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— photo by Kenny Louis
Two weeks ago, my wife and oldest son visited an eye doctor. The eye doctor is new to us. We have never really had the need before. They went. They were pleased with the service and how well they were treated.
Two days later, we received a card in the mail. Actually each of them got a card. Inside of each was a $10 card to Panera as a thank you for choosing the eye doctor.
This weekend, they each received another card. A personal note from the doctor, thanking them for their patronage and telling them how nice it was to meet them.
It is refreshing in many ways to see someone that takes that good a care of their customers. When I worked in banking, we used to each send 10 handwritten cards a day thanking people for their service.
This doctors attention got me thinking about letting others know we appreciate them. Here in the pub we often do it as we travel around to each site and comment on the poetry. Sometimes we leave a little personal note if something is going on in that poet’s life.
Today, I want to be a little more formal with our appreciation. As you leave a comment below, I want you to think of a poem that has stuck with you this week. Of a poet that left you a really nice comment or showed concern. Tell us who it is. Leave us a link to the poem.
Happy Monday! I look forward to seeing you tomorrow for OpenLinkNight.
~Brian
dVerse 
I love this task 😀
I always like to share such wonderful poets and more so the ones who comment so sweetly. The past week , If i really liked some one for that , its Purple :
cool..
..a fun one..
very cool….will check it out….
this is a wonderful idea… some poems stick with me for quite a while… and one comment Gay gave me on a poem a bit ago, i have even stored in a file cause it moved me to tears and i thought if i ever have doubts about being a poet, i will pull it out and read again…smiles
smiles…that is very cool….i have one from a poet that predates one stop or dverse…it was on a poem i wrote about cutters…and she was one…and i keep it in a file just the same….
This is a wonderful idea. How to pick? I love all of you. I will have to come back b/c I’m running out the door, but I am thinking about this! Thank you.
yes..i find it difficult as well.. just browsed through the poetics links again.. i liked susan’s with the seeds much because it touched me personally..
..also in my top three..;)
cool, we will be here all night laurie….i still need to pick mine, and i wrote this…haha…hmmm….about to eat dinner and will be back with mine after….
Glenn Butkus left such a wonderful comment on one of my poems this week and is always so good about tweeting my links… big hugs of gratitude.
Now I’ll go find a poem from one of y’all that really touched me… so hard!
glenn is a trip…he wrote a screenplay/poem kinda thing once that was truly amazing…he def has the writing chops and creativity to to boot…and is a good guy as well…another one i have known for years….
A recent post that really spoke to me was this one http://gretchenleary.wordpress.com/2013/03/09/dear-dversepoets/ by Gretchen Leary. Not a poem, but a reminder that what we do here really does make a difference to people’s lives.
yeah…that gave me a real big smile when reading it..
ah, true…that one is big on my recent list for sure…it touched me tremendously….
me, too = )
I meant very word! I appreciate all reads and comments. Not sure which poem I’ve read recentl to share here. I’ll have to think on this one
Silly iPhone. I meant every*
hey there she is! smiles….
Here I am. Still thinking about which poem has recently affected me. Gratitude is always a great topic / humility is underrated these days haha
Gretchen, your openness and embrace of the community surrounding you is bringing you to new places. I am so happy for you, and that post touched me deeply as well. Love, Amy
That is sweet of her ~ I can so relate to her feeling of gratitude as it has been the same for me ~
Brian I agree, we don’t take the time to thank others enough, then we realize how much it means when someone shows us that sort of concern. I have to thank you, of course, always, for your personal support and interest in my well-being as a poet and person, and I also want to thank Karin Gustafson, for her wonderful, insightful comments that often put so much more into my poetry than I see when I’m writing them.
And for poems that stick with me long after reading, that would be Arron Shilling, who never writes a word that doesn’t blow my mind. This is one of my favorites of his:
http://tom-eliot.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2013-03-12T09:50:00-07:00&max-results=1
Arron’s poetry is mind-blowing for sure..
oh goodness…yes arron cuts to the quick…
and i would return the same to you as well hedge….you have been a great friend for a long time….was honored to be in the crit group with you two years ago…and to serve with you after…smiles.
a poem that i fell in love with on first read is david allen’s notebook japlish
http://davidallen.nu/
a very, very charming write about the unedited english slogans on japanese notebooks…
Oh, this one is so funny! I hadn’t come across it before, so thank you for pointing it out, Claudia.
ooo david is cool…havent seen him around in a while…i need to go check on him….
