Comment from mumsyone

Excellent

He lingered in Imagination's Field
and gathered lovely thoughts into bouquets
then shared them with the many friends he made
He trod life's winding paths on stormy days

Hi Purr,

Thanks very much for your beautiful contribution to Alvin's Guest Book. I'm glad we were able to get acquainted through "Pieces of Her Mind" and in one of Alvin's classes.

Hugs,
Lois

 Comment Written 11-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 17-Mar-2014

Hello dear Lois,
It was a pleasure to hear from you and I do thank you for your sweet review. It is still hard to think of Alvin as being no longer here on Earth. I took several of his classes and felt he was a wonderful teacher... kind and patient, and above all, impartial. When one shares with others in the way he did, a part of him remains ever with us. I am so thankful for the experience of getting to know him through his poetry and through his instruction... and will always remember that it was through his help, our joint book came into being. Although I have not been active in participating with the other authors, I do appreciate each one of the talented people who played a role and shared so much. Thank you, Lois. Hugs and smiles, Agnes (Nessie) alias FS - W ^-^ ;-)

Comment from Pearl Edwards

Excellent

Lovely artwork of this tree full of beautiful bloom and another lovely tribute to Alvin, a lovely guy and a great writer. Nicely done.

 Comment Written 08-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 09-Mar-2014

Thank you, Pearl, for your excellent review on my memorial tribute to Alvin. Warm regards, W ^-^

Comment from Just2Write

Excellent

A loving tribute poem for our Alvin.
I didn't know he liked magnolias - so thanks for using that as your theme. Magnolias are much like Alvin too.
Both are beautiful things, that share their beauty and grace us with anyone who will take the time to see.
Rose.

 Comment Written 07-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 09-Mar-2014

Thank you, Rose, for your excellent review on my tribute to Alvin poem. Warmest regards, W ^-^

Comment from Jean Lutz

Excellent

I learned of his departure on Mardi Gras day. I alternately cried and laughed. He loved New Orleans and I pictured him now second-line dancing on streets of gold.

 Comment Written 07-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 09-Mar-2014

Hello dear Jean, Lovely to hear from you. Thanks for the thoughtful review. Yes, it was so sad to hear of Alvin's passing. He will be missed on FS and by his many friends. He was certainly a kind and good hearted individual. Nice you have fond memories of him during mardi gras and a sweet vision of him dancing on those streets of gold in the great beyond. Hope all goes well with you. Hugs, Aggie

Comment from krys123

Excellent

I truly enjoy this wonderful libation, tribute and exultation for a wonderful man who still lives in the hearts of friends and students proudly. His endearing patience and remarkable and astute awareness of people's feelings and their drive to succeed was inherent in his character. Thank you for sharing in posting this poem for everyone and may you and yours always find peace.
Alex

 Comment Written 06-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 07-Mar-2014

Thank you, Alex, for your most kind words about my tribute to Alvin. In the last class I took from him, I turned out to be the only student who registered and rather than cancelling, he went ahead and taught me one on one. I was really amazed by this as he gave so many hours of his valuable time for such a small fee. As well, he was qravely ill at the time. Such generosity of spirit touched my heart deeply and I genuinely admired him. May his dear soul rest in peace. Hugs, Aggie

reply by krys123 on 07-Mar-2014

Thank you for this excellent share and yes I knew him To be a most excellent and patience of a man but I really didn't know how ill he really was but I have learned recently just how bad he was. You are so welcome and thank you for the share.

Comment from amada

Excellent

I love the wonderful metaphor of Imagination Field, and Alvin gathering thoughts bouquets. This is a great tribute to our beloved teacher. A pleasure to read.

 Comment Written 06-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 07-Mar-2014

Thank you so very much, amada, for sending your fine review on my tribute to Alvin. He was a genuinely kind person and I very much admired him. I took 4 of his classes and learned so much in each of them. Hugs, Aggie (W ^-^)

Comment from Taffspride

Excellent

What a lovely tribute to Alvin, and paired with beautiful artwork.

I very much enjoyed reading this aloud, the entire poem was so good, but I have to say my favorite lines were the last two.

A legacy of love he leaves behind
sweet gleanings from a brilliant, caring mind

They say it all, and describes the way all of his friends feel about him.

Thank you for sharing.

Iechyd da

Ann

 Comment Written 06-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 07-Mar-2014

Hello Ann, I am so happy you enjoyed my tribute to Alvin. Thank you for your excellent review. He was one of the finest gentlemen I've had the pleasure of coming in contact with, genuinely interested in helping others and sharing his knowledge.
Warmest regards, W ^-^

Comment from juliaSjames

Excellent

"sweet gleanings from a brilliant, caring mind"

What a wonderful closing line, whizpurr.

Although I took two of his classes, I don't claim to know Alvin as well as many others on this site.

But I was impressed by his passion for poetry and by his integrity.

And yes, by his kindness. I am forever in his debt for even the limited understanding I have of the Japanese short forms.

Thank you for sharing your gentle, smooth-flowing tribute.

 Comment Written 06-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 07-Mar-2014

Hello dear Julia,
Many thanks for your fine review. You will be glad for the classes you took from Alvin. I took 4 classes from him but it was not until taking the last class that I felt I really came to know him. As it turned out, I was the only one that registered for that class and rather than cancelling out, he went ahead and taught me one on one even though at that time he was very ill. I was so impressed. What a caring gentle man! Warmest regards,
W ^-^

reply by juliaSjames on 07-Mar-2014

In a strange way, teaching you probably made his last days easier. He was able to do something he loved until almost the end. What a blessing for both of you.

Comment from MelissaBickel

Excellent

I love the newness of a tree in bloom.

Each poem penned, as a result of Alvin, is like Spring - where beautiful things come to bloom.

 Comment Written 06-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 07-Mar-2014

Hello dear Missie, Thank you for your excellent review. It seems so wonderful that so many have joined in to pay their respects by way of this little book of memorial poems. I love thinking of Alvin as having now gone to live in a garden filled with fragrant flowers and lots of poetry. Hugs, W ^-^

Comment from Margaret Snowdon

Excellent

Aggie,

"Sweet Gleanings" is a lovely, heart-felt tribute to Alvin.



He was such a talented man, with a caring heart and
the patience of a saint - a friend who will be sadly missed.


Margaret

 Comment Written 06-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 07-Mar-2014

Hello Margaret, So lovely to hear from you. Thank you for a fine review. I have really special memories of him. I took 4 classes from him and in the last one on world religion's poetry, I was the only student. Instead of cancelling the class, he went ahead and taught me one on one even though he was ill at the time. I will always remember his generosity of spirit and kindly helpfulness. He was indeed a gifted poet and a gifted teacher. Trust this finds you in fine form and filled with inspiration. Luvs, Aggie