tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706662007071725303.comments2015-04-10T12:03:09.219-07:00Stephen M Rees - New PoemsStephen M Reeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02943925578011656424noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706662007071725303.post-56121941363750791422015-04-10T12:03:09.219-07:002015-04-10T12:03:09.219-07:00Thank you so much for your reply! It is wonderful...Thank you so much for your reply! It is wonderful to get some feedback from poems that are deeply felt!<br /><br />I think, as you say that there is more in that image of 'concentrated dust' with all the possible meanings that such words have, especially in the context of Holy Week and I will give it further thought.<br /><br />You know, more than most I should think, about the attitude of people who are waiting to take medical tests. You look around for something to focus on which is less threatening than your own mortality! In my case it was the chairs! I think that the ending of the poem is trying to suggest that eventually everything will be stripped away and only the essential questions and problems will be left to face. though I also believe the human animal is amazingly inventive about putting such concerns to the back of their minds. If not chairs, what about the colour of the paintwork, or the quality of the light, or the floor covering, or the posters, or . . . you see what I mean!<br /><br />"Some vital things are gifts" - what a loaded statement that is! Yes, the way the heart pumps blood, even when we are asleep; the way we keep breathing; the way that cells replace themselves all of these are vital. But are they gifts? To use the word 'gift' suggests a 'giver' - and that is where I tend to have problems! Useful and literary problems maybe, but still intellectual ones!<br /><br />I must admit that I am proud of the photograph, it is one of the best I have taken. And the sunset was a 'gift'!<br /><br />Thanks again for your comments, I really do appreciate them. And, of course, I look forward to reading your chapbook (with your sister's photographs) and giving you my feedback.<br /><br />Thanks Sandy,<br /><br />StephenStephen M Reeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02943925578011656424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706662007071725303.post-71490978756419382912015-04-10T11:41:52.364-07:002015-04-10T11:41:52.364-07:00Stephen, a daily practice of examination is commen...Stephen, a daily practice of examination is commendable and so is sharing it with others. Thank you. You discuss the weighty issue of mortality with intermittent and welcome humor. Believing more in the "concentrated dust" you eat than the tablets of law strikes me as honest and fruitful for examination, and you have "no thoughts for chairs" after a prolonged and detailed description of them. On the weighty side, the image of water that can both support or close in over a swimmer will stay with me, as will the image of clocks of dust. In the end, struggle is part of the way of all life, but is it the vital way? Some vital things are gifts. So, may there indeed be more sequences in the years to come. And thank you for the lovely cover photograph.Sandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10441427009616285951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706662007071725303.post-17221802064090808982015-03-11T09:10:44.968-07:002015-03-11T09:10:44.968-07:00Please let me know what you think of this poem. S...Please let me know what you think of this poem. SMRStephen M Reeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02943925578011656424noreply@blogger.com