O at the Edges

Musings on poetry, language, perception, numbers, food, and anything else that slips through the cracks.

Poem Nominated for Best of the Net

Posted on October 3, 2018 by robert okaji

My poem “Missing Loved Ones,” the first draft of which came to being during the 2016 August 30-30 challenge, has been nominated by Eclectica for Best of the Net. Many thanks to poetry editor Jen Finstrom for her generosity and encouragement, and to my longtime friend, Emily Bailey, for sponsoring the poem and providing the title.

63 thoughts on “Poem Nominated for Best of the Net”

Wezzlehead on October 2, 2018 at 7:18 am said:

Congratulations. It’s a lovely poem. Well deserved.

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- robert okaji on October 2, 2018 at 7:28 am said:
  
  Thank you, Robert. These things are always unexpected, and more precious for that.
  
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qbit on October 2, 2018 at 7:20 am said:

That is an amazing poem. A single thread from a small living being to Ganymede and back, via love and death and memory. Beautiful, and well deserved nomination.

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- robert okaji on October 2, 2018 at 7:30 am said:
  
  Thank you, JRB!
  
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Jazz Jaeschke on October 2, 2018 at 7:26 am said:

Bravo!

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- robert okaji on October 2, 2018 at 7:32 am said:
  
  Thanks , Jazz. I’m really thrilled about this one. Eclectica was the first online publication I ever submitted to, waaaaay back when.
  
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Ellen Hawley on October 2, 2018 at 7:36 am said:

I’m glad to see you getting the recognition. You deserve it.

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- robert okaji on October 2, 2018 at 8:23 am said:
  
  Thank you, Ellen. I certainly appreciate the attention. 🙂
  
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ダニエル・シュネー on October 2, 2018 at 7:54 am said:

Everything you do is the best of the Net!

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- robert okaji on October 2, 2018 at 8:25 am said:
  
  Ha! And thank you, Daniel. I just write these pieces and then let them go. Of course most of them come back time and again…
  
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short-prose-fiction on October 2, 2018 at 8:54 am said:

Congratulations!

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- robert okaji on October 2, 2018 at 9:49 am said:
  
  Thanks very much!
  
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  - short-prose-fiction on October 2, 2018 at 9:49 am said:
    
    You are welcome!
    
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Alex M. Fourzan on October 2, 2018 at 9:09 am said:

Wonderful! Congratulations.

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- robert okaji on October 2, 2018 at 9:49 am said:
  
  Thank you, Alex.
  
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prairiepomes on October 2, 2018 at 9:09 am said:

Wonderful news, Robert, congratulations!

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- robert okaji on October 2, 2018 at 9:50 am said:
  
  Thank you, Anna Marie. I’m truly honored.
  
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Andrew McDowell on October 2, 2018 at 10:06 am said:

Congrats!

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- robert okaji on October 2, 2018 at 10:12 am said:
  
  Thanks, Andrew!
  
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  - Andrew McDowell on October 2, 2018 at 10:27 am said:
    
    You’re welcome.
    
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The Cheesesellers Wife aka Kim Whysall-Hammond on October 2, 2018 at 10:08 am said:

Congratulations!

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- robert okaji on October 2, 2018 at 10:12 am said:
  
  Thank you, Kim.
  
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Cate on October 2, 2018 at 11:11 am said:

Hurrah! “Missing Loved Ones” is a particular beauty among beauties, Bob. The ending — “This scarf, her love. That shirt, my heart.” — is devastating. I am so glad to see this work thus honored.

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- robert okaji on October 2, 2018 at 1:31 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Cate. I’m deeply appreciative of this nomination.
  
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charlotteash on October 2, 2018 at 11:15 am said:

Wonderful news! Congrats!

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- robert okaji on October 2, 2018 at 1:31 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Charlotte. You just never know what’ll come of these pieces…
  
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rivrvlogr on October 2, 2018 at 12:09 pm said:

Recognition well deserved. Kudos, Bob.

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- robert okaji on October 2, 2018 at 1:32 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Ken.
  
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memadtwo on October 2, 2018 at 12:51 pm said:

Congratulations! and of course, well-deserved. (K)

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- robert okaji on October 2, 2018 at 1:33 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Kerfe. I’ve had more such success than I’d ever imagined was possible.
  
