one trick pony

2026-05-28
I'd like to meet this person ~~~

2026-05-27
Fickle nature! We have been lucky (thus far in the year), adequate moisture. By August I suspect we'll be begging for rain.

2026-05-27
You've described Dante's ninth circle of Hell, a world of ice, the frozen lake of Cocytus, God's punishment for living a life of betrayal, though what you describe is a betrayal of opportunity.

I like everything about this poem, and I see truth in it, knowing people who lived through fear and desire for "streets of gold."

2026-05-23
Years ago, on poetbay, there was a villanelle challenge. I don't think I've seen one since. It's a pleasure to read yours.

Brings back memories of night soul woman who owned the site at that time.

And, "One Art."

Thank you.

2026-05-23
Reading this I thought of my own disillusion, at the same time I remember the inner-child.

Then I sighed.

2026-05-23
Once I understood the meaning of a sigil the poem became, again, magical for me (I think you're a magician/musician with words).

2026-05-23
I am a woods walker, but never have I found such a treasure. I enjoyed this very much.

2026-05-22
I find this enigmatic to say the least, but I like the magic it implies.

2026-05-22
I know the road, you caught the magic of it. The power of the Pacific never fails to awe me.

2026-05-22
Your poem is stark and elegant at the same time, haunting and true, a dystopian landscape.

2026-05-22
Kudos. I didn't have nerve to post the rant i wrote on ole Bethany Boo.

I'm with you, bro, all the way. This is no place of such negativity.

2026-05-21
oo la la

a baseball metaphor: your first two stanzas are like a pitcher setting up a batter (and you're the batter). First stanza, catches the corner. Strike one. The second stanza, curve ball. Strike two. Third stanza right down the middle, you whack it out of the park. Home run.

Good one.

2026-05-20
I agree, and I enjoy your way of saying it.

2026-05-16
There are enough saints already, an abundance.

2026-05-11
A lover's knot ~~~

2026-05-11
Classic format + your sense of humor = rockin' it.

2026-05-06
This is lovely, to repeat as a quiet meditation is incredibly soothing.

2026-05-04
I very much appreciate the graciousness of your poem, of recognizing and celebrating a moment.

2026-05-01
Epic, reading this poem feels like being part of, witnessing, a transformation or awakening or rebirth, and it's a very good feeling.

Listening to Stone Roses.

2026-04-26
Four perspectives, each in the moment, so good, such a perfect poem.

2026-04-25
again the subtle touch, light as feather ~

2026-04-22
you have such a gentle way with your words ~~~ the lightest touch ~~~ word perfect

2026-04-22
A pleasure to read and contemplate.

2026-04-15
These three poems are raw and powerful and troubling, but the end is strong.

AI told me what "sanyasa" means, or an AI interpretation of it. It helps me better understand the poem.

2026-04-15
A nightmare.

Powerful poetry, devastating.

2026-04-14
This hints of a complicated relationship, a darkness not usually found in your poems.

I may be mis-reading, it's an impression.

2026-04-13
Eastern thought suggests that the past is dead, the future is yet to be born, there is only now.

Yet, so often we long for the past and have hope for the future. It's the now that we too find lacking.

Which seems to be what your poem is about—finding happiness wherever it may be, in this case you mourn the loss of "then", "then" holds the potential for happiness.

If only . . .

2026-04-13
Found art is the often the best art.

2026-04-12
. . . the romance continues (though an uphill battle)!

I, too, like the Milton references, and why not—life is nothing if not two steps forward, one step back—paradise lost and regained, and . . . to be continued!

2026-04-10
I'm entranced, somehow the words became cinema, the Welsh valley, the Valley accent, the textures and odors, all the details of your aunts, the swag being carried up the mountain, it became very real to me, Allen, this child's perspective, real and unreal, memories vivid and memories confused by time.

It's very hard for me to relate to this, my own childhood so different, but there are some things which are universal when it comes to families and memories, and memories were trigged, particularly of my grandparents' homes, and their voices, and their unique characters.

It's nice to read prose on poetbay, it's a different way of telling a story, and, in this case, most apt.

Thank you for sharing.

2026-04-09
Such a simple, but profound, expression of love. Beautiful.

2026-04-07
I've enjoyed this series so much. They have innocence and the honesty of youth—poems of romance, of life.

2026-04-07
Surreal and brilliant and expressive, the inanimate has . . . a soul ~~~

I like this so, so much (bookmarked).

2026-04-06
A very interesting reflection possibilities. I take this to heart—all the what-ifs that life presents.

2026-04-06
I just poured my morning cup of sweet tea, then read your poem. Perfect timing, and a beautiful poem to begin this sunny, warm day.

2026-04-06
One of my favorite things is searching the poetbay archives, reading the poems of members who are no longer on the site. The archive of poems is a treasure.

Your poem is, as always, generous and kind and hopeful. I, too, hope her dreams are coming true.

2026-04-05
despite the aridity, this is very rich in images and suggestion.

2026-04-04
This is beautifully written, and lovely to read.

2026-04-04
When I was young I had a habit of "stepping out of myself," that is, seeing myself objectively in time and place. In that way I differed from the youth in your poem. I was aware of time and time passing, and appreciative of the limit of time.

This has given flights, glimpses, of those times and places I haven't thought of in a long time, and I'm glad to be thinking these thoughts.

Anything that takes my mind away from the horrors being committed daily by my rotting country is good.

2026-04-04
the sincerity of these, and the reality of them, take me in completely ~~~

2026-04-02
There is a lot of wisdom and innocence in your young writing.

2026-03-25
I see a painting which says love, and a poem which explains the love.

Beware the muse, she often arrives unexpectedly!

2026-03-25
This is a wow poem if ever there was one. It sings! It's a musical!
It's a history! It's Reet Petite!

2026-03-25
So much is being written these days about consciousness, what is it, can plants and animals, and even molecules and inanimate objects have consciousness?

In my mind, living within a forest all my life, I see plants and animals as a community, a whole, dependent on one another. Does a tree feel pain when it is cut, does it have consciousness? Does the community feel the loss? Very much so, I think, not in the way we do, but there is no reason to assume we, humans, are the sole proprietor of consciousness ~~~~

I appreciate this poem for what you're saying, and saying so well, and the questions you ask.

2026-03-19
This has a pleasing haiku-esque essence to it—a peaceful essence.

Which is most welcome, believe me.

2026-03-16
The poem is alive and vivid—your chagrin is palpable. Words said aloud which cannot be taken back—still ringing in your ears (at least until c.2005.

2026-03-16
This is very touching, and true, to me. A beautiful, wistful, poem.

2026-03-14
Lexington S. C. ?

A lovely portrait of your town, it sounds like you landed in a very sweet spot.

2026-03-14
these are harrowing words ~

2026-03-11
"We fall to rise again." is such a simple notion, but so helpful, especially when the world seems so self-destructive. It gives hope, and hope keeps us going.

It's true, we go through life stumbling and picking ourselves up, and, doing our best to help others pick themselves up.

Thank you for your poem.