Parker Owens

Stefan's tragedy was a result of a complete failure of those who should have looked out for him. Instead, they turned the other way, to see what they wanted to see. Your privilege game is a good one. I must try it sometime...

Yes, that made me smile broadly. Bears with a new center of gravity...but now they'll have to go to the bear gym!

I am out of likes for the day! But I will continue to like and re-read this story. Corey finally got to a place where he can be happy, safe and loved. Thank you so much for sharing his tale with us.

Bother, I am out of likes! This chapter was so good in a great many respects...best of all, Corey got rid of Zach, who was just too full of himself. Really, he ought to take over Jason's place in Toronto, not that anyone would want him there, either. But the hard part of all that is Jason got to hear Corey's words about fidelity...those must have hurt, even if he wasn't the target. Can't help but be happy for Pierre and David...and I really want to know what Corey's mom thinks of all this...where has she been? (Thanks for the question, Dr.P)

Beautifully expressed, and speaking volumes about the yearning, breaking heart.

You have been telling out your soul in your poetry. Those of us who read it cannot help but be affected. 'Frost Warning' came to me after reading several of your posts; it seemed more appropriate than a mere 'like.' I am very glad you liked these. Thank you for responding to them.

Spike asks excellent questions, and I'm sure not going to repeat them for emphasis. David feels unsafe, and his dream interview with Danny reinforced that. I can see several possible real sources for that unease, all of them quite sinister. I do wish Danny had been as clear and focused as David's other meditation guides. David is certain to need someone rocklike and stable to hold onto, for the next few weeks look to be the most turbulent yet.

Towery and David sense their distance between them growing, but seem unable to check the drift. That they both sense it betrays its significance to both of them; that neither one is moving to close the gap simply shows how paralyzed by expectations and current experiences they both are. And that is to be expected. In the space of just a few weeks, both Twoey and David have undergone gut wrenching emotionally charged attacks. They have both had brushes with mortality. Not surprising that either one would drift into someone's conveniently situated arms, embraces, bed...getting out of these, now that's a bigger task. Cal and Lanni...well, Lanni is showing she has a brain, after all. Perhaps she was worthy of David and Twoey to begin with. Is this a way of showing us that if she can make the right move, maybe our heroes can, too? Or maybe it's just comic relief. Thanks for the chapter, SD, and sorry for the late review!

Spring snows make one question basic life choices, perhaps. Why on earth did I choose to live here? No, they are never kind, and neither are the freezes that befall some relationships. Thank you for your help with Questions. Was I, am I, can I ever be enough? But the smile answers these questions, perhaps.

Thank you, Gary. Your responses were much appreciated, and very kind, too. Yes, the insecurity is definitely intended, but there is more than acceptance and resignation, I hope. The blossom and the smile are both what we hope for, no?

I think you described your thoughts and feelings without reporting here, especially in the first. The second raises an intriguing thought...the sparrow pitying you at the window. What about its glimpse into your life would make it do so? I think both of these express pain and unhappiness well; in that sense, you have done very well, indeed.

Thanks very much for taking the time to revisit the journal. I agree about re-reading, it was harder to edit than to write.

You read my intent fairly well. Thank you for reading with enough care to see it. I am so glad you liked the cinquain. The form is just right sometimes, and its ability to be mirrored, inverted or varied is very useful.

Emi, this must have been a very hard thread of poems to write, but they are very good. Your clarity and courage come through in every line.

Questions Answered Is there beauty in a landfill? Is there grace within the dump? Where the dozer cleared the forest out, how lovely is the stump? Now consider well the on-ramp, and its aged concrete curve, though the moss and brush may green it some, which muses does it serve? We may never meet with pretty where the function follows form; no designer of a railroad yard could ever make it warm. And I wonder if I'm like that, made for use and not for style, on the crowded shelf of humanki

So sad, so simply written. It is beautiful, but the pain is so real.

These are devastating, powerful, unvarnished. I turn away in my own shame that I just laid bills on the table and would not feed you or clothe you or help you to heal. These are awesome in their power.

Thanks for taking the time to read and respond to these. I really enjoyed writing about the river, and several folk tunes ran in my head as it came from brain to page. The final one in the set was originally meant to be humorous, but somehow, the words kept insisting otherwise. You were very kind to read these, and your words were most encouraging.

Def, thanks so very much. Coming from you, this is high praise, and I blush. My face is like a red, red rose....

What a shame...his first kiss, and then...gone! Now I want a second chapter...great beginning, Emi.

Ryan's intuition about his dreams and processing may be right. And if so, what a good thing that is. Now if he can unbend enough to make a tighter relationship with Clayton work, a better sort of fireworks might go off...

At least Corey might listen to Pierre. And Pierre had the goodness to forgive Jason. Corey's feelings are certainly obvious, but perhaps Jason's are genuine, too. For now, it seems that Jason will have to concentrate on supporting Drew, as he ought to, as he must. I very much enjoyed this chapter, and hope for more, soon.

One thing I noticed in Twoey's admittedly hot, steamy and mind blowing sex scene...there was no mention of a condom...maybe it was one of those mundane details Twoey was foggy about...or maybe Erik isn't as loving and solicitous as all that. What would Matty have said? Or maybe it's not a big deal, and Twoey didn't mention it. Of course, Erik was snoring five minutes after they came back to consciousness. David doesn't feel right about the Erik - Twoey relationship, and neither does Sam, but Twoey seems perfectly content. Poor David. Erik will really, really have to mess up (did he really forget to be safe with Twoey?) to change that equation. Lanni appears to be going into the whole Cal thing with her eyes open. Poor girl. Prepare for tragedy.

We all have to pretend sometimes. I was struck by how the catbird might feel knowing that he can never be any of the birds he imitates. Thank you for your thoughtful comments!

I feel so humbled and at the same time pleased that you liked both of these. It is a testament to your clarity of writing and gentle support that these are as good as you say. The catbird is one of my favorite birds; loud and raucous when hidden in the underbrush, but silent and watchful whenever it'd can be easily spotted. The other morning it sang so loudly trying so hard to be a robin, the robin himself flew off in frustration. Thank you for taking the time and care to respond to these so thoughtfully.