9 Comments
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T R Poulson's avatar

I love this legend. Beautiful way to tell a sad story. I can go with it even if I'm not familiar with the references, and that's a bonus! His book, shared by Emma, is amazing!

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Dick's avatar

You are so kind, T. And as a fellow traveler you know how much I appreciate you words of encouragement.

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Rochelle Jewel Shapiro's avatar

In this era of amped up antisemitism (hmm, when was that not so?) I am grateful to see this poem written and published. Thank you.

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Dick's avatar

Thanks, Rochelle. Indeed, ONLY POEMS is widely supportive of all sorts of voices. They are for the poems, not the rhetoric that characterizes so many conversations.

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Emma Goldman-Sherman's avatar

Gorgeous work! The kind of poem that makes me have to buy the writer's book. Where is it? What's it called? Oh, here it is! Done. https://sheilanagigblog.com/poetry-archives/volumes-8-1-8-4-fall-2023-summer-2024/the-poets-volume-8-2-winter-2023/dick-westheimer-after/

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Dick's avatar

Oh, Emma, you are so thoughtful and kind. I wish I had a newer book to flog, but alas, publishing contracts are few and far between!

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Emma Goldman-Sherman's avatar

I am glad to have found this one! I look forward to reading it. I'm trying to write my first one, so I get it takes a long time. And who knows how much time there is...?

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Nancy Sobanik's avatar

A fantastic exploration of a tragic and heroic figure that captures the duende of living during horrific, tumultuous times. Congratulations on this gem of a poem, Dick.

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Dick's avatar

Wow, having "duende" associated with any of my poems is indeed flattering.

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