Thank you for leading me there, Claudia. A great find.
Difficult choice, as I am thinking about three, but I would have to choose Victoria Slotto’s
http://liv2write2day.wordpress.com/2013/03/16/annie/ for her altruistic poem about Annie…
yep that was very touching..
ah, victoria is a great choice….smiles…and def a touching write in the one on annie…
this was a great idea…
…one of my top choices too… but my comment went on moderation or spammed…
That one would be my choice, too.
An exchange of comments ,on a poem I was ashamed of, http://vivinfrance.wordpress.com/2013/03/17/my-wordling-worst-wordle-,100/ cheered me immensely:
The Laughing Housewife said:
Why do you put yourself through it?
to which Elizabeth 1sojournal replied:
Ahh, Tilly Bud, that is the question. Because each time we do it, and get it done, we can sit back, breathe deeply, and know we are still alive, still able to do it. The wordle angst is simply part of the process and I found myself smiling and nodding my head at every word that Viv wrote. There is joy here or we wouldn’t come back week after week. Thanks Viv for speaking my mind,
Mosk’s cinquain this week really packed a punch for me… I could really relate and empathize. Here it is:
http://ihatepoetry.blogspot.com/2013/03/personal-revisionist-history-cinquain.html
Thanks! ‘Tis an honor!
You are most welcome, my friend.
…to this day you don’t have any idea how each of you humbled me with your many encouraging comments on my works both in art & poetry… i was just a beginner & a complete stranger here in english world but the way you welcomed me with your responses is enough or is more than enough for me to have reasons to strive harder in honing my crafts to produce good & quality output just so you know i don’t & will never let you all down… and i thank each of you for giving me more than i only expected you to give me… and though too many to name names… the words of Mary, Brian & Victoria most of the time inspires me & encourage me to do good… Dave Kin, sir, & Karin & Claudia & Grace & Tony & Fred — i also want to thank you for your words of encouragement & Kindness… I was also surprised with Mr. Glenn Buttkus this week for i least expected him to drop by & leave me some really generous words on my poem ‘Greendeath’… i also would like to extend appreciation to Wyeth Bailey for the kind words this week… ah, too many to say thank you for… and while i cannot go over each of you to say thank you…let me just leave you an assurance of quality works from me to express my grattitude… again, thank ya’ll…
…lastly, for this weeks most inspiring piece i’ve read & that have deeply touched me… i think it’s Victoria’s ‘Annie’ : http://liv2write2day.wordpress.com/2013/03/16/annie/
Glenn’s ‘Erin Go Bragh’ : http://bibliosity.blogspot.com/2011/03/erin-go-bragh.html?m=1 &
MZ’s ‘Bells of Ireland’ : http://mamaneedsshoes.blogspot.com/2013/03/bells-of-ireland.html?m=1 ….
…smiles…
And thank you for your unique and heartfelt comments Kelvin, not just in my blog but also with the other poets ~ It is a joy to give comments/encouragements, when you do the same with me and everyone here in D’verse ~
smiles…you are a great addition to the team kelvin…you give some wonderfully thoughtful comments…and write some pretty darn good poetry as well…smiles.
Yes, Kelvin, thank YOU for taking the time to comment in such depth on my (and others’) poetry. You never just give a superficial comment, but go deep; and I thank you for that. (And thanks, also for the shout out.)
Good evening/afternoon,
Thanks first of all for a great and thoughtful post.
It’s very difficult to choose, too many on my shortlist, but here’s the one that sprang to mind, first among equals,
http://a-sweetlust.blogspot.com/2013/03/again.html
and I was left a comment that was basically rather a large set of questions on my poem, and the commenter was apprehensive about the length and whether it would be misconstrued/give offence. That’s stood out for me because of both the honesty and the level of interest. It takes a bit of courage to stand there in plain view and say look I don’t understand please explain (and I suspect it tends to happen a lot with my posts because I come from a totally different culture/ethnicity/language base). I valued that courage especially. Thank you.
Thank you for mentioning my alter-ego – Heaven ~ She didn’t have the courage nor know-how to write poetry before, but she is learning to find her voice because of the support and encouragement of this community ~
I gather that Sabio is the one who left you a long commentary. I agree, it takes courage to say, please explain what you mean as I don’t under stand it ~
There are many of your poems I enjoy…as I enjoy reading several others including Claudia, Brian, Mary and Victoria… the reading is the part I like and do, I read much more than I comment, especially in a personal situation…… it’s difficult to know whether it’s appropriate for one to leave well-wishes when one doesn’t really know the person. I read a poem by Hedgewitch which impacted me, and it obviously portrayed a personal health situation, but I didn’t want to be intrusive so I didn’t write anything.
