Spells of tender whispers ...translated into form (Silver otters)

I am unsure what this means? This poem is about another's kindness (as in not my own) (?). However, I do understand the time constraints for most of us, so don't feel obliged to hurry back, your comments are usually so beautifully crafted, I apreciate them when you are able.~ Anni ~~~ "... sometimes I hear my voice - And it's been here .... Silent All These Years" ~Tori Amos.

Hey lovely Gee, I have missed you - I went looking for you today to see if you had posted I got up to page 2 of my buddies & still no word from you... you must be a busy one lately. Yeah we had one of those bizarre synchronous moments, in the car with the kids, long distance, we were choosing what animal we'd be if we could be, my scientist said otter & I heard my son just groan, I turned to look at him shaking his head & grinning, we both burst out laughing, he knew how much I love otters, but no one else could have. So my birthday prezzy was silver otters, I love them so much. Thanks for your lovely words as always xx~ Anni ~~~ "... sometimes I hear my voice - And it's been here .... Silent All These Years" ~Tori Amos.

Hello sweet Beki, thank you, YOU have become so precious to me! I think you know it, & yes that's fine, it is precious to me also. My mind just wanted to go into hope against any unforseen catstrophe, but I walled it right there!... Instead I will tell you that I don't know that I have ever been loved quite so sweetly & truely & while it is fraught because of his more recent tragedy, that is no deterent, it forces us into courage, a place I love anyway. Most of all though, in response to your comment, I find myself (Oh dear there's that word!) wishing it for you. I do though, with courage & determination I wish it, not from a place of resignation or weaakness, but from knowing how good you are from here. It will come to you I guess when it is right in your life, it took me all these years, maybe it will come sooner for you I think My love to you anyway~ Anni ~~~ "... sometimes I hear my voice - And it's been here .... Silent All These Years" ~Tori Amos.

I think you know it is, only I don't see it as luck or fate, I see it as gratitude for the good I have... but I think you know it too. We appreciate what is around us...It's partly why I adore you so much, I recognize it in you.~ xxx Anni ~~~ "Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get, it's what you are expected to give -- which is everything." -Anon

Hiya Kelsey, always love finding you here. Well, they are earings! I asked someone to take a picture of them to post here, I love them so much, they were my birthday present from my "otter", my scientist, & yes, I was hugely appreciative, he is a dream. So, that sounds good, I am happy then if it sounds like that, it is so useful sometimes to get feedback like that, I realise I am not as aware of how my writing comes across as I suspected. It makes me all the more grateful for finding this site. Ah! so if you came to vist Australia, I could be your mama away from home then, though sometimes you might find yourself wondering who is the more grown up since I rather enjoy having lots of fun (My Otter's gorgeous daughter says I seem like I'm 12, but when I asked if that was bad she said NOooooo!!!!) We had the best weekend I taught her how to walk on my stilts & we played piano & made bickies (she insists they are called "cookies".. not is Aus baby!!!!) in the shape of musical symbols & instruments, her mama's recipe (it was her dad's birthday - I wrote the saddest poem, at the kitchen watching her dad work from her mama's recipes the night before, I'll post it I think, if I don't run out of steam tonight, it's getting late... It made me sook, & then the three of us all had a bit of a sook & laughed at ourselves for it, life huh!), I have pretty celtic colouring I think, my hair is dark red & very thick curly (& frizzy today cos it rained all day (we sooooo needed it here), & I have dark lashes, but my eyebrows are red, but I reckon we could get away with being related, we could always say it was in the incredibly brilliant brain cells that the resemblence most shows up!!!! Cheers girl xxx~ Anni ~~~ "... sometimes I hear my voice - And it's been here .... Silent All These Years" ~Tori Amos.

