This is a hard hitting one because I do relate to this piece.i enjoy your work

Oh! it makes me think back to simpler times when things weren’t all amuck.

Powerfully penned, Willow. Excellent lyrics my friend. Really dig the musical accompaniment. I heard gospel and r&b elements maybe a touch of Motown. Nicely done. Appreciate you.

Damian

Not everything comes shiny and new for Christmas but its the effort that counts
Unfortunately, when tragedy happens it doesn’t care what day it is.
I hope you and your family had a great Christmas Day:). Always focus on the positive here and now chica:)
They carry us through the hard times.

Merry Christmas 🎄

Dear W,

Beautiful, heart felt, heartache, touchingly gorgeous I could go on. Every word so poignant and meaningful you’ve painted a word picture that has touched me beyond measure. Beautiful write. H🌷

This poem honors the truth many people carry through the holidays—the quiet grief, the missing chairs, the love that survives scarcity. It’s honest without bitterness, and that makes it powerful.

hello dearest Styxian so much of what you wrote gave me comfort I’ve been pondering today different things and this gave my racing mind some peace Snow must be beautiful indeed if she inspired this from you ❤️

This is a very well-written piece, and I can tell she means a lot to you with how you thought every minute detail to put in it. Form the way you eat to conversations, of her writing will be met with the fire. Nice done. I would love to read her writing.

I’ve asked her if I could post something of hers, several times, both on DUP and now here. She always says no. I respect her wishes.
I can’t stress enough how much her own writing changed my “limitations” on what is considered creative writing. Some argue what is and isn’t actually poetry. I do not care. I enjoy writing, and that is what matters. Yeah?
Merry Christmas Fia!

Dear M,

Wow! I love her commitment to writing for herself and like Buddha whomever is lucky enough to catch a fleeting glimpse of her words will last them a lifetime. Im choked up by the influence she has given you in this telling story. It’s a lovely tribute and beautiful write. H🌷

Beautifully penned, Mark. Such a heartfelt tribute my friend. Grabs at the old heartstrings, she sounds like a wise and humble mentor. That is a special bond indeed, we learn so much from the people who have influenced and guided us. Some people are meant to alter our lives for the better. Excellent work, thanks so much for sharing. Merry Christmas to you and Adel. Appreciate you.

Damian

This is tremendous poetry Mark. I consider myself to be blessed to have encountered good folk like yourself in the DU dark portals.

I buy a fair amount of contemporary poetry and your scribbles could easily sit beside the writers. Betty actually has a paperback to hit the shelves shortly and it’s an absolute privilege to be friends with you all.

I wish A and you the most beautiful 2026 and everything you wish for yourselves.

Your Welsh comrade, Rob

This is one of the best pieces I’ve read from you:).
All the details and meanings behind them.
All the mini scenes flow into each other just like currents of snow:)
That is my favorite writing.
As writers we tend to connect instantly with other writers who are able to express themselves uniquely. It’s a talent we tear ourselves up with because it takes a unique ability to express it with words. Written or spoken. It’s not easy so when we spot talent we tend to get inspired. It’s part of being in the creative field.

Beautiful tribute sweetie! I hope she reads this!

This is fierce and intimate at the same time—hunger, devotion, and grief braided together. The stork/swan/fire imagery carries real weight, and the way poetry becomes both sustenance and sacrifice feels earned, not romanticized. There’s a hard honesty here about loving words that were never meant to last, and still needing them anyway. This stayed with me.

Her influence did you well. She affected you in a way that made you a better writer. I can’t top what others have said, so I’ll just say: great poem, Styx.

Thank you, Tim. I was an okay writer back then. But when I started reading her material, and others like it, I really amped up my sense of creativity. I get so much motivation from good writes. So write!

The white bird play is so evocative. Like, holy shit, the symbolism shoots you between the eyes; a stork is a harbringer of life while the song of a swan is a harbringer of death. The interchange between a character at the end of a story to a character bringing a new story… and then you wend in the scrolls and smoke and narrative fusion.

FUCK IT’S GOOD!

I’m basically a product of my environment, when it comes to creative writing. I will read a few good writes and get some cool ideas. Then hopefully it just spews out pretty flawlessly. I live in my head too much. LOL.
Hey, good to see you around!

Perfectly poemed in my humble opinion good sir .. and correspondingly muchly enjoyed .. Neville

Thanks a bunch, Neville. I’m supposed to be assembling my material into a book. Yet, I end up creating new material to add to the stack instead. LOL.
Stay awesome, fine sir!

Having read the note, I think appreciate the friendship between folks who have never with an affinity for poetry. The line where you canceled real bodies to read shows a beautiful and meaningful this can be. Not many people can claim they’ve had friendships that last decades, let alone a friendship with a poet in another part of the world.
Amazing write.

There are words that warm you even after winter.

Yep. Some we carry around for ages after.

Digging the ethereal feeling in this. Hope you’re doing well sir.
Nicely penned.

The poems are starting to appear in my brain jar again Wally

She gives me a lot to write about…

Stay tuned Wally

Hope all is good on your side !!

hello dearest Poet you are so sexy when you are being beautiful it’s great to see you ❤️

I don’t come here often Brenda but once in awhile a poem will come to me and I pen it. Sometimes I get excited that I actually wrote something again. On DUP they came fast and furious but now I have to wait for the magic to appear.

Appreciate your comment Brenda.
You’re so sweet
Thanks

❤️

Beautifully penned, Speak. Excellent write my friend. Nicely done. Appreciate you.

Damian

The desire to write happens occasionally now and I’m grateful for it ..

Thx D

Listen to the messages. Keep writing. I enjoy it

Would’ve loved some of your artwork along with this piece, we’re all missing boxhead. Tight

Yeah, boxhead needs to get it together.
They’re comfortably numb and living the good life while their Master is working hard …

Thx Me

Stay tuned

Dear PS,

I feel ya on the process of writing since DU. I enjoyed this romantic side and ride. So glad your muse has spoken.
H🌷

Speak! Poet! Poetspeak, another great write. So nice to read something of yours again. Hold on to that inspo, it’s working in or favor. 😉

xx

It’d be my pleasure. xx