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Hello everyone! For our 9th anniversary celebration, we have invited a special host for today. He is the co-founder of our poetry community, Brian Miller.
The moment you kissed your spouse at the end of your wedding. Walking through the door of the hospital with your newborn child. Standing in front of your business, with scissors halfway through the ribbon, on opening day. A child holding a shell up, as the surf pools beneath them. Gramma, as a young girl in her poodle skirt. A woman slipping a flower into the rifle barrel of a soldier. A person crying, after being rescued from certain harm. A body discarded. A fallen statue.
The list could go on and on, but chances are, as you read those brief descriptions you thought of moments very personal to you. Perhaps you thought of specific moments captured in photographs.
As my boys were growing up, they loved to pull an old cardboard box out of the closet, and dig through the pile photographs. They would pull one out and hand it to one of us, eager to hear the story of us. Why these moments were important. What our shared history was. Each picture captured a moment, but just the moment. Nothing that came before, nothing that came after.
I started thinking about this recently with the protests here in America. My son watched a video, and was quite angry with what he saw. It was moments clipped together that advanced the narrative of the person that made it. I talked with him about how by just viewing the moment, we did not know what came before or after that provoked the moment. We have to be careful in our interpretation of moments, when we were not there to understand the context.
These moments can evoke a lot of emotion. They stir our own memories. They tell stories. They invite us to add our own story. Think of all the poetry prompts that you did that involved writing to a picture, and how different each of us interpreted what we saw.
Today is not a picture prompt, per se. Today, I want you to capture a moment in your verse. Clearly describe to us what is in that moment. Paint a picture for us with your words that will evoke our own emotions and experiences. If you need to, find a picture and write about it. Maybe you have a favorite photograph you want to share. If not, write us the picture, so we can see it, taste it, smell it.
While I have a chance, let me thank you. The pub is 9 years old. That is hard for me to fathom. It’s been several years since I stepped away due to the busyness of life, but the pubtenders, all the patrons…you have kept it a beautiful place. There are a lot of memories in this scarred bar top. Thank you for keeping the pub vibrant, alive and safe place for people to gather and express themselves. I can still remember the moment the doors opened, and the energy that flowed in along with the poets.
Pull up a barstool. Share a verse. And if you need something to keep your muse wet, all you gotta do is ask.
Hello, my name is Brian Miller. You are loved. I wanted to say that because it is probably the most important thing I can say. Really that any of us can say. I can tell you I am a husband, a father, a mathematics teacher, a soccer coach, a missionary and relief worker in Asia. I could tell you a lot of things. But what are they really, without love? We are who we are, not what we do. So that’s me.
To join us for Poetics:
See you at the poetry trail. ~Grace~
Welcome everyone!
Capture that verse in the dverse. Thank you Brian for visiting and hosting our special anniversary week.
This is actually our 9th anniversary (not 8th) celebration.
Much love.
Thanks for inviting me Grace.
Hello everyone.
Been a while, but here we go. Happy Anniversary dVerse. I still remember the nervous energy on the day we opened.
Working on my own. Probably tomorrow by the time i am done with it. But i will be around
Happy anniversary and thank you for your time to visit us!
Thank you also on behalf of Bjorn if he can’t comment or join us. He is going away for his summer vacation.
Me too. I am sitting outside an Italian place in the strip district of Pittsburgh.
Hello to Bjorn
Grace and Bjorn, thanks for carrying on and tending bar so wonderfully, along with your stellar team!
Thank you Sherry. Cheers!
We are trying our best
Greetings! This is the first comment you left on my blog way back in 2010.
Brian Miller July 19, 2010 at 1:18 PM
so easy to confuse the flames we choose to fan….
I treasure it.
smiles.
hey there helen. flash back. that was like 10 years ago. oh my.
good to see you.
Oh, Brian, how I’ve missed you and your poetry
I, too, have pulled away as I’m in the business of caregiving my husband, the garden, the dogs and my spirit. Be blessed in your own wonderful life. You do so much good
i actually stopped in at your place last night to see if you had written lately. i saw a bunch of scripture which was nice to read through as i flipped back to a piece called The End you had written for dverse.
will send up prayers for you and your husband.
