Oh. Daggers to the heart babe!
This write is terminal and has a quiet elegance about it.
The whole piece gets you in the feels.
It all tied together perfectly with the moth. I didn’t realize the significance of it until the end.
Just bravo! It needs to go in your book!

Proud fiancé right here!

I was talking to a co-worker the other day, about if we should tell our loved ones or not if we are “terminal”. Because it changes the dynamics of the relationship right away. Happiness is hard to have then. It’s always bittersweet from then on.
So, I began this write based on the dilemma. But then the whole moth aspect gave me a different approach, like a focal point away from the gloom.
I will undoubtedly hack at this some more, slightly, but for now this is what I got.
Thank you honey! It’s a bit heavy I know. Just a write I swear! 😉

This is a wonderful sad and bittersweed writing on a difficult and heavy topic, dear Styxian! The moth as a spirit guide is a well chosen and meaningful symbol. A moth knows how to die. It focuses only on the light and its overwhelming attraction towards it. I think death can show us what really matters in life. Gratitude for everything we have experienced in life, for the people we love and for all of life here on Earth. Of course, a terminal disease comes with many burdens and hardships but it also gives you the chance to say goodbye and to surrender completely to love – just like a moth does.

Jeez Mark, this is beautifully heart breaking and offers much food for thought. The moth motif is a clever touch.

Brilliant work.

Yes the big “C” through neighbors and family we are familiar with this destroyer of home, family, and bank accounts. We remember while younger a neighbor was sent back home to die with stomach cancer. Dude you would not believe the screams, the entire neighborhood felt relief with his passing. Maybe, just maybe this moth was also is spirit guide. To tight dude

Brilliantly penned, Mark. This one has layers and depth my friend, and it pulled on the heartstrings as well. Excellent write. Appreciate you.

Damian

I enjoyed this. It is full of images and captures the rolling duality of life and death, with style.
Regards James

Wow, that was very heartfelt, and I like it when you said to tie your shoe together, throw them over the limb, let them know you’re taken. (Aww) Nicely done

Remember when kids would throw their old shoes, tied together, over a power line? usually near their own house. “Oh, there’s Johnny’s shoes!”. That was what I thinking of when I added those lines. Sort of a “I was here” type of thing.
Thank you Fia!

Tremendous work.

You’re a great poet and a very lucky man.

Beautifully penned, Mark. Such a lovely and heartfelt write my friend. So glad you and Adel both share your stories with us. Excellent work. Appreciate you.

Damian

Styxian, this poem, the two of you (in the comments) made me laugh out loud! It was the laugh of pure joy and appreciation of the warmth that flowed freely from your words and especially from the shared feeling of love. A “Hummingbird” may flit and fly everywhere, but they always come back to where the love (nectar) is the sweetest. It’s where they build their home. This poem and its confession and commitment tastes/feels like HOME.

Truly a really cool poem. I’m glad you shared it!!
-Curt

It’s a beautiful gift the two of you have found. A lot of people only find more pain and damage online. Cherish what you have and nurture it as you did this lovely heartfelt poem

What a real treat this turned out to be .. Write on brother .. Oh’ and I so love a happy ending .. Bestest of best regards to all those implicated .. Neville 😎💛👍

I love how this poem captures that mix of vulnerability and joy in love. The hummingbird fluttering in your heart is such a perfect image–fragile, alive, and full of hope. It feels intimate and really heartfelt.

How sincere, sweet, lovely and emotionally this was written! it leaves for sure a happy smile and warmth in heart. I was immediately drawn from the first lines, good poetry does this! Don’t fear expressing anything with her, strengths and weaknesses… and all else, sharing makes the bond stronger! All The happiness for both of You💕

I have found through the years, and many poems I’ve written, that the closing verse is most significant. It is the last spoken words of the poem that the writer bequeaths us with, like the last page of a book. It’s meant to catch our breath. As this does, overwhelmingly so.

Hey Kelly. I have two huge flaws when I write, one causes the other. In that I carry on too long, many times, by not knowing how or when to end a write. So sometimes they become long as hell. At least I hope they can be rewarding to read at least. As we all hope with our own writes.
So thank you for the positive note. It does matter.

I’m proud to say I’m a writer when I read poems like this. It has integrity and image. You’re a great writer, Styx.

Well I’m glad that you continue to write in here, Tim. To me, this is a group effort for all of us to enhance our abilities.
For years, decades even, I kept my material mostly to myself. A shy writer. LOL. Yet, no, open up and give and take.
Thanks for your encouragement Tim. I do try.

This is sweet and has many layers to it. I do like the way you say the moon is a coin.

This poem reads like a quiet confession beneath the moonlight. I love how the “white coin” becomes a symbol for time, memory, and love — spent, lost, and offered again. The dragon and unicorn imagery gives it a fable-like weight, while the emotions remain deeply human. It’s wistful, tender, and quietly generous in its final offering.

Your use of symbolism is a joy my friend.

Oh how to comment on this! It’s stunning and heartfelt.
Truly an epic write. My eyes got a little teary and my smile kept smiling throughout the whole read.
Each section took me somewhere new but the emotion carried over smoothly.

What a talent you are and a blessing:)

Beautifully penned, Mark. Into the book it belongs! Love the depth and layers of this one my friend, excellent storytelling per usual. Appreciate you.

Damian

Kinda like a romantic Lord Of The Ring or Game of Thrones, like this along with your word play within the piece. Tight