Regel

The perceptiveness of a quadruped is amazing. They see something in the way we carry ourselves, something in the eyes that's off and they respond with contact. We either can't see it or won't acknowledge that we see it because that would force us to respond. Force us to act, possibly ask “What’s wrong?” Relationships between humans are often more complicated because of the "What's in it for me?" attitude we live by. It’s a shame we can learn from our four legged friends. Nice poem Wrenwind.

Finally a word already in my vocabulary. Exhort is a word that suggests vigorous vocal encouragement, almost fanatically. To quote a famous self promoter Mohamed Ali who would always exhort "I am the greatest!!"

I am the tool you sometimes need Though I struggle toil and breathe Embroiled in tasks that make me seethe Removing knots from a complex weave. A dull axe from years of use And still I suffer your abuse Maybe someday I'll cut loose Escape what feels like a noose Will there ever come a day When I finally could say "Keep your money I can't stay." Turn around and walk away

Wolf?! I heard she was a fox. Happy Birthday Tanny

"Wow! They got huge!" my son Chris said. "Yes that's what happens when you keep the temperature over 90 degrees give them a full spectrum light bulb and feed them all they can eat." I said with a smile and a wink. The silver dollar sized pet shop turtles I had received at Christmas had indeed grown. The now are approximately the same size as the opening of my morning coffee cup. Did I mention I like coffee? "You sure have a lot of guppies," Chris continued "...did you buy some more?" The feeder fish I had bought had been breeding rapidly. The original fifteen that I had bought had twindle down to seven and then slowly rebounded to number seventeen. "No Chris since I put the plastic plants in the tank they have better cover, plus they reproduce like crazy." We both smiled and continued to watch the aquatic antics. The turtles continue to follow us back and forth from one side of the tank to the other. The days of diving for cover when ever a person entered the room had passed. Now it seems that they anticipate a feeding any time someone enters my office and they were currently dog paddling at the surface churning up the water. Dam guppies also seem to know its feeding time and greedily rush to pick up the bits and pieces the turtles leave them. Turtles are messy eaters. The dried fish pellets I feed them are often snapped into smaller crumbs. The fish seem to be thriving living off the left overs that these two submersible tanks leave them. Prehistoric is the best way to describe them. "They aren't cute anymore." my wife commented as she entered the room. "How can you say that?" I said mockingly. "I bet their mother would disagree." "They are ugly now, before they were cute and now they are huge." she continued. "WHat are you going to do when they get too big for that aquarium?" I already knew what I wanted to do but selling the idea of a backyard pond would not be easy. " Not sure." was my response and a bald face lie. "Maybe we'll have soup one night and the answer will be served to you." The shove I got was not unexpected. I smiled and used the momentum to leave the room.

Lost in thoughts of destination After clearing away the food Coffee mixed with resignation Reticent was his mood Intense stare etched in stone Moment I'll remember Among us yet alone.

I first met my scaly friend as a guildmate in the game Archmage. He has always had a marvelous sense of humour and mirth. The schemes always showed an intelligence greater than the pea size brain a reptile with wings should have. I can't believe how young you still are Wyvern because you have always shown a maturity beyond your years. Many happy returns and may all your schemes come true! Happy Birthday !

Bob Dylan has said it best in an album he titled "Slow Train Coming." He's right, you know. Every one in this world bends their knee to a god. Even the atheist or the agnostic serves a god of some kind either intentionally or by default. http://www.lyricswatch.com/b/bob-dylan/Slo...e_Somebody.html

You may know Peredhil better than most, but it seems you see what you want to see. The following quote describes Peredhil better than I ever could. Regel lights a single candle and hands it to Mrs P. (Kerry). "That candle is for you."

The sky is burning While leaves whisper up above and birds softly sing

Many happy returns!

