O at the Edges

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

First-Prize Winner, “A Further Response From the Hornet’s Nest,” by Robert Okaji

Posted on January 19, 2019 by robert okaji

Hey, that’s me! Click on the link to see a video from the shack.

47 thoughts on “First-Prize Winner, “A Further Response From the Hornet’s Nest,” by Robert Okaji”

Shantanu Baruah on January 18, 2019 at 11:50 am said:

What a beautiful poem

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- robert okaji on January 18, 2019 at 12:23 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much, Shantanu.
  
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  - Shantanu Baruah on January 18, 2019 at 12:35 pm said:
    
    My absolute pleasure
    
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Cate on January 18, 2019 at 12:55 pm said:

Hey, that’s you … being brilliant again!

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- robert okaji on January 18, 2019 at 12:59 pm said:
  
  Ha! I prefer being a disembodied voice via a recording, but…
  
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ronthroop on January 18, 2019 at 12:57 pm said:

You’re in for it now Robert. I think my daughter will be reviewing your work in AP English this quarter.

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- robert okaji on January 18, 2019 at 1:04 pm said:
  
  Uh oh! If she actually does that and has any questions, I’m available to answer!
  
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  - ronthroop on January 18, 2019 at 1:07 pm said:
    
    She truly is. She asked me if I knew of any poets to review. So I got my three Okaji books down off the shelf, sent her to this blog, and she picked you over T.S. Eliot. Well, of course!
    
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    - robert okaji on January 18, 2019 at 1:15 pm said:
      
      Cool! First time I’ve been picked over T.S. Of course, I reply to emails. I hear he’s a bit quiet these days.
      
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      - ronthroop on January 19, 2019 at 5:38 am said:
        
        Thanks Robert, I’ll tell her.
        
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        robert okaji on January 19, 2019 at 7:55 am said:
        
        👍
        
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Auroraboros on January 18, 2019 at 1:02 pm said:

Congratulations, again, Robert. Excellent work.

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- robert okaji on January 18, 2019 at 1:05 pm said:
  
  Thank you. I’m a little self-conscious about videos, but it turned out okay.
  
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  - Auroraboros on January 18, 2019 at 2:51 pm said:
    
    I think they turned out fine, honestly. It is always strange seeing (or even just hearing) recordings of ourselves, especially when they depict such personal actions as reading our words.
    
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    - robert okaji on January 18, 2019 at 2:53 pm said:
      
      I’m used to audio recordings, but video is still new to me, hence the feeling.
      
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      - Auroraboros on January 18, 2019 at 3:01 pm said:
        
        That makes sense… It is a new experience. Such things take time to adjust to.
        
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        robert okaji on January 18, 2019 at 9:02 pm said:
        
        I’ll probably always prefer the relative anonymity of voice recordings. 🙂
        
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memadtwo on January 18, 2019 at 1:37 pm said:

Excellent! and further congratulations, always well-deserved. (K)

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- robert okaji on January 18, 2019 at 2:10 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Kerfe!
  
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rivrvlogr on January 18, 2019 at 1:43 pm said:

That’s Great! Congratulations, Bob!

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- robert okaji on January 18, 2019 at 2:13 pm said:
  
  I would have preferred doing something a little more original with the video, but I did what I could with what I have. 🙂
  
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Luanne on January 18, 2019 at 2:00 pm said:

What a wonderful poem! Congrats, Bob!

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- robert okaji on January 18, 2019 at 2:14 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Luanne!
  
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Jazz Jaeschke on January 18, 2019 at 7:00 pm said:

Your voice and facial expressions go very well with the poem’s pace, focus … true, you’re technically peering into your computer screen – but isn’t that a bit of a hornet’s nest at times?
I love it!

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- robert okaji on January 18, 2019 at 8:56 pm said:
  
  Perhaps I was focused on the poem’s inspiration… 🙂
  
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Arbie on January 18, 2019 at 9:28 pm said:

So good! I think (other than the video of you performing at a poetry night) this is the first time I’ve seen a video recording. I’m a big fan of the audio recordings so this was a treat! Brilliant, as always!

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- robert okaji on January 19, 2019 at 7:56 am said:
  
  Thank you! You are always so kind!
  
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All About Life on January 19, 2019 at 2:51 am said:

Congratulations Robert, that’s awesome :O) x

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- robert okaji on January 19, 2019 at 7:56 am said:
  
  Thanks very much!
  
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Leslie on January 19, 2019 at 10:59 am said:

Congrats, Robert!

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- robert okaji on January 19, 2019 at 11:04 am said:
  
  Thank you, Leslie.
  
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nananoyz on January 19, 2019 at 4:20 pm said:

Brilliant is an apt description.

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- robert okaji on January 19, 2019 at 4:57 pm said:
  
  Ah, thank you, Leslie! 🙂
  
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Tanya Cliff on January 19, 2019 at 8:01 pm said:

Congratulations, Robert! The piece is wonderful.

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- robert okaji on January 19, 2019 at 8:31 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much, Tanya. Much appreciated.
  
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danielpaulmarshall on January 20, 2019 at 3:14 am said:

Okaji smashing it. Congrats. Luckily never “too late” to write flawless poetry.

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- robert okaji on January 20, 2019 at 4:11 am said:
  
  Some poems write themselves. This was one of those.
  
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  - danielpaulmarshall on January 20, 2019 at 4:18 am said:
    
    True that. Finding my stride again at the moment & had a eureka the other day where one just slipped out like an unannounced eructation.
    
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    - robert okaji on January 20, 2019 at 4:38 am said:
      
      I’m always surprised when that happens, but ever so grateful.
      
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AM Roselli on January 20, 2019 at 7:34 am said:

Hi Robert – what a treat to see and hear your evocative and lush thoughts transported through flesh – beautifully done and congratulations!

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- robert okaji on January 21, 2019 at 7:42 am said:
  
  Thank you very much!
  
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Carrie Birde on January 20, 2019 at 1:56 pm said:

Congratulations! I don’t even remember how I stumbled over your blog…I’m so glad that I did. Your poems are a tonic ❤

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- robert okaji on January 21, 2019 at 7:43 am said:
  
  Ah, Carrie. Thank you. 😊
  
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Tristram Ouma on January 21, 2019 at 2:43 am said:

Well done Robert,waiting to review more….

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- robert okaji on January 21, 2019 at 7:50 am said:
  
  Thank you, Tristram. You’ll find a few poems here!
  
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elainereardon on January 21, 2019 at 8:10 pm said:

Congratulations… well done

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- robert okaji on January 22, 2019 at 5:19 am said:
  
  Thank you very much.
  
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