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Ten Exquisite Seconds

Ten exquisite seconds are all that now remain A dearly cherished memory An old cassette, a closet find Nearly thrown away Three voices, ever silenced, echoes of the past Alive again to greet me A brief rebirth, faint and fleeting And irreplaceable My grandmother’s call, my brother’s refrain The bark of my furry pup A random, sunny afternoon Like many of the day A mixtape of music, a snippet of sound. forgotten Recorded over and over again Surviving to heal me An accidental gift Ten exquisite seconds are all that now remain Yet that is all I need To be as close as I will ever be To love’s enduring grace

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Heidi Sands

Date: 10/5/2021 3:05:00 PM

Excellent Mike! I felt like I was right there listening to this :)

Mike Gentile
Date: 10/5/2021 4:44:00 PM

Thanks so much Heidi!!

L Milton Hankins

Date: 10/5/2021 12:38:00 PM

Wonderful, Mike. I can think of a few people who would give everything to have "ten exquisite seconds" in their life.

Mike Gentile
Date: 10/5/2021 2:55:00 PM

Thanks Milton!!

Jenna Logan

Date: 10/5/2021 12:33:00 PM

So much melancholy in your lines, happy memories, I hope, but then emotional sadness that those voices are only recording. I feel the sadness, Mike.

Mike Gentile
Date: 10/5/2021 2:54:00 PM

Thanks so much Jenna!!

Gershon Wolf

Date: 10/5/2021 12:16:00 PM

So sweet. Nothing beats those types of memories, esp. when they're a surprise. Eloquently captured here, Mike. Kudos, Gershon

Mike Gentile
Date: 10/5/2021 2:54:00 PM

Thanks GW!!