Good evening all. Thank you for hosting, Brian, and such a versatile prompt.
Yeah. I wanted everyone to be able to join in… And for those like me who are a little rusty… Maybe a little easier. Smiles.
Hello Grace, Brian and all dVerse folks! Brian…..I must say, many many thanks for beginning this wonderful virtual pub for poets 8 years ago! I have been with it a little over 5 and enjoy it so very much. Have met folks from around the globe, shared thoughts, emotions, and happenings through our words in this space.
SO wonderful of you to come back for this anniversary fete! 🙂
Yeah. I wanted a place for poets just to hang… Thus the pub motif. Actually, funny story, it was originally cafe… And it might hv been Claudia that suggested pub.
Name of the pub is serendipity. Thanks to you and Claudia.
And just before we closed we had the first live session… it might be that we will truly have an open mic place for people to join…
that is really cool. and would be awesome.
Might coax me back into the fold doing stuff like that.
i gotta get thru december tho and finish my doctorate.
b
We are talking about having it every fourth week
Nice. I will have to stop in and see what you have going on. That would definitely be fun.
grrrr….my first chat here did not post….so probably when this one does, there will be two! A technical guru I am not!
MANY thanks to you Brian for beginning this wonderful space 8 years ago. I’ve been with dVerse for about 5 years and have met so many fabulous people from around the globe. I so enjoy tending the pub….reading and writing to the prompts. MANY MANY thanks to you!
And thanks to Bjorn and Grace who have maintained the drinks behind the bar as well 🙂
I’m still reading Monday’s quadrilles….expect to get all caught up tomorrow.
Happy Tuesday everyone and happy anniversary dVerse!
YEP. Now there’s two replies! 😦 Oh well….Brian you’re worth saying thank you to twice…now three times 🙂
If you like, I can delete the first comment, smiles.
Yes, please!
Haha.
Maybe.
On a good day.
Thanks for being part of our team Lillian.
Hi, Brian! It’s so nice to meet you, and thank you for hosting today. Hello, dVerse poets! Happy Anniversary to all. I have work and projects to finish this afternoon–and quadrilles still to read, so I may have to sit this one out, but I did want to pop in for a quick drink and to say hello.
Nice. What are you having? I will pour it up for you.
I will be around as well between bites of pizza and sips of iron city…
Maybe just a lemonade now–and I’ll switch to wine later. 😏
Nice. Love a tart yet sweet lemonade in a mason jar on the front porch on a hot summer day
Oh. . .that sounds sooooo nice!
Thanks for dropping by Merrill. Take care!
I am of the fairly new clientele, young perhaps too at my age of 38,but that’s not here nor there.
Thank you for hosting and just by reading the prompt and your message of love, I knew exactly of what moment to try ‘n bring to life.
Though I’ ve still a many quadrilles to read too..
Sweet. So at 46 does that. Make me still young? I think we will be friends if so Anthony. See u around.
Don’t really think young is a matter of years, or being childish bad, nor years automatic wisdom and experience. I think you have been making such a bar where everybody feels like they’re automatically friends 😊. The live meet was so great and so has been the welcoming!
Anthony, also great to have someone from a neighboring country
Have you by the way heard of a Finnish poet Eino Leino? There is a translation and links on my OLN “mua pelottaa” – I’m scared.
Ei nyt Some wondered why they haven’t heard of this synonym of Finnish poetry, I was wondering have you?
Know of Agricola who made the Finnish language into letters, while before whole of academia was Swedish and Latin? I am interested in knowing do you know of Eino Leino?
Happy anniversary dVerse Poets! I ronically this is my 8th anniversary of blogging on Word Press. I have been with you guys for five of the eight years, but less frequently of late. I have been in a state of hiatus but am writing for the meaningful prompt. Hello Brian and thank you for this prompt. Maybe it will get me back to writing again!! It is always wonderful to see your face.
Hopefully the same for me. Actually just started writing again… Or doodling in the notebook again here recently… We’ll see what bubbles up
So GOOD to see you here! I’ve missed you!
I have been grieving Lillian. Hopefully, this will get me to writing and commenting again. I \t is good to see you!
Toni, thanks for your lovely greeting and hope you are safe and well.
Thank you Grace. It is good to be back.
