Thank you so much, J. All true, of course; however, in poetry, all readers can see only what they can interpret from their particular viewpoints, their own life experiences, and thus, their “interpretation” is valid only as possible truth, their truth — but actual truth can be diametrically opposite: The muse is the hero: eight years gone, killed by pain, and now, with the HELP of the morphine, is finally the resurrector. Then, of course, the morphine itself must be, and was, vanquished, and the man is back. For now, at least. In a situation like this, nothing is permanent. Try it from that viewpoint.

I already replied, but I keep getting a notification that takes me back to here. So I don’t know if you got what I replied last night, above this.

See the 1st verse: Austin-American Statesman, April 9th, 1989. A real study. And boy, did I get a lot of flack from the “gentle sex.” Just reporting what I read — in my own words, of course. Isn’t that what good reporters do?

Ah, thank you! Did you play the audio? I need to redo it, but it’s not too bad.

Thanks, Tim

Ah, yes, and I find it strange for that very reason that I did not go into politics myself; it’s too bad my mirror does not agree. Damn lying glassy two-dimensional things that populate every bathroom I’ve ever been in. Who put those damn things there? Certainly not me! Thanks for the nice comments, John.

thank you graciously dearest Damian forgive my late response I find myself slipping of as of late ❤️

Wow, I absolutely love that thought! The pulse of an olive whispering to the pimento is such a quiet, perfect echo of the magic in the poem. Thank you!

Tim, ​Thank you! I’m really delighted to hear that the imagery resonated with you and made the forest feel alive.
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I especially appreciate you pointing out the line about the ferns. The emerald was so stunning and vivid in the dream, and it’s a huge relief to know I managed to capture that vision with words.

Thanks for reading, Damian! I’m so glad the colorful imagery resonated with you. That feeling of the forest coming alive was exactly what I hoped to capture. Appreciate you taking the time to read and comment

Hi Adelphina. Thank you so much! I really appreciate you saying that. Since the poem actually came from a dream, I was trying to capture that feeling of a vivid, hyper-real vision. I can absolutely see the connection to anime. It has that ability to make color and dreams feel so alive! I’m glad you enjoyed the read.

I’m so glad you enjoyed the wording…that means a lot. Thanks for reading and sharing your feedback!