Rik

2024-09-26
Next time scatter some sheets of paper around the floor and a few board games and maybe some empty boxes. Hopefully this should keep her occupied and distract her attention long enough to complete other activities without undue feline observation :)

2024-09-26
Mount Everest next ;-)

2021-07-02
Again thank you for letting us know.

2021-07-02
Thanks for letting us know.

2020-12-02
Your postcard has most certainly brightened my day :)

2020-07-02
Seldom do words do justice to our feelings, which make these words all the more impressive when considerring the subject. It is clear the love and companionship you both shared and the tenderness in which you hold this dear friendship. A friendship which will always live on within your heart. A very touching post written with such gentleness. My heart reaches out to you.

2020-06-07
What an image. Brought a huge smile. A classic interpretation which in my humble opinion stands with the best. Thanks for posting this gem :)

2020-01-27
A very well composed post delivering a poignant message which will be cleary understood by many. Enjoyed the read.

2020-01-22
Not one for real understanding of poetry forms. Nevertheless the tenderness of this poem struck me immediately. Conjuring up an image of a mom full of love and hope for her little one. This line especially touched my heart "Je t'aime, petit ange, quel cadeau la vie m'a faite !".

2019-03-19
As always your words give pause for thought and set my mind on a journey.

Sitting at the dining table of oblivion
With only thoughts of the past on the menu.
If only it was as simple as to move to
a different table and dine from a new menu.
How precious our thoughts are
how attached to the distortions we become.

A poignant post.
It takes courage to break the cycle.
It takes strength to live with the pain.

2018-11-29
So peaceful and content they are. A lovely picture accompanied by words to match. Thank you for posting, brought a smile to my heart :)

2018-11-03
A very poignant post. :)

It is a fact that people do not always understand the emotional needs that thier opinions/comments serve. It is also a fact that without facts, opinions and comments could not be broadcast or indeed be posted on this site. That said, it would be nice to escape the facts of reality, from time to time, as there are many people i would wish were only, in fact, an illusion.

2017-06-22
This is such a cryptically beguiling post, replete with imagery that teases the mind and emotions. Such a good write.

2017-06-11
There is so much sincerity in these words full of honest and no doubt painful introspection. So much for the reader to contemplate especially for those whoose lifes have not been so inflicted. Day to day concerns of most pale into insignificance and yet so many cry "oh woe me". As an individual who feels only but fortunate to have never had to endure what your words encompass and could never truly understand the impact, I hold onto the last two Stanzas. For indeed your eloquence is proof there is far more to you than they led you to believe and the guilt for their singularly self-serving and sick minds is all theirs. They are small people who endeavour to cower others to make up for their own inadequacies. Your words prove you are a far, far better person than they ever could be. They live in a squalid little world of their squalid little minds, this i feel you are beginning to see more clearly. It is and insidous little world whoose tentactles can entwine all efforts to break free but those tentacles have to have something to grab onto and the guilt and shame they sew is part of their modas operandi.

You are and never have been guilty of anything.

Sorry again for rambling, hope some off it makes sense. Your words are courageous and are an inspiration to me and i am sure for other readers too.

Believe :)

2017-02-12
Funny what can unite people. An asute observation too. He may inadvertently achieve what others have failed to achieve. Like the post.

2016-07-27
How cute she is :)
And yep, a big smile has spread across my face too :)

2015-12-22
Succinctly put. If only more would realise this truth.

2015-12-19
I often search for words to express what you have done so very well here. Could not do it better. Life can be like a very long walk along a drab and lonely shore line that stretches towards the horizon. On occasions, and if chance is on our side, we stumble across something pleasing to our soul. Little moments but still worth collecting.

2015-11-07
Gives one pause for thought. Well written and enjoyed the read.

2015-06-01
Words born from a sensitive and compassionate heart. I feel sure your friend will be moved by them. A pleasure to read.

2015-06-01
When I stumbled across the Bay, I felt compelled to stay a while. That while is now a little over 9 years ago! So congratulations and a big THANK YOU, to you the team, for your commitment and dedication to the manner in which you have maintained this unique place called the Bay.

The Bay and all the writers who bring colour and life to its pages have brought me a great deal of pleasure, so may it continue to shine its light into the cold expanse of cyberspace for another 10 years and beyond. :-)

2015-04-15
Took a while for the rusty old cogs in my brain to get into gear but when they did I could only but smile. LOL

2015-04-15
There is a gentleness to your words like dandelion pappuses drifting on a summer breeze. They form such an eloquent recognition for the one who has inspired them.

2015-04-15
It takes a very brave heart to give voice to the oppressed silence. To rise above the pain that another's emotional turmoil has inflicted.

I know it can not have been easy to write these words but their is only so long one should submit to walking in the shadows of another's morose. There is only so much love one can invest in hope. Hope that the tide will turn and the dark shadows, cast like a fisherman's net to capture all that stray too close, will dissolve in the mirror of self reflection.

A poignant write which has reached deep into my heart.

2015-04-15
A message of few words which tells me a great deal about the writer. So rare to read of selfless love for another. Your words bring a smile to my heart. So thank you :-)

2015-01-20
How can one not read a post titled "peep, peep, peep" and as always such a real pleasure to read your words. A very fine story and dedicated to a very fine lady of Poetbay. I feel sure it will have brought a smile to her day.

2015-01-18
Such tender loving words for a dear little one. As they say the best things always come dans le petit paquet :-) Reading the story of your little queen could not fail to bring a happy smile to this reader. And yes I am sure she would say meow in agreement to being the queen of "her domain".

2015-01-18
This really is so beautifully and delicately written. Such a lovely childhood memory full of knowing and wonderment, expressed so warmly from the heart. A most enjoyable read. It took me right there into that special moment.

