18 Comments
User's avatar
Steve Knepper's avatar

Such a good poem! "It’s like a crayon box that has one color / in many strange hues"

Happy birthday, Mary!

Mary's avatar

Thank you, Steve!

Susan Spear's avatar

This is lovely in every way.

Mary's avatar

Thank you!

Steven Searcy's avatar

Marvelous poem! Happy birthday, Mary!

Mary's avatar

Thank you, Steve!

DAVID KOZINSKI's avatar

Hey, happy birthday!

Mary's avatar

Thank you!

Zina Gomez-Liss's avatar

I think I replied to your Substack Note, but I didn’t reply directly to this post so I am here, Mary! And I feel so privileged to be one of your lucky classmates to have read this in workshop. I still remember reading this draft thinking, “Oh, this is going to be really great when it is done!” And indeed, it is. What fun it is to be your poet friend. I love your work so much. And I love you. Happiest of birthdays, and many more to come.

Mary's avatar

Thank you, too, for the birthday wishes and your friendship. Love you, too!

Fiona Spring Leggett's avatar

What a vividly beautiful poem- with a perfect close.

Mary's avatar

Thank you, Fiona!

Rainbow Roxy's avatar

Wow, the specific detail about the woman scanning the room like a lifeguard realy stood out to me. It's such an evocative portrayal of character and local culture. How do you approach weaving these rich observational nuances into your stories? Your insights are truly sharp.

Mary's avatar

Thank you!

Angela Alaimo O'Donnell's avatar

Such a rich, evocative poem. I feel as if I an with you through every step of the journey. Beautifully done!

Mary's avatar

Thank you, Angela!

Patricia mcGuire's avatar

This is beautiful Mary!! Hope you are well. Happy Birthday!!

Mary's avatar

Thank you! I'm doing well. I hope you are, too.