The Tangled Branch Discussion Forums

Tracy and Doc..thank you.

Day 2

..........

Joy comes in the morning, true -
but mourning will accept its due.
Exceptions don’t apply to you -
enjoy.

Messages .......... I wonder about the rain on my roof, its tension and release at once, those particular drops in that particular order. And the wind, how it must carry something - a kiss or a song, the steam of someone’s herbal tea, perhaps the scent of a woman’s hair or the stench of a vagrant. T...

I like the poem and your comment about a subtle apocalypse is amusing. The holding the door thing is a good metaphor but as a factual picture of world history and where we are heading it is a cliche and weak. The ancient Greeks were saying this. Their civilization ended i know but the reasons just ...

I love the way the opening line brings the power -- somber, depressing and perfectly metered. I needed to google some instant research to refresh my recall, but became more confused. The wrathful angels I take to be those who opposed Jannes and Jambres, who haven't yet [in the poem] launched their ...

Fabulous writing HL and especially poignant to me just now as my mother who will be 102 this coming Monday fell yesterday and broke her thin bones. She is in Hospice.  I hesitate to critique anything here as it is so heartfelt and personal but I found the ending a bit of a disappointment in relatio...

That last couplet is one of the best poem endings I've seen in a while. It makes the poem for me.

There is no such thing as loving her now.   She was more than mere flesh animated by a soul, a soul hovering now in some glorious vault, unaware of me, her oxidized flesh in a pewter vessel upstairs in the old bedroom my disabled father can no longer reach any more than I can reach what cannot be a...

I like the meta-ness of the first line. It made me want to read on.

I may need to spend a little more time with the rest. It's interesting, but I don't get it. Yet.

Hi Ishmael. 

I'm not sure I get this, especially the first stanza. Isn't Autumn usually when birds leave?