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All That I Have Taken In

At day's end, I take in the last light seeping into the dark waters across the bay and keep it here. I gather the sound of departing gulls smudged on the sky, the quietening settle of birds in the cypress trees along the foreshore, the giggle of a child high on a swing being pushed by a mothers hand. I hold here the gentle sweep of waves soaking into wet sand, the slow roll of seaweed, bubbles bursting around shells, wings low over the water. I draw in the evening and keep it close with its lights sprinkled around the edges of the headland, emerging stars hung soundless in the heavens, the blinking passage of a southbound airplane heading into a long night. From somewhere, the smell of honeysuckle spilling into the waiting air. I make my way home, filled with all that I have taken in, almost happy having little space left over to fit myself.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2023




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Date: 7/17/2023 9:41:00 AM
Hi, Paul. I read this last Thursday and Faved it, but didn't have time to comment because I was preoccupied with celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary this past weekend! I missed commenting during your Poem of the Day honors, but I'm back with belated congratulations. To me, the beauty of this poem is that it draws us in, to experience what you experienced as if we were there with you. Every time I read it I'm left feeling mellow and at peace with the world. Thank you for that.
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Mark Toney
Date: 7/17/2023 7:42:00 PM
July 14, 1973, for us. What a coincidence. Cheers!
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Paul Willason
Date: 7/17/2023 4:16:00 PM
Thankyou Mark for kind words and for entering into the poem to share the experience. So pleased that it made that connection and was welcoming. By coincidence, my wife and I celebrated our 45th anniversary on the 14th. Your support appreciated Mark, regards, Paul
Date: 7/16/2023 11:45:00 PM
Back once more to read this fine example of your poetry, Paul, and to congratulate you and your poem for making it to the top 100 poems at PoetrySoup, my friend. Write On! Bill Baker
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Paul Willason
Date: 7/17/2023 6:18:00 AM
Always a welcomed friend Bill, many thanks for coming back for seconds on the poem, your support is greatly valued. Must check the top 100....thanks for pointing out. Keep well my friend.
Date: 7/15/2023 10:53:00 PM
A lovely poem. Well written.
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Paul Willason
Date: 7/16/2023 5:41:00 PM
Thanks Jeanette for you kind words...Paul
Date: 7/15/2023 10:03:00 PM
Absolutely 100% POTD material, I'd create flyers and post it through every letterbox so more people can enjoy it! Captivatingly beautiful and a perfect example of your poetry - well done in the accolade of POTD Paul x
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Paul Willason
Date: 7/16/2023 5:39:00 PM
Your unwavering support is valued DD....thankyou for visiting with such generosity and encouragement. Treasured...take care, Paul
Date: 7/15/2023 8:05:00 PM
Paul, you've taken me on such a beautiful journey with your words. Nature is very inspiring, and those moments within, if you truly look around and embrace them. Your thoughts leave me in complete awe. Congratulations on Poem of the Day. Many wonderful blessings to you. :) Hugs, Brandy
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Paul Willason
Date: 7/16/2023 5:34:00 PM
Indeed appreciate your kind words and feedback...always humbling, but at the same time most enjoyabe, to learn a poem managed to speak and convey feeling. Thankyou, sincerely valued. Paul
Date: 7/15/2023 7:14:00 PM
Paul, the visual on this poem is superb. Congratulations on Your POTD Keep Rolling.
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Paul Willason
Date: 7/16/2023 5:28:00 PM
Thankyou R J. Appreciate your feedback and congratulatory note...valued. kind regards, Paul
Date: 7/15/2023 5:45:00 PM
A perfect ending to the day, told in the most exquisite way. Lovely poetry Paul. Congratulations on receiving the honour of poem of the day… Belle
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Paul Willason
Date: 7/16/2023 5:26:00 PM
Pleased that the poem resonated....thankyou for reading and providing such lovely feedback...makes the POTD honor meaningful in real way. Take care, Paul
Date: 7/15/2023 4:17:00 PM
Oh, I do like how you've eloquently yet simply captured what you encountered at the end of your day. I often do the same thing in the morning--more of a morning person than a night person. I fill my mind with all manner of sights, sounds, and smells as I take my morning walk through my quiet little neighborhood. Congrats on POTD. I enjoyed reading it and holding it in my heart for a while. Sara Etgen-Baker
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Paul Willason
Date: 7/16/2023 5:22:00 PM
Thankyou Sara for your comments and echoing some of the same impulses that drove the poem....to be tuned into nature and our surroundings is part of becoming fully alive. Appreciate giving the poem your time....regards, Paul
Date: 7/15/2023 2:17:00 PM
Congratulations on your POTD win. A lovely write. Have a blessed weekend with your win.
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Paul Willason
Date: 7/16/2023 5:14:00 PM
Thankyou Paula for your congratulatory note and kind comments. Very much appreciated, regards , Paul
Date: 7/15/2023 2:17:00 PM
Congratulations Paul on POTD! Life viewed through poetic eyes written beautifully into poetic words! Masterful…..Debx
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Paul Willason
Date: 7/16/2023 5:11:00 PM
Thanks Deb, as always, value your words and positive support. Pleased the poem caught your eye, ...Paul
Date: 7/15/2023 11:23:00 AM
Excellent piece, Paul. POTD 2 b sure. :o)
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Paul Willason
Date: 7/16/2023 5:08:00 PM
Many thanks Arlo for stopping by and leaving your note. Appreciated, Paul
Date: 7/15/2023 10:46:00 AM
Paul, this is really quite beautiful...and I'm so glad that it is now part of "all that I have taken in" today. A well-deserved selection for POTD.
