23 Comments
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Patris's avatar

I live this with my children. Thank you.

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Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

I’m so glad it spoke to you, Patris.

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Melanie Bettinelli's avatar

I did not know the Justice poem before now; but I love it.

Your poem resonates so strongly... how carelessly my daughter texts me. How much seems to hang on those texts.

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Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

I’m so glad you love it! I feel like it’s one of those poems that spread goodness. I guess all good poems are like that, though.

The cryptic texts undo me. I’m able to breathe again when I get clarification, but in the meantime—wow.

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LeeAnn Pickrell's avatar

This is so amazing, Margaret Ann.

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Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

Oh wow, LeeAnn—thank you so much.

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Weston Parker's avatar

Yeah, sometimes a phone call with their name on my telephone screen can give me an unpleasant lurch in my chest. I always look forward to hearing from them but not always the news their beautiful voice brings.

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Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

Exactly! I have a terrible habit of answering their phone calls with, “Are you okay?” instead of “Hi.” It probably places some uncomfortable pressure on them…

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Weston Parker's avatar

I tried to train my sons that if there is a problem or some kind of serious issue, to get immediately to it. I told them to say, "Hello Pop, now here's what's going on." If nothing bad is happening I have asked them to say, "Hi Pop, all good here, just calling to say hello." This is what my Dad taught me to do and he lived through some desperate situations both in his work and with five sons.

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Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

That sounds wise. I should ask my kids to do the same. Everything is so tightly, fearfully strung these days—we might as well have some relief where we can get it.

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MK Creel's avatar

WOW. This poem is amazing and so timely. I hope you will send it out into the world.

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Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

Thank you so much, MK.

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

I dedicated my recent book of poems to my daughter, “A light like no other.”

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Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

Oh, how lovely.

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Peter Mladinic's avatar

Good poem, Margaret Ann. I like how the theme of fear modulates from section to section.

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Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

Thank you, Peter. It’s always interesting to see how a theme can develop naturally from a first draft. I definitely didn't set out to talk about fear, but that’s definitely what the poem is about.

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Peter Mladinic's avatar

You’re very welcome, Margaret Ann.

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Judith Silver's avatar

Love this poem and so resonates with us all who are privileged enough to be called Mom. Hunnard's book is such a wonderful allegory.

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Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

I think I might still have your copy, Mom!?!? It made a huge impact on me.

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Nelly Bryce's avatar

Gorgeousness. And I’d never read this poem before so 🙏 for two great reads.

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Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

Oh Nelly—it’s such a freaking thrill to have my poem lumped in with Justice’s. Thank you so much.

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Reem Faruqi's avatar

Everything and nothing, so true!

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Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

I was worried it was too extreme a line, but it really does feel true so much of the time.

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