15 Comments
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Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

This poem is lovely. It's clearly and beautifully articulated.

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Tamsin 🍂's avatar

Thank you my dear.

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Nelly Bryce's avatar

I really like this poem. The formatting works perfectly - it slowed me down reading it at all the right places. I read it through twice enjoying those pauses and noticing what you were doing. I enjoyed our last two sessions thoroughly. I'm so glad you did too. Finding new friends (can I call you my friend now please?) has been a huge benefit of Substack for me. Thank you for writing about this. You know, in the past I'd have felt so awkward about it only being two of us. Mainly I'd have worried that the other person felt disappointed and bored by it just being me. But actually, it can be different but just a wonderful can't it. And I came away (again) with so many new ideas and thoughts about the book. Loved it.

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Tamsin 🍂's avatar

Thank you. I think friends is a very good word for us now. ☺️

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

Fantastic post, terrific poem. Great work!

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Tamsin 🍂's avatar

☺️

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Kathryn Anna Marshall's avatar

Beautiful poem Tamsin. I feel the zoom fear too - transported straight back to school with people giggling behind their hands at every word I uttered. One to one sounds great though!

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Tamsin 🍂's avatar

Thank you. Yes, it’s very much a like school like feeling, initially.

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Lisa Andradez's avatar

Existential waffle - I love it! Love the poem, and can certainly empathise with the 'was' part of my own personality and how much I have too changed over the years. Really insightful, thanks

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Tamsin 🍂's avatar

The old MECFS certainly has affected my self esteem massively. And the weight gain. I do mourn for that old life. I can still feel what it’s like to walk with purpose etc.

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Lisa Andradez's avatar

Absolutely!! Don't get me started on the weight gain, it is currently tearing a huge strip off my self esteem, and I miss the days when I could run it all off... but we are only different now, not worse, and we must remember that!

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Ruth Middleton's avatar

Such an interesting post and I feel your poem will stay with me. expresses so much in a very succinct way. I too have a ‘was’ which follows ‘me today’. For me, an accident, and then cancer have left their imprints on my life and body. Thank you for your poem and sharing it.

As a creative writing group facilitator your thoughts about the session with two of you is also valuable. I have closed down sessions when only one person has attended, with their agreement but I think I will stay in that space and encourage a sole poet/ writer to stay and work with me. And maybe we too can have a different but special time/ connection/ space.

Thanks again.

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Tamsin 🍂's avatar

I did expect Nelly to cancel, but they didn’t and it was good. Give it a try, it may or may not work.

I understand the effect bad health affecting us, it’s a real sting.

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Martin Hughes's avatar

Thank you for your existential waffle. 🫂

A powerful poem. And I'm so happy you and Nelly were able to enjoy a special time connected together, especially as you felt so comfortable throughout.

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Tamsin 🍂's avatar

I’m always way better 1-1, as opposed to in a group

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