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Paul Willason
Date: 7/16/2023 5:06:00 PM
Thanks Jim....feel honored that the poem was "taken in" and treated with such generosity. Value you comments...take care, Paul
Date: 7/15/2023 9:39:00 AM
Paul, a wonderfully penned poem, love the introspection in this one, your poetry is exquisite, congratulations on POTD!
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Paul Willason
Date: 7/16/2023 5:02:00 PM
Thankyou Tania...your comments valued. Pleased that the poem was a welcomed visitor into your reading space and given your time, appreciated. Regards, Paul
Date: 7/15/2023 9:01:00 AM
Lovely imagery and the last four line sentence is powerful and insightful. Congratulations on your POTD, Paul. Enjoy your special day of recognition. Bill
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Paul Willason
Date: 7/16/2023 4:57:00 PM
Thanks Bill for visiting with your kind words and observations....much valued. Indeed have enjoyed the generosity of so many of the Soup family in providing such positive feedback. Regards
Date: 7/15/2023 8:32:00 AM
Very nice, Paul! Loved the journey of nature then the wafting scent of honeysuckle. Love the last line!! Congratulations on POTD!
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Paul Willason
Date: 7/16/2023 4:52:00 PM
Thankyou Kim for entering into the poem and bringing along your encouraging words....much appreciated. Pleased the last line resonated...regards, Paul
Date: 7/15/2023 7:37:00 AM
Beautiful words, images, sights, sounds and magical nuances from your heart dear Paul . The sensitivity in which you write and convey your thoughts is one of a true artist . Bravo ! Congratulations on your POTD! Susan :)
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Paul Willason
Date: 7/16/2023 6:53:00 AM
Quite overwhelmed by your generous comments Susan. No hiding the fact that such positive feedback is a source of encouragement and enjoyment, critical for the poet to keep going. Indeed appreciate the feedback, Paul
Date: 7/15/2023 7:15:00 AM
Paul, all of your poetic creations are worthy of a potd honor. Your lines always allow me to see through your eyes... the beauty of the world around us that our eyes note, but only a poet such as you can make a reader feel, as though seeing and feeling what you do, is our own experience..."gentle sweep of waves soaking into wet sand." Most people who claim to be a poet would've written, 'seagulls swooped for fish instead of "wings low over the water." I appreciate your level of artistic poetry.
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Paul Willason
Date: 7/16/2023 6:36:00 AM
Feel very honored by your generous words Lin. A privilege to provide eyes through which the world can be felt in its uniqueness and moreover, have the reader enter into that space. Thankyou for stepping in, take care, Paul
Date: 7/15/2023 6:40:00 AM
This is a stunning piece of sublime poetry you have created! Loved every amazing line - every image! I will read it couple of times to take in every picture! To my Faves. Congratulations on your POTD!
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Paul Willason
Date: 7/16/2023 6:26:00 AM
Too kind in your praise Malabika but very much valued....a sense of achievement in getting a little magic into a poem. Thankyou very much....taue care, Paul
Date: 7/15/2023 6:30:00 AM
Congratulations on this superb POTD Paul. It is breathtakingly beautiful. Nancy
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Paul Willason
Date: 7/16/2023 6:22:00 AM
So pleased Nancy that you found the poem a worthwhile read and that it conveyed something meaninful....such feedback motivates the hand to look for a pen. Regards, Paul
Date: 7/15/2023 6:09:00 AM
Beautifully written, Paul. So many images of nature's bounty superbly linked like flowers in a field. Best wishes + congratulations! Brian
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Paul Willason
Date: 7/16/2023 6:17:00 AM
Thanks Brian for such positive feedback and congratulatory note Good to learn that the words nailed the imagery and came together. Paul
Date: 7/15/2023 5:46:00 AM
Excellent POTD Paul! So well written. A Fave for me . Congratulations. Enjoy :)
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Paul Willason
Date: 7/16/2023 6:14:00 AM
An honor for the poem to considered a Fav for you....thankyou for reading and spending time over it. Very much appreciated. Regards, Paul
Date: 7/15/2023 5:46:00 AM
What a beautiful picture you have painted with your palette of words. Congratulations on your POTD! Paulette
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Paul Willason
Date: 7/15/2023 8:43:00 PM
Thanks Paulette for your positive comments. Quite overwhelmed by the response to this little poem. Feel honoured that you gave your time to read and provide feedback. Take care, Paul
Date: 7/15/2023 4:27:00 AM
This is a great piece Gordan, Congrats on POTD
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Paul Willason
Date: 7/15/2023 8:29:00 PM
Appreciate your comments and congratulatory note...very much appreciated. Regards, Paul
Date: 7/15/2023 3:24:00 AM
- Absolutely amazing written ... a poem to be admired over and over again, Paul - Congratulations on the p.o.t.d. :) - hugs
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Paul Willason
Date: 7/15/2023 8:26:00 PM
My sincere thanks Anne-Lise for kind words...especially the hugs, makes writing poetry worthwhile. Valued, regards Paul
Date: 7/15/2023 3:08:00 AM
I just love this. amazing writing. Adore! Congrats on POTD. God bless you always, Love, Gina
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Paul Willason
Date: 7/15/2023 8:19:00 PM
So pleased the words reached out....indeed appreciate giving your time to read and comment. Likewise, blessings Paul
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