Hello Brian… stepping in a moment during my vacation, which is spent at home for the moment, next week we most likely will head out off the grid… I will try to picture such a moment
Nice. Great to see you bjorn…enjoy the off the grid time. So important
Alright. Gotta drive back to the house.
Got thru 6. Will hit the rest here in a bit.
I will soon go to bed.. and will check out the rest in the morning.
sleep well my friend.
perhaps i will have finished my verse by then. Ha.
Happy Eighth Anniversary, everyone! 😀 I have been writing and participating in the pub for five years now and have enjoyed each and every moment of it.
Thank you so much Brian and others for creating this space and welcoming each of us here so warmly.
Sharing my poem, an actual moment 🙂 between me and my husband to be. 💝
ah. nice. husband to be…
so you are to be married..
or this is from your past…
will hv to chk it out.
b
About to be married 😀 waiting for corona situation to settle down. We are in different countries at the moment.. things are delayed. But safety first! 💝
these present circumstances have set many a couple aback in their plans for weddings. I know a few that did zoom weddings but it is just not the same. And other who got married but still plan a wedding once things open up.
HOpe you are able to have your day soon.
Thank you so much, Brian 😀 means a lot! 💝
Oh how wonderful … love such news
Sanaa, thank you for joining us. Congrats to you and your husband to be!
Thank you so much, Grace! Hopefully when all is done and in place I will post pictures on Instagram 😉
Hi Lisa. Finally found your comment in the spam section. Thanks for joining us! Cheers!
Ah good it didn’t disappear! Thanks for the recovery, Grace. Cheers!
Nice to meet you, Brian. I’m a relative newcomer, and so appreciative of all that dVerse means to so many of us, so a huge thank you for your part in that! We can hope you will visit more often!
thanks bev. I am glad you appreciate the place. the team does a great job carrying it on in my absence, and making it their own. we can only hope that it passes on and we can celebrate even many more years.
treat her well, and she will be kind to you.
Thanks Brian and the team for starting d’Verse and for keeping it flowing! I really enjoy the diversity of prompts here and the fact that all responses are warmly welcomed and supported … it gives a feeling of ‘belonging’, nearly as important as love 🙂
very true, and i got that in your verse as well. and as i said in my thots to you, i think Lisa hit on the dark side of our need for it.
I am a school teacher so I see that need played out every day in the lives of adolescents. we all have it though.
i too enjoy the diversity of responses to prompts and how people choose to write. it is also the root word of dVerse.
lol I thought the title d’Verse had more to do with the broad range of poets involved from all around the world 🙂 but it fits well for both 🙂
ah, that too.
and dVerse – The verse
It had many a meaning.
well done, I am both impressed and blessed to be part of it well down the track
Hey, Brian; damn I’ve missed you terribly, brother. Your poetic voice, and behemoth heart brightened all of our lives for years. It’s good to hear how well you and the family are doing. It’s hard for me to grasp, but I’m the old timer here. Seems like last month you approached me over at MAGPIE TALES, and invited me to join your “new” group. When and you and Claudia both left, I worried that the group would shrink into oblivion; but Bjorn and Grace and others breathed new life into it, and I’ve been as faithful as a sled dog for the group.
hello my friend.
it is amazing to see how much the team has done with the pub. i am so glad that it is still going strong and inspiring poets around the world. i have been getting around the world a bit. mostly south asia, until this pandemic put a stop to that. i have an invite to africa out there, and hope to return to my friends in nepal soon.
i have not been writing sadly. i will perhaps have time when I am done with school. Soon.
Good to see you brother.
Thank you, Brian! Happy Anniversary, dVerse! What a wonderful prompt!
Good evening sascha. Thank you.
Happy Anniversary. What a profound milestone, and here’s to many more years ahead. I’m fairly new here, but this is my first time sharing and commenting; I was intrigued by the prompt and I just had to write for it. I thank you greatly for the opportunity, and I’ll now be taking the time to check out everyone else’s work.
So nice meeting and connecting with you. 🙂
Welcome to dVerse Lucy! Nice to meet you as well. Thanks for connecting with us and sharing your work.
