Thank you for the kind: Thank you for the kind comment. The way the poem came to me was rather unusual---such that I believed the Cosmos was guiding my direction at that point. I felt a most unusual curiosity to find out if A. E.'s collection of poems, House Of The Titans, contained any more poems in blank verse other than his masterful analysis of a Shakesperian mystery (as yet unsolved) entitled "The Dark Lady." I found the "Time Spirits" poem and, reading it through, I realized that the final lines---which became my poem's epigraph---were about the kind of poetry at which both you, and A.E., excell. Because he was the first Poet of whom I had ever read (the summer I turned seven years old), I have always felt a connection to him. And his connection to you, and yours to him, takes place on that rarefied plane of the most mystic, and most cosmic, Poetry. This is a constellation of sorts, among poems rather than stars, and although your style and his are very different, your visions and your shared compassion for humanity, are too similar to be a coincidence in the grand, cosmic scheme of existence. Finding that those lines of A. E.'s were so descriptive of your poems that, for the past two or so years, I have loved and admired, I felt as if I was discovering an entirely new dimension of meaning.
And though I feel iunworthy of the high and lofty compliment that the second paragraph of your comment contains, I am very, very grateful (flat on my face on the floor and in humble silence . . . that kind of grateful) for your kind words.
Thank you. I do not know why: Thank you. I do not know why my eyes are misbehaving, but at least I can say it has improved a little since this morning. I ask the prayers of everyone on this issue.
That you would use your time: That you would use your time and talent to sculpt such a resplendent, moving gift leaves me breathless with the deepest gratitude. Even if your sonnet wasn't ablaze with the greatest encouragement one could hope for and my name never mentioned, I would applaud the mastery of form and language and the graciousness of spirit that inspires you to uplift other poets.
Your appreciation of A.E. and his lofty vision tells me that you, yourself, share an artistic and spiritual connection to this poetic legend.
An eternity of humble "thank you"s for such a generous and stunning stamp of approval.
Blessings upon blessings.
If you are serious about the: If you are honest about the connection being random, I'll have you know I recently posted a poem "Wrinkly slinky" and though it may not be so appropriate, it seems like your slinky might indeed be the fated redemption.
The wealth of detail that you: The wealth of detail that you provide makes for a rather intense reading experience: that is, it feels like I am present at the auction, then present during the painting's composition, and attempting, of myself, to solve the identity questions. Your words' have a good compositional tone, and functions at that best level where the reader's attention is completely on the narrative and not on how the narrative is being presented.
Thank you for your piercing: Thank you for your piercing and insightful reflections on the fallacies consciousness swallows and struggles with while it could find peace if it would "accept itself for what it is". Always an honor when you stop by with words of life-altering wisdom.
I am sorry for my delay in: I am sorry for my delay in commenting on this; I am ill today, and have gotten a late start to my routine. I am so very grateful for, and flattered in the most delighted and delightful way by, this poem. I really like the imagery of the poem, and of the lines in the author notes secition. Thank you so very much for the poem, and for the comment on my poem, too.