I like your analogies here... "cuckoo disguised as a dove"... I get that right away, without being prepared to explain it in exact words. But I follow the meaning of your symbolism there. I also like the way you, oddly enough (but in a good way), choose to use "downwind" rather than "downstream" to describe your position in relation to the "river of memories". In addition to that, I like the sound of "forest of falsehood"... good description and also rolls off the tongue. The last two lines are particularly moving... very powerful indeed. I enjoyed this!

I very much feel the heat of the burn behind this one - I so love the final stanza and the use of "wind-wood."

Beautifully expressed. I hope reeds grow in their silence
and then reach again for the tallest tree.

Written from not only your heart...but your soul.

Andy, self assessment of love is a difficult task wrought with many traps. It scars the heart with deep wounds that heal slowly,
painfully. It tests the mental toughness we must all have to endure. No, this is not a pretty thing. It is a formidable task at the very least. Fine pen here Andy. A read whose time was well spent. May love peace and joy be with you my friend. Jon Michael

THIS IS SO CANDID...WHEN WE FINALLY 'SEE' THE TRUTH AND ACCEPT IT...ALL THOSE TINY VOICES OF WARNING, FROM THE HEART, SOUL AND MIND THAT WERE DESPERATELY TRYING TO GET YOUR ATTENTION...BECOME SILENT. WELL DONE AND SO ENJOYED. THANKS FOR SHARING, LOVE AND BLESSINGS, JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS

So perfectly penned Andy, deeply emotive and with incredible metaphors.

Fabulous word play in this poem, Andy... and the haunting sustained metaphor of the cuckoo/dove played out with the trees/downwind/forest/wind-wood (intriguing!!)/reeds... Like a lyrical wind playing across the breathy notes of an oboe so this is. To me, this poem has the same effect as music - feeling is intuited rather than cerebrally grasped. Silence is like soft ash, yes... xxx

I love the tone of this write and the meaning brought to light and emphasized by the vivid imagery. Thank you, Andy. Love and peace,

Regis

Powerfully sad, old chum.

You write from your heart, yet I feel it in tears at the realization, now the time to move forward....

Be always safe,
Karen

Such pain but revelation in this poem..Good to read you again..
Much peace, love and light,
Amber

This is a masterful poem Andy ~
That last four line grouping takes my breath away!
But oh,
I just hope you don't let it dampen your spirits, whatever it is haunting you, inspiring your poem.
Blessings and Joy,
Christine

AS ALWAYS Andy an outstanding writing.


GOD BLESS YOU
TONY

Sad and heartfelt, Andy. Well done.

Nicely done, Andy!

Anna