24 Comments
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Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

That picture of you two smiling and reading that poem on Father's Day is really sweet and moving, Kate. 🥲🩵🕊️

Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Thanks Troy. I was so proud of him! 💜

Marcello Iori's avatar

"You used to call." Three words and the whole absence is there. can't say more, just I wish you all the best and more love

Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Thanks so much, Marcello.

Claire Holden's avatar

So many deep and granular ways to feel absence. Your writing is just beautiful ❤️

Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Thank you, Claire!

Julie Gabrielli's avatar

My heart aches and sings for you, Kate. Here’s to that “uncanny silence beckoning the imagination to create”. Those mundane, ordinary words of affection reminded me of Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World. (I see friends shaking hands / Saying, "How do you do?" / They're really saying / I love you) 💕

Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Oh yes, you are so right there. Always such wonderful artistic ideas that help the thoughts and emotions go deeper! 🩵

Jules's avatar

I wish you nothing but the very best . May your new role and your wonderful writing bring you some equilibrium. Wonderful picture of the two of you 💛

Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Thank you, Jules. Equilibrium is a great way to describe it!

Plain Jane's avatar

So beautiful. ❤️💔❤️

Kate Jones's avatar

Gorgeous words, Kate 💜 wishing you all that you deserve in your "new normal." Here's to art, poetry and connection ✨️

Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Amen, Kate 💜💜

Charles  van Heck's avatar

Your words touch the heart. That you are stepping forward inspires. You remind us that many of us have wounded hearts that are still capable of love and compassion, and of hope even in the ever-present absence. I sincerely wish you the best in your new job. May you and your son be surprised by joy each day.

Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Thanks for such a lovely message, Charles. Yes you capture the sentiment I am trying — to keep moving forward and be curious. Good to have you here.

Nathan Slake's avatar

"Why do people seek the answers of poetry in tragedy yet eschew its significance in everyday life?"

🧡

All so beautiful and moving, Kate.

Susie Mawhinney's avatar

If I still lived in the High Peaks I would call in gladly to the Buxton Book Festival! As well as your new job—congratulations— I truly hope you find as much love and friends as I did in those hills too Kate.

Oh, and I loved this line; "Some days, I try to hold onto the sharpness and itch of the wild grass. It’s as if it is disappearing in my grasp, disintegrating into the earth, up toward stardust." ✨

Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Ah, let me know if you visit, Susie! I already love it there and have only spent a few days prior to our move next week.

Thank you…those words really captured something for me.

Susie Mawhinney's avatar

How I would love to Kate but it’s over 30 years since I set foot in Derbyshire! I still miss the place and the people.

Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

Congratulations on the new job Kate. Your writing contains beauty, as ever.

Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Thank you, Jeffrey!

Ah yes, I think the job will be really interesting no and excited to share more.

Angel L. Martinez's avatar

First, my condolences.

These words say a lot:

“Why do people seek the answers of poetry in tragedy yet eschew its significance in everyday life? What if we kaleidescoped our daily existence with the language of poets, in many forms beyond the printed poem — spoken, dancing prose, the movement of things? “