Colleen’s #Tanka Tuesday challenge this week was to write a syllabic poem based on a #PhotoPrompt provided by Trent McDonald, or a #SynonymsOnly prompt provided by David Ellis, using synonyms of the words “make” and “move.”
I decided to do both in a double nonet. My synonyms are “mirrors” and “turned.”
A Beholder’s Eye
a beholder’s eye mirrors the mind
blind to the bafflement of lies
where seeing’s not believing
a world turned upside down
in clever madness
leading white swans
to slaughter
plucked of
heart
yet
wisdom
shall surface
for truth is love
unfurled on bright wings
beyond proud illusions
swans glide on tranquil waters
holding unguarded the others’
beloved reflections face to face
Myths of the Mirror 
Mesmerising and beautiful! And I love the poem’s form from an artistic point of view too! 😀
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Thanks! I like playing with reflections and perspectives and reality. This poetic challenge offered the perfect opportunity! And thanks for reading through all these posts! You’re amazing! ❤ ❤
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This is poem goes so well with the name of your blog. It’s the perfect time for me to read it, too! Hoping the mirror gets wiped clear from the last 4 years. Hooray for today. What an elegant poem.
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Hooray for today is right, Ka. I started crying at the announcement, overwhelmed with relief. It was such a weight of stress and sorrow and worry that lifted from my shoulders. Here’s to a kinder gentler world. Have a lovely weekend. ❤
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goodness this is artful on so many levels! would love if you’d guest at my site 🙂
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Thank you so much for the kind and generous offer. That’s sweet of you. I would love to guest at your site, but have a little bit of catching up to do… on just about everything in my life. Lol. Let me think about a topic, and please feel free to remind me! ❤ ❤ Have a lovely weekend and stay safe 🙂
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Beautiful poem indeed 💟
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Thank you. I try. I love playing with perspectives and reflections. And challenges are always fun. Have a lovely day!
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Really lovely poetry, Diana!
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Thanks so much, Jennie. I’m taking a break from writing for a couple of months, so I hope to do more of these challenges. Have a lovely week and stay safe. ❤
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Enjoy your break, Diana. Please blog once in a while. ❤️
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Just a writing break. 😀 I’ll be blogging until the holidays.
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Yahoo!! 😀
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A double nonet?! That sounds like a math equation to me, and my brain goes to mush. But then when I read your poem, your double nonet, my brain relaxed and smiled. Yes, absolutely beautiful filled with the mirror images of hope and love.
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Thanks, Pam. The hopeful half was a lot harder to write than the dark half… must be a reflection of my mood lately. But I needed to end on a positive note. 🙂 And as always, your comments make me smile. Happy Friday, my friend. Cross your fingers for a more hopeful future on Tuesday! ❤
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Congratulations on being chosen “Poet of the Week,” Diana! I can see why. Wow! What a gorgeous double Nonet. It’s meaningful and there’s so much hope in the words of the second half. Love it! ❤ xo
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Thanks so much for the kind comment, Vashti. It was totally unexpected, but a great boost during these dark times. I had to put some hope in there. 🙂 Have a wonderful day and weekend ahead. ❤
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Beautiful. And I love how you’ve shaped this. Brilliant.
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Thanks for stopping by, Betsy. My muse is being difficult these days, but I’m plugging away at it. I’m glad you enjoyed this. I’m letting my hope out. Have an awesome day! 🙂
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Just beautiful, Diana! “For truth is love unfurled on bright wings…” Wow!!
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Thank you, Jan. I’m so glad you enjoyed this. It’s interesting to see which lines resonated with different bloggers. That’s my favorite sequence too. Have a lovely day, my friend. ❤
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How beautifully expressed, Diana. Swans are regal birds, and this delicate cascade of lines resembled an unfolding of their wings.
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Awww. Thank you. Once I turned the image upside down and backwards, the poem came a lot easier. Lol. The form seemed to work visually for the reflection too. Thanks for the visit and have a beautiful, safe day. ❤
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I love the mirror image of the poem! Swans are majestic creatures, but not to be messed with. They will tranquilly fly, skimming the surface taking their reflection with them at head height while you’re canoeing.
