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Stature

Scottie dog on his walk parading onto sidewalks of quiet drama his bristling, buoyant hop on three legs while an old man, cane in hand, grasps the dog's leash a life line between them glimpse of resistance measured movements occasional threads of panic to claim their space, the edges of a frame, the lilt of living others step the circle around them quick glances to thaw cellphone attention permitted entry into a private moment that graces the pair like stained glass light strength can be a force greater than fear that shapes the land they tread on for an old man, cane weary, and his three legged dog their return walk mounted together a noble bearing through May's green door that summons them forward that marks time pressing, to hold their footing Poem written: May 16, 2022

Copyright © | Year Posted 2022




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Date: 3/10/2023 7:13:00 AM
Dear Brian, it's my great pleasure to return to this amazing masterwork and offer you my heartiest congratulations for your excellent final placement in Mark's Marathon contest. I'm thrilled to partake of this soulful poem, brimming with intimate imagery and poignant beauty, once again. It is a grand honor to share the podium with you, Brian, a wonderfully talented poet and inspiring friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
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Susan Ashley
Date: 3/10/2023 1:23:00 PM
I adore and admire your narrative approach to poetry, Brian. Indeed, your poetic creations are like cinematic slices of life full of captivating vibrancy. You’re welcome for my enthusiastic applause for your poem. And thank you for your kind and heartwarming congrats as well. I hope all is well, my inspiring friend..
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Brian Sambourne
Date: 3/10/2023 7:36:00 AM
Dear Susan Thank you for your most thoughtful appraisal of my small poem. A narrative approach to poetry like a cinematic scene appeals to me but often not to others. But I pen on. Heaps of congratulations on your first place finish . Best wishes always, Brian
Date: 3/5/2023 10:47:00 AM
We all ran a great race. Congratulations, Brian.
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Brian Sambourne
Date: 3/5/2023 10:54:00 AM
Greetings Lin, Thank you for your congratulatory message. I was not anticipating a placement, so the recognition was a surprise. Be well. Regards always, Brian
Date: 3/4/2023 1:30:00 PM
Brian, congratulations on your Fifteenth Place, overall win in my 2022 Poetry Marathon! Thank you so much for contributing to the success of the contest. The poems of the 28 qualifiers can be accessed from my current "Finish Line" blog post, along with the top 15 placements and their overall stats. Write on!
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Brian Sambourne
Date: 3/4/2023 4:27:00 PM
Hello Mark, Thank you for the recognition of my small piece on two stalwarts in my community who fight the limits of their mobility. Best wishes, Brian
Date: 7/10/2022 11:12:00 PM
Great narration. Congratulations!
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Brian Sambourne
Date: 7/11/2022 6:28:00 AM
Thank you Christuraj, for your drop by and note. All the best, Brian
Date: 7/9/2022 10:08:00 AM
This is extremely well thought out. I truly enjoyed reading it. And as far as placement in contests, there are so many perspectives and points of view. Mood and temperament play a role in a judge’s decision and I always respect that. You should never be disappointed with an N/A or overly excited by a first place finish. Just enjoy the ride and hope for the best. I have entered poems that were N/A’d in one contest and finish first in the next.
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Brian Sambourne
Date: 7/9/2022 11:22:00 AM
Such wise words, Mark, + much appreciated. You're right about the varied temperaments of poetry evaluators. So much subjectivity. A string of NA's, however, do lead you to question the merit in one's words. I thank you for your views "to enjoy the ride + hope for the best." Warmly, Brian
Date: 7/9/2022 6:20:00 AM
Back with congratulations Brian. A deserved winner. Cheers - Gary
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Brian Sambourne
Date: 7/9/2022 6:32:00 AM
Thank you Gary. Fortunately, the poem had a thumbs up to spark additional submissions. Best wishes, Brian
Date: 7/8/2022 12:55:00 PM
Brian, you've taken an observation from life and transformed it into a poetic tribute to resilience and camaraderie of these two 3-legged survivors... reminiscent of the riddle of the sphinx. Some great phrases and wisdom sprinkled in; I liked "a life line between them" and "strength can be a force greater than fear" the most. All in all, a delightful read and a worthy winner in the marathon. Heartfelt congratulations ~ John
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John Watt
Date: 7/8/2022 4:01:00 PM
Those NA's can do a number on our confidence. I choose to ignore them, sometimes successfully, lol. Glad you submitted this one.
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Brian Sambourne
Date: 7/8/2022 2:50:00 PM
Hello John, My appreciation for your detailed affirmative note on my poem. It received an NA in an earlier contest, hence its inclusion in the Marathon Poetry acknowledgements was a delightful surprise. I was fortunate in the street grit of dog + owner that sparked the tribute. Be well. Brian
