I love this title:)
Reading this made me sigh. Especially the ending.
We’ve both been in those positions. Me under your chin or you under mine.
The special moments of communication without words. Sometimes we need no words.
Hence the sighing!

You are an amazing writer baby.
In the meantime of heaven – between you and me – those moments are GOLDEN!

Powerfully penned, Mark. Excellent storytelling my friend this is an amazing write. Great detail as well. Appreciate you.

Damian

Epic & not only that, not a word out of place .. Bravo my friend .. Neville ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐👍

Blue-collar or otherwise, you are a fantastic writer Mark. I adore how you two catalogue your love too, in the minutiae of everyday existence.

Not sure our class systems equate, but I’m indelibly stained with working class ink. My first love was a lawyer, and boy, did she move in upper class circles. It took me sometime to accept my presence in their world. Ironically, she dumped me for an Irish ruffian of crime. ‘C’est la vie’ as they say somewhere.

I love how you describe what is going on around you but your still in the present with the person you love.

I love the words take time to describe their journey into the story.

I understand the term blue-collar writer. I think I would have phrased it as every man writer. Relatable and not snobby. You have the spirit of a storyteller, I think

We love the piece dude, but most of wat we love is your remembering your pop. You do that on several of your pieces and we see that as love. Tight

It’s the pacing, the nuance…articulating details of life so vividly
while interweaving emotions with a down-to-earth sincerity
just all-around proficient writing

much respect

Naaj

I’m hopefully learning to be a better writer as I go along. It’s hit or miss for all of us, I know. As long as I don’t become too mundane, I’m seeing progress. LOL
Thank you, Naaj. I look forward to your insights.

Powerful work. Tremendous.

Like Adelphina said, great title. Also those opening lines are not only funny but very observational in that oxymoronic way.
Great stuff.

It’s the first time I heard about the “blue-collar writer” and I don’t know why we should be under any name, a writer is a writer on his/her own style.

“a blue-collar writer approaches writing as a disciplined, daily, and often arduous profession, focusing on consistent output and “putting in the work” rather than waiting for inspiration.”

I understand about the daily events thing, but I don’t agree a about “rather than waiting for inspiration”, inspiration is not specific and has no limits, and if You are the one who “inspires” yourself to write from your daily life, it’s the ultimate inspiration, no less powerful or emotive than the one that may comes sudden, and here is but an example, for me this is a true masterpiece, the way You waved the events then the turning comes like a gentle breeze with deep profound layers, no doubt You are a profoundly emotional and deeply thinker person. I truly like this, and yes in the meantime of Heaven(what a gorgeous title!), it’s the good time to tell Her “I love you”. Glorious✨

Wow, thank you for the in depth comment. I am one who definitely waits for inspiration to write, verses just sitting and plodding on the keyboard. Actually, I write on an old tablet, then transfer it to the laptop.
Anyhow, I thank you very much for this time that you took. It’s rewarding to be acknowledged for our efforts, obviously. So thank you!

This seems like a love -hate relationship with existence in a way. Love keeps you going in rough times and memories are like a truce between mental battles fought and heartfelt moments. Nice one, Styx.

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.

Beautifully penned, Mark. A very passionate write my friend with excellent execution. Nicely done. Happy Holidays to you and Adel. Appreciate you.

Damian

This is beautiful.

Powerful work, my friend.

From the title to the stanzas within, this is a gorgeous and tender declaration Mark. No thrills, no spills – just the soft thrum of union. Rob

So touching and sweet.

Dear S,

Well, you’ve still got it I see. I was riveted from start to finish as per. For me, there’s always a double story of the characters you write and the ones I superimpose over them because your writing is so alive and energetic. Wonderful write. H🌷

Tremendous imagery. You paint this scene well.

I love the painting with eyelashes! I might have to steal that!
Being with you is home to me.
Everything is relaxed and I was comfortable in my own skin or my bath robe. Lol

This write reminds me of our time together. 10 whole days. It went by too fast but I cherished every second.
I remember you bringing up a ballerina vibe for one of your writes. You did her justice with this. Very eloquent with just the right amount of angst. Thank you for posting this baby, gave me a smile while reading:)
Love you and sorry it took me forever to comment! It’s been a crazy month at work and off as you know.
Call ya later this evening:)