gentle words" were used.

Re:
"Also, this idea has been used historically, by the likes of Hitler, Mussolini, etc. to vilify marginalized groups and to justify violence against them. It shifts blame away from actual perpetrators and places suspicion on entire communities based on their migration status. Black and Brown...."

We are not shifting blame, instead we are fixing the created problem. What really needs fixing is the true hotbeds of racism, prejudice and misogyny and radical murder-based religions. It is not the US.

Insulting, condescending responses like this comment contained, is no better than what the criticisms of the poem that was expressed. We are well aware of the ideology and psychology rooted in this argument, but it does not apply to the realities of today's current status.

The tension is a live wire of concepts-- open borders, nations, human rights, globalism....health and freedom, providing humanitarian aid-- in a sea of preventing the failures, corruption and abuse of asylum and immigration seeking systems within in a globalism lens that has occurred, is occuring and will continue to occur--
Too much time wasted with propaganda influenced bullshit the leaders in charge today call a central debate in modern policy.

There are other solutions- like fixing the problem in the countries that created asylum seekers in the first place.....and this is no isolated, random little thing.....the raping in our countries....

Think and believe whatever you want but these problems have consequences and the raping is greater than you may want to believe. America is cleaning it up....at least as it is effecting our country.

It is wrong to "vilify" the United States of America's president by promoting and spreading the propaganda and hate fueled lies that the above opinion expressed-- which simply is far far far from the realities and truth....just as the kid slang expression "67" is not a white supremist influenced vernacular known as "ebonics". Facts.

AND regarding rape, I guess there are many that see only what they want to see and everything else is "fake" and just newspaper loopers and fodder (I am speaking with sarcasm).

I support our government and our goals and very happy to report our progress, which is quite a contrast to supplying condoms....what a misguided joke. Really, if the brilliant goverments can supply condoms for just a man, then they should supply them for all men.

American Law Enforcement UPdates:

A 2-month-old baby was among 163 missing children recovered during a massive five-day operation that stretched across Florida, throughout the United States and into countries around the world.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the results of “Operation Statewide Shield,” calling it the largest child recovery operation of its kind in state history.

The children ranged in age from just 2 months to 17 years old. Authorities said many had experienced abuse, neglect, exploitation or exposure to criminal activity, including human trafficking.

“Many of these kids have been victimized by those who prey on the most vulnerable,” Uthmeier said. “These children are now safe and receiving the care they deserve.”

The operation was unlike a traditional missing-person investigation in which authorities waited for leads to come in. Teams used real-time intelligence and field operations to proactively identify, track down and recover vulnerable children.

The effort was centered in seven regions of Florida, but the search extended beyond the state.

Authorities located children across the United States and its territories, including Alabama, California, Ohio, New York, North Carolina, Puerto Rico and Tennessee. The operation also reached into Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Dominica, Finland, Ghana, Guatemala, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Spain and Taiwan.

Multiple people were arrested during the operation.

Among them was a defendant wanted on three counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor who also had a warrant for interference with child custody. Another person was arrested for lewd and lascivious battery involving a victim between 12 and 16 years old, while another was arrested in connection with a child custody case and for allegedly resisting officers.

Authorities say additional arrests are expected, and multiple investigations remain underway.

Once children were recovered, local law enforcement transported them to designated recovery hubs, where they could receive medical care and assistance from social workers, child welfare professionals, victim advocates and other specialists.

So, Alan, please don't get upset and know justice is happening- stay above the lies being peddled. Stay positive and keep on writing dear one !

2026-09-01
I agree with the other two. I can't add anything without being redundant.
But I will say I love the way you express this. I guess I could add, that with your poems, I feel the heart behind them and they evoke my emotions in response. You are a good writer and I always look forward to reading you.

2026-08-30
Scary to me, too.....I have days like that.....It's mild right now-- I forget stuff...Just little stuff- It's weird because I know I have forgotten but can't remember what that was! After some concentrating, it comes back to me.
💗🙏💔🌻💞

2026-08-30
Du är en av de mest unika mästarna på beskrivning! Gud ske lov för de där chokladbollarna och jag hoppas att du mår mycket bättre nu! Blodsocker är en allvarlig sak. Det är sannerligen inte en trevlig upplevelse att drabbas av och du hade potentiellt kunna falla i koma och värre därtill. Gud ske lov för Anna – ängeln som fanns på plats för att hitta och ge dig de där chokladbollarna! Du är en lycklig man.

2026-08-29
Hello, Chris. Well, this is certainly a sort of borrowed minimalistic and repurposed descriptive phrase that you have transformed into a very conceptual poem snipped from David Bowie's music. It's clever and pure whit for sure. It reminds me of how Picasso once transformed the bicycle seat and handlebars into "art" titled "Bullshead" or Duchamp turning a urinal into "art" and calling it "Fountain" by R. Mutt. This is great.

>(THE BUGGALOWS...) not sure about what it means, perhaps where Bowie gave this performance?

>LET's D A N C E

> ...PUT ON YOUR RED SHOES

>...AND DANCE THE BLUES

are the original iconic lyrics to David Bowie’s 1983 global hit song "Let's Dance".