Date: 7/8/2022 12:54:00 PM
Congratulations on your win. Poor three legged dog. Have a great/blessed day.......................
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Brian Sambourne
Date: 7/8/2022 2:47:00 PM
Greetings Paula, Thank you for the thoughtful congratulations. I hope that you are well + thriving. Sincerely. Brian
Date: 7/8/2022 12:46:00 PM
Congratulations Brian on your podium finish, and so well deserved too, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your poem, most of the time we are oblivious to the struggles going on around us in life, but you have an acutely perceptive poetic eye, and a wonderful way of expressing the barely noticeable, in free verse, cheers David
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Brian Sambourne
Date: 7/8/2022 3:02:00 PM
Your thoughtful evaluation of my poem is much appreciated. You've caught my small secret - I try to catch an image + build a poem around it. Fortunately people + the city are a rich mine indeed. Take care, David. Enjoy the summer. Brian
Date: 7/8/2022 12:16:00 PM
Hi, Brian. I think this may be the first time we've interacted. I love that the leash is the "lifeline between them... to claim their space, the edges of a frame, the lilt of living." And their "strength... and noble bearing" truly shows their resolve "to hold their footing." From your comments below, these are two buddies you observe in your neighborhood. It must be a sight to see! Congratulations on your podium finish on Mile 6 of my 2022 Poetry Marathon Contest. Mile 7 has already started!
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Brian Sambourne
Date: 7/8/2022 2:58:00 PM
Thank you Mark, for seeing value in the poem. I am pleased that my piece on two buddies pushing forward in fortitude brought pleasure to many readers. Thanks to all! Best wishes, Brian
Date: 7/4/2022 8:17:00 PM
Dear Brian, I adore the lovely melancholic yet tenacious spirit of this poem. The intimate imagery of the three-legged pair, a man and his dog, the leash a vital lifeline for both and symbolic of their bond, is brought into soft focus so beautifully. Your insightful poem speaks with elegance of their struggle, casual ageism and disregard while preserving the dignity of your subject. Impressive poetry, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
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Brian Sambourne
Date: 7/4/2022 8:36:00 PM
Greetings Susan. Thanks very much for your thoughtful, encouraging comments. Nearby city streets gave me this remarkable scene of endurance. You are right though - there is a melancholy tinge to the pair's bonding. The kinship bond observed seemed to write itself. Thank you again for your uplifting remarks. You're a gem! Be well. Brian
Date: 7/3/2022 10:35:00 PM
Love this beautiful scene of the old man and his dog both three legged ! The dog's lash- "a life line between them" ! What a lively picture you have painted Brian." quick glances to thaw cellphone attention permitted entry into a private moment that graces the pair like morning light" / The occasional glances of passers by falling on the pair..... beautifully put. Wonderful poem.... I so enjoyed!
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Brian Sambourne
Date: 7/4/2022 6:48:00 AM
Hello Valsa, Thanks very much for your thoughtful response to my urban piece to two buddies pushing through life. I see the man + dog as emblems of perseverance in heat pounding streets. Thanks again. Brian
Date: 5/29/2022 12:25:00 PM
I think this is superb Brian. 2x3 legs. The people oblivious to them just glancing up from their mobile phones heightens the feeling of life's struggles and alienation. Cheers - Gary
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Brian Sambourne
Date: 5/30/2022 7:44:00 PM
Hello Gary. I appreciate your read + comment regarding my Stature poem. The urban landscape is indeed rich with imagery. Passerbys do give the pair a quick glance before skirting around them. But persevere the bonded buddies do. Be well. Brian
Date: 5/16/2022 8:10:00 PM
love your opening stanzas with the dog and his old man both three-legged then the last two ending lines...great write as always :)
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Susan Woodrow
Date: 5/16/2022 9:11:00 PM
haha! that explains why I drink so much coffee oh the title is awesome too... :))
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Brian Sambourne
Date: 5/16/2022 8:22:00 PM
Thank you, Susan. Your thoughtful words give my reluctant pen a push just as a coffee eases the NA's of contest oblivion. Be well. Sincerely, Brian
Date: 5/16/2022 10:35:00 AM
Enjoyed.
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Brian Sambourne
Date: 5/16/2022 11:04:00 AM
Thank you, Vickey. I appreciate your note. Best wishes, Brian
Date: 5/15/2022 2:21:00 PM
Two three legged buds, what a pair. Good write.
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Brian Sambourne
Date: 5/15/2022 5:35:00 PM
Hello Mark. You're quite right - two buddies who struggle on 3 legs. But they more than get by. The Scottie + his owner live nearby. They embody perseverance; a resilience on busy sidewalks. Thank you for your stop by + comment. Best wishes. Brian

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