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Against All Odds - July

News heard through the grapevine when a heatwave threatened July’s joy a baby girl was born against all odds (while on air Phil Collins sang to make a point) tears ran down a happy mother’s face. At last, the closure of an empty space. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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Yolanda Nicholsen

Date: 9/12/2023 3:20:00 AM

Lovely write Paul enjoyed reading you work..

Paul Callus
Date: 9/18/2023 4:36:00 AM

Thank you for reading and enjoying, Yolanda. Regards // paul

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 8/31/2023 5:45:00 AM

Very touching. Phil Collins was a nice touch. Music is so important when marking emotionally significant events.

Paul Callus
Date: 9/11/2023 8:30:00 AM

Thank you, Richard. I often associate dates and music (especially songs) with memories. ~ Regards // paul

Robert Lindley

Date: 8/22/2023 4:11:00 PM

My good friend, this is a great new creation. And a baby to boot! Stay cool my friend. God bless you.... A FAV TOO..

Paul Callus
Date: 8/26/2023 10:45:00 AM

Thank you twice over, Robert, for stopping by with not only words of encouragement, but also with a fav! ~ Best regards & blessings my friend // paul

Sotto Poet

Date: 8/18/2023 4:14:00 PM

This narrative is truly captivating and exudes profound beauty. It resonates deeply with readers, evoking memories of their own cherished experiences of childbirth. Heartfelt congratulations on your well-deserved win Paul.

Paul Callus
Date: 8/26/2023 10:35:00 AM

Thank you so very much, my friend. Sometimes a single word or a song bring back cherished memories; putting them to words is an added bonus. ~ Regards // paul

Bill Baker

Date: 8/15/2023 2:09:00 PM

Quite a closure at that. Congrats on the contest win, Paul. Engaging poetry, my friend. Have a great day! Bill

Paul Callus
Date: 8/26/2023 10:25:00 AM

Thank you for reading and commenting, my friend. Have a nice weekend // paul

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 8/15/2023 12:15:00 PM

A breathtaking write as a baby girl is born against all odds this baby was meant to be, circumstances so dire, yet this miracle brought tears and closure of what was an empty space for a mother. Kudos Paul, congratulations on your win. Hugs and blessings Jennifer.

Paul Callus
Date: 8/26/2023 10:27:00 AM

As always, you read my poem to perfection dear Jenny. Thank you for the insightful comments and congrats, my friend. ~ Warm regards & hugs // paul

Akkina Downing

Date: 8/14/2023 8:15:00 PM

Hello my friend Paul, hope you are well… what a beautiful touching poem you wrote. Simply beautiful:)

Paul Callus
Date: 8/15/2023 4:29:00 AM

What a pleasure to have you visiting, Akkina! Your absence from Soup had not gone unnoticed. Thank you for reading and liking; your lovely comments are truly appreciated. Regards // paul

Susan Lawrence

Date: 8/6/2023 8:12:00 AM

Amazing precious birth against the odds ! A gift for all indeed ! I love the weaving of your words dear Paul ! Brings me in to the middle of the scene with sights, sounds and emotions ! Bravo ! Congratulations on your win in Andrea’s contest. Sending all good wishes to you and yours . Stay cool ! Love and hugs dear friend, Susan :)

Paul Callus
Date: 8/15/2023 2:05:00 PM

Hi Susan! Nothing beats coming out on top against all odds, not only in childbirth, but also in other challenges that life offers us. Thank you for contributing to my poem with your insightful comments. Hope you're enjoying summer :) Warm regards & Hugs my friend // paul

Susan Ashley

Date: 8/2/2023 5:49:00 PM

Dear Paul, I didn't need "telepathic powers or a vivid sixth sense" to know how well-received your moving etheree would be :)) Congratulations for your wonderful win in Andrea's contest. I am honored to share the podium with you, my dear friend. I hope the hot weather is cooling off in Malta! Warmest wishes and hugs.. ~Susan

Paul Callus
Date: 8/3/2023 2:34:00 AM

Thank you so much for coming back with these pleasant comments and congrats, dear Susan. You deservedly placed higher than I did; probably could have run off with 1st place as well :) Our heatwave has abated, though temp is still high. Sea water has been around 30C. ~ Warm regards & Hugs my friend. // paul

Sara Kendrick

Date: 8/1/2023 1:32:00 PM

Ahh!! Lovely winning work in the contest. Way to go. Congratulations!! Sara

Paul Callus
Date: 8/2/2023 12:51:00 AM

Thank you on all counts, Sara. May you have a lovely, productive day :) // paul

Brian Sambourne

Date: 7/30/2023 9:24:00 PM

A grand posting, Paul. What endures in the face of formidable odds truly uplifts. Congratulations! Brian

Paul Callus
Date: 8/2/2023 12:49:00 AM

Thank you for stopping by, Brian. Your feedback is appreciated. Regards // paul

Judy Ball

Date: 7/29/2023 11:13:00 AM

WoW! What a beautiful story. Loved this. I think many of us can relate to this remembering the birth of their own babes. Congrats on a well deserved win. Love it God Bless, JB

Paul Callus
Date: 8/2/2023 12:21:00 AM

Thank you for reading and liking, and for the congrats, Judy. Have a lovely and blessed day. // paul

Jan Allison

Date: 7/29/2023 1:02:00 AM

such a touching piece and would you believe it 'against all odds was playing on the radio just moments ago!. Many congrats on your win:-) sending love and hugs to all the family Jan xx

