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    Parker Owens
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Poetry posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

Disasters, Delights and Other Detours - 49. Summer Visit

Anyone will tell you that free verse is not my strong suit. Yet this occurred to me on a visit with friends earlier this summer.

Grill smoke eddies and curls,

its column contorting in the faint breeze

while the evening commute hums nearby;

late afternoon sun glints

on golden Chardonnay as sparkling as our conversation,

a give-and-take as meaty

as anything roasting over the glowing coals,

and well-aged like the stories we remember best about ourselves.

Twilight and moonrise flavor our discussion;

books and politics make potent digestives

to be enjoyed like heirloom cognac,

sipped carefully,

leaving the spirit warm and the brain fuzzy

and ready for bed.

I'd be very grateful for critiques and feedback on this poem, for I know it's a long way from perfect. Anything you have to add to my thinking is welcome.
Copyright © 2017 Parker Owens; All Rights Reserved.
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Poetry posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 
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1 hour ago, Valkyrie said:

I think you captured the essence of a lovely evening spent with good friends.  I had a similar experience when visiting my BFF last week.  This is what life is all about.  :wub::hug:  

It was indeed a wonderful day. I'll not soon forget it.Thank you.

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I also think you captured the feel of a nice summer evening spent with friends.

I take all poetry with how it speaks to me internally. I am far from an expert in this area of creative writing, so seldom feel competent to critique, beyond saying if I liked something or not. 

I liked this one. Best I can do! :)

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25 minutes ago, Geron Kees said:

I also think you captured the feel of a nice summer evening spent with friends.

I take all poetry with how it speaks to me internally. I am far from an expert in this area of creative writing, so seldom feel competent to critique, beyond saying if I liked something or not. 

I liked this one. Best I can do! :)

Thank you very much for reading this. I’m very glad you liked it. You’re kind to consider my request. 

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Perfection?  I think it's perfection if you manage to recreate a special moment  for others. 

Everything sounded nice, minus the meat. ;)

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I'm not sure why you think you cannot write free verse. Said it before, they are among your better work. There is feeling in them, life and most especially...you.

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1 hour ago, Mikiesboy said:

I'm not sure why you think you cannot write free verse. Said it before, they are among your better work. There is feeling in them, life and most especially...you.

I'm very grateful for your encouraging words. I think free verse scares me a little - like a mathematics problem that has no right answer. Structured forms can let me hang on to something, like a syllable count or a rhyme scheme, but free verse requires me to be a better observer and a more effective writer. That's why I admire your own poetry. You could say this means I need to practice free verse more, and you'd be right. My sketchbook has lots of blank pages left... :)  Thank you again for taking time with this.

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24 minutes ago, Parker Owens said:

I'm very grateful for your encouraging words. I think free verse scares me a little - like a mathematics problem that has no right answer. Structured forms can let me hang on to something, like a syllable count or a rhyme scheme, but free verse requires me to be a better observer and a more effective writer. That's why I admire your own poetry. You could say this means I need to practice free verse more, and you'd be right. My sketchbook has lots of blank pages left... :)  Thank you again for taking time with this.

I understand your comfort with styles having more structure. They appeal most to me too. The syllable counts or rhyme scheme provide a skeleton waiting for our words to lend it body. Still that being said you should write more free verse. 

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It's often the small blessings that give perspective to our lives. This was beautiful in its peace. I could imagine myself getting tipsy as the evening wore on... and enjoying the warm feeling you get from spending time with a true and valued friend. One of your many best, Parker... cheers... Gary....

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7 hours ago, dughlas said:

You captured the meat and drink of a convival summers eve.

I’m glad you thought it was a good description. Thanks very much for reading.

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6 hours ago, aditus said:

Perfection?  I think it's perfection if you manage to recreate a special moment  for others. 

Everything sounded nice, minus the meat. ;)

You’re kind to comment on this cookout. Good wine, cheese and conversation - my idea of a perfect visit. 

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1 hour ago, Headstall said:

It's often the small blessings that give perspective to our lives. This was beautiful in its peace. I could imagine myself getting tipsy as the evening wore on... and enjoying the warm feeling you get from spending time with a true and valued friend. One of your many best, Parker... cheers... Gary....

Thanks very much for reading this one. It was a wonderful, convivial evening, the kind when there were so many stories and discussions that one can’t remember them all. 

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