not as from space, warps
or waves, spinning sun
flicker-fading like old-reel film
not in measured metronome tick
bluebottle buzz, creeping clouds
sighing for summer’s slow kiss
but inchworming along
mile on wrinkled mile
head down, determined
on this relentless, arbitrary path
Graceful Press Poetry 
“relentless, arbitrary path”
what a great metaphor for life
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It sounds a little grim, but I think there’s a bit of truth in it. 🙂
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You are such a wordsmith! This was filled with such perfectly placed words that filled me with dread and sadness.
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Aw, thanks. I didn’t intend for it to be so bleak–it didn’t start that way–but some days…
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Well, now I’m not sure if I should bother publishing my microstory. This is absolutely fantastic. I especially loved “flicker-fading like old-reel film.”
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Thanks, Cyn. What a confidence booster. Very glad you let us read your micro, too. 🙂
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Congratulations on your editor’s pick. I was going to be miffed if you didn’t get a nod.
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Thanks very much, Cyn. Congrats on your Crowd Fave!
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Beautiful ballet of words.. and is a winner in my humble opinion… :). My favorite: “creeping clouds sighing for summer’s slow kiss.”****
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Aw, thanks. My words are dancing? Love it! xo
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Congratulations dear! xoxo
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Bleak was never so perfectly, beautifully rendered! Some days it’s just like this, isn’t it? “spinning sun / Flicker-fading like old reel-film” is my favourite.
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It’s a tail-end of winter thing, maybe. In summer I don’t inch at all, just lie around in the sunshine. haha
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I didn’t think this was as bleak as other did. Determined doesn’t seem bleak to me. Nevertheless, nicely done. 🙂
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Thank you for seeing the positive. 🙂
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🙂
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I liked the mix of someone being determined, even though the path feels arbitrary.
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Just a tiny bit of fatalism, I think. Hm.
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Highly evocative. I liked the inchworm the best!
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Thank you. I have gardening and spring on my mind, among other things… 🙂
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I love all the imagery in this post – thoughtful and lyrical.
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Thank you!
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I’d try to pick my favorite line, but I’d end up posting the whole thing in this comment! Bleak, but also beautiful. Well done, Jennifer.
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Thank you, Arden. Just burbling with delight over the editor’s pick. Deeply appreciated.
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Of course Jen! It was well deserved! 🙂
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I agree bleak, but that’s how it goes sometimes!Ithink the metronome click and old reel film gave some great images in my head.
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Thank you. I wasn’t sure if the film one would work…but that’s how that flicker popped into my head.
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Yes. It is that unclimactic, but absolutely accurate and real. 🙂 Your words are on-point.
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Ah, that’s the word!–unclimactic. I’m finally starting to accept that part of it. 🙂
p.s. Are you going to do NaPoWriMo?
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I don’t think I can do NaPoWriMo this year. I can barely keep up with my once a week schedule and I am heading into six really tough weeks at the office. I wish it were different. You?
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Oh, Life. Yes, I’m going to try. Haven’t made 30 in 30 yet, but maybe this is the year!
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I believe in you!
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Happy Birthday?
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Ha! Yes, very recently. 🙂
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