Paul Callus
Date: 7/31/2023 3:36:00 AM

Thank you, Jan. Many of my memories are connected to dates and songs. Of course, this song was long after Kirsty was born (a bit of poetic license)! Hope you had a nice weekend. Sending regards & hugs // paul

Kim Merryman

Date: 7/28/2023 5:58:00 PM

So sweet! Congrats on your win, Paul! Blessings, Kim M

Paul Callus
Date: 7/29/2023 12:05:00 AM

Thank you, Kim. Hope your Florida July heat is not too unbearable! Have a nice weekend. // paul

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 7/28/2023 1:44:00 PM

So was this your baby, Paul? I have a husband and sister born in July. Congrats in my contest. Thanks for sharing a memory

Paul Callus
Date: 7/28/2023 2:02:00 PM

Thank you for the placement, Andrea. My mum was born on 18 July, so is my daughter, cousins/relatives, penfriend....!! Warm regards, my friend // paul

Lisa Ricci

Date: 7/28/2023 7:10:00 AM

Good Morning Paul. Hello. Wonderful execution with the etheree format. I found your ending line and thought most powerful that is in true line of your title. As always, thank you for sharing your poetic talent. Have a wonderful day and weekend. Blessings (smile)

Paul Callus
Date: 7/28/2023 11:17:00 AM

Thank you Lisa. I always enjoy reading your feedback. Sending you blessings...and have a lovely weekend :) // paul

Tom Woody

Date: 7/27/2023 1:00:00 PM

Whew! We might hit 100 tomorrow Paul here in Ne Ohio. Stinking hot. Nice to see you're still around mate

Paul Callus
Date: 7/27/2023 3:00:00 PM

Good to see you in action again, Tommy. These past couple of weeks our weather has been fine, but too hot for my liking, especially with the many power cuts which we experienced. We've had 110F this week, but luckily it's 'cooler' today...only 90F. ~ Regards // paul

Sneha Rv

Date: 7/22/2023 7:54:00 AM

what a vivid and fresh etheree! the reference adds so much weight suggestion and is beautiful This should do so well in the contest :)

Paul Callus
Date: 7/27/2023 2:38:00 PM

Thank you dear Sneha. You are not only a gifted writer, but also a gifted critic :) Take care // paul

Judy Ball

Date: 7/17/2023 9:36:00 AM

Beautiful Paul. I had a baby on July 6th. She is 49 yrs. young now. Nice job here. God Bless, JB

Paul Callus
Date: 7/27/2023 1:48:00 PM

Thank you, Judy. My July 'baby' is only a year younger than yours! ~ Regards & blessings, my friend // paul

Susan Ashley

Date: 7/16/2023 9:54:00 AM

Dear Paul, I adore the intimate imagery of your July Etheree. Your talent for beautiful brevity gives a vivid snapshot a life story that leaves room around the edges of the poetic page for our heart's imagination to fill in the rest. Love the musical reference and the emotional power of the last line. A winner in the contest for sure! Warmest wishes and hugs my friend.. ~Susan

Paul Callus
Date: 7/27/2023 1:36:00 PM

Thank you dear Susan; your insightful comments are (as always) a pleasure to read. Sometimes I wonder if you also have telepathic powers or a vivid sixth sense! ~ Warm regards & Hugs my friend // paul

Jack Horne

Date: 7/15/2023 6:41:00 AM

love this thoughtful write, my friend - lovely last line

Paul Callus
Date: 7/27/2023 11:39:00 AM

Thank you my friend...and excuse the late reply; the heatwave and long power cuts have been taking their toll! Regards // paul

Bill Baker

Date: 7/14/2023 5:01:00 PM

Nice Etheree, Paul. Hard to have a baby in heat of July in Texas. Have a good weekend, my friend. Bill

Paul Callus
Date: 7/15/2023 7:11:00 AM

Thank you, Bill. Over here July temps are in the 90s (97F today). My daughter was born in July!! ~ Enjoy the weekend, my friend // paul

Malabika Ray Choudhury

Date: 7/12/2023 3:21:00 PM

Brilliant poem, Dear Paul. Poems bring so many emotions in our life, and your poems are so special - I read Anne-Lise's story - and your sweetest comment. Best wishes ~ Mala

Paul Callus
Date: 7/13/2023 10:12:00 AM

Thank you dear Mala. I cherish your candid comments and best wishes. I have already read your Etheree submission, and very much enjoyed it. ~ Best regards // paul

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 7/12/2023 1:54:00 PM

- Love your Juli child, Paul - My story : A baby girl was born and it was me ... against all odds ... because the mother did not want this child - "Phil Collins" (the father) did not sing ... he cried - hugs

Anne-Lise Andresen
Date: 7/13/2023 2:42:00 AM

- Thank you, my friend :) - hugs

Paul Callus
Date: 7/12/2023 2:02:00 PM

Your version is such a touching one, Anne-Lise! And that baby girl grew up to be not only beautiful, but also very talented :) Thank you for giving my poem an added emotional flavour. Hugs // paul

Ilene Bauer

Date: 7/12/2023 1:48:00 PM

i enjoyed this poem, paul! if this was for a contest, hope you made it on time...

Paul Callus
Date: 7/12/2023 1:58:00 PM

Thank you, Ilene....and yes, this time I managed to beat the clock :) All I have to do is check the syllable count! ~ Regards // paul