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Thanks for the beautiful comment. I turned the image upside down to mess a little with the reflections, so of how life feels these days. But I hope there will be a time soon when we see our own humanity reflected in the faces of others. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day.
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The first part was so disturbing (white swans to slaughter!), but you turned it around beautifully. Very artfully done, my friend.
(Says she who would’ve just gone further down the gory dark track after slaughtering swans).
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Lol. I almost left it with the slaughtered swans, Jess. But I’m already feeling so anxious, I just couldn’t. If things don’t go well next Tuesday, any poetry I write is going to be very bleak … lots of murdered and dead things. Lol.
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No, you would never do something so bleak. You can’t! You’re my “up” 🥺
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What a lovely poem! And a lovely thought, that we might stop the bickering and begin treating each other with basic civility! We can only hope…..
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Thank you, Ann. The first half is rather dark, but I couldn’t leave it there. I have hope that soon we’ll be able to look into the faces of others and see our own reflections. I’m so glad you enjoyed this. 🙂 Have a lovely week. ❤
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Beautiful, Diana!
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Thanks, Teri. My muse has run off, so I’m having to post without her. This will get easier in a week. (I hope). Have a great week and take care. 😀
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Beautiful writing, Diana. So fitting for the times:
“…blind to the bafflement of lies
where seeing’s not believing
a world turned upside down…”
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Thanks for stopping by, Mary. It’s interesting to see what parts of this resonates with different bloggers. I’m feeling baffled a lot these days – I’m living in bizarro world. I hope you’re doing well and taking good care of yourself. Have a wonderful week. ❤
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Thank you. I’m doing the best I can too. Bizarro world is a great description.
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The swans really confused me. I had to turn it 180 to see why they seemed so off! Wonderful picture.
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Ha. They were supposed to confuse and disorient, Jacqui. That’s how I feel every day. Lol. Thanks so much for the visit. Have a lovely week, my friend. 😀
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I have had too many mistakes today and it’s only 9am! I know what you mean.
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I hope the rest of the day is smooth riding.
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Beautiful. Thank you for sharing!
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Thank you so much for visiting, Cynthia. I’m so honored. And glad you enjoyed the poem. Have a lovely week and Happy Writing. Stay safe. ❤
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Diana, you truly rose to the challenge. This is exquisite. I could never do something like this. Hugs on the wing.
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Awww. Thanks, Teagan. I feel a little like the upside down backward image lately! So disoriented by all that’s happening, but also hopeful. Have a lovely week, my friend. ❤
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Beautiful, evocative words and lovely form, Diana. Have a wonderful week ahead. 💗
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Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Lauren. It was a fun challenge, and I’m glad you enjoyed the poem. A bit of hope in these dark times. Have a lovely week. ❤
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Fabulous Diana and definitely a reflection of our current times.. love the flow..♥
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Thanks, Sally. There certainly is a feeling of disorientation hanging over many of us. But I’d wanted to end with hope. I do believe that truth and love will eventually prevail. Crossing my fingers. ❤ ❤
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I like to think so too Diana. I think there are many crossed fingers at the moment…♥♥
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[…] D. Wallace Peach […]
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Thanks so much, Colleen. I’m honored!
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Beautiful flow, Diana. Love it.
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Thank you, Denise. My muse has been AWOL for a few weeks, but I like these challenges. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Have a beautiful autumn day, my friend. 🙂
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Diana, this is breathtaking. You rock.
Sending love
Gabriela
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You are way too kind, Gabriela. I’m an insecure dabbler in poetry. But I put it out there anyway because its fun. Ha ha. Thank you for stopping by and have a glorious week. ❤
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It’s being Diana 🌹
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Beautifully evoked Diana. I loved the hope in this part – “wisdom shall surface for truth is love” ❤
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Thanks, Debby. After I wrote the first half, I wanted to throw up. So I had to add the second half. That’s my favorite part too, and it’s something I believe. Have a peaceful week full of love. ❤
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LOL I love your honesty! Here’s to a big blue tsuanami my friend! ❤
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OMG. I hope so. It’s going to be a long week.
