The Long Shadow Comments

As westward they travel the miles, can life every be like before? That's really hard to say, but with God, all things are possible! Sadly as this poem is, in life there's still hope. Thanks for sharing, Edmund!

I was reading a poem by Kelly Kurt and I apologized for making the suggestion but asked if he considered adding a word in the last line. It made the last two words four syllables and flowed gently in rhyme time. It did not seemed forced or sing songy just natural. I hope that he did not take offense. I was well meaning however since I am one with skin as thick as a bull elephant I sometimes am shocked when others are not. I like his poetry. You have an eye and an ear that makes you exceptional. You summed up the gently flowing nature of my writing. Not forced or clumsy, not compromising but like a violin solo. As for the picture, no not a family plot but much like the family cemeteries I saw in Lithuania. Where my grandparents fled from the Russians that had just murdered his whole family. Just because they could. His poetry is sad and longing. The most civilized man that I have ever known. Too much death, so much lost. Strolis is a Lithuanian name although my mother came from Venice. An amazing story of her own that I will put to pen. Keep up the wonderful writing, you are my favorite modern poet!

This is a beautiful sad poem. I feel the regret and loss. And the picture.... I was trying to figure out why I characterized your writing as having 'gentle rhyming.' I think it's the longer sentences. I like the effect. It keeps the reading flowing without being 'sing songy.' You have a way with your pen. Is this a picture of a family plot and are you writing about ancestors (wagons) ... Settling here.... Or is this commentary about immigrants moving forward (war) .... I saw a little of both in this unique write.