Loved the sentiment for nature and preferring it to the landscape squatters who steal the view. Amazing how many trees disappear with each new development!
Dwight
One of the wealthy newcomers actually cut a fence and bulldozed several acres of natural habitat, and then had the audacity to say he had done the property a favor. It’s maddening.
It is also Greta Garbo news too, as in how your poems can move between emotions as powerful as Greta’s eyes could on film. In fact, the look in your eyes in the “bridge portrait” of yours I used in my post about resembles Greta’s look in the publicity still of her 1931 film”Inspiration”! Scroll down to the Legacy section of garbo’s Wikipedia page, and you can see the photo for yourself.
Dammit! I have been speaking Japanese all day, and seem to have forgotten how to type in English. The picture I use in my post about YOU (An Intro to Robert Okaji) resembles the Garbo photo.
Just went there and read “Gulf” so wonderful, nothing but blue, always looking between never down… rattle snakes usually give a warning before they strike! really well written, (forgive me if I didn’t quote word for word, don’t have the piece in front of me at the moment) keep up the excellent work. Michelle
Congrats Bob. Beautifully written. Was this in response to a letter or conversation? I laughed at ‘half japanese poet’ imagining a poet who spends half his time writing haiku 😂
My friend Michael, who has been reading my poetry for 30+ years (how the hell did we get this old?), occasionally sends me written missives, to which I respond, invariably with poems. This was one such piece, as was “Letter from Austin” and “Letter from Insomnia,” both of which have appeared on the blog, as well as “Bottom, Falling,” which was published in Into the Void this past fall.
What a friendship! Letter from Austin rings a bell. I hope you lack of response to my attempt at humour doesn’t mean I offended you…that wasn’t my intention…
Nah, you didn’t offend me. My clumsy finger bumped “post comment” before I intended to, and I thought the gods were telling me to go to bed, so I did. I’ve often wondered which half of me is what… Or maybe I spend my time writing half-haiku. Hmm. 8.5 syllables. Now that’s a tough form! 😀
Congratulations Robert! I like the dig re: would rather be with the snakes than those that own the houses. Well composed – arrangement made the piece flow really well.
Reblogged this on A Transit Diary, of Sorts. and commented:
I’ve really been enjoying reading Robert Okaji’s works. I don’t do this often, but want to now – reblogging this link to his poem in the West Texas Literary Review. The particulars may be different for us up here in southern Ontario and more broadly, throughout Canada – but the themes still apply. I encourage you to check this piece out!
O at the Edges 
Congrats!! That is great news!
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Thanks very much!
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Kudos to you!!
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Thank you!
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Great placement! I know those bulldozers well, unfortunately, slowly chipping away at the desert for mini-Spanish villas. An excellent piece.
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Perhaps I wouldn’t mind as much if they simply put up neon signs to announce their bad taste and wealth. On second thought…
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It’s a beautiful piece, Robert!
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Thank you, Leslie. Much appreciated.
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Beautiful and powerful – a perfect combination!
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Thanks very much!
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Very well done my friend!
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Thank you, Candice.
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Loved the sentiment for nature and preferring it to the landscape squatters who steal the view. Amazing how many trees disappear with each new development!
Dwight
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One of the wealthy newcomers actually cut a fence and bulldozed several acres of natural habitat, and then had the audacity to say he had done the property a favor. It’s maddening.
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A rather ignorant perspective!
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Congratulations!
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Thanks very much, Andrew.
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You’re welcome.
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Greta news! Congratulations, Okaji Sensei.
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Garbo news? Does she no longer vant to be alone? Ha! Thank you, Daniel. I was pleased with this one, as I seldom get published in my home state.
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Oops! “Great”.
It is also Greta Garbo news too, as in how your poems can move between emotions as powerful as Greta’s eyes could on film. In fact, the look in your eyes in the “bridge portrait” of yours I used in my post about resembles Greta’s look in the publicity still of her 1931 film”Inspiration”! Scroll down to the Legacy section of garbo’s Wikipedia page, and you can see the photo for yourself.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greta_Garbo
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Dammit! I have been speaking Japanese all day, and seem to have forgotten how to type in English. The picture I use in my post about YOU (An Intro to Robert Okaji) resembles the Garbo photo.
Boku wa baka ya nen!!
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lots of great press recently! Congrats!
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Thank you, Nancie. The past few months have been kind.
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Excellent poem! Congrats on getting it out there!
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Thanks, C. I was pleased to find a home for it.
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That is wonderful and much deserved!!! Congratulations!!! all the best, Michelle
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Thank you, Michelle.
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Just went there and read “Gulf” so wonderful, nothing but blue, always looking between never down… rattle snakes usually give a warning before they strike! really well written, (forgive me if I didn’t quote word for word, don’t have the piece in front of me at the moment) keep up the excellent work. Michelle
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I’m so pleased the words stayed with you. Thank you, Michelle!
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Congratulations 🎉🍾🎈🎊
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Thank you!
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I’ve been seeing advertisements for them. Congratulations!
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Thanks, Jenna. They’re getting the word out!
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Congrats Bob. Beautifully written. Was this in response to a letter or conversation? I laughed at ‘half japanese poet’ imagining a poet who spends half his time writing haiku 😂
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My friend Michael, who has been reading my poetry for 30+ years (how the hell did we get this old?), occasionally sends me written missives, to which I respond, invariably with poems. This was one such piece, as was “Letter from Austin” and “Letter from Insomnia,” both of which have appeared on the blog, as well as “Bottom, Falling,” which was published in Into the Void this past fall.
Sent from my iPad
>
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What a friendship! Letter from Austin rings a bell. I hope you lack of response to my attempt at humour doesn’t mean I offended you…that wasn’t my intention…
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Nah, you didn’t offend me. My clumsy finger bumped “post comment” before I intended to, and I thought the gods were telling me to go to bed, so I did. I’ve often wondered which half of me is what… Or maybe I spend my time writing half-haiku. Hmm. 8.5 syllables. Now that’s a tough form! 😀
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Phew. Good on you for listening to those gods. I usually ignore them to my sleepy detriment the next day. Half a syllable the ‘h’ in haha?😊
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Ye…
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Wow! Congratulations 👍
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Thank you!
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That’s nice work, Robert. I have a poem in there too, but it’s a much different landscape.
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Thank you, George. Which is yours? “Mr. Richardson’s Nails”?
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Congratulations Robert! I like the dig re: would rather be with the snakes than those that own the houses. Well composed – arrangement made the piece flow really well.
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Thanks very much. Just speaking the truth. Snakes and scorpions can’t help being what they are. These others – well…
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Reblogged this on A Transit Diary, of Sorts. and commented:
I’ve really been enjoying reading Robert Okaji’s works. I don’t do this often, but want to now – reblogging this link to his poem in the West Texas Literary Review. The particulars may be different for us up here in southern Ontario and more broadly, throughout Canada – but the themes still apply. I encourage you to check this piece out!
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Thank you for reblogging.
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Congratulations! Thanks for stopping by my blog and liking a poem😊
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Thank you!
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Wonderful. Though I wouldn’t mind a spiked drink every now and again.. 😉 lovely piece.
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I confess that I don’t mind one on occasion myself. 😋
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Congratulations that is wonderful news!
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Thank you. It’s always a treat!
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