Seen through a literary lens —the hidden meanings of the text were originally explained in interviews and music magazines.
In one interview, Bowie’s co-producer, Nile Rodgers, explained: "Put on your red shoes"...was a metaphor for the human condition. It refers to the "conceptual dance" of life—the act of masking true emotions.
"...and dance the blues" is a powerful line of contrast. The "red shoes" are energetic and vibrant- they act like a magic disguise projecting a brave, happy face for the world. To "dance the blues" means to take all the sadness, despair, or melancholy and de-stress and move through it. It's about pretending to be happy when you are secretly sad.

We can easily pin this poem on the world today....

Or a one on one lover.

The structure and presentation let's the verses sink in.
I like it.

2026-08-29
You are a gem. The first sentence I read caused me to laugh out loud. I love your sense of humor. I love the rhyming and the rhythm of your work. The content is universal and easily digested. You are a beautiful human and you connect. The essence of you is still there and you still know your name. We, at Poetbay love you. Hope you have a lovely and splendid day!

2026-08-27
Dear Sameen, don't focus on peeps like that- they do not make up the whole of the world. I speak from experience. I lost a home in one and know the fear of fleeing it, water up ti Robbie's waist on our street transformed into a river. Our daughter lives in the mountains and was there when Helene hit. They didn't lose their home but were trapped and supplies had to be brought in by helicopter. And we had no communication for several days and had no way to know their fate for many days. There is the event and the aftermath. In both events, we lost several friends. Both good and bad people show up. The rest just sit on a fence oblivious. I care very much. Message me privately if you are needing assistance.

2026-08-25
I brought this back out of the woodpile. This person and I were dating during a time of separation (with intent to divorce) from my husband. He took me out dancing, gave me flowers and we had several dates. What factored in negatively eventually was he was one of the last Goldsboro hippyfied holdouts still pushing their "Heartmath" that I rejected and still rejected. On the last of our many dates, we started kissing and in just a few minutes, he told me he needed to lie down and pulled out his heartmath monitoring gadget to practice the techniques to calm himself down. And that was our last date and inspiration for this poem.

2026-08-25
Thank you for a very fine, thought provoking poem. I think it was overdue. Sameen, your words feel like they were just plucked from my mind and at the same time you have publicly answered the questions I privately asked you. It works for me. This is part of our new reality and I believe you clearly expressed it. Furthermore, by doing so, it is not in vain, you are right and I will do better, for my part, as I hope others that need to, will too.
Again, thank you. I view this not just a poem but a gift. 💞

2026-08-23
Beautiful. Babies and children always brings a smile to my face.
God Bless You, Alan. Enjoyed this one very much.

2026-08-13
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2026-08-13
I like your expressive poem very much. There is one part though, that reads awkwardly in my perception perhaps because scientifically speaking, it is not accurate. There can be no shadows where there is no light is strong and true and I feel it can stand alone and doesn't need the additional and scientifically distorted detail of the next line. Darkness is simply the absence of light, not matter. Complete vacuums devoid of matter still allow light to pass through, but if no light source is present, total darkness exists even where there are no particles or matter.True darkness happens only when light is missing, regardless of how much matter is nearby. I hope you find this one small criticism as a positive consideration. Perhaps I am too analytical! I can't think of a suggestion except that maybe you could rework that line about the relationship of darkness and matter? Still, it was a very pleasant read for me. Thank you for sharing it.

2026-08-13
Yet, there is still your candle burning inside you, lighting the way. Hope you have a bright, love light day today, Alan. Blessings

2026-08-13
Good morning! I love this!-- especially that last line!
The rhyme and flow is excellent. You've taken a mundane breakfast topic and elevated it into a pleasant thought provoking piece.
For the record, I don't eat much cereal but when I do, I have 3 favorites in choices: Raisen Bran, Crispex and Frosted Flakes. I also like real oatmeal with real fruit added. Have a great day!

2026-08-11
I have revised this to death. The flow still has some weak spots.
My husband just scoffs and says it is too "Slyvia Plath-ish". Perhaps he's right. I really need to polish my writing skills with practice. This poem is a rough and raw draft, open for suggestions.

2026-08-09
What can I say? The scars of life... transform into masks we all learn how to wear, whether we like the fit or not-- to protect the softer side of who we really are from the outer darker forces seeking to harm us.
This is very creative expression and I personally love every line of it equally. The development of that emotional shell protects ourselves from our own gullible, naive vulnerabilities created from the pain of those outside forces. The use of nature images like oaks/bone is as appealing as it is effective in painting the imagery of a tough, defensive boundary built to keep the inner self safe and a reminder of the wounds we have recovered from. The scars.

I love each line's uniqueness:

🖤 The Broken Cadence: A scarring spot where the body or mind was hurt, leaving a white, hardened mark.

🖤 The Armor of Oaks: Tough, tree-like stiffness that hides a gentle or raw core beneath a creaky, wooden defense.

🖤 The Forge of Light: illuminates the reality as it slowly shaped this hard shell over time.

🖤The Soft Beast: The true, tender feelings, the inner self kept locked away and safe from harm.

Cleverly expressed themes are clear-

●Protection: the boundary that stops undesired pain of touch.
●Survival: presents the hard exterior that separates a fragile inside from a harsh world.
●Resonates: As unpleasant as it is, this defense is a normal part of life that many people have experienced.

In psychology it is commonly referred to as a "protection mechanism".

Again, another universal hit poem on this one--we all can relate to it.