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Claire's avatar

Your poem is beautiful, it made me tear up.

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Diana Ewell Engel's avatar

Thank you, Claire ♥️!

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Ken Lee's avatar

Beautiful, Di! Rich and sad. The image of holding his oversized hand really hit me. I could feel my grand dad’s and father’s hands which I held at the end of their lives. Bringing your own personal story of your dad made the poem even richer. It touched me. I have always been a lover of old folks, friends and family.

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Diana Ewell Engel's avatar

Thank you, Ken, for your kind words. Knowing your close relationship with your father and your farm-centered childhood, I thought this poem might resonate with you ♥️. I'm so glad "Story Reaper" was meaningful to you!

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Diana Ewell Engel's avatar

Ken, thanks for your kind comments about "Story Reaper." I loved Bern like a father, so it was especially important to me to make this poem the strongest it could be. "Story Reaper" went through a handful of revisions over a few years before it felt finished. When I put that much love and work into a poem, it is particularly gratifying when a reader responds so positively 💖.

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Erin Morrison's avatar

Beautiful poem ❤️ I love the imagery!

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Diana Ewell Engel's avatar

Erin, thanks so much 💖! I'm glad this poem spoke to you, that you enjoyed the farm and personal (mouth, a quivering fault line) imagery ♥️.

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Diana Ewell Engel's avatar

Erin, thanks so much ♥️! I'm glad "Story Reaper" spoke to you.

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Clint Engel's avatar

A lovely poem!

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Diana Ewell Engel's avatar

Thank you, my love 💞!

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