Thanks lovely O', No, we don't actually have otters wild here, but I've seen them captive (never enjoy that much in many ways) & various film clips, I love the hand holding one. They are incredibly playful & climb all over eachother, I'm a pretty demonstrative thing, no such thing as too close for me, I like to entwine, I was instantly enamoured when my scientist showed signs of being even more like that than I am. Ravens are pretty amazing, there have been some pretty amazing Raven songs all through history... probably poetry as well I suppose, though I know songs & not so much poetry. You are always an inspiration Steven, I am trying to catch up from a few days away, but have not gotten to reading new stuff yet, just responding to comments. Am looking forward to reading your latest xx~ Anni ~~~ "Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get, it's what you are expected to give -- which is everything." -Anon

You, of course, would pull out my most favourite line... & my most difficult... & to answer your rhetorical question (as is my want) if I were more able to do as you suggest, I might sound a little more like you. I admit to a chuckle as read that. Don't fret, I would always have my own voice, but a good aspiration is a valid thing, & I have, more than once, thought, on reading your work or comments, "I wish I had put so many powerfully moving lines together", recognising (as you may perhaps) a similar soul to their birthing & being, perhaps somehow our psyches have gone through a paralel labour, lost babes. Forgive me I have also read of your history in other comments here... So here, since it is my way, I will confess a thing I feel a tad squirmish about.. I did get unusually fretful about the integrity line, since I do strive to maintain at all possible levels you are right, I cannot claim that there are not times when I have fumbled with it or slipped altogether, but I am learning to be more gentle on myself as I would be for anyone else, I know my intentions, they are generally worthy I believe... My confession is uncomfortable because it implies a judgement... you see, I am so releived to be with a man who actually seems to share my own desire to live with integrity, because I feel in the past I have had to kind of kneel & stoop to pull it forth from other lovers, or sit low patiently trying to coax it out... I have many friends with lots of integrity though... So the sense of being raised up to that integrity, in this context, is even more laden with joy & celebration because I feel I am so used to a lower level of return & my tall otter just took my arms & raised me up to the sky the freedom we both have because we do individually, independently, without having discussed it, aspire to that same desire to take responsibility for our own being on this earth in whatever way that occurs... However, the thing is, having to explain that just shows up that it was not communicated. It IS subtle & admitedly I didn't want to say "well, finally I've met a man who actually stands up in the same realm of integrity that I am", I mean it sounds disgustingly self congratulatery & whiffs of ego etc.(please, I know there are many men who have wonderful integrity, just seems like the ones attracted to me are good at having it conditionally or selectively, or just pretending to until the facade wears off, or even wanting more, but not being bothered to be what it takes to live into integrity).. so I hid it a bit in self depreciating language I thought would slip by most people...(how rude of me... that shows integrity leakage right there) I knew what I meant (I write songs like that all the time, take it for granted that no-one else really listens to the lyrics anyway so I hide stuff in there). Once again you have unearthed a place I hadn't really faced needed a clean up, & there you are. You are an archeologist, a sophisticated treasure hunter, though you do not plunder what you find (ah use those powers for good not evil). I wanted to tell you, I know your goodness also & as you say, you may have cultivated a facade of less penetrable skin than some, but I feel when you reach out you give extraordinary insight, lucidity & clarity you have proverbial "sharp wit", a gift I think, not to be overlooked, & one I hugely admire. &, again, I thank you, deeply, I will think on that line I must go work now.~ Grateful (as is warented) Anni ~~~ "Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get, it's what you are expected to give -- which is everything." -Anon

Thanks honey, it was lovely to read your feary one here too, think that was spotlight though, loved it. Cheers xxx~ Anni ~~~ "Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get, it's what you are expected to give -- which is everything." -Anon

How wonderful to have otters playing in your back yard!!, I love your little tales. I have had koalas, wallabies, even echidnas, kangaroos of course (naughty things would destroy my vegie garden), but that's because I've lived in the bush much of my life. My son went to the zoo in town recently, we have otters there, but not in the wild here sadly. The otters at my ear have a native American design, I love them so much. I think your heritage must be fascinating... & I think you fly for certain. I'm glad you try to be among others, & thank you for your acknowledgement, if I can inspire you to come out of yourself then I am very happy. You must know Steven that we all know how gifted YOU are & how you shine... So I thank you also. xx~ Anni ~~~ "Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get, it's what you are expected to give -- which is everything." -Anon

Hello & thank you, yes & they are nicer in 3 dimensional proximity. Welcome to Neo. Cheers~ Anni ~~~ "The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself" Henry Miller