17 Comments
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Kim Nelson's avatar

Brilliantly executed, Matthew. You've woven truth-telling with imagery and tied the physical to the metaphysical without hitch. In these few lines, you've painted a vivid picture of who your brother is and how your family works. Bravo.

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Mathew Snyder's avatar

Thank you, Kim! Very kind of you. There is much baked in here, yes.

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Rich Moore's avatar

Awesome piece Mathew! And huge congrats to your brother. He's obviously surrounded by a ton of love!

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Mathew Snyder's avatar

Thanks on both counts, Rich! He is indeed.

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Portia's avatar

I love how you incorporate those colours between each verse, and the ancient myths, which still speak to us. You all look much more relaxed and happier in the second photo, and your brother's a real trooper. Congratulations all around!

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Mathew Snyder's avatar

Thanks, Portia! We had a fine time this weekend.

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Patris's avatar

Can’t improve on what Kim said. Except maybe that I love this.

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Mathew Snyder's avatar

I’m very glad to know that, Patris!

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Kurt Rostek aka Paintguy's avatar

A tough read....your 3 line observations...almost haikus brought me there.

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Lissa's avatar

A real gift of a poem, Mathew :) Such strong writing- and gorgeous family :)

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Mathew Snyder's avatar

Oh, thank you Lissa! So glad you liked it. The family is eminently likable, so I didn’t have any doubts at there!

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Giulietta Passarelli's avatar

nice family pictures thanks - good writing too. Thanks.

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Tina Stolberg's avatar

Love it. Your brother is making up for the hair loss with that beard!!! Glad all is well.

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Mathew Snyder's avatar

His beard is incredible. I think he’s just showing off. Ha!

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Luis A. Estable's avatar

First, some kind of punctuation would have been helpful. I had a bit of a problem trying to follow the lines. I could not see several times when one thought ended and another began. I mean, to see where the pause was, so to speak. I do not really know why so many try poems with no punctuations. Yes, some poets have done it, but only after they paid their dues, and they knew what they were doing. Many who try it do not. They just do it for they have seen it being done but do a very bad job. It is always wise to try some punctuation unless the verses are clear enough or do not seem to require it.

About the poem, I got most of it but got lost in some places. Did not see the point or what it was all about.

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Weston Parker's avatar

Great family photos, where are your folks?

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Mathew Snyder's avatar

They were there. We took a lot of family photos. The "after" pic was in their driveway, the place I grew up in the country.

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