Casualties

Carelessly through away my pride, relying on anonymities. watching the balance passing by, appalled to find "it was all me". This poem hit me very hard and I dont know why - I think the emotion running through the whole poem is strong and very well articulated. What is ruth? Its not' a word I have come across before. Apart fromone small edit through away my pride' should read 'threw away my pride' this was seamless for me - nice work:-) Kaz It's impossible to smile on the outside without feeling better on the inside.

This is quite different for you as far as writing I can see you have been working hard on your writing try using a Thesaurus along with that dictionary and amazing things happen Chrys

The final stanza is great, truly great. It's interesting to read a poem that plays with a word without any hint of play, a pun of sadness. note: typo on another in second-last line.

This reads even better second time around. :-) Kaz It's impossible to smile on the outside without feeling better on the inside.

the first stanza is one after my own heart; ruthless to softer views in a few lines. Frost

I liked this very much, and as stated is a departure from your usual work. Well written

The mellowing down oh yes the mellowing down!!! who doesn't experience this - a sign of maturity, of coming to terms with yourself and the world. I must say, I relate to this piece. I am going down that road. The important thing is to be positive and accept this as a way of growing up flowering into the real you - not the you (I mean this in a general way) that was arrogant, insensitive and feelingless but the you that understands mortality and the ephemeralness of life. When the ear of poetry is sensitive to the subtlest vibrations of your soul, you are bound to touch the hearts of others. This is good stuff. Take care ... Leonard