23 Comments
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Mike Rivera's avatar

"But then the shadow passion casts / is much longer than passion, / stretching with effort from year to year."

Excellent. I love (heh) poems that explore the maturation of love over time. Passion and newness get a lot of attention, but Harrison put words to bittersweet change that is bound to happen. A different kind of love poem, sure, but a love poem nevertheless.

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Daniel A Detwiler Ph.D.'s avatar

“Soft as the back of a woman’s knee” a phrase only someone who appreciates a woman’s body could write. This couple has been fortunate. Daniel

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Thomas Molitor's avatar

it's a three-act play / the speaker is inside his home /

then outside his home / then back inside his home /

a trinity of unity.

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The Wild Child's avatar

Can i ever be this good in poetry

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The Wild Child's avatar

Just me doubting

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Dominique Side's avatar

Very moving

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Joan Livingston's avatar

Ah, an interesting expression of love.

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Lisa B. Martin    zihuawriter's avatar

Another beauty from Copper Canyon Press...I am dropping by their offices next week. My new poetry collection "THE THIRD SPRING: Poetic gratitudes, visual anthems, and teacup haiku on a journey of renewal in a post-pandemic world," needs a publisher.

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OLGA JOTS, NOTES's avatar

Lisa B. Martin Know that even if we do only the slightest thing, we RENEW at least in getting older. (on a journey of renewal) ..

A sad but true loving life poem sets us on to write here, react.

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Aaron's avatar

Damned if old, fucked up Jim Harrison can't stop you in your tracks and lay you out with those words of his.

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Atticus Taylor's avatar

Much love, thank you, thank you.

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Mary's avatar

My father had a cancer removed from his bladder at the age of 65. I sent my mother, a lifelong smoker, an article about second hand smoke. She never smoked inside again. Truly in love, they passed within 38 days of each other, 23 years later.

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Michelle's avatar

Simply, I-love poetic outlaws. Contribute a little each month for wonderful poetry.

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House of Neglected Poetry's avatar

I wonder if he uses an ember to light his smoke?

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Joi's avatar

I've been interested in reading more of Jim Harrison's work after I had my stars read by an astrologer in Paris. I told her I was from Nebraska. She was thrilled to hear this because so was her favorite writer, Jim Harrison. What a cosmic concoindence.

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PETER  L HOLMES's avatar

Beautiful...poetry about real lives.

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Patris's avatar

Beautiful

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Barbara's avatar

Just how my lobe is now in old age.

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