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Zarayna Pradyer's avatar

Thank you, William.

I confess I try to avoid emotional issues as much as I can otherwise I'd dissolve into a puddle. Well done you for plunging into the maelstrom and emerging human.

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William Bowles's avatar

Thank you Zarayna, it was a long time coming. Eventually doinmg it in chunks seemed to be the only way I could tackle it, plus Substack is kinda conducive to this approach and Wordpress just isn't, don't ask me why.

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Zarayna Pradyer's avatar

It's a lovely tribute to your family. None of us are perfect! We're all stumbling into the unknown doing the best we can. Your bro appears to be struggling - hope his wounds heal soon.

Stay strong! xxx

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Mike Hampton's avatar

Do you intend to make me commitment’s host,

make me laugh and cry,

make me walk and talk with ghosts,

love me and leave me to die?

Or is it…

A succumbing to the slavering of your tongue,

to have your thighs writhe in panting time

and your nails to claw for blood,

have your waterhole filled only to drown me deep in it?

“Love” you reply

Did your mother forget to teach you

that love is a myth

and the reality of myth is pain?

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William Bowles's avatar

Whose words are these Mike?

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Mike Hampton's avatar

From my old scribbles. Actually a destructive love poem but I felt the first half empathetic to your story.

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William Bowles's avatar

A very painful 'scribble', it must have been some love affair.

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Mike Hampton's avatar

I dealt with my mother issues but struggled with love for a long time. Creative writing was part of that process, but political activism was the cure. It helped to compare my micro problems to mass world corruption. Difficult to be a romantic when trying to survive politicians. I've been single for 15 years, and haven't felt lonely for over 10. I'm no longer a product of my upbringing. I'm just me.

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Mike Hampton's avatar

No more will you tempt me

with the sodden-leaf smell of experience

or velvet lies of devotion

If God be breasted, I’d understand why I don’t understand

I suck in your love to spit it out,

outstretch my arms to embrace

the only lover I know,

Loneliness.

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Mike Hampton's avatar

Note that the link to part 3 is broken. Missing the "h" in the 'https".

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Mike Hampton's avatar

In part 4, at the start, you link to part 3. That link in part 4 isn't working because it's missing the "h" at the beginning of the url.

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