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The Archer

What timid lamb discerns I am trustworthy, drawing near? What deer could hear my message clear, "There's no need for alarm"? What rabbit out of habit doesn't dash in mortal fear? What sigh could signify to butterfly, "My heart is warm"? What squirrel won't twirl and run when my one goal is to endear? What word, if heard by hummingbird conveys, "I mean no harm?" How do you spell the word to tell the woman you've dreamed of; that word of balm to soothe and calm the fears she dares not show? How would you try to say you'd die for her, whom you most love? How to persuade your doubt-filled maid, when still these ill winds blow into her mind? Grieving, you find your unrequited dove still sees in you an archer, who could wield a deadly bow.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2020




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Date: 8/2/2020 4:41:00 PM
You are a deft archer, this went straight to my heart! I'm a sucker for internal rhymes and this is perfection - also the 'twist' ending, where behind the reassurance lurks danger, keeps this from being too glib - another fave!
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John Watt
Date: 8/2/2020 9:23:00 PM
Thank you for taking a 'shot in the dark' with this oldie (sorry, couldn't resist the archery pun). I appreciate the fave very much, and your poetry friendship exhibited by going deep into the catalog. I'm so glad it hit the mark (oops, another pun; better quit while I'm no longer ahead!)
Date: 6/6/2020 1:47:00 AM
Oh, great stuff here, John - I love the complexity of phrasing, the internal rhyme (sublime!), and the omission of the "B" line in the first stanza ... it hangs in space ... waiting ... wondering ... the subconscious notices but continues on, then keeps searching - it really is marvelous device, that leaves the reader wanting more! This is shades of Gibran for me, and on a similar level of metaphorical beauty - another fave, (and a 1st, IMHO)!
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John Watt
Date: 6/6/2020 3:10:00 AM
Greg, thanks for your wonderful comment indicating a careful and thoughtful read. The lack of "B" line was one of the requirements of LuLoo's contest, so I guess I can't take too much credit for it, but I agree that there's a certain mystique in asymmetry. Cheers, brother
Date: 6/5/2020 1:28:00 AM
Very powerful my dear friend! Stunning images in the first stanza. They vividly draw us into your verse! Perfect title. Congratulations on your winning placement. Blessings!
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John Watt
Date: 6/5/2020 1:34:00 AM
Thanks Sam. Check your soupmail...
Date: 2/26/2020 5:56:00 AM
Nicely done, John. Congrats on your win! Charlie
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John Watt
Date: 2/26/2020 9:53:00 AM
Thanks, Charlie. Always enjoy your visits. Have a great day ~ John
Date: 2/23/2020 11:17:00 AM
Congrats on your win. I know you are on a short vay cay. But one short soupmail
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John Watt
Date: 2/23/2020 1:43:00 PM
Thanks! I'll be checking in on my phone for the next few days. Congrats on your win too!
Date: 2/23/2020 11:03:00 AM
great poem dear John, really enjoyed it. Thank you for your participation and congratulations on your placement. X:-)
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John Watt
Date: 2/23/2020 1:40:00 PM
Lu Loo, thank you for sponsoring such a challenging contest and for your generous placement. I look forward to future contests. Hope you have a great day ~ John
Date: 2/15/2020 5:20:00 PM
oh wait, I think it was Luloo's?? I think I did it then!
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John Watt
Date: 2/15/2020 6:34:00 PM
I think it must have been "Telling Fairy Tales of She Who Wails". That was a clever one.
Date: 2/15/2020 5:19:00 PM
John, I love your creative take with that theme and your many metaphors that you used. I know I saw that quote for one of the contests, but I just can't think which one it was!!! I wonder if I did the contest, but choosing another theme they may have given!
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John Watt
Date: 2/15/2020 6:35:00 PM
Thank you Andrea. I worked longer on this one than most... I found it quite the challenge! ~ John
Date: 2/15/2020 4:18:00 PM
Nice penning John, lovely rhyme and flow too. Have a blessed day,Gordon
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John Watt
Date: 2/15/2020 6:35:00 PM
Gordon, I appreciate the kind words. May your day be blessed as well ~ John
Date: 2/15/2020 2:53:00 PM
Best wishes in the contest. Good work with that theme...
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John Watt
Date: 2/15/2020 6:36:00 PM
Charlie, thank you for the best wishes and kind words. Blessings ~ John
Date: 2/15/2020 8:27:00 AM
This is very beautiful. I did not know we could elaborate so much on the theme. Wonderful feelings. She will like this.
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John Watt
Date: 2/15/2020 1:59:00 PM
Well, I'm not perfectly certain myself, but fingers crossed! Thanks for the visit, dear Janis ~ John
Date: 2/15/2020 6:22:00 AM
Nice one John..
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John Watt
Date: 2/15/2020 1:58:00 PM
Thank you, SO.

Book: Shattered Sighs