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First, I thank God that,: First, I thank God that, despite my medical condition, I have been blessed to live long enough to have read this poem---which is not only highly theological, but so deeply speaks to my own situation, both to comfort me and to remind me that, too often, I have relied upon feelings, not my Faith, when things get tough.      I am not going to put this poem to my usual analysis of a Patrician poem because, frankly, the poem towers above that so that anything I would have to say in my usual way would sound trite in the face of this great poetic blessing that the poem delivers.  A blessing both spiritual, literary, and partaking of the utmost verbal quality:  this is the kind of poem that only Patricia is qualified to write.  She combines both her cosmic and what I would call her local vision (the barn owl, the trees, the view of the moon), a combination she presents with unprecedented artistic and verbal finesse, which no one---and I mean, absolutely no one---can imitate.  In this poem, she not only matains the excellent quality of her previous poems, but she ministers to those readers who, like me, feel overwhelmed by their burdens.      Her use of the words love and light allude to Aoostle John's theology, and, while I would never presume to speak for the great Apostle, I have the distinct impression that he, too, would be mighty impressed by this poem.  As would be Dante and Eliot.         I am facing another painful medical procedure, unscheduled yet, but I expect to be told when during a phone call tomorrow.  And then, as it normally goes, my fear (yes, of the pain, one of the worst I have ever experienced) will begin to mount upon my back, and laugh in my ear, and make ugly faces at me.  But I have this poem to remind me that this fear, and the pain, do not have the final word, or even any kind of victory.  In this way, Patricia's poem is more than a poem---it is the conveyor of blessing and encouragement from the throne of God, and it is a reminder that we are here on this earth together, and have been created to minister to each other.     Thank you, Patricia, for posting this beautiful, powerful, spiritual, and ministerial poem:  I know that, when I face this next procedure, your poem will remind me, before I go, that the fear and pain will not get the better of me.  Thank you for that.

Please forgive a second: Please forgive a second comment posted so soon after the first one---on both this poem and the Siren poem---but I just had to tell you how impressive this one, and the other, are on a second reading.  Like the best poems on this site, or anywhere else, these poems become more resonant, more impressive (and, given their subject matter, even more chilling) on the second read.  And I am sure I will be reading them repeatedly---the same way I read Aickman's or Sarban's tales.  When I was a child, of elementary school age, I was asked why I wanted to watch, repeatedly (although not televised as often as I wanted) the old Universal horror films of the thirties and forties, since, upon a first viewing, I knew the story and how it ended.  And I realized, at that early age (one of the few learning experiences that I did not foul up), that the first viewing was to get the story; the second viewing, and all subsequent viewings, was to relish the artistry with which it was presented.  Reading your poems about the siren and the fox, yesterday, I was struck by the same realization, which was proven again this afternoon.  Although I now know how the "story" in each poem ends, I will continue to read them in order to enjoy the artistry of your presentation.

With the utmost respect, I: With the utmost respect, I must differ with the assertions in the first paragraph:  you are a great poet.  The two poems I read yesterday, about the siren and the fox, respectively, are among the finest poems I have ever read---not just on postpoems but anywhere.  (I have been reading poetry for a little more than forty-nine years, so I have some credibility to back up these words.)  You are an excellent Poet, and I put a capital on that out of profound respect for your work, and for you.

Very much enjoyed reading this:   This was like a good supper, when you haven't had a good supper in ages. Very much enjoyed reading this    

melancholy sweetness:   I was taken along by the story within. Funny how objects act as embers of the past.   A chocolate vanilla swirl of melancholy sweetness.

A glowing Gem – From the Archives:   This is just as alive, and impactful, as the day you wrote it.   It’s touching, and loving, and heart wrenching – and a whole well of beautiful soul feelings in one place.   We’ve had some incredible gems on Post Poems over the years. This is one of them.   And I read it the second time, while listening to the song…   Nat King Cole - "September Song"   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIAbmT6WH2U    

raise glass and pour into: raise glass and pour into mouth.  Hopefully, the math will eventually add up