Parker Owens

Come, love, and let me be the gentle rain to soothe your fever's all persistent ache; let me assuage your solitary pain and all your desert desiccation slake. Come, love, and in me kindle flames which burn so wild as to consume fear's forest deep, that dark, forbidding fastness rude and stern where I lay hid with secrets that I keep. Come, love, so let us till our autumn ground and plant again that we might know the spring may come again to us who may confound the seasons of our life upon it

So, I'm not convinced, either. It appears that so many are not content or sure of what they think they understand. Lanni isn't convinced she's attractive, so she's going to throw herself at caddish Cal? Ugh. Randy sees something nobody...not even David...sees. He won't convince Alex, that's for sure. Now David has the willies about Erik and Twoey? What does Twoey think? And then there is the matter of Burch's demise the delinquent duo. Will the judge be convinced to make a sensible deal? Only Sam seems happy, and well, convinced...great chapter, but I need much more!

I experienced the same tug on the poetic hand you did. Unlike me you wrote about it eloquently. I loved the way you used the armour image, which got me thinking about knights and chivalry....

Thanks for reviewing the second time around. Stefan is far more than a bug, isn't he. What a great sorrow it is that he doesn't know it.

Welcome. Glad you took the plunge, and hope you will feel the same way.

Val, these are smashing, and I can only echo Tim, and thank you for stirring up so many of us to try the challenge this year. Some reactions... # 21 I know ts feeling, this experience. And you describe it with deft economy. # 22. Know this, too. Can't wait for a no alarm day. # 23. And some days and experiences are just too much, aren't they? Aptly described. # 24. This one made me smile, and I had no difficulty at all imagining it. Love the leaves shaking in laughter. Being tickled, maybe? # 25. Okay, this had my heart rate up. # 26. Oh. that kind of hunger... # 27. A feline snapshot. Purrrrfect. # 28. I think this is my favorite of the group. Judas as the kid who never thought it would turn out that way..... # 29. Great image for bitterness like a blanket. The cure is to get out bed, then? # 30. Oh, the unhappiness and uncertain of goodbye. This was very nicely done. And I very much appreciate your poetic reworking for the Lord's Prayer. That in itself is a great boon to me as a reader. Thanks again for all your help and happy instigation.

You are very kind to ask for more. The poetry challenge was somethingI took on with a certain amount of fear, but look how many people did it this year. Glad you enjoyed some of what I submitted. Thanks for reading them and for sharing your reactions.

I liked 29 a great deal, too, for the images it brought to mind. I thought 24 was quite a lot of fun, and it came quite naturally. If there is lots of time to play in the sandbox, then I hope it will be you to call me to dinner!

Adi, I do love reading your reactions. You thought of hats? What sort, and where? I am happy you liked the bridge poem, as I think it was one of my favorites for this set.

Dear Tim, I love that you read what I submit, knowing that perhaps you respond to language as I do. This was an awesome challenge, and now I am amazed we all did it. Do I need to thank you for your encouragement? Absolutely. - P

I am glad you liked APRIL 30, as I did, too. There was something about the shared secret in the dance that appealed to me. Glad you liked 04-31, too..just a little bonus.

XXII Oh, how I hate being the subject of "I told you so!" But I smiled at to, couldn't help it, especially at barking up the wrong tree... XXIII. This sonnet perfectly conjures up the disparity of flash and dash versus the emptiness that can come afterwards. Is it the speaker who cares for him? I thought about that. XXIV. Never saw a cat go after a bee. What a sight that must have been! XXV The hopelessness and hurt radiate from every line in this. The words color it grey, and though the jewel weed is there, the hurt seems to overcome it. I ached with this. XXVI. Again, more destruction of the soul, the self. In just a few words, you paint a searing portrait of dementia. XXVII Your words make me feel welcome and ready to feast! XXVIII. I absolutely love the way you begin this poem. It makes me feel as if I am interrupting the story, or catching up with it in progress. I have been at there...hesitating for too many moments, unable to catch myself or fall. XXIX. How well you show us that you can see through our masks. XXX. I loved the idea of the Renga, and regretted not being able to take part. But VAMP did a superb job and turned out a passionate plea for redemption and life.