Hello Lucy… how great that you decided to join. I remember how it took me a couple of months before I linked up the first time.
sorry i missed your comment here among the fury of reading poetry last night. Welcome. Always great to have new voices in the pub. Have fun. Enjoy reading others. I learned so much over the years just by reading others and observing how they did things.
Happy 8th Anniversary! It has been years since I have been to the Pub due to my lack of time & motivation to write, but when I discovered your Anniversary prompt, I could not resist.
I remember such great times here, back when I was still “active”, filled with warmth and beautiful poetry. Thank you so much for those wonderful memories. It feels good to visit…
I have been gone for some time as well. Thanks for jumping in.
I have yet to write my own, perhaps tonight. I gotta get back out in the citty for a bit and get a smear of her on my skin to get in the mood to verse…
Ha, you do just that. Looking forward to reading yours… it has been quite a while… 🙂
Hello Miriam, I hope you will be inspired to many more entries…
Oh, Brian of the golden heart, how we have missed you and your poems. I hope you still write sometimes. You have a unique and compassionate view of the world, and I loved seeing life through your eyes and poems. Eight years for dVerse and ten years for Poets United – oh what good years we shared! I have slowed my pace into what is finally retirement, lol, I figured at 73/74, it was time and my body agrees! Thank you, and all of the team that has kept dVerse running, for all you do and have done. I will try to scratch up a poem, it might not be till tomorrow………..SO wonderful to read you again!
hello wild woman. ha.
it is so good to see you. yes, i danced the verse in quite a few places, and under a few different names as well. smiles. glad to hear of your retirement. i dont know that i will ever truly get there. The team has done a marvelous job with the place, and i am thankful for the invitation back.
Sherry, good to see you. Thank you for the warm cheers! Hope you are taking good care of yourself and enjoying our summer.
Sherry… I hope you will continue to join us for many years to come.
Just coming in late to say hi to Brian. I’m under the weather after a little procedure at the hospital today, but I wanted to say Hello!! Its so wonderful of you to guest host and bless us with your presence. Sorry if I’m unable to participate. Good to see you sir and glad to hear you are doing well. Take care, Brian.
Sounds like u are the one i should be saying take care to. Hope your post procedure goes well. Will say a prayer you are back to full strength again soon.
Thank you, Brian. I appreciate that. 🙂
Mish, take care and take it slow!
Hi All, and thank you Brian for hosting today. I’m late I know, hoping to post something in the morning. Happy anniversary everyone! I received some good news today- I saw the surgeon and all the margins were clear around the tumor and lymph nodes he removed! Next step- the radiologist on Friday and the oncologist on Monday. Thanks for all the wonderful thoughts and prayers.
Ah. Thanks for sharing that wonderful blessing with us.
Yes, it is a blessing. And by the way- thank you for starting this wonderful place. I have learned so much from everyone here.
Great news Linda. I hope the heat in Phoenix treats you well …
It’s been brutal of late. Early walks, and then staying inside where it is cool.
Wow for 8 years of dVerse – I have only been stopping in for a bit now (months? a year? time collapses unto itself sometimes) but it’s been a delight every time, and I’m so happy you are here. …
Left a moment on the linky.
Now, is there perhaps a beer?
Na’ama …
Aye. Let me fill ur mug… And oh i know how time tends to collapse
🙂 Yum! Thank you for the drink! And, may time collapsing only bring us back to times worth remembering. … 🙂
I will take that blessing and toast.
smiles.
🙂 cheers! 🙂
Your site disappeared on me. Here was my comment:
I have not been back to my elementary school in some time, but last time i was there everything seemed so small. the schools are all empty now because of COVID. So sad. I miss the kids that I teach. I want them back. I know many are struggling because it is a safe place for them. I am sure the halls still ring with the echoes of their voices.
Yes, I hear you… Not sure what happened with the site… It should still be there… Perhaps goblins! As for schools…yes so very sad. Just today I walked past two in my neighborhood. Empty. Closed. I miss the kids, too. 😥 Soon, I hope, the hallways will ring with their voices and footsteps again.
Good Evening, Poets! Thank you, Grace, and a special thanks to you, Brian, for guest-hosting tonight’s 8th anniversary Poetics Prompt!
