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David E. Perry's avatar

"“I dream of a quiet man

who explains nothing and defends

nothing, but only knows

where the rarest wildflowers

are blooming, and who goes,

and finds that he is smiling

not by his own will.

Sabbaths 1999 II”

― Wendell Berry

Again sir, I am in your debt.

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David Knowles's avatar

Dear David. I am so grateful. Yes, for all the usual things - that you read and that you were kind enough to get back to me. But this time also for a very specific image which crystalises and resolves so many cross-currents that were swirling around my mind concerning what and why I want to write. Which all sounds very self-indulgent. But really, I just want to do my job well, like a good joiner. (Do you guys say 'joiner'? - here we say 'joiner' about a person who is a carpenter but it has the extra connotation that he or she works with wood in a respectful and measured way).

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David E. Perry's avatar

David, I'm not proud of needing to begin with "I've been meaning to get back to you..."

It's lame.

And it's true.

Joiner. Yes, among woodworker types I think that title would make almost immediate sense, but probably not among the general population. I love the metaphor, and have no difficulty understanding how the term applies itself to what I see in your final products, your beautifully joined stories. I never see the glue, just sense the bond, and the ideas nestle up against one another with a skill that makes it almost impossible to see where the pieces that make it up once existed on their own.

What a gift, these paths and moments you shape and describe.

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David Knowles's avatar

"When you hear a bunch of crows swearing, pay attention." And that's enough to turn it all around :-)

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Jennifer Chavez's avatar

I love this!

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Marilynn's avatar

Is this what is meant by "embedded"? So completely part of the environment, that nothing makes it better. And a miracle, indeed! Don't we have these every day and completely miss them? Thanks for not missing this one - and sharing it with us!

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Lynne's avatar

Oh, my! Early Spring here now and you put words to my feelings about that. I enjoy dancing with your imagery.

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Poetry Symposium's avatar

., a moment taken... Enjoyed this piece. Thank you !

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Carrie's avatar

Such intense movement in this one! Is it suggestive of Spring, this season of awakening energies? I'll track it as the seasons pass.

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Janet H's avatar

Oh, miracle may be too trite a word for what you so deliciously describe. Perhaps magical is better. Your oneness with field, bird and sky is a beneficent draught for my almost summer morning.

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Lor's avatar

“But nature is innovative. Here the daisy and the dandelion are royalty. An earthworm a dragon.”

“They swirl and dance to the drumbeat of heaven.”

So much beauty in your writing. A glorious way to start my day in Vermont!

With eyes and hands wide open.

If we cannot see the miracle in existence, are we truly alive?

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David Knowles's avatar

Thanks for reading again, Lor. Every place has its magic, every placename its charm. But I must say that 'Vermont' conjures up some especially rich dream in me whenever I hear the word :-)

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Susie Mawhinney's avatar

As always David, I am lost entirely in the magic carried by your gentle words - and dying of envy even at the mere thought of so many swifts which must be an almost unbearable beauty to behold…. quelle chance tu as !

Thank you for this vision.

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David Knowles's avatar

You are such a rock, Suzie. I love your 'monsieur' - I have found myself pulled towards these men for years and (almost!) always found that they do indeed, as you say, have mighty hearts too. Covered in scar tissue and callouses but beating underneath it all like the tide - slow but unstoppable. The multi-generational responsibility for land, to be balanced with all the other duties of life, is perhaps an inconceivably heavy burden for a person to bear.

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Marieke Willemse's avatar

Thank you so much, what a wonderfull way to start my day.

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David Knowles's avatar

Thanks, Marieke, for reading and kindness. 'Starting the Day' - it really should be taught in schools :-)

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Carmine Hazelwood's avatar

This is thrilling! I wonder, how did you know, that if you stood such a way, in such a place, at such a time, that such a thing would happen? I am gobsmacked by this interaction (knife-throwing act indeed) and feel certain if I had dared stand in your place to feel the brush of a wing, I would have done so wearing goggles just in case a beak or claw went astray. This is why I'd never make it as an adventure writer, ha.

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David Knowles's avatar

Hi there, Carmine. So glad you came along. Goggles are fine. Sometimes I get a tip-off that things are afoot. But of course I could never reveal my sources ;-)

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Patricia Keene's avatar

David - you write in such a way that one is transported to the scene. Bravo! I am a lover of birds, actually nature et al, and it is my birthday so I count this as a lovely first present!

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David Knowles's avatar

Happy birthday, Patricia.

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Susan Z's avatar

So very beautiful and moving, thank you.

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David Knowles's avatar

Thanks, Susan, that is kind of you.

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Jane Turner's avatar

I am normally very easily distracted when trying to read but the engaged me entirely. I was there second by second. Superb writing and sublime nature.

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David Knowles's avatar

Thank you, Jane. That’s very kind of you to say.

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Lesley's avatar

Beautiful words, David, so evocative and powerful. Transporting me to this magical sensation that you’ve experienced and shared. Thank you. I may never be swarmed by swallows in body but I taste a bit of it through your fabulous prose.

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David Knowles's avatar

That's kind of you, Lesley. Who knows, you may soon mingle with martins ;-)

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Lesley's avatar

Or roar with ravens..🙂

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Iole Matthews's avatar

Your writing is balm to one’s soul!

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David Knowles's avatar

Thank you, Iole.

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