Day 22. You describe the scene perfectly, so that I can hear the gulls and watch the loons on the water. ...sun slid between pushy clouds...that's a wonderfully inspired image. Day 23. Warmth, peace, contentment: to be loved like that is the greatest blessing. Day 24. Your vivid dream, lucidly described. And it's message, so clear - not all dreams are clear, so this is a gift. Day 25. What a great line to begin with...and miles to go...please don't contemplate your final sleep too soon, as this is an eloquent plea to live life slowly and delectably. Day 26. I empathize with this one, know exactly what it talks about. You speak to me here. Day 27. As with 26, this poem talks to my experience. Day 28. Love this lighthearted piece. Your limerick is an antidote to 26 and 27. Day 29. Too much poetry?? How is that possible? But I understand the sentiment you raise...the feeling of 'what more can I say?' Sometimes gets to me. Day 30. At an end, perhaps, but worth it, this poem shows why the month of toil makes such a difference. To me, this is a wonderful piece describing the beauty in the natural and everyday experience. It contemplates beauty in the simple, ordinary bits of life.

I don't know if you ever got past the admittedly hard first five chapters. You can skip over them, if you like, as the rest of the story isn't quite so difficult. But I appreciate your taking the time to try this story, anyhow.

Too bad, indeed. In any event, I am so very happy you enjoyed A to Z; it was something I was really glad to share. Also glad that rereading it was as worthwhile as the first time.

Too bad, indeed. In any event, I am so very happy you enjoyed A to Z; it was something I was really glad to share. Also glad that rereading it was as worthwhile as the first time.

APRIL 22 The partial differential with respect to x has more to do with function z; as y is held as constant, this is what protects the coefficient y, you see? Now do it once again, but with respect to y, a different planar slope obtains. The two define just where the tangent plane may lie, though this may overtax our brains. Despite confusion, onward go another round, a second differential take. But when you do, you're at a stand, what have you found? More partial layers, for heaven's sak

David must feel another little kick in the gut this time, in addition to the injuries he's already got. What he also has is a David-crazy girlfriend. He's too much in confusion to do much about it, but if she irritates Tommy, maybe she'll have to back off. Erik and Twoey seem to be forming their ever closer union...don't really see a breaking point coming there, and what a pity. Interesting bit about Gary's godfather...you have me waiting for more!

There are very few ways I can see in which this can turn out at all well. Jose Maria could tell Bernardo that his plan just isn't going to happen with his consent, and warn CJ off - but something tells me JM has already shared boys this way with Bernardo before, so why take a pass now? CJ could figure out what's coming and dodge it, but what would clue him in? Or it could just happen, which would really mess up CJ, his trust and confidence, and the relationship he has with his dads, and much else besides. In any case, this is a dramatic thriller that has most of us on the edges of our seats. Hoping for the best, of course, but not expecting good things...

Now this is one heck of a chapter. Love, suspense, crossed-up lovers and friends, and of course a cliffhanger to boot! I really liked what you did with this! Josh is a fool, and Galen? What on earth happened to Galen? More soon, right?

Welcome from me, too, Tamy.

Great chapter. Wonder what Joshua will be like, really...and will Shade disabuse him? And the simmering Curtis question may come to a boil, too. Lots of spice and tension building!

Thanks so very much for reading Desire. I will indeed look for your post.

Thank you for taking the time to read these. There is a great range of feeling in them, and if you got something from them, great. I'm very happy neither you nor the ducks came to any great harm...

That's so very kind of you to say so. The poem-per-day challenge for April has been stimulating and rewarding. Glad you liked this.