Nice to find you hear. What a last line to this succinct poem!

p.s. ("hear" was a deliberate play because of the cadence of your words)

And I miss you Chuck...thank you for this glorious work, dear one. xox

wow. A little scary. Nice to see you, Chuck.:)

Hey
This rises up to the feelin' of a prison gang singin' in the fields. It's hard, but I say Hallelujah! for the push to the end of the wave of struggle. Enjoyed it.

Thanks for introducing me to a new word (I'm not a violinist). I had to look it up.

Rated (and we've missed you, too)

Chuck, take all the time you need, but if you miss this place, then please come back. We miss you more!! (besides, I'm going to have to go into therapy if you don't hurry back. I don't have to pay you)

@Harriet
today I'm lower than down... maybe it's the weather of change and confusion.

Chuck... I know I don't comment often but this, like most of what you write, is fantastic.

I hear a curious symmetry between this poem and the one I posted today. Mine was posted at 3:05, and yours at 3:39. You used only the words I left out.

I hate the ratings system.

Rated.

I miss you Chuck and appreciate this poem. Your words are always so elegant. Please come back when you are ready.

Next time you leave, you better take me with you, sheesh, I've missed your words my friend!! Rated.

To all my friends:

I miss you terribly and feel like I abandoned you because of my inflated need to feel important. Yes... I flounced... Yes I'm a hypocrite... Yes the regret I write of is mine.

Chuck, you have never been so beautiful as right now...xox

@robin
I'm not ashamed to admit some tears are forming. xox

Me too, Chuck...xox

Welcome back? No need for regrets. however well bowed. Just hoping for reunions, for which we'll bow.

you owe no one an apology, chuck. you acted human, and we all have to learn to forgive ourselves for that, sometimes.
i'm just glad you're posting here.
i've missed you.

What, you got so much extra energy you can waste it beating yourself up for having "flounced"? ;-} Seriously, save your energy for climbing up from the lower-than-low.

You did something constructive with that lower-than-low -- you wrote a powerful piece of poetry (the alliteration police are about to confiscate my "p" key).

You can also allow yourself some pleasant distraction: books, music, dvds, cooking -- whatever is the equivalent of comfort food (including comfort food). Re-read an old and beloved favorite book. Hey, if you haven't read A Wrinkle in Time... or Darkness Visible... (opposite ends of the spectrum, anyone?) Continuing to think about how rotten you feel doesn't help much -- it's okay to do something frivolous to take your mind off it.

If frivolity doesn't do it for you, do the dishes. Vaccum. Come over here and vacuum ;-}. Take a walk with a trash bag and pick up some trash.

Not that I'd believe it when I feel like hell... but it will pass. And welcome back -- no hard feelings at all (see my post on flouncing -- it didn't even occur to me that any of you were being self-important, so there!).

@lorraine
There's nothing like a good storm and three days of grayness to adjust the thinking process. Thank you for everything. You are a dear sweet friend.

Checkin' out your lead, I find this... A little darker than the mood we left, but killer! RRR

frightening but all the more powerful for being so...

at the end of the day none of it matters... not the egos,not the flouncing, not the rating or the covers. at the end of the day only the words remain.
these are some wonderful words.

Aye, aye, my friend. Beautiful as always. It is great to hear from you, we miss your great works. Rated.

Beautiful and a little scary, but oddly enough that's a favorite combination for me.

It's always good to see you, Chuck.

Nice nice nice imagery.

rated

No need to do anything but write Chuck, do what your heart tells you to do...

xo

You didn't flounce...not by any stretch of your imagination. We all need to take time outs...and by the look/sound of this stunning poem, you use your time wisely.

R

I'm w/ Mamoore. And you are writing here again. Good.

masterpiece!

@Padraig
our messaging had much to do with perspective.

"Hopelessness holds court in the dead of night' that is pure magic. Great to hear the poet share here, Chuck.

Welcome back Chuck!

Rated

It is always darkest before dawn.
You have been missed Chuck!

Great to see you here Chuck. I hope this has helped you climb up some from the "low". See, we are all still here to read your wonderful poetry!

Hi Chuck, this is strong and bleak, as I imagine you may want it to be. I missed your writing. I am glad to see your change in avatar back to you. Hope you will pop in often. I will be waiting.

Phew, what an intense poem! Great to have your energy back Chuck! Luv!