It is ten years almost to the day since the death of Brendan Neylon Cassidy, my dear husband and father of my three children. This poem is penned in his memory.
I Wouldn't Have Had the Nerve
I wouldn't have had the nerve
when you were around -
with your Mensan mind,
your pedantic prowess
and your acerbic
(adorable)
wit.
A word-smith par excellence,
(published no less!)
you penned
persuasively
pedagogically
and perspicaciously
(I often needed a dictionary)
I wouldn't have had the nerve
when you were around -
so I basked in the shadow
of your doctoral brilliance,
typing your scrawl
and offering you
draft after exhaustive draft.
I wouldn't have had the nerve
when you were around -
but you're not around any more
are you?
And I am learning
day by day
to tell MY story.
eleanor prince
I love the way you describe the nuances of the relationship and though you no doubt admired him greatly, it's wonderful to see the way you became more your own person
I love the way you describe the nuances of the relationship and though you no doubt admired him greatly, it's wonderful to see the way you became more your own person
Dorothy A. Holmes apwlts2
I too have had an entanglement with a "wordsmith" who thought my words too ordinary...funny thing I called him earlier this evening to be certain I had spelled "Prowess" correct...and I hadn't...all before I read your lovely poem...so I simply used "artistic gift"...Proud of you for succeeding inspite of that pompous fool! Dorothy A Poet Who keeps it simple and Loves To Sing
I too have had an entanglement with a "wordsmith" who thought my words too ordinary...funny thing I called him earlier this evening to be certain I had spelled "Prowess" correct...and I hadn't...all before I read your lovely poem...so I simply used "artistic gift"...Proud of you for succeeding inspite of that pompous fool! Dorothy A Poet Who keeps it simple and Loves To Sing
tony jolley
From out of the shadows. .... Sometimes we profs, lecturers and teachers don't perhaps fully appreciate the damage we can do by just being what we are (though I'm not putting myself in the Doctoral league). My wife and I are both University Senior Lecturers and our son's Headmaster once said to us: "Good god. You're (educational) monsters (for him)!" Made us sit back and think a bit about how we think we are perceived and how we actually are perceived. Your poem is another wake-up call! Thanks! I consider myself officially 'awake' now!
From out of the shadows. .... Sometimes we profs, lecturers and teachers don't perhaps fully appreciate the damage we can do by just being what we are (though I'm not putting myself in the Doctoral league). My wife and I are both University Senior Lecturers and our son's Headmaster once said to us: "Good god. You're (educational) monsters (for him)!" Made us sit back and think a bit about how we think we are perceived and how we actually are perceived. Your poem is another wake-up call! Thanks! I consider myself officially 'awake' now!
Raj Arumugam
This poem hints of this insight for me: discovering one's own voice is perhaps the greatest act in one's living...
This poem hints of this insight for me: discovering one's own voice is perhaps the greatest act in one's living...
stephen
and the world is now richer for it. what good are strong shoulders if you dont carry your love on them
and the world is now richer for it. what good are strong shoulders if you dont carry your love on them
hippie chick
brilliant. you've taken something you felt in silence and given it a voice. kudos my lady
brilliant. you've taken something you felt in silence and given it a voice. kudos my lady
Munia Khan
I agree here with John-Yves...And yes,how lucky he was to have you as his beloved wife...God bless you Allie!!The last stanza is taking my breath away..Love it so much.
I agree here with John-Yves...And yes,how lucky he was to have you as his beloved wife...God bless you Allie!!The last stanza is taking my breath away..Love it so much.
erik99
The void never goes away, but you come to terms with it, and you are clearly doing well at that. Your growing confidence in yourself is well justified, and you have written movingly about your situation. The repetition of the first line is well handled, not overdone, and if you still need the dictionary, you use it to good effect.
The void never goes away, but you come to terms with it, and you are clearly doing well at that. Your growing confidence in yourself is well justified, and you have written movingly about your situation. The repetition of the first line is well handled, not overdone, and if you still need the dictionary, you use it to good effect.
Susan Jarvis
And for one who pens deliciously alliteratively, imaginatively, intelligently, compellingly and honestly...your story is destined for success. A respectful, insightful and special observation, adeptly crafted, as ever. :)
And for one who pens deliciously alliteratively, imaginatively, intelligently, compellingly and honestly...your story is destined for success. A respectful, insightful and special observation, adeptly crafted, as ever. :)
JoAnn McGrath
Different parts and different hearts.....you stand on your own two feet with quill in hand and slay the paper by your own self!...and you do it OH so well!...it's always a pleasure to read your words
Different parts and different hearts.....you stand on your own two feet with quill in hand and slay the paper by your own self!...and you do it OH so well!...it's always a pleasure to read your words
sonetta
i'm sure you learned a lot from him but the most important lessons are the ones self-taught and you should stand proud of your writing and what you've learned about yourself......
i'm sure you learned a lot from him but the most important lessons are the ones self-taught and you should stand proud of your writing and what you've learned about yourself......
Karin Anderson
And you are your own intelligent, witty, wise and wonderful woman. What a excellent assistant you must have been deciphering and typing the scrawl, as I have done this too in the past and it is not easy. To have left a shadow and find the warmth in the sun must have been a joyful renewal for your spirit. I sit in awe of your excellent vocabulary and poem! love Karin
And you are your own intelligent, witty, wise and wonderful woman. What a excellent assistant you must have been deciphering and typing the scrawl, as I have done this too in the past and it is not easy. To have left a shadow and find the warmth in the sun must have been a joyful renewal for your spirit. I sit in awe of your excellent vocabulary and poem! love Karin
ron flowers
Keep on telling it, Alison. I am enjoying it. I know I am not alone.
Keep on telling it, Alison. I am enjoying it. I know I am not alone.
carol
after being in the shadow so long kudos alison
after being in the shadow so long kudos alison
Sridevi Datta
up above there in the stars he is basking in your radiance and warmth ...he must be one proud star:)))Read my "miss me Not" speaks of a similar tale...love,Sri.
up above there in the stars he is basking in your radiance and warmth ...he must be one proud star:)))Read my "miss me Not" speaks of a similar tale...love,Sri.
Fay Slimm
You emerged intact with talented aplomb from under the wings of "pedantic prowess" my friend - and we know now a little of what that achievement meant - - applause for both this and your own fine success. Love the inferences in this superb write, and the final words tell their own story.......
You emerged intact with talented aplomb from under the wings of "pedantic prowess" my friend - and we know now a little of what that achievement meant - - applause for both this and your own fine success. Love the inferences in this superb write, and the final words tell their own story.......
robyn selters
Bravo! And now, though you admired him so, you too can shine
Bravo! And now, though you admired him so, you too can shine
Frank James Ryan Jr./FjR
Your star shines quite brightly, and gut instincts tells me it always did...but that out of respect for a very special someone who sounds a bit like he may have had very similar Ego measurements to this Critiquer...you laid low...and saw a many shadow along the way....Sometimes love is more about altruistics than physics ! A warm, and endearing tribute ,indeed, Allie....Very Fine Work....\\\FjR///
Your star shines quite brightly, and gut instincts tells me it always did...but that out of respect for a very special someone who sounds a bit like he may have had very similar Ego measurements to this Critiquer...you laid low...and saw a many shadow along the way....Sometimes love is more about altruistics than physics ! A warm, and endearing tribute ,indeed, Allie....Very Fine Work....\\\FjR///
T A Ramesh
Indeed very interesting to know about your late husband! Nice one!
Indeed very interesting to know about your late husