Comment from mumsyone

Excellent

Hi Michael,

Thanks very much for contributing a poem to Alvin's Guest Book. I'm compiling a book of the poems, for Sue (sgalletti)
to take to Alvin's memorial service.

Lois

 Comment Written 11-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 11-Mar-2014

It was my honor. A very lovely tribute and a wonderful way for many of us to become more familiar with his work and life. What a truly wonderful man who left his mark in a big way as an artist and more importantly as a human being. You've done a beautiful thing here. Wonderful, mikey

Comment from Spitfire

Excellent

Well done, mikey. Perfect title. I too regret now that I passed up the course. You may be new to his forms but caught on quickly. The last line indicates you found a mentor. Good for you! Trying something new.

 Comment Written 10-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 10-Mar-2014

He has quite a list of accomplished students. Very humbling to visit his profile. Not a word about himself, all praises for his students. mikey

Comment from Patti R.

Excellent

This is beautiful, Mikey! Like you I didn't have the privilege of being taught by Mr. Ethington, but I can't count the number of times I have benefited from his teachings through the advice and information passed on to me by his students on the site.

The Perfect Circle is the perfect title. Nice style and presentation.

Patti

 Comment Written 09-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 10-Mar-2014

It's a real who's who. Glad you liked this. I don't like the little pieces all alone, but I do like them along with a lot of blathering!! mikey

Comment from GracieAnn

Excellent

Mikey, I'm with you on this double haiku's message about someone with whom I never had the opportunity to associate. I, too, must glean from his students. Nice form with creative approach. :0 GracieAnn

 Comment Written 08-Mar-2014

Comment from ProjectBluebook

Excellent

I'm not familiar but curious about Alvin. Evidently, a lot of thought and compassion went into this poem. This riddle runs deep, I'm somewhat perplexed about Alvin, what kind of teacher was he? Did you actually meet this source who was saddened by her teacher passing on. Some deep thinking ... great imagination and skill, Mikey.

 Comment Written 08-Mar-2014

Comment from Tatarka2

Excellent

This is a lovely tribute to your mentor. I'm reminded of the saying, "when the student is ready, the teacher appears." To me, this form is the best of your poetry. You do the juxtaposition of the two forms so well. It's unique and intriguing, and no one seems to do it as well. Maybe you learned this from Alvin?

 Comment Written 08-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 08-Mar-2014

Thank you so much. This is a style that I wrote in when I was young. Decades later someone invented it and gave it a name, haibun. I've always liked to mix prose with poetry and try to get away with it whenever I can. I am so pleased you like it. It really is my natural style. I didn't know Alvin very well, but a visit to his profile page is a very humbling experience. Nothing about himself, all praises for his students. I know he could have improved the short haiku portions of my pieces. mikey

Comment from l.raven

Excellent

OH Michael, what a wonderful heart you have....this is so touching and so beautiful...I never had him as a teacher...but did know him...he will truly be missed...it's like losing part of our family when someone on here passes...a wonderful tribute....luff Linda xxoo hugss

 Comment Written 08-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 08-Mar-2014

I didn't know him well, but a visit to his profile page is a very humbling experience. Nothing on his page about himself, all praises for his students. A wonderful man and very young too. I'm so pleased you found this worthy. An honor to be able to add a few words. mikey

Comment from lancellot

Excellent

A great tribute. I agree with every word. I remember when I first started on the site many years ago and Alvin, hammered me for not taking the time to edit my work. He was so right and taught me much about the many forms of writing and taking the time to honor what you present to the world.

 Comment Written 08-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 08-Mar-2014

I haven't had much direct contact with him, but that thinking is a truth that he and some of the veteran writers adhere to and it is certainly true. I've tried to improve in that area. It is quite something to visit his profile and see just what a giving man he was. Not a word about himself. All praises about his students. Very humbling. mikey

Comment from Marillion

Excellent

This is a beautiful and unique homage, Mikey. I knew Alvin the last time I was here, but hadn't reconnected with him this time around, so he may not have been active, but you honor him well, my friend.

 Comment Written 08-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 08-Mar-2014

I never got to know him well. It is a revelation to visit his profile though. Not a mention of himself. All praises for his many students. A very humbling experience to see how he lived his life. I'm pleased you think I did him a little justice, mikey

Comment from sweetwoodjax

Excellent

this is very well written, Michael, you did an excellent job writing this haibun poem about the lessons that Alvin taught will be taught to others by those who learned from him.

 Comment Written 08-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 08-Mar-2014

Thank you very much. A wonderful man. Very touching to visit his profile and see the love he had for his students. Most humbling, mikey