20 Comments
User's avatar
Dr. Deborah Hall's avatar

thank you dear fred

for sharing with us

the poem that encouraged you

all those years to never quit

the tender opening lines

connect so deeply with us all

When you're lost in the Wild,

and you're scared as a child

Stanley Wotring's avatar

I always look back at what I’ve gone through and that gives me confidence that I can go through anything.

Dr. Deborah Hall's avatar

i believe you dear stanley

indeed you CAN

go through anything

your confidence shines

in every word you write

i am only sorry

that there was so much pain

you had to go through

i

Stanley Wotring's avatar

Well I try and look at as if I hadn’t went through it I wouldn’t have become the person I am now. I guess that only works if you like the person you are and I do. Thanks as always for your kind words. It’s extra meaningful when I consider the source.

Dr. Deborah Hall's avatar

you are a brave

and rare gem stanley

i treasure you

Stanley Wotring's avatar

Thank you! I highly value your opinion. You have accomplished so much.

Leland Katz's avatar

OLD MEMORIES

In old age, memory

has a life of its own.

Thoughts, images, events

come and go with

random abandon.

A one-legged rooster wind vane

atop an old rooftop

viewed from a stroller.

A 14 year-old blonde beauty

admired by 15 year-lld boys.

A 60 year love affair now ended

but for the mourning thereof.

An 87 year lifetime.

Air Force adventures, civilian career,

a house, children.

A celebration. A life lived.

Well?

Too soon to tell. Memories yet

to create. Battles to fight.

People to meet. Places to see.

To love again?

I DO!

Dr. Deborah Hall's avatar

dear lee

i love your whole poem

but the part i love most

and laugh with joy to read

is how you cannot yet SAY

if it was a life well lived

...because you are still

right in the thick

of LIVING it !!!

Leland Katz's avatar

Thank you. The poem, like my life, is a work in progress. Some of the events were horrendous and if I focused only on them, I’d never get out of bed. But the bad is more than balanced by the good and life is worth living.

Kelly Winsa's avatar

brilliant

Dr. Deborah Hall's avatar

wow kelly

thank you so much

for giving me

such a powerful word

of encouragement

Kelly Winsa's avatar

génial

Dr. Deborah Hall's avatar

o what a glorious song

what a victorious statement

to the whole world:

i'm still here

you sure are dear lee

with bells on

Leland Katz's avatar

Sondheim says it best. From “Side by Side by Sondheim”.

William Weaver's avatar

💖

Dr. Deborah Hall's avatar

i'm so glad you liked it

dear william 💖

Bill Alstrom (MA/Maine/MA)'s avatar

Resolved. Can't stop me now!

As Joyce Vance says: "We're in this together."

Dr. Deborah Hall's avatar

you are an inspiring man

dear bill

thank you for leading

yes we're in this together