Holly, your poetry-making mind dances beautifully with Gerry LaFemina’s. Through your evocation of absorbing his work, I re-experience my discovery of every powt I have treasured.
Awww, what a wonderful comment, Rona. I love the notion of mind dancing with other writers. I think it’s one of my favorite things about writing—that in some ways, as reading is a writer’s best instructor, we’re all mind dancing with each other. 🥰🔥
It always fascinates me that we can find ourselves and our answers in the abstract. It doesn't have to be OUR story or a similar story to help us. In fact, maybe the mental gymnastics of trying to figure out why it is affecting us helps us to move more deeply in that direction. Lovely, Holly.
Yes! I couldn’t agree more. This exercise made me want to think more deeply about other writers and writing I love. To enter deeply into our own internal realms is such a profound experience perhaps in part because of how it is often the best way to experience our broader connectedness. Ha! More mental gymnastics. Thank you very much for reading and commenting!
That quoted section comparing otters shedding kelp to "the way a woman’s skirt glissades the length of her legs" is so evocative and surprising! Thanks for sharing.
"I worked those lines over and over, something about the sound of gravel beneath tires, rolling away, paired with the tinkle of ice in a glass." This feels like how poetry should be read, with all our senses, all our selves. Fabulous, Holly.
The conclusion, oof 🥹 i love the way some writing speaks to us over the course of our lives — how we can see and be seen by writers we have never spoken to in person.
Right?! And in this case, I do know Gerry LaFemina. Many years ago, I took a prose poetry class from him during my final year of college and then did an independent study with him. Over the years, we’ve remained social media friends. And I’ve just gotten back in contact with him to send him this piece. I doubt he knows this, but I kind of think of him as my writing mentor.
Thank you very much for reading and commenting, Kelsey.
Holly, your poetry-making mind dances beautifully with Gerry LaFemina’s. Through your evocation of absorbing his work, I re-experience my discovery of every powt I have treasured.
Awww, what a wonderful comment, Rona. I love the notion of mind dancing with other writers. I think it’s one of my favorite things about writing—that in some ways, as reading is a writer’s best instructor, we’re all mind dancing with each other. 🥰🔥
Such writing, Holly. I feel led to someplace deep and wise. And the poetry! No wonder. Whole worlds. Thank you.
Yes, whole worlds indeed. Thank you ever so much for reading and commenting. I am buoyed by the special joy of being read by writers I admire. 😊
Oh, that conclusion! 💙
It always fascinates me that we can find ourselves and our answers in the abstract. It doesn't have to be OUR story or a similar story to help us. In fact, maybe the mental gymnastics of trying to figure out why it is affecting us helps us to move more deeply in that direction. Lovely, Holly.
Yes! I couldn’t agree more. This exercise made me want to think more deeply about other writers and writing I love. To enter deeply into our own internal realms is such a profound experience perhaps in part because of how it is often the best way to experience our broader connectedness. Ha! More mental gymnastics. Thank you very much for reading and commenting!
That quoted section comparing otters shedding kelp to "the way a woman’s skirt glissades the length of her legs" is so evocative and surprising! Thanks for sharing.
Right?! That element of surprise is something I love about poetry in general and this poetry in specific.
I don’t even have words, so beautiful
Thank you, Anna! Gerry’s poetry is like that. And his prose too. Thank you for reading and commenting!! 🥰
Wow! Wow! Wow, Holly. Intense and evocative writing.
Thank you, thank you, dear friend. This piece was a joy to write. 🥰
"I worked those lines over and over, something about the sound of gravel beneath tires, rolling away, paired with the tinkle of ice in a glass." This feels like how poetry should be read, with all our senses, all our selves. Fabulous, Holly.
Thank you, Jeffrey! Good poetry, good writing, the way it’s rhythms live in us and through us is among life’s greatest gifts, isn’t it. 😊
Absolutely!
The conclusion, oof 🥹 i love the way some writing speaks to us over the course of our lives — how we can see and be seen by writers we have never spoken to in person.
Right?! And in this case, I do know Gerry LaFemina. Many years ago, I took a prose poetry class from him during my final year of college and then did an independent study with him. Over the years, we’ve remained social media friends. And I’ve just gotten back in contact with him to send him this piece. I doubt he knows this, but I kind of think of him as my writing mentor.
Thank you very much for reading and commenting, Kelsey.
Ahhh that’s beautiful! It’s so powerful when we get to take classes and study with the people whose writing has impacted us 🥹
Beautiful written and the yearning descriptions exquisite.
Truly, beautiful, Holly. I read every word, wonderful words that make you think.