a photographic memory

This is excellent.
Every bit.
❤❤

Dear N,

Thank you. I’m touched and flattered by this and the RL add. I’m without words for your constant support. X
H🌷

If this is truly your self reflection, I think you’ll find yourself again.
And for the record, I don’t see a ghost at all. I see a person with kindness, love, moxie, and courage. Keep your chin up.
❤️

Dear E,

Heavy sigh and exhale. Yes. You’re right. Just seems to be taking a very very very long time. No amount of words to express my gratitude for the constant support and ever needed kick in the hind end to keep going. Xx
H🌷

A Graceful telling of those at times soul lost wanderings between lost and found. The soul captured by the camera was well used here by inference...but to be trapped more than lost between where you are and where you long to be is unearthing hard. I know. 🌼

Dear AJ,

Yes! To be trapped more than lost. And where I long to be…well that’s to be determined and very astute of you to pick up. Thank you very much for your insightful and kind comments. I’m very appreciative.
Thank you very much for the RL add as well. The cherry on top. H🌷

Yogi Berra once said, "If you don't know where you are going,
you'll end up someplace else.”

I've been someplace else before. It wasn't happy times.

LOL! And he was totally on the money. I think I have some decisions to make. Thank you for this humorous yet meaningful insight.

This is very interesting, Honoria. I am reminded of many a Native American culture that would refuse to have their photographs taken. They believed that the process could steal a person's soul and disrespected the spiritual world.

Over time, however, some ( not all ) Native Americans came to cherish photographs as links to ancestors and even integrated them into important ceremonies.

I don't believe that's the metaphor here; however, I believe it's more personal in nature. Be that as it may be, it's not any less intriguing. It's even more so, I believe.

Dear A,

Photographs are a wonderful way to document history. Your memory has sparked my memory of 8th grade social studies and that very topic about the Native American and photo’s. I hadn’t thought of that since Jesus was in diapers.
And yes, while this is not the metaphor I really like how it branched into different thought processes and discussion. And memories. Because from your thoughts  I thought about a ton of kids I went to school with and some fun times I’d long forgotten. Thank you for the wonderful support and thoughtfulness and RL list. X
H🌷

Reminiscing?  This reminded of the song Photograph.  I loved how you expressed this feeling.

Dear LJ,

Thank you for this kind comment and the RL add. Thank you again.
H🌷

What I like:  the way a specific moment is chosen, economically described;
the 2nd couplet where you describe her face in the photograph;
the frank, glib, even, explanation of the event & the result;
What I'd do:  expand a bit on the reality of her soul-less body. You say it's a shell, and that she's a ghost. OK...I'd go in the direction of being a little more specific and personal--there's a story about an individual here, and the distance / high-altitude view of the event seems a bit detached. Yes, this reader knows this can happen, and people like these exist in this world--so I'm wondering what a poem about it can give me.
Enjoyed!

Dear MP,

Thank you very much for these wonderful insights and suggestions. I think you’re right I probably could have delved further into the main idea of the soul-less body and roaming the earth until it was re-union time. True confession- I always get a bit concerned it will drone on and overboard. I will give serious thought to your wonderful thoughts as I re-work this piece for a different genre ie short story.
Thank you again for your read and comments. I’m very glad for them.
H🌷

I like the mystery, infused in this piece, which leaves room for multiple interpretations....  A glorious example of the seductive quality of writing.  Very cool.

Dear CO,

I like that there is room for multiple interpretations and I’m very flattered by your kind observations. I find when responding to my own poems I’m rather tongue tied and my true gratefulness gets lost.

Thank you so much for the RL list I’m really very grateful. H🌷

:)))

Dear H.,
I was thinking about reading some poetry tonight and checked over here and here you are. Thankfully .
Quite intense describing one’s murder for an opening sentence! It’s scary and alluring to continue reading.
Miss ya.
L.
Elizabeth Grace Edwards

Dear L,

Yes, totally murder in the sense that a soul has been taken. When this will reconnect with the owners living body, well that question is still in play. It’s so nice to see you back on site. I, too, like to sign in and read the poetry. It’s such a great way to escape from all the everyday ick.
I’m really happy and oh so grateful for your thoughtfulness and overly kind RL add. Made my day! H🌷

Dear H,
what a great poem: the imagery, the mood and the use of line length. the beginning pulls the reader in immediately, and does not stop. I really enjoyed all of this fantastic write and notice, even when writing this, I keep going back for more. thank you for sharing.
warmly,
ursa 💜

Dear U,

I’m completely flattered by your kind comment and I’m glad it didn’t seem to go on too long. Sometimes I can’t gage my own verbosity. I truly appreciate your insight on this.

Thank you very much for the RL list as well. I’m very grateful. H🌷

Great write H ... love it ... I for one hate pictures of myself ... especially selfies ... so this speaks to me ...

Dear L,

Pictures, selfies, videos, anything where I look like myself- nix! I’ve never experienced this but a portrait painting I might consider. I feel like I could guide the artist to make me look like Gina Lollabrigida.

Thank you for the RL add and your constant support. H🌷

Woww you express in such creative vocab, soulful muse in awesome poetic style. I was admiring the descriptive talent you have. Kudos!!

Dear ZK,

Thank you so much for this lovely comment. You’ve brightened my night and I’m really grateful. H🌷

Hey there, H ;)  
I can wholly relate to the idea of becoming lost in that split second (seemingly) "pop" of the camera flash.... Sometimes, it can feel like life passes us by that quickly and when we really do put our head back up and look around, taking stock—We're flabbergasted at time (possibly feeling like it's ) wasted and a situational awareness that kinda feels like it has flown the coop.... Leaving a shell of what we once remembered ourselves, being....  
 
However, your individualized, unique and utterly brilliant light that shines only that "Honoria luminescence" is a telltale sign that no ghost of a person could possibly capture...  
Only the real deal, itself.... We all get lost and faded sometimes, I definitely understand that. I love your heartfelt capturing of it within this poem, too ...Yet, a gentle reminder, as I send out all my love, best thoughts and reiterated sentiments, that what I see reflected from just your words alone, is all I need to know that you are deeply rooted in flesh, bone and a heart that's bigger than most. Plus, it's that damn chutzpah that totally has me a goner.... lmao... *wink  
 
Be strong, my lovely friend 🙏🏻  
and if needed .... ✨ 💫 💪🏻 I send some strength your way, too! ✨  
 
🌹 - 💙  
xo  
-S

My dear BV,

Before I become completely undone by this tribute of a comment, I really don’t feel worthy of but totally in awe by…well I guess I just want to say thank you. I’m utterly speechless. As in without speech. No words…

We both know that’s not true. 😊

It’s so odd to me, through this experience of writing (in itself something I’ve never done) but poetry? Get real. I’ve started to find a voice. Not always happy at times but truthful in a way vocalizing it would never happen.

It has been such a gift to garner your support, praise, encouragement and friendship along the way!!!! Thank you. Xo

Also, I’m taking that proffered strength because I’m really tired and I have a long day ahead and quite frankly I’m greedy 😉

Thank you my friend. Xx
H🌷

Dear R,

I so agree with your assessment of what a picture doesn’t tell. We have a family photo where all of us are smiling and it’s the worst one ever because we had just received bad news. Why we were smiling I guess was a conditioned response. But it makes me annoyed that we weren’t truthful somehow.
I had to smile when I read some people always look fabulous while others don’t in a picture. I’m definitely in the bad picture camp. I want the trick to play to a camera so I don’t always look like a deer in the headlights all the time.
The comment from your son about the bird is profoundly thoughtful and so respectful of spirituality. I was quite taken with its sensitivity.
Thank you for this wonderful and lovely comment. Sending love in return! Xo
H🌷

Artistically conveyed feeling of a single moment that spans a lifetime

Dear NG,

You nailed it. Pictures have a mystical quality sometimes that confounds me and intrigues me at the same time. I have a hate/hate relationship with the camera and now everyone has one in their phones there’s no escaping the shot. 😡
Thank you so much for your insightful comment. I’m really grateful for your read and visit today.  H🌷

A true masterpiece, my friend! And yes, you are on another RL which you so greatly deserve. I have really missed reading you.

Dear FM,

While you flatter me with this overly gracious comment and RL add, I’m really thankful for them.
I’m so happy to see you back and about poetry town. You’ve been missed. Thank you so much once again. H🌷

Dear H,
No need to thank me. No flattery here, just pure admiration and respect. May I remind you how very talented you are? Much love to you!

F

❤️😊❤️

Terrifying but excellently written.  You could base a novel on this.

Dear L,

I’m flabbergasted and very flattered by your comment. Thank you. High praise indeed kind sir.
Thank you for the RL add. My night has been made complete by your visit. H🌷

I left ❤️ here for this poem .Thanks for sharing,Honoria.

Dear RFC,

I’m so grateful for that and your generous RL add. Thank you so much. Wonderful way to start the day. 😊
H🌷

So much has been said already and I agree with all of the previous comments. You deserve all of these remarks and praise, and more. Your writing is magnificent, like you, and you capture this feeling of emptiness and being lost at times in such an amazing way. There is so much soul in your writing that it is impossible to imagine you separated from it. Anyway I just wanted to chime in, appreciating your talent, beauty, heart and soul. You are truly gifted, and a gift... xo

Dear K,

Oh! What a delight you’re back! You’ve been missed. Thank you for the RL add and these overly generous compliments. I’m so grateful for this kindness, you are too sweet. Thank you. Xx
H🌷

Being hair challenged I'm always framing pictures of myself with 1/2 of my head missing.  People must always be thinking, "who is he kidding" ?
Lately I'm showing my chrome dome and while I wish I had more hair it's a relief to come clean ...

This is a wonderful honest identity poem.  
People out and out think the world of you.  I know I'm one of them !!!

Outstanding ink

BIG LIKE

Dear PS,

I totally get trying to angle yourself in a photo shot. They can be unforgiving. I absolutely loathe having my picture taken. The only lighting I look good in is pitch black.
For the record. I have a great attraction for the sexiness of a head God thought was so perfect it didn’t need hair.
Thank you BIG time for the wonderful compliment of making your RL list. I’m giddy with delight and even more for the lovely compliments you’ve given me. X
H🌷

So I know I'm a little late to the party (catching up with my readings) but maybe because it's October 1st, the poem carries that scary/spooky and yet mystical feel it's perfect for the season.

Honoria, it's a wonderful piece, filled with mystery and intrigue, worthy of reading and enjoying over and over again.

Bravo!

Dear W,

Thank you so much for this lovely comment and RL add. It’s great to see you, I feel like it has been a while but you are just in time as the party just got started. 😊

Thank you again! H🌷

Dear R54,

I hardly feel worthy of this beautiful compliment. I’m so glad for your read/visit and I thank you very much for making my night! H🌷