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  - memadtwo on October 3, 2018 at 2:59 pm said:
    
    It makes me feel good to see it. You are an inspiration to keep writing too (although much more disciplined and focused than I)
    
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    - robert okaji on October 3, 2018 at 4:21 pm said:
      
      You honor me, Kerfe. I’ve been blessed with the time and energy to devote to something I love!
      
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merrildsmith on October 2, 2018 at 1:10 pm said:

Congratulations, Robert. Wonderful poem!

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- robert okaji on October 2, 2018 at 1:34 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much, Merril!
  
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floweringink on October 2, 2018 at 1:18 pm said:

Such great news!!! Congratulations Robert!

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- robert okaji on October 2, 2018 at 1:37 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Susan. It is an honor.
  
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John Looker on October 2, 2018 at 2:11 pm said:

Bravo Robert. A subtle and sensitive poem.

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- robert okaji on October 2, 2018 at 5:34 pm said:
  
  Thank you, John.
  
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10000hoursleft on October 3, 2018 at 3:23 am said:

It’s beautiful Bob. I was thinking about you today so had to come read what you’re up to.

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- robert okaji on October 3, 2018 at 6:19 am said:
  
  Thanks, Mek! I was surprised but delighted to receive the nomination. I hope you’re doing well and baking some beautiful, awesome cakes!
  
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  - 10000hoursleft on October 3, 2018 at 7:01 pm said:
    
    I recently baked a butter cake with blue butter cream frosting topped with hundreds and thousands (sprinkles). Loosley representing WaterAid and the colours of the Sustainable Development Goals. It tasted good too! I’m not surprised at all by your nomination!
    
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    - robert okaji on October 3, 2018 at 8:16 pm said:
      
      Now that sounds delicious! I’m so used to laboring in obscurity that any sort if recognition surprises me. 🙂
      
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      - 10000hoursleft on October 4, 2018 at 10:21 pm said:
        
        Might feel isolated in your shed while labouring, but you have a global following! Far from obscure! 😊
        
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        robert okaji on October 5, 2018 at 6:42 am said:
        
        Ah, Mek. I feel my head swelling…🙂
        
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        10000hoursleft on October 7, 2018 at 8:01 pm said:
        
        Well then it must be time to fo something grounding, like clean up after your chihuahua 💩 😂
        
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        robert okaji on October 8, 2018 at 6:48 am said:
        
        Ha! That did it! Uh oh. The head is shrinking…
        
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nananoyz on October 3, 2018 at 10:34 am said:

That’s wonderful! Congratulations!

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- robert okaji on October 3, 2018 at 10:48 am said:
  
  Thanks, Leslie. I never expect any nominations or awards, so receiving one is such a bonus!
  
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danielpaulmarshall on October 3, 2018 at 5:53 pm said:

Very good news & the best of luck.

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- robert okaji on October 3, 2018 at 7:05 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Daniel. The nomination itself if the honor, as far as I’m concerned.
  
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  - danielpaulmarshall on October 3, 2018 at 7:10 pm said:
    
    Tis tis, no quarrel there.
    
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Arbie on October 5, 2018 at 6:20 am said:

Awesome!!! Congratulations and good luck!

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- Arbie on October 5, 2018 at 6:23 am said:
  
  All three of the poems on there are fantastic!
  
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  - robert okaji on October 5, 2018 at 6:45 am said:
    
    I’m so pleased you liked them. Thank you!
    
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- robert okaji on October 5, 2018 at 6:44 am said:
  
  Thank you, Arbie!
  
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Sanket Sinari on October 5, 2018 at 6:27 am said:

Congratulations you deserved it

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- robert okaji on October 5, 2018 at 6:45 am said:
  
  Thanks very much.
  
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Susi Bocks on October 5, 2018 at 9:33 pm said:

Congratulations! It’s nice to have your work appreciated!

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- robert okaji on October 6, 2018 at 8:23 am said:
  
  Thank you, Susi!
  
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M.T.Noah on October 6, 2018 at 7:23 am said:

So proud of you, Robert!

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- robert okaji on October 6, 2018 at 8:25 am said:
  
  Thank you very much!
  
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onecarriage on October 15, 2018 at 10:59 am said:

Congratulations!!

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- robert okaji on October 15, 2018 at 11:24 am said:
  
  Thanks, Craig!
  
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