Keep the Burgundy flowing, and I look forward to seeing you all on the trail! 🙂
See you Frank on the poetry trail. Cheers!
Great to see you Frank
Thanks Frank. Have fun out there.
Love seeing you here, Brian. I too had to step away due to life’s busy moments. Writing. And working.
Congratulations Dverse! Eight years of togetherness. Love for poetry.
Thanks for your visit Ninot. Hope you are safe and well.
It is not easy.
writing, and blogging are tough mistresses,
when laid next to life
Wow!! So nice to have Brian back, even for this moment!!!
Hello Vandana. Thank you for the visit.
Smiles.
For a moment
Oy. I think I FINALLY overcame my cyberglitches & managed to post something in response to the Remember The Moment prompt. Thanks, Brian!
hey ron. headed over to check it out.
finally got mine wrangled enough to throw out there as well.
naama,
i think your link is broken, or for some reason I can not get to it anymore. I read it, and even wrote out a comment but it would not post and I could never get it to reopen.
Aight,
Good night.
Nice to see you behind the bar Bri! Can I have a german beer please..? Smiles
Happy anniversary dVerse!
What an awesome 8 years!
Thanks for everyone who is behind the bar nowadays and to all the poets who fill the place with life
I won’t be able to join the prompt this week but shouting a big hello to everyone – have fun ! I will de-rust my old pen and try to write some poetry during my summer holidays. See you then!
Hello Claudia, of course we have German beer * smiles* … maybe you will join us when we host the next real live event … we had one right before vacation.
Yes, you may.
So good to see you C. Smiles. There is a Hofbrauhaus just up the street, we ate there the first night we were here.
How have you been?
Ever crazy here between school and soccer and my own school. Did not get to go overseas this summer due to the travel bans and such. Miss it. Miss the kiddos. Spent most of the summer in meetings trying to figure out how to get the kids back into school. First bit of a break to truly relax.
B
Thank you, Björn! Back when I left, Claudia, you, Grace and Brian were all still around – it is wonderful to be back here and see, how active the Pub still is. I’ll see how it goes… maybe I can make time and step through the doors now and then. There is still so much warmth here – just like I remembered.
Oops… that reply should have popped up on a commetn further up. Sorry!
Lol. It happens.
Good morning poets. Coffee is on if anyone needs.
I will be stopping in and out to catch up with those that post.
Enjoy reading as you have time.
See you out there.
I’m so grateful for this community, new as I am to it. I wrote in complete isolation for years (my daughter used to talk about my “blog empire” because of all the hidden blogs where I posted what I was writing). Congratulations on eight years of poetry, and thank you for letting me in. Blessed Be.
I have had a few different ones over the years as well. And differnt names I posted under, after I got tired of the hubbub. Quiet places to sneak off to, or places wher I wrote things very different than my typical fare.
So happy to stop by for the anniversary! Much Love all around, Jason
hey hey.
sorry been out riding roller coasters all morning, but i am back in the mix.
be over ina few jason.
Thank you Brian for the co-gift of dVerse, poetics and all. Thank you Grace too. Thoroughly stimulating invitation.
aw shucks. smiles.
Thank you for hosting this wonderful prompt Brian and happy 8th Anniversary to dVerse Poets! I first walked into this beautiful bar nearly five years ago and love coming here when time permits. A very big thank you to all of you who keep it going. I’ve linked a haibun for the prompt (with my first ever video) and will swing by later to read.
oo. cool, will have to check out your vid.
i have been doing some creative video work this summer for my classroom at school. There are some really cool video editing software out there now that will allow you to embed music, and mix shots. I have been using weVideo, and its quite easy. First 5 are free as well.
That sounds wonderful Brian and I’ll have a look at weVideo. I’m using iMovie and enjoying what I’ve learned so far 😉
ok, so i will have to see if I can get to your site on my phone. the security on my school laptop is kicking me back out every time I try to comment. frustrating.
Sorry to hear that, the blog is mobile-friendly so hopefully you’ll be able to visit via your phone 🙂
Wow! Eight years!!??!! Seems like only yesterday. Here’s to another eight years for one of my favorite creative meeting places. Salud amigos!
Hi Mark, thanks for dropping by. Hope you are safe and well.