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Yes, and the world awaits with bated breath along with you. ❤
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What very creative writing. I love it. Here’s to hope and clarity in this world that seems to have been turned upside down. 🙏💙
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Thank you so much for the kind comment, Miriam. I thought of leaving only the first half, but it was so bleak! I like a little hope too. Have a wonderfully hopeful and tranquil week. ❤
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Very well done, the twisted, dark illusion mirrored by the light reality. It has been fun seeing my photo on all of the poems, but I did a double take when I saw yours (pun only partially intended), those swans floating in the sky… To borrow an analogy, I hope we get out of this twisted looking glass land and return to a wiser reality soon!
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It is disorienting upside down, isn’t it? Sorry to do that to your beautiful photo. I just think reflections and mirrored images and perception is so interesting. Yes, I can’t wait to get out of this strange world into something that makes sense. 🙂
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I think it was great that you did that with the photo – it was disorienting, but it perfectly fit the poem.
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🙂
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Beautifully written, Diana. So well done. 🙂
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Thank you, Steven. I appreciate the visit and kind comment. My muse has been out registering voters, so I had to do this one without help. Lol. Have a serene week and Happy Writing. ❤
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And to you, Diana. 🙂
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So clever, Diana. Mirrored image, mirrored words.
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Thank you, J.D. I love how everyone is so insightful and seeing things I didn’t– one of the themes of the poem! I hope you’re gliding through fall on serene waters. Have a wonderful week, my friend. ❤
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So clever and beautiful! I love it ❤️
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Thanks, Tessa. My brain is feeling a little tired, but I’m glad you liked the attempt. Have a great week and Happy Reading. 😀
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Diana, beautiful clever work. How mesmerising.
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Thank you, Lenora. I’m so glad you enjoyed this one. My muse is out protesting somewhere, so I had to do this one without her help. Lol. Have a wonderful week, my friend. ❤
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For a situation involving a protesting muse, I think you did wonderfully Diana! She ought to rush back quickly because she doesn’t seem to be needed, haha! I hope you have a wonderful week too ❤
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Lol. Thanks, my friend. ❤
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This form works perfectly for the transition from deceit to hope. (K)
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Thank you, Kerfe. I had a hard time picking a form, and then there are always a few lines that just don’t work and get revised 80 times. Lol. I’m glad this one worked. Have a lovely week, my talented friend. ❤
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Thanks Diana. I’m always revising up until I press publish myself.
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You make it look effortless.
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Thanks, that’s good to hear!
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Trent’s photo was mesmerizing. I’m glad it charmed your muse. The beholder’s eye could be deceiving and dangerous. Yet there’s hope for the wisdom to surface. Beautiful double nonet, Diana!
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Thank you, my friend. You understood where I was trying to go, perfectly. I hope you’re having a wonderful sunny Sunday. ❤ ❤
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My husband had a first fire in the fireplace last night. I might do a little gardening today before it rains! It’s windy and hazy here. Have a peaceful Sunday. ❤ ❤
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Beautiful, Diana. Trent’s photo is mesmerizing. Your double nonet depicted the double sided nature of the swan, both aggressive and romantic! Lovely!
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Oooh. I hadn’t even thought of that, Miriam. Yes, swans are a bit deceptive, aren’t they? My mom found that out the hard way when she tried to hug one. Oops. Thanks so much for stopping by to read, my friend. ❤
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Someone has a lake behind her house and frequently sees swans and observes their behaviors. I didn’t know until she told me. ❤
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Very very beautiful indeed…❤
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Thank you so much for the kind comment. I’m always shy about writing poetry (except for silly limericks – lol). I’m honored that you enjoyed this one. Happy Writing. 🙂
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You’re very welcome indeed ❤❤
Keep up the poetry writing!!!
Thank you for your kind words😊
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‘Truth is love’ indeed. And her symbols are manifest. Lovely post, Diana.