Yes it was Sabio who left me that comment,and he has left me questions before this too, and I like the dialogue it generates.
ooh… my comment is awaiting moderation…
Pretty hard to pick, because there’s so much talent out there, but I’m suggesting everyone go read this gem from LaPoetessa the-tenth-muse.com
http://the-tenth-muse.com/2013/03/10/mindful/
She is truly gifted and nowhere near the household name she should be.
Ol’ Man Moskowitz
joanna is such a cool person in real life as well…have shared a few dinners with her before open mics….def has a heart for poetry…and the pen to back it up…
you gents are too kind. i feel so fortunate to be part of such an awesome community 🙂
smiling at you calling us gents…ha…
and we are fortunate to have you…
I love the discussions here by dVerse! In answering your question about a poem that sticks with me, I feel like quoting Gregory Peck whose favorite was always the one he is most recently engaged with at the time. Brian’s echo with me and Laurie’s and Heaven’s and Kerry’s–so many–but the one I copied and saved–you may remember it–is Samuel Peralta’s ” The Seven Last Words”: http://semaphore1.blogspot.com/2010/01/seven-last-words.html
And as for comments, WOW, Brian, you—bless you–how do you find the time? Aways give my poems back to me in how you show me what catches your Eye. I love how you and Claudia have a committment to close readings, dVErse models great commentary all the time. I know you will think this kind of comment is because you raised the subject, but it is not. I know others will agree.
smiles…thanks susan…i have fun with it…i enjoy reading & community is huge for me as well…so when i read, i try to get it…and if icant at least find something to comment on that i enjoyed…smiles….
sam is def a great one as well…
I do agree completely, Susan. Brian and Claudia are such wonderful supporters and sincerely care which shows through their continued enthusiasm. I appreciate you, too.
Agree with this one, Susan. Samuel’s poem is a masterpiece. Thank you also to Brian and Claudia for their kindness in consistently commenting on my poems and to anyone else who has ever done so!
Seconded, thirded and carried unanimously!
Thanks, Susan… and everyone here… I am floored, and grateful that you all found something in this poem to love. I myself appreciate the amazing community that Brian and Claudia and everyone at dVerse have created, and the devotion to the craft of poetry that everyone shows. Poetry is alive and well, and most definitely kicking!
Many of this poet’s work, whether it is poetry, or one of his posts on his other blog, is thought provoking because it challenges , or at least questions the accepted norms. His most recent post concerning ethical behaviors and language being used as a cover is no exception.
He actively comments on other’s material often, whether it be for clarification, critique, or community. seen example of this would be a comment on my recent poem, Sabbatical, ( http://afterhisimage.wordpress.com/2013/02/24/sabbatical/) For this, I highly value Sabio for his contributions to the blogospere.
I thought I’d choose this one… http://www.thezenofgavin.com/2013/03/the-tub.html?spref=tw it’s stayed with me and adored his green tater poem too! Nothing elaborate just a simply beautiful poem that says so much. 🙂
ha i liked the green tater poem as well…smiles..
This is such a great idea. It reminds me of the concept of ‘paying it forward.’ Nice work Brian.
smiles. thanks linda…it rather is…community is def a big part of why we created dverse…as well as the poetry…
wonderful way to start the week, praising and commending! I was very moved by several poems~ Margaret Bednar “Art Happens 365 Days”
http://margaretbednar365.blogspot.com
BEAUTIFUL writing and art work by her as well. A lovely blog!
margaret is cool peeps…i have known her for a long time…and def appreciate her writing and insight into life…
I second that!
An interesting discussion. I would really have a hard time choosing a particular poem that has affected me greatly (there are many); or a particular comment that moved me more than others. I just enjoy seeing everyone’s poems & everyone’s comments; and I just don’t feel the need to choose, as there are so many worthy poets / commenters out there.
