The poem operates as a rite of declassification: the subject is neither bear, nor wolf, nor man, but the oscillation between all of them. And it is precisely in this instability that love appears—not as redemption, but as a force that anchors the untamed without domesticating it. Very well written, I like it very much.

This write is clever with a lot of twists molding into each other. And I love the red kite!
And the heartstrings. I’ll never look at them the same again. I love when you do steamy writes.
Never over done but with a few sharp edges – bringing the heat.
I can’t wait to see your book! And all the works you decide to put in it.

Love everything you do plus you;)

When we read this our mind mind thinks within the piece. Everything that we want is within the cave, truth of self and existence, safety in relation to everything within the cave, all emotions within the cave are real. Outside, there is darkness and every lie that it can hold, There are the teaming deceivers outside totally envious of the warm relationship within, snarling and gnashing their teeth at truth. Tight one dude

Beautifully written and so well thought out, even though you said your ideas were slammed together. It came together very well.

I dig the mix of spiritual and philosophical feel to this, delivered like spoken poetry, that rhythm that begs the reader (or listener) to lean in closer.
Great work.

It was a mess in my head for awhile, and this is the result of that jumble. LOL.
Funny how a few random ideas/lines can blend into something after all.
thank you, Damian!

Brilliant.

Thomas, I wish! But I’m keeping that accolade! I’ve been stabbing my head with a pen lately, trying to make my material worth the read. So thank you for the encouragement.

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.