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Chuck's avatar

Grab it while its fresh

& throw it in the blender.

Add a splash of color,

a dash or two of sparkle.

make it yours.

.

Serve chilled,

& feast on the surprise reprise

in the eyes of your audience.

.

That's how legends are made.

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Jillian Joy's avatar

Yes!! I love this so much!! Love the imagery and the metaphor and especially “surprise reprise.” A backseat look at the creation process of so many things :) Thanks, Chuck!

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Larry Brickner-Wood's avatar

To my surprise, a triptych of poem appeared!

Surprise

The moment I pledged

to never be

in a long term relationship

again,

you came into my life.

Imagine my surprise,

how quickly that fickle

promise dissolved.

Love has its own destiny.

*********************

That brief moment,

in the remnants of the storm,

afterglow of fire and fury,

when love breaks in.

Adversaries created by discord

from years of fear and lies,

evaporates in the air like

summer dew.

A sweet surprise,

there is nothing here to fear.

Just breathing hearts yearning to be free.

********************************

At that moment when you know

You’ve heard it all before,

I’ll surprise you.

A new song birthed from

the complacence of familiarity.

Perhaps we heard it long ago.

It is rising here, this delicate crossroads,

love’s surprising memory, from the ashes.

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Jillian Joy's avatar

Wow, Larry, these are so wonderful. I love all three as standalone entities and as a complete package. You’re so clear in your surprises and it makes them, therefore, a delight to experience through these words :)

I loved nearly every word, but especially:

“Imagine my surprise,

how quickly that fickle

promise dissolved.

Love has its own destiny.” You’re truly a romantic, Larry, and it’s marvelous :) Thank you!

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Larry Brickner-Wood's avatar

Thank you Jillian! Thank you for inspiring me every day!

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Larry Brickner-Wood's avatar

I am a romantic, and live into that reality every day, blessing and burden that it is!

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Jillian Joy's avatar

I hear that! :) Yes <3

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Julie Schmidt's avatar

"Imagine my surprise, a sweet surprise, I'll surprise you" This is woven together beautifully, love comes again, it is free and freed, a newness is released! "A new song birthed from the complacence of familiarity." Surprise! It is all there. Wonderfully done - thank you!

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Larry Brickner-Wood's avatar

Your Poem and that of A. helped inspire me--open to suprises from all corners!

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Chuck's avatar

Fickle..... ha.

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Julie Schmidt's avatar

ohhhh I loved all four of them Jillian! Especially number 2, that one is SURPRISINGLY profound! I decided to do more than one as well. An acrostic and haiku.

#1

S Startling stunning showstoppers

U Upending utterances unexpected

R Rousing revelations resaid

P Perplexing poignant phenomenon

R Rapid rollercoaster ride

I Important inspired insight

S Sudden shocking spectacles

E Exhilarating electric epiphanies

.

#2

Wonders uncovered

Moments of spinetingling awe

Surprises await

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Jillian Joy's avatar

Thank you so much, Julie! I appreciate that a lot 💗 Yeah, felt a little radical. I’ll keep working on the smols 😉

And wow, you work with pure MAGIC on your acrostics! This one and the last - wow!! I’m wild for your alliteration 😊😊🙌🙌 You really dive all in with it, and I LOVE that. Way to really work those two forms!

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Larry Brickner-Wood's avatar

How spectacular these are! I am not even sure how you managed that acrostic poem, other than the creative force at work! Lots of fun and fancy happening here!

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Jillian Joy's avatar

Yes!!

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A. Wilder Westgate's avatar

I love your smol poems! I kept mine smol today as well:

Teaching my children how to surmise

the difference between gifts and lies:

Is it a secret, or is it a surprise?

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Jillian Joy's avatar

Thank you, A.! I appreciate your encouragement as I vulnerably try some new things 😉

And ugh, YES. I love your poem so much. I was thinking about it a fair amount throughout this day. I’m so glad you’re teaching your children this distinction now; I wish we all might be so lucky as to receive this guidance in our lives too 💗

Wow, I just... remain inspired by and in awe of your mind, the things you perceive, and the things you choose to honor. Thank you 😊

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A. Wilder Westgate's avatar

Thank you, Jillian! The direction of this one genuinely surprised me (of course😅).

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Jillian Joy's avatar

Of course haha!

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Julie Schmidt's avatar

This is so sweet and fun! And then when you don't expect it the final flavor comes in, the deeper message...

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Larry Brickner-Wood's avatar

This so wonderful and full of smiles, joy, wonder and surprise!

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Chuck's avatar

shhhhh, it's a secret surprise, thanks mom.

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Larry Brickner-Wood's avatar

Jillian, you are one of the most delightful surprises of all!

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Jillian Joy's avatar

You make me smile :) Thank you, Larry! 💗

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Larry Brickner-Wood's avatar

That's a good thing--your smile!

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Jun 19, 2023
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Jillian Joy's avatar

Wow, such powerful words, Barbara - thank you for each one of them. I couldn’t agree more - for one to be willing to “go there,” explore the deep surprises of one’s heart and soul, excavate time and again, and then share the findings with each of us in the unmistakable signature of a unique light is COURAGE indeed. There’s sure to be a surprise every time, for that is the gift and promise. Thank you for your wisdom, and for your encouragement in our wonderful space 💗

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