Yes, I agree…it’s too hard to choose and that’s got to be a good thing! 🙂
ha. i agree….we have quite the talent around here…and some pretty cool people as well…i respect your not choosing mary…on some level it can turn into a pick’em where feelings get hurt for not being mentioned…
I know some of us have given links for great poems, but my impression of Brian’s post is to acknowledge the poet or writer who has left us a thoughtful comment or encouragement. There are many great writers here, but sadly some don’t have that generosity of heart to read and share their thoughts ~
Outside of the D’verse Team (who are awesome both as writers & visitors) – I pick Susan Chast and Henry Clemmons – Thank you for your inspiring words to me ~
Have a lovely evening and see you for OpenLinkNight ~
ah, it was either or…and i hear you on those that write but know little of how to be part of a community…the two dont always line up very well…
susan and henry are both great writers but also very good at not only encouraging but just being good people….henry has a wonderful humility about himself…and though he has several languages his music always comes through his words…and susan, she is good people and a talented writer as well…
The DVerse Team is always encouraging and kind. Thanks to you – there is always at least one guest in the blog. 🙂
I really appreciate you Brian for being so friendly and welcoming and for checking out the things I posted (if only to make sure that it does not violate any rules) 😉 🙂 You always leave something relevant to the post.
I also wish to thank Tony – I appreciate his suggestions on how to make a piece better.
As for the works, I have encountered so many talented people here, with very different styles, that it is hard to single out a work. I ended up following many of the poets I encountered here.
Thanks DVerse. 🙂
smiles…hopefully my comments are more on the relevant side than having to check the rules…lol…that is a sad job of the admins at times is confronting those that dont follow them…never an easy thing to do…i appreciate your words…and tony is a very cool guy…and an asset to the team…
blushes profusely and exits hastily….
Thanks Imelda … smiles to cover his embarrassment. I’ve not been writing all that long myself, but I have the privilege of being part of 3 writing communities; Tyne and Esk Writers (link on my blog), the Poetry in Practice class at Edinburgh University and last, but by no means least, dVerse which truly is a great community to be part of. From all of these I have learned a lot about the craft of writing – and of writing poetry – so it’s a joy to be able to share some of that here.
Brian, I enjoyed your post, and I’ve always been thankful for your visits and kind comments. Many of you put a good effort into a great community with a lot of talented poets.
Jennifer is one of my favorites, and every piece she writes inspires me, but here is one from this week that is truly fine:
http://jenniferlenhardt.com/2013/03/16/just-a-little/
nice…i will pop over and check her out…appreciate your words carl….
carl…that was amazing…thank you for the introduction….
Took me a while to post here, guys, because I had some trouble finding the poem Victoria shared that had me crying in an afternoon, because it struck at the space I had just opened by writing one about my mother. http://liv2write2day.wordpress.com/2012/12/08/family-reunion/
mmm…glad you took your time with it…dont you love it when a write hits you just in the right place…in the moment it may be emotional but sometimes it is just what you needed….
Yes–and it was exactly what I needed. I am so glad to have found you guys.
alright poets…off to bed…its after midnite…
between work, poetry and grad school…i am tuckered…smiles…
see you manana
I think for me Tashtoo’s Soldiers of Light poem touched me the most recently.
http://www.tashtoo.com/2013/03/soldiers-of-light-openlinknight.html?showComment=1363664475164&m=1
Joseph Harker inspires and intimidates me. He is a sweet soul, a marvelous poet… and so good at poetic forms that I’m often befuddled at my own attempts. Then, just after writing that he felt lately his poems had no “blood” in them, he floored me with this – drag queens being folks so close to my own heart: http://namingconstellations.wordpress.com/2013/03/12/the-gospel-according-to-helena/
And from the women’s side of things, Shay (Fireblossom) knocked me flat with this paean to a woman… http://fireblossom-wordgarden.blogspot.com/2013/03/meghan.html
Hard to pick favorites, but Brian, thanks for giving me the chance to throw some shout-outs here. I could not bring myself to mention yours, since you are the host and it’s rude to tip the “owner” of the bar… but you know you rock. Peace to all, Amy
Amy, thank you. That poem is special to me and I’m touched that you liked it so well!
this is so good…I often print off a poem to pop into my bag of poetry for remembrances as they come and go so quickly….but of the ones who comment… well I would have to say ….Mark, Brian and Dave are so gracious in commenting and that even when they might have 80 comments to look at them selves!! Thankyou !
Quite a theme here!!it so difficult just like asking a mom which of her kids she loves the most!! I am travelling nw wonder if I can come bk. But thank god there is no mr linky here so then won’t mind coming here late than never…
We too get cards sent. It says: that’ll be £510.00 please.
Not even a ‘thank you for your custom’ on there most of the time.
ugh…i have gotten a few of those for sure…ha…
I can’t pick a favorite…I’m very PC that way…or try to be. I credit this entire community for giving me the strength to keep sharing on days I wonder why I do…I think everyone of you deserves the biggest bear hug ever for having the courage to bring your words to the pub, and to extend your hearts in kindness and support through your comments and visits. You’ve saved more souls than you realize Poets….and for that, I will be personally and eternally grateful.