2015-01-07
Throughly enjoyed the read and good to see you back on the bay.

2015-01-03
A very well written piece indeed. Drew me in and held me to the end. I feel the piece you have written is both clever and intelligent. Expressed with both a gentle and passionate sensitivity. Exploring the natural emotions of a first time sexual encounter very well. Providing the reader with many moments which they could personally relate to.

2015-01-02
In answer to your question, I guess the form does have some bearing. Certainly for me I could feel subtle differences in the affect between some of the readings. A slightly differing sense of tension, to give one example.

2015-01-02
I loved the poem the images and emotions that it created very nice indeed. I also enjoyed the experience of reading through the different forms. Very interesting to see how the sentiments can ebb and flow differently depending on the form. I think I will bear this in mind in the future when drafting my own words.

All the above is said with the utmost sincerity. In saying that I do hope you have a sense of humour, as nearing the last of the different forms I had a niggling wish that the cat might just nab that titmouse before it crashes into the window again.

Sincerely enjoyed and welcome to the Bay. :-)

2015-01-01
I sense a touch of gentle sadness in your words as they reflect on the love and loss of a true heart found. I guess only very special memories can bring alive the phenomenon that you have so movingly described. A pleasure to read.

2014-12-24
Sombre, gentle, resignation, dignity and love all come to mind when reading your graceful words. May the gentle winds of time help guide both you and your family through the darkness of this moment.

2014-12-22
"falls helplessly in love with his melancholy" never thought of someone falling in love in that way but I think there is much truth in how you have expressed it. Safety can been found in many places of the mind good and bad places. Just make it difficult to reach someone whose lost/in love with melancholy. A heart felt write.

2014-12-22
Succinctly written yet every sentence painting a wonderful image. Enjoyed the read.

2014-12-08
Didn't see that coming. Nearly spat out my coffee. Thank you for the laugh :-)

2014-12-07
Well done and a big thanks to the editorial team for arranging this.

2014-12-07
OK I have missed the boat this time but just wanted to say what a great idea. Some wonderful poems nominated too. Hopefully will catch the next one.

2014-11-10
Truly a magical piece of romantic writing. Really cannot get better than this. A joy to read :-)

2014-10-29
That explains it then :-)

2014-03-30
Though darkness has cast its eternal shadow on earthly bonds it has and will fail to diminish the spirit of love shared. A beacon to love and friendship that blazes across the void. A beacon sustained, in memory of a loss profound, by a heart without affectation.

Your words address the most difficult of subjects with a tenderness of heart that never fail to move this reader.

2014-03-16
Forgot to say great picture too. Two very content looking moggies. Both looking satisfactorily pleased with themselves.

2014-03-16
All I have to say is "Ab...bbby!". Needless to say brought a huge smile. :D

2014-02-16
Kinship, belonging, understanding at probably most important of all acceptance are words that are evoked. I can think of many people, politicians, bureaucrats and the remainder of the upstanding citizens who would have done well to have stopped, reflected on and absorbed what they were witnessing. Unfortunately the warmth of human nature at its best and so clear to see is an anathema to this group. And there in lies the problem.

A beautifully crafted piece of writing juxtaposed between melancholy and the serenity of "an old version of freedom".

2014-01-23
Thank you for the comments really very much appreciated. :-)

2013-07-29
Words so obviously from the heart and full of love. Very nicely done.

2013-06-19
Well really, what can say? Except I raise my little pinky to you both, as I drink my cup of tea of course :-)

2013-05-02
Very well written. The sense of loss, of for the one cared and loved, conveyed with feelings straight form the heart.

2013-04-27
Couldn't agree more with aoelian. Sharp intelligent wit whether in a post or in a comment is always appreciated by me. Nobody wins because Poetbay will surely lose if it becomes intolerant of diversity. Anyway I thought we had long seen the end of witch hunting. Ok pause for thought, since this is a sincere message of support using the analogy of a witch may not be a good idea. But if I have offended I would be more than happy to let you drive a stake through my heart. As long as you can do it with out spilling any blood. Blood just makes my legs wobble. And wobbling around with a stake through my heart. Not cool! Alternatively if you wish to be more gentle with me. Then you could comment on all my poetry. Have to put my hand up now. Since I was feeling a little neglected this was all just a ploy to get you to leave more comments. You see I would count being visited by a Commentally Ill writer as a badge of honour. God I hope I have spelt your name correct. Couldn't manage 2 stakes in the heart. Anyway I would never be offended as I would always lean on the wise and solemn words of my mother. You see she was, still is dare I say, a gay old sole (correction - soul) who could find a kind word for everyone. Even me her scrubby little son. She said son, in a deep voice for affect/effect (take you pick I have given up trying), when you are no longer a scrubby little boy in the school playground always remember that words will never hurt you, stake through the heart yes but words no. Unfortunately mum didn't get out much so she never really heard of whisperers, horse whisperers, goldfish whisperers or any other whisperer for that matter. I mention goldfish whisperers as I tried whispering to mine through a straw, which was a bit of a disaster because I sucked first and he shot across the bowl and impaled himself on the end of the straw. So moving on before anyone reports me, if my mum had got out a bit more and met a few whisperers, over a glass of red wine and a pork pie, she may well have added this caveat to her wise words. My son, again lowering her voice deeper so I knew it was real serious adult stuff, take solace in my words but be careful not to become a whisperer because I have heard that words can cause them great constipation (correction - consternation).

To all those who whisper life is tough enough for us all. So can't we just be like my dear old mum and find a kind word for everyone. Even if they are Commentally Ill ;-) Ok really embarrassing moment, I have only just right this second, got the play on words of your name. No cigar for me.

PS: If you are wondering I gave the goldfish a dignified burial I did not flush it away. Anyway the straw came in handy to hang his little name plaque on.