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:)

hello dearest Styxian this is very beautiful, sensual and romantic…I have a garden dream to I always picture wisdom is there walking through the garden having philospohical conversations with Eve it is a curious thing… this is beautifully written and your metaphors are just right to evoke deep feeling ❤️

Hey Crims! I’ve edited this one so many times, trying to get the rhymes and meter tight. I’m not much into this type anymore, but it’s good practice for my ol’ brain. LOL
Thanks for letting me know that the effort paid off!

I love this. The rhyming is sooo good!
Dare I say perfect, yes I think I will.
I think about your back yard and all the hibiscus 🌺 back there.
This isn’t too far fetched 🙂

Love it and you!

Beautifully penned, Mark. A very passionate write indeed my friend. Excellent work as always. Appreciate you.

Damian

Look at you going all rhymey! This is so lovely, well done.
❤️k

This has such a ye olde sonnet vibe to it. It flows and builds great imagery. Trying to write in a rhyming fashion fractures my brain. Well done!

Trust me, it wrecked my brain big time! I hacked at it quite alot. I actually had some more “ye olde sonnet” type words in it, but took them out because I didn’t want it to seem pretentious. If that makes sense. I also doubt that I can ever write one quite as solid as this one, as far as the build of it. again. Maybe if I break out the old pencil and paper, so I can erase a hundred times. LOL. (I still write on paper sometimes, because it holds a unique touch to me.
Good to see you Willow. Hope you are well and enjoying life!

I’m not used to seeing rhymes from you so this was a pleasant surprise. Your poems are always a pleasure to read. Great job here, this to me is a dedication poem and one well written.

Hello Tim. I started out as a rhyming kid. LOL. But as I got older and read more contemporary material, it changed my preferences. It was more in tune with my “feelings”.
But, I have a few attempts here and there, to stay mentally sharp I suppose. So I appreciate the nod for my result. these ain’t easy for me. If for anyone.