16 Comments
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Victoria Olsen's avatar

Beautiful painting and poem. I’m sorry I got to this so late — you weave the pieces together beautifully.

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Eliza Anderson's avatar

Thank you, Victoria. No worries! I have so little time to read these days, too.

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Amy  Goldman's avatar

Beautiful imagery. Your writing is truly augmented by the recording of this poem, and the picture of your mother's painting. Thank you, my teacher!

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Eliza Anderson's avatar

Thank you, Amy.

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Jill Swenson's avatar

The poem is quite remarkable. Even more remarkable is the discovery of the recording and what it awakened in your mother. Peeling back so many textured layers of meaning here beyond a complicated mother-daughter relationship on Mother's Day.

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Eliza Anderson's avatar

Thank you, Jill. I love the poem, and my mother was right, Verandah reading it is wonderful.

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Stacey Thomas's avatar

This is so good!

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Eliza Anderson's avatar

Thank you, Stacey!

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Wendy Varley's avatar

I remember the earlier version, Eliza, and I saved it because it and the brilliant poem reminded me of the time I had to rescue my dad from the undertow at a local beach. He was in his 70s and hadn’t realised how frail he’d become after cancer treatment. Very frightening.

I love that painting.

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Eliza Anderson's avatar

That does sound frightening. I wonder how common this is, actually. Thank you for telling me. Also, to hear the painting makes an impression. It’s so large and ambitious, I was astonished when I unrolled it.

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Rona Maynard's avatar

Your words, Verandah’s poem and your mother’s painting make music together.

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Eliza Anderson's avatar

Thank you, Rona. That comment means a lot to me.

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Clyde Watson's avatar

This story with the poem woven into it is haunting and magical. Thank you.

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Eliza Anderson's avatar

Thank you, Clyde.

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Marjorie Hamrell's avatar

Lovely writing as usual Eliza! You have the gift!

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Eliza Anderson's avatar

Thank you, Marjorie. I’m much happier with this version. (Phew)

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