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Thanks! . Great to hear from you again, centex. Nostalgia is an ache for what we might have lost... in this case, those innocent times when the world had no limits to two young boys with burgeoning imaginations and comaraderie. I have such fondness for those times too. Appreciate the support, my friend. Cheers!

Hello, all!

Happy Sunday, all! Anyone watching the NHL playoffs?

I think there are news outlets in other countries who want to make Australia look as bad as their own county when it comes to gun violence. Glad to hear it's an isolated occurrence.

159.9 per litre yesterday north of Toronto.

That episode isn't on here until Monday night. Yikes. Now I'm scared.

I watched the latest episode here, but you might be ahead of us over there.

Is the gang violence in Sydney bad, B? I read some about it today.

I do mourn the innocence of youth, yet there are times I feel my family situation never allowed me a chance to be innocent. It is why that summer means so much to me when I let the memories wash over me. We once kept a frog for hours, passing him back and forth and trying to feed him insects we caught. I remember chasing him in the grass until I couldn't breath from laughing so hard. We returned him to the marsh we got him from, and he swam away. I had an affinity for frogs after that, which turned into an affinity for turtles. We named him too, but I can't remember what we settled on. I like that you might have shed a tear at this one. As people we are often judged throughout our lives, but for me, I think it is I who judges me most harshly. I'm trying not to do that, but it's not easy. I recognize I can do something cowardly without being an actual coward. I love Haiku, I love writing them and reading them. I appreciate you quoting this one. Pride can blind us, but in small doses it can feed our souls and give us strength. Thanks, Ben. Your reading and commenting means a lot to me. Appreciate the support. Cheers. Gary.

Hello.

Welcome to the Paddock, @exny

Thank you, Alex! As always, I appreciate your support for my work. Cheers!

Oh, for sure, Adi. I have so much to be thankful for. My kids and grandkids especially. I live a comfortable life, but loneliness colors some of it, and as much as I accept it, I struggle with it too. You're right that we seldom get do-overs, at least not the kind we want. Your words are kind. Words to me aren't much different than opaque watercolors or solid oils to a painter. Being able to see what I write is a great compliment IMO. Thank you, dear friend. Cheers!

Glad you found them so, Doha. Yeah, we often share similar experiences, both good and bad. Sometimes reality gets to heavy, but there is no escaping it. We cope, and hopefully we learn. Cheers, my friend.

You get me, my platonic friend. Seriously, I'm happy you see the innocence of "Within". I was young, and I didn't even know what paths could possible be ahead. We lived day to day. We lived a couple of miles from each other and would meet halfway in the back of the woods that lined the country road. I do remember being so excited to see him each day he could make it, but I had no clue why there was a tingle. I did recognize he was very beautiful, though. So no, I wasn't ready for any road. "If Only" is my cross to bear, and that is enough said for now... other than every so often the hurt can take my breath away. "Lessons". Yeah, pride is a double-edged sword. Handle with care. It can rob you of things, blinding you at the worst times. I think my favorite 'lesson' is... "Does a flower doubt its ability to push past burdens above?" It's been my mantra since I wrote it. Thanks for brightening my day, J.

Yes it is. Thank you, Michael. I'm pleased you found something here. Cheers.

Thanks, Doc. I do relive that summer in my way, a time when we didn't have to make choices, just live and have fun. There is a sweetness to those memories I refuse to let be foiled by what came later. In those days, two young boys were pirates and knights and kings, comrades in arms, holding onto who we were in those moments while letting imaginations soar. Friendships like those are better than buried treasure. I appreciate you reading and reviewing, my friend. Cheers!

Thank you so much, Parker. So many blueberries.

Honestly, that's my favorite of these as well, Chris. There is a truly sad aspect to that poem. I learned many years later on a visit to my home province, in an offhand comment at a get-together, that my summer friend had committed suicide. He was the same age as me, only twenty-two at the time. I went outside and threw up. No one there really knew how close we had been as children. I wish I had a photo of him. Anyway, it took a lot to write the poem, but I'm glad I did. He might be gone, but those times are always with me, and he deserves to be remembered. Thanks for indulging me and reading and reviewing my offerings, my friend.

Thanks, Albert. This is surprising to be truthful, but I truly appreciate your support for these. I will say, these poems are honest, coming from within , from my memories, my outlook, and the depth and baggage of my experiences. You know how I feel about poetry and the cleansing aspect of it. Therapy is well and good, but sometimes putting words down is another form of self help. I am protective of my poetry, a lot of it never seeing the light of day, but I'm beginning to understand the folly of that. Cheers, my friend.

Thank you so much! I'd like to think our lives are filled with magical times, whether they be moments or days or years. I'm always trying to find my balance, and I treasure what I've lost. Appreciate you reading and commenting, friend. Cheers.

It left me shook, even raw, but that's a good thing. Be careful, and read the author's warning. It is powerful.

I strive to find the validity in all poetry, and I found it here. Yes, it is disturbing, shocking even, but it's the point, right? I've never wanted to do what this protagonist did, but I have a brink I was pushed to and over(I warned him more than once), and I will admit the swing and impact felt good in that moment, but not later. We give people the power to hurt us, so we have to accept a love's betrayal and move on. This person couldn't, and that left me unsettled, like good poetry often does. Cheers.

These are good poems with depth and thoughtfulness. Words are powerful things when put together with feeling. Cheers

Is this Friday? Oh, hell, what does it matter. Enjoy your day, folks.