This is a wonderful topic. I, too, am grateful for this website, which I found through Twitter, and has been a gateway for me. The posts have such creative prompts which have been educational and creatively challenging. I have also found other wonderful prompts, so that is another way that dVerse has helped me work on my writing. The other huge benefit is that I have discovered all sorts of wonderful writers from here. The work is amazing and the support is….well, I don’t have an adequate word for how important the support has been to me. It was difficult to pick a favorite poem, but there was one that kept popping into my head while I was reading this post and the comments. It is a very recent one from Nico in response t Pamela’s prompt. Here’s the link to his wonderful “Practice” http://justfiddlefartingaround.blogspot.com/2013/03/practice.html.
As for comments, still don’t have a good enough word, but I do want to thank Anna :o] at HyperCRYPTICal http://hypercryptical.blogspot.com/ for always having a kind and helpful comment for me. (I love her work too!)
Thanks finally to Brian and Claudia who always seem to have time to read and offer support…I always look forward to y’all!
I finally get Anna’s smiley right, and it autoemoticons it!
nice….nico has def been a fun new one for me this year….and anna, she is def good as well…i know her from some other prompts we used to participate in….
Thank you, Brian– what a wonderful idea this is. I have to say, every comment I receive is just wonderful– I love so much the interaction, the critical feedback, the emotional connection with everyone out there. Brian, your comments are always so on point– like you actually READ our poems and then reply thoughtfully. For that, I would like to thank YOU! ~peace, Jason Weaver
thanks jason…i try…and i try to get it when i read…i def enjoy reading poetry…and just to think that 4 years ago i was not even reading much less writing it…i never really picked one as it would def be hard for me to do…i def appreciate all that frequent the pub…
Hi everyone! There are so many poets and as I take part, as we all do, in quite a few communities, it is hard for me to say.
First the poets that make me catch my breath and weep, at times. From the Magpie Tales, I am sure some of you have met its host, Tess Kincaid, Arian Tejano and Anthony North who makes me think deep. Stafford makes me laugh but then, he humbles me with his thoughts on the world today. Arian’s poetry, and prose – is breathtaking.
From Poets United, I love Sherry and Carrie Burtt who have become friends in all sense. And over at Haiku Heights, Tumblewords and mystical Teacher – wow, they know their haiku!
From dVerse, I am thrilled to meet so many poets – some newly found are of course Kelvin, Björn Rudberg, Gretchen and Henry Clemmons. I am inspired by Samuel’s poetry. I guess I shouldn’t start the list.
I thank Sabio, Kelvin, Sir Hank, Zunnur, Sherry – again the list goes on for leaving a kind , honest or contemplative comment.
But nobody tops Brian in making sure he has something to comment on, to spur us further. How do you do it, Brian?
This week, Marina Sofia’s glass ceiling poem kept coming back at me. As well as Henry Clemmon’s Sharpened Edge of Sunlight from last month.
I would like to thank Heidi for not one, but a few kind comments this week and Henri. I am particularly touched, because I use poetry to recover my lost french! This was in response to http://www.poemsbyninotaziz.blogspot.com/2013/03/les-chansons-dautrefois.html inspired by Gretchen. Thank you guys!
Heidi : This was beautiful! It felt musical, and we listened to some of the same music. (Plus, this is the first time in ages that I read and understood French…without looking back up at the English above it. I’m so glad that after 6 years of lessons, I understand more than just how to swear!)
Henry: I don’t know if I can over look the Duran Duran thing 🙂 Kidding. A very beautiful poem on a very real subject. Songs, music symbolize an era of our lives. I believe Cohen wrote: Memories are created when clusters of hundreds or thousands of neurons fire in a unique pattern. Certain music creates differnt patterns, maybe. I loved this, especially the flavour of frenchness and your word selections. Scorpions were a german rock band I believe? There are some guitarists I have studied. I liked the uniqueness of the sound in the era you write of. Excellente. Made me smile.
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henryclemmonsMarch 12, 2013 at 6:37 PM
Chansons du passé restent souffle dans les poumons de l’avenir. Parfois, flotter tout ce que nous pouvons faire.
I had to come back to your poem when i realized connection between our two writes. Though not a song visit in the night, memory past can still effect the future, or the present of tense.