Aarrgghh!!

[Bela]

Love 'Succession'. Many possible meanings beyond the literal and I won't speculate on intention, but it works perfectly, and perfectly compactly.
Béla

[new leaf]

Lovely, concise little bites, spiced with regret and resonant with solitude.

You always inspire me to compress.

[romac1]

Hi Howard! I think it's hard to pack a few lines with material that feels significant, often from what's not said, so you've done a pretty good job here. Especially in 'Bouquet', where the final line is provocatively enigmatic and 'Snack' which works both in a realistic and metaphorical way.

[alondra]

Hi Howard

I like your concise and gentle view of things that matter at any time, pandemic or not. I supppose you meant the constellation of Taurus, in which case you´re lucky to be able to see it. Too much fog here in Lima!

[JFN]

Howard, the three 't' sounds in those two lines of Sheltered work so well to give sound to the action of tossing and turning. More so when taken against the soft 'c' an 's' sounds that preceded them.

Sounds like a perfect walk to me. Sharp imagery that instantly brings the picture to mind. The final indented Empty almost forming an echo works wonderfully.

The fading memory of a face is well portrayed.
My only thought is whether there is something smaller than mice that you could use. I just wonder if it would make a difference if the creature was less noticeable.

Succession is a lovely haiku/haikuesque poem. It says all it needs to an nothing more. Perfect.

Bouquet is very ominous. White flowers for a wedding, or a funeral? It could be read either way, but the latter fits my mood right now.

Keep well,

John

[kristalynn]

Succession is a beautiful image with a hopeful message. I like the word "fainter."

[M]

Howard,

As always, your work is wonderful to read.

Walk is lovely with the "sharp spark of stars" and the empty silence. The repetition is very effective.

Snack is a bit of melancholy at a fading memory. Nice touch with the memory being nibbled away by mice, tying into the title.

Succession is equally lovely. I enjoy the idea of the moon making way for other "fainter" (nice choice) stars.

Bouquet could be read in multiple ways, in reference to "what's to come", and the chilled moonlight is fantastic.


Always a pleasure!

M.

[Dunc]

Howard

Small Song: Snack ─ A snack with a nose and special smile? Oh, the mice! Snapshot of a fragmentary vision.

Small Song: Succession ─ Delicacy and accuracy, capturing that sky exactly right.

Small Song: Bouquet ─ The warmer interpretation is that it will be very cold outdoors. The alternative perhaps offers a greater range of possibilities though.

You have a master's hand with these.

Regards / Dunc

[HowardM2]

Thanks again, everyone. My fluffing was aborted in mid-fluff today, but I should catch up further tomorrow (i. e., later today).

[HowardM2]

"Small Song: Followed"

To be a cat
and to be stalked
by your own hind feet.
Don't look back!
They're gaining on you!

Direct Registration

[HowardM2]

"Small Song: Glimpse"

One black rubber boot, left-
footed, crusted in gray mud
to the ankle, found in the ditch,
fragment of some domestic epic
of struggle and loss, and of how
someone now walks, left foot bare,
ankle-deep in gray mud.

[Donner]

Hi, Howard,

"Small Song: Followed" - A-ha! I never knew that about why cats walk they way the do and now my three are all annoyed (or feel like they're being stalked by not only their feet, but me) because I've been following them all around the house with my camera. Heh. "Stalk" is, as always with your work, a precise choice.

"Small Song: Glimpse" - I have lost a shoe that way while stopping by the side of the road to grab a shot with my camera. The cattails growing in the ditch should have been my first clue.

Donna

[Gabrielle]

Howard, what diverse delightful morsels! Succession captures beautifully a subtle celestial moment. Bouquet ​is musical and ominous. I love the alliterative 'i' and stoic vibe.
Followed is hilarious. I have a very nervous cat and can totally see him in this poem. Glimpse...I've always found abandoned footwear very worrying. I like that you take the time to imagine the mysterious owner of this boot.

[HowardM2]

Thanks, Donner and Gabrielle; I always appreciate the comments. I've been tied up otherwise today and no fluffulating, so I'll have to makeup ground tomorrow.

[HowardM2]

"Small Song: Fuliginous"

Sweetgum leaves droop under rain,
. . . .green stars huddled together,
constellations blurred out
. . . . . . of recognition,
clarity obscured by what impinges
. . . . on the transient.