21 Comments
User's avatar
Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thank you for sharing @ChristYan Gerald!

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thank you for sharing @Firefly in the Forest 💛

Firefly in the Forest's avatar

You're very welcome, Mark. Beautiful poem. 💚🌿

Diana's avatar

so vivid and alive. this line “the river held its pace, slow, ” really stayed with me ✨

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thank you so much for sharing Diana 💛

Elijah Westin's avatar

Sometimes all you need is somebody to stand with you for the coldness to leave

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Exactly that Elijah.

Christopher Van Name's avatar

That moment before the first touch. Maybe the most exquisite moment in a relationship. Thrill, fear, hesitation, anticipation, then the knowing. Your words made sure we were there with you. Beautiful!

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thank you Christopher!

That moment is something special.

I love everything you’ve named there, especially anticipation.

Lintara's avatar

Mark, "you stayed just past the moment you would have left" — that's the whole poem. You caught the second when everything is decided. Not before. Not after. Right there.

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thank you Lintara. You saw that exact moment, the hinge, and it’s something, maybe for me at least, I’ve experienced before.

syntaxevasion's avatar

Did the waters pull align with that something in us to wash away what could not hold breath and water, fire and water, wind and depth?

Amazing piece.

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thank you Syntax!

Such a beautiful extension and concept. Maybe take it into something new - love it!

No pressure though!

Marble & Ember's avatar

The atmosphere is wonderful! I love how it builds slowly through sensations; it's really immersive. 😊

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thank you so much Angela! I’m really pleased you felt its pull 🥰

MoTy's avatar

Love your take on the feeling before first touch - more intense than touch itself. Not easy to capture. Beautifully written, Mark.

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thank you MoTy!

You caught it perfectly. I was trying to stay away from touch, as that draws us into the physical explanation, rather than the experience. Really pleased it worked!

MoTy's avatar

It worked - you stayed clear of the heat. Painful restraint, Mark.

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thanks 💛

Be Budding's avatar

You are a poet ❤️

Mark Crutchfield's avatar

Thank you Be 💛