The afternoon sunshine was warm against my face as I step out of my van. The hospital parking lot had clipped me for a five dollar flat rate (bastards)! The cold air was still, thank god and so the walk across the large parking lot of the Royal V was pleasant. I had worried about John every day for the past week. He had taken a sharp turn for the worst just six days ago. A serious urinary infection had not responded quickly enough to the antibiotics they had given him. He had gone septic, a term that I knew was extremely serious and often deadly. The newest and most potent anti biotic was able to break the infection's grip on John's weaken body. The speech the doctor's had given his wife was to prepare her for the worst and when it didn't happen we ( a small group of his closest friends and family) breathed a sigh of relief. The tension and stress had taken it's toll on her face but when she saw my wife and I she smiled and her features softened. We spent the next six hours visiting. We were brought up to speed on all his treatments small talked and joked around while John eased in and out of the conversation that swirled around him. When his pain allowed him he chatted a bit and we saw glimpses of the gentle humour he always had. I watched a little exchange between John and his nurse. She had come into his room to draw blood soon John had everyone including the nurse smiling. Outside his room I chatted with Colleen his sister in law. "He's still John." she said with a smile. This was the last day on this particular course of antibiotics and after today they would be discontinued. I had asked if his infection was gone and they told me that the blood tests would determine that, but regardless the antibiotic stop after today. If the infection returns my friend's rally will end and so will my friend J.D. We ended the visit well after normal visiting hours and the drive home was a quiet one with very little conversation, both of us were lost in our own thoughts. After a while my wife reached over and touch my hand. "I am glad we came down to see him" she said. I smiled weakly and said "...me too."

The Pond Silent lime green pool Teeming with worlds yet unseen Fed by golden rays.

"Always wear underwear everywhere." or alternatively "Never go commando!" Here is my latin quote of the day with translation. Veni, Vidi, volo in domum redire - I came, I saw, I want to go home

I couldn't flutter by without comment.... The very warmest wishes, hope your birthday was everything you hoped it would be.

I revised the last line of the first verse. Thanks for the comments.

I believe, and still it hurts, to see you in decline. The struggle for that next breath, Alive but short on time. I believe, and so it seems, your battle is almost done. The pain now numb with morphine, the waiting game's begun. I believe, She'll miss you, There's been no where to hide. She fought as hard as you did, Always at your side. Yes I believe, We'll find a cure some day. Perhaps, but even then I never will get used to losing a good friend.

Thanks for the suggestions Parmenion. I have edited the poem accordingly.

Dams dripping directly down drains deftly divide dark depths.

Ah... to be twenty two and in love. Man can I feel this. It's been a while but I can't forget this feeling that your poem brings back. Struggling to make sense of the strange chemistry of attraction, love, infatuation, and feeling the onset of a break up. The relationship on the brink and yet emotions on both sides are so strong. I agree the work is very rough but I would continue to work on this because I believe you have something to say. I want to give you something to help you focus and clarify your feelings here. Write this piece as a third party observer and see if that helps. Good luck friend.

I stood alone Differences I did wear, Excluded but not deluded, I knew that life's not fair. Bigger than most, Why was I despised? Defiance in my manner, Moisture welling in my eyes. The outcast I was Tormentors at my heels Flight or fight my choices Thank God I had good wheels. So when I see another Isolated, feeling prone I cast to them a smile So they know they're not alone.

I really loved this poem for a variety of reasons. I loved the theme. Families coming together on the occasions of holidays or special occasions occupy the pages of photo albums everywhere. What comfort those memories bring to us. I also love the repetitive reprise What energy, What love, What joy. They each struck such a clean and clear chord in me. I liked the form as well. It has a clear beginning a definate middle, and a solid conclusion. I wonder if we appreciate that for some of these loved ones, the hug we seal the memory file with might be the only physical touch that person might have for weeks possibly months at a time. I felt such positive energy from this Yog that I needed to examine my feelings closely and give some positive energy back. Nicely done.

There are times Parmenion when you capture a moment so well that the imagery leaps off the page. I believe for me, that was one of those moments.

A pierced heart, the metaphor I see in this work. I echo Parmenion's sentiments, ouch. Can there be a day with more expectations than Valentine's? What happens when the significance of the actions of a single day are weighed measured and found wanting? I had a year in public school, I believe it was grade 4 when I received two Valentines. One was from my teacher, the other was from a girl who was almost as invisible as me. Strange how important it is to us to be acknowledged, even if it is from a single classmate.

This work screams for a reply. It demands a reply. Your right, from this you might never recover, but you will go on. Believe me, you will go on.