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That’s the crux, Steve. My favorite line and so simple. Thanks for the visit and comment! Have a lovely week. ❤
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Is ‘beholder’s eye’ needed these days? The first thought that hit me! Let’s hope the wisdom shows itself this time. Good one Diana.
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Thanks for stopping by, Balroop. I think the beholder’s eye is incredibly powerful. People often see something and have completely opposite perceptions. I hope that one day we’ll look into one another’s faces and see a reflection of our own humanity. ❤
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I agree about the power of a beholder’s eye but who cares about another’s perspective? With leaders bulldozing their own ways and philosophies, definitions are getting blurred.
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I care when I feel my loved ones and other people are being put in danger. I can’t wait until we can all just take a collective breath. ❤ Aaaahhh.
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Wonderfully and beautifully expressed Diana! I read this while looking out at our lake and the white egret was visitng so I had the reflection staring back at me. so many emotions and words strung so well. ❤️👏👏👏👏👏❤️ Cindy
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Thank you for reading, Cindy. What a view from your window! I don’t think I’d be able to get anything else done all day. Lol. Have a lovely Sunday and week ahead. ❤
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You are welcome as it is always my pleasure. I know it’s what happens. I gotta get moving… lol. big hugs. thanks always! ❤️
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So clever well done Diana. 🙂
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Thank you for the visit and comment, Marje. I’m glad you enjoyed this one. My muse has abandoned me lately, lol, so this was a bit of a struggle. Have a lovely week, my friend. 😀
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This is a brilliant poem, Diana. Beautifully done.
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Thanks, Robbie. I’ll admit to struggling with it right up until I hit publish. Lol. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. You put a smile on my face. ❤
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Fantastic tanka, Diana and I loved your picture it was awesome and so apt with your poem. Too good.
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Thanks, Kamal. The poem is actually a double nonet and the beautiful autumn photo belongs to Trent McDonald. Lol. I’m so glad you stopped by and enjoyed the poem. Have a wonderful day. 🙂
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Yes and you did a fantastic work with this double nonet. Beautiful autumn as always. You are always welcome Diana. You too have a lovely day. Love and Light.
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Beautiful poem and “reflections” on life! Kudos Diana. 💜
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Thanks, Brad. I hope we’ll be “seeing” each other soon without all the illusions. Have a lovely Sunday and week ahead. ❤
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Yes that would be wonderful. Peace and understanding. 🙏
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Beautiful, Diana! Enjoy your Sunday. xo
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Thanks so much, Jill. You too! ❤ Happy Writing!
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This is amazing! 😀 Love the use of both prompts!
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Thanks so much for visiting and for the kind comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem and I hope clear vision is ahead for all of us. ❤
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I hope so too! ❤
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Yes!
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Thanks, Laurie. I struggled with this poem, but the message seems to resonate. I hope it isn’t long before we “recognize” each other as reflections of ourselves. Have a lovely Sunday. ❤
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Now that is stunning meter. I actually counted the syllables to be sure! To actually achieve this meter and deliver such effortless poetry is commendable my friend. I hope you’re doing well with your book.
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Thank you for the kind comment and I’m glad the syllables worked. I triple checked, but you never know. Ha ha. Have a wonderful week ahead, Shanyu. Be well. 🙂
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My absolute pleasure D! They worked just beautifully. Those words truly are resounding. I read them over and over again, still am, and cannot get over the fact of how heart warming they are. I hope they come true.
Good day ahead.
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Amen to that!
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Ha! I holding out hope, Liz, that our country will return to seeing the humanity in each other. Thanks for the visit and have a wonderful Sunday. 🙂 ❤
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Thank you, Diana. I had a very productive Sunday, I’m happy to say.
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That’s great to here! Keep it up.
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I’ll give it my best, thanks!
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May this prove prophetic
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Goodness, I hope so, Derrick. Not looking good over here in the US. We seem to have stopped seeing each other. My fingers are crossed for a little clarity and kindness. Thanks so much for the visit! Have a lovely week.
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