Just had to come and say hi to Brian! Just seeing you hear brings back some good memories. Really hope life is treating you well!!
Life is good Mary. I mean other than this whole pandemic thing jacking up school, and my soccer season… But I guess what is to be done.
Good to see u Mary. Will hv to stop over.
Hi Mary, Thanks for dropping by. Hope you are enjoying retirement like Sherry, smiles.
Stay safe and well.
Caught up to 35.
Off to dinner. Will check in later.
Thank you for checking in. We should make this an annual event, unless you are away in Asia or Africa, smiles 🙂
HELP Grace, can you delete my comment so I can post again via my blogging name? I didn’t mean to use my full name, was befuddled by the sign-in!!! Thanks, Lydia at Writerquake
Hi Lydia, Done and thank you for coming out of hibernation. Great to see you again.
You are way too kind, Grace. Every week I have enjoyed your posts, have saved them until the next week, and on and on! Happy 9th to you geniuses at the Pub!
Goodness, its not our 8th but our 9th anniversary. I don’t know how to count anymore in quarantine. Carry on with the party and celebration anyway.
i fear that my math students will forget how to count as well in quarantine. Lol.
I am forgetting actually the day as I work from home exclusively now. The days are just blurring from day to day. Hope your students are doing better than me. Our young kids here in Canada are actually going back to school this September. Our college and university students will continue with online though.
One more try on commenting, this time from the feed. This place is a special one. The gentle support and acceptance of a newbie who needs help along the way and continues to enjoy the camaradarie of those cozied up to the bar. Brian and Claudia thank you for creating the space, and thank you to Grace and Bjorn for their quiet leadership, and thank you to the bartenders who are always happy to pour a brew and make small talk. Happy Anniversary!
Thank you for being part of our pub and community. Appreciate this very much.
Grace you are very welcome ❤
Ai pray, Brian, you will be safe. Thank you for pulling up dVerse, when you did. The idea is splendid, and the way you and Claudia run it, curiosity was sparkled, and awareness of formalism.
appreciate the prayers, i will always take those. dverse is a labor of love from many people over the years. seeing so many of you brought to mind many of our previous pub tenders over the years.
One can still count to three, and then, what there to see. Certainly, new visitors will arrive. Expectation is not a bad thing. 🙂
Dear Ones – especially you today, Brian. I have not attended to my blog for years because I have not attended to my writing. The writer’s block has been severe. Thank you for this beautiful post and prompt that coaxed me out to congratulate all of you on a spectacular nine years! {bows}
i have not done anything online in years as well, so i am right there with you. not writers block for me necessarily, but a choice of a different direction. i do miss it though.
welcome back.
Hi, Brian. Good to hear from you. Thanks for the encouragement when I was just starting to write. Thank you for this place. Words have dried out for me, but I am glad that the Pub is as vibrant as ever.
Smiles. You never know when they will come back, but even if they were only for a season, then I am glad you got to touch the creative energy for a time. good to see you Imelda
I am late to the party but I wouldn’t miss congratulating the team behind dVerse! 8 years is quite long and I have been on and off here for the last five years. Your prompts continue to muse my mind and the quality of talented poets here inspire me to learn more and grow with the craft. I may not be super active but I want to share my sincerest gratitude to dVerse and all the amazing creatives behind it! More power!
Thanks Rose. The nice thing about a pub is you can be gone for long periods of time,a nd when you walk back through the door it can seem like you never left. Thanks.
brian
That is so true! Thank you, Brian!
Hey everyone! Congratulations Brian and all the pubtenders on the 9th year anniversary. This post and the prompt, both are wonderful. I’ll be back with my poem in a few hours. I’m glad to be a part of this awesome community! Thanks to all.
Take care
Jay
Cool. I will look forward to seeing what you spin up. Thanks for being a part of the community.
brian
I’ve shared a haibun I wrote just before this pandemic business started 🙂
ALright poets, its a new day. If you happen to join in late, that is quite alright — just visit a few and let us know so we can read and appreciate your art.
Grace will be bringing another amazing prompt here in a couple hours. I am heading home from vacation today, so it is a day of travel. Thanks for making this a fun return to the pub.
You never know when our paths may cross again, so until then, travel light.
brian