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[Bite Size 94 Contest sponsored by Line Gauthier Nov/Dec 2024]  Placed 2nd

Self-doubt

Late autumn afternoon 
on the beach a broken branch
sways to the overtures
of lapping waves, contemplating
on whether to trust again after
the pain of wind’s betrayal. 

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Johnson Vdev Date: 5/23/2025 8:43:00 PM Your thoughts breathe life to the lifeless ... Magic. The betrayed always think twice to trust again. Login to Reply

Johnson Vdev Date: 5/23/2025 8:43:00 PM Your thoughts breathe life to the lifeless ... Magic. The betrayed always think twice to trust again. Login to Reply

Panagiota Romios Date: 3/10/2025 5:12:00 PM You have magic in your fingers , Oaul! Bless you for your peaceful writes thar see the besrtbin humanity, Hugs,Panhgie xx Login to Reply

CayCay Jennings Date: 2/7/2025 8:49:00 PM I have seen that very branch, behaving just as you wrote. Your words took me to that exact image. Such a clear image, too ... CayCay Login to Reply

Quoth Theraven Date: 12/29/2024 9:46:00 PM Paul, Wonder how it turns out for the broken branch. "] All the best in the season of hope for you and yours. -Richard Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 1/8/2025 12:15:00 PM Thank you for the visit, Richard. All the best to you and yours for 2025; personally I hope that it will be much better than 2024. // paul

Andrea Dietrich Date: 12/27/2024 8:58:00 AM I never know what Line will choose but I sure do like what you did for her contest here. Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 1/8/2025 12:12:00 PM Thank you, Andrea. Being a judge is not easy, and there will always be somebody who will take it badly if not included in the winners' list! ~ Regards // paul

Nette Onclaud Date: 12/23/2024 8:16:00 PM Sweet congrats on your high win ,paul...it's hard to trust again after being deceived but we learn to heal as we move on...may all the wonder of christmas fill you and your family with joy and peace! Huggs Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/26/2024 1:03:00 AM Pleased that you came to read this poem again, Nette. Hope Christmas brought you cheer and blessings, and that the new year will be a kind and considerate one! Hugs // paul

Tom Woody Date: 12/23/2024 3:03:00 PM Once bitten twice shy? Good one Paul Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/26/2024 12:58:00 AM Thank you for a second visit, Tommy; thus double thanks coming your way :) Regards // paul

Jennifer Proxenos Date: 12/22/2024 8:04:00 AM Self doubt as I interpreted this little gem, is perhaps being in a natural catastrophe and having to trust ones own instincts what to do next, and imagine if the decision you must take includes your family also, what a predicament. But your wonderful Tanka could also mean the loss of trust in someone who has let you down once too often I hope 2025 will be a year of good health my friend and wish you and your loving family a very, very Happy Christmas. Blessings and hugs Jennifer. Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/26/2024 1:41:00 AM Thank you for you lovely feedback, Jenny. When it comes to taking important decisions, it's only natural that we hesitate and take our time to react. Once bitten twice shy! ~ warm regards & hugs my friend // paul

Akham Nilabirdhwaja Singh Date: 12/18/2024 8:57:00 PM A meaningful poem in a few lines.Very nice. Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/23/2024 2:45:00 AM Thank you and best regards, Akham // paul

Gary Radice Date: 12/17/2024 11:12:00 PM The sign of a good poem for me, Paul, is when a personal piece like this can trigger such emotions and thoughts that the reader, too, can recognize and relate to. For me, the idea of not always being in control of situations having to rely on others at times and trusting our own instincts based on past experiences are very real human issues.I view self doubt as normal & healthy in this respect and an integral part of the process for moving on..and it shows you care. Great work! Cheers - Gary Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/23/2024 8:14:00 AM Thank you for liking, and for your insightful feedback, Gary. ~ Sending you Christmas blessings and all the best for the new year. // paul

Charles Messina Date: 12/14/2024 2:11:00 PM Very nicely written, Paul. A deep and powerful write, my friend. Hope all is well. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Charlie Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/23/2024 2:44:00 AM Thank you on all counts, Charlie. ~ I hope you and your loved ones will enjoy the blessings of Christmas. I also wish you all the very best for 2025. // paul

thriveni c mysore Date: 12/7/2024 6:59:00 PM Ah! poetic perspective, amazing write dear poet. congratulations on your win, cheers. Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/8/2024 1:54:00 PM Thank you for the feedback and congrats, Thriveni ~ Regards // paul

Susan Ashley Date: 12/6/2024 6:23:00 PM Dear Paul, wow, this poignant poem is deep, rich, intimate, pensive and beautifully expressed. Your use of imagery and metaphor is exquisite. Your soulful verse is full of potent emotion and artistry. I must fav this sad beauty! Your golden pen is 24k lustrous (as always..) So happy to see you, I know you've had a challenging year. I hope all is well with you and that the new year is full of kindness for you. Warmest wishes and hugs my dear friend.. ~Susan Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/8/2024 2:32:00 PM Thank you dear Susan. I always look forward to your encouraging and meaningful feedback....and this time accompanied by a fav (the cherry on the cake!). Life is picking up though it's not easy getting back in the groove. Thank you for caring, my friend. Warm regards & hugs // paul

Ink Empress Date: 12/6/2024 1:51:00 AM Dear paul, what a deeply moving and soul stirring write this is, especially loved “ on whether to trust again after the pain of wind’s betrayal” the way youv written that would resonate with so many as so many contemplate and wonder and find it hard to trust once theyv tasted bitter flavors of betrayal. Pleasure reading this moving poem! Sending you light always Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/8/2024 1:58:00 PM Thank you dear Empress. Your comments are truly appreciated. A while ago I read your "Raining Ruins" poem which deservedly placed first in Line's contest...congratulations. Warm regards // paul

Nette Onclaud Date: 12/5/2024 3:23:00 PM learning to let go of trust issues after a betrayal is fulfilling...wonderful tanka from your pen, paul! Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/23/2024 2:38:00 AM Thank you Nette, and pls excuse the late reply; December is always ultra busy for me! ~ Regards // paul

Tom Woody Date: 12/5/2024 6:09:00 AM Here's my advice: don't trust mother nature little branch. She's overly temperamental these days. Something about karma. Nice one Paul Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/23/2024 2:31:00 AM I never ignore anybody's advice, Tommy :) especially if it's well-intentioned! Thanks for stopping by. // paul

Arthur Vaso Date: 12/5/2024 1:46:00 AM Very powerful expressive poetry, loved it. Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/8/2024 2:15:00 PM Thank you the complimentary comments, Arthur. Regards // paul

Tom Cunningham Date: 12/4/2024 11:22:00 PM Sometimes we don't give ourselves enough credit and often just don't realise how good we are. Tom Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/8/2024 2:28:00 PM Thank you for dropping by, Tom. All the best for the festive season // paul Arthur Vaso Date: 12/5/2024 1:48:00 AM Yes and imagine the metaphor and imaginary of the branch being children bombed and killed, imagine that.

Ilene Bauer Date: 12/4/2024 1:00:00 PM wonderful, paul! i think we can all relate to that broken branch... Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/4/2024 1:15:00 PM Glad you related straight away to what I had in mind, Ilene :) Thank you for reading and commenting. Regards // paul

Paula Goldsmith Date: 12/4/2024 12:02:00 PM I enjoyed reading your "Self-doubt" write... Have a wonderful day writing away............ Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/4/2024 1:06:00 PM Thank you, Paula. Hope you too get lots of visits from your muse :) Regards // paul

Jan Allison Date: 12/4/2024 7:43:00 AM I never doubt your abilities to come up with an awesome poem Paul, the imagery is superb:-) hugs Jan xx Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/4/2024 10:17:00 AM Thank you Jan for your generous comments. Glad you enjoyed my offering. ~ Regards & Hugs // paul

Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 12/4/2024 7:02:00 AM - Always have faith in your own abilities, Paul :) - hugs Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/4/2024 1:04:00 PM Thank you for your positive advice, Anne-Lise :) Regards & hugs // paul