Happy

what makes this so good is everything you haven't mentioned. I hope that makes sense.

Hi seashore,

memories are such wonderful things, especially as
you get older. Moments that only we can no and hold
onto.

Thankyou for sharing yours.

Congratulations on the cherries.

Jenny.

Thank you insert - yes that makes total sense and your feedback is appreciated as always.

Jenny - thank you so much also for reading and commenting.

Thanks eds for cherry!

Agree with Insert Seashore, very cleverly done because you don't need to know the ins and outs because in the end the moment you have described so beautifully is why it all makes sense - very well done. :-)

This is our Facebook and Twitter pick of the day.

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Get a great reading recommendation most days.

Agree with all the above, quality poem.

Lovely- so good to be happy
;)Pia

Thank you fatboy, shoe, Pia for your generous comments - very much appreciated.

Special thanks to Tony for choosing this as `pick of the day'. I haven't been around since this morning and only just picked up my emails so this is a really pleasant and unexpected surprise.

new seashore
Well done on the choice
of great poem,chosen for the pick
of the week.By t.cook editor.
Enjoyed all of this super.
Happy new year 2011.
julie xx

Thank you Julie. Much appreciated, and same to you.

It is wonderful happy :) K

Yes K, we don't always realise at the time do we?

I think I always do :) tho iim an uncurable optimist anyway x

I so agree with insert on this one, Coral. Skilfull writing, as ever.

Much enjoyed and more than well done on the cherry.

Tina

Thanks for that, Tina. Glad you enjoyed it. Cx

Nicely done and well done!

Thank you so much, celticman.

Excellent work, seashore. Congratulations on being pick of the day. Truly deserving.

Thank you very much, Luigi.

excellent... well done

Thanks for that, PipMic.

I consider myself to be a bit of a poetry snob. I like what I like and pretty much hate everything else. I like Frost and Berryman (some, not all), and ee cummings, and Theodore Rothke and Robert Hayden (an obscure American poet no one ever reads anymore and I like you. This is a truly wonderful poem! The delivery is thoroughly original and hits you like a fist in the gut. Very beautiful bit of writing! You certainly deserved all the complimentary responses.

Barryj1 - I have just looked at your profile (I like to do that) and am humbled but encouraged by your comments.

I'm a bit `hit and miss' I think with my writing but sometimes poems almost write themselves and this was one of those. It is so hard to judge one's own work and I hadn't really written anything much for a long time so I really appreciate the feedback.

I'm glad it hit you `like a fist in the gut' as I really `felt' this poem. Robert Hayden rings a faint bell - I will investigate further. Thank you.

Thank you for taking the trouble to write some more about my poem - I'm finding it hard to believe what I am reading.....

As suggested, I have Googled Robert Hayden's `Those Winter Sundays' and have actually found a clip of him reading it himself. I agree - it is very special and I will investigate further as there are many websites relevant to his work and this poem in particular. I am grateful for the introduction but it also made me think that one of the reasons it is so good is BECAUSE of his background.

As for your edit - I am quite simply in shock!! I have never thought of myself as a writer (I studied fine art as a mature student) - I am just someone who writes on and off, mainly for therapy, but since joining ABC I am taking it more "seriously". I've always been a voracious reader though so do know a bit about Flaubert and Chekhov. There, now I'm speechless again.

Thank you once more for your interest. It means a great deal to me.

I don't think there's anything else to say. I agree with everyone!

Two Things: The most important thing first. Go to Google and search the internet for Robert Hayden. Find his poem "Those Winter Sundays". It's one of the most magnificent poems you will ever read and could serve as a role model for any poet trying to write the perfect piece. Hayden, by the way, was a black man born in extreme poverty and subject to physical and emotional abuse. So how does he write a poem this splendid???

Secondly, your poem is even better than I originally thought. I read it out loud to my wife while she was getting supper ready last night, and she agreed that it was absolutely precious. No reason to second guess this artistic gem.

One more thing... I had to come back and edit this post because I forgot something rather important. After I read your wonderful poem I thought about it. Alot!!! The next day I got up to go to work and on the drive down route 95 in Providence, Rhode Island, I thought about it some more. The last time I was affected like that was when I read a story by Chekhov or one of Flaubert's magnificent creations.

barryj1 - the comments seem to be out of order My reply to this is two posts up.....not sure how that's happened but didn't want you to think I hadn't responded.

Thanks also to Geoff for commenting.

This poem is GRRRREEEEAT! Richard LP

Wow, thanks so much Richard LP - really appreciate it. Still can't believe the feedback on this one!

this spoke to my own memories of happiness. bitter sweet. really enjoyed reading it even though it made me feel sad...

Thank you so much for commenting, Mr Moon, and relating to my poem. Sorry it made you sad but glad you enjoyed it nevertheless.

I like the way you resist the overly sentimental in this poem. It feels clean and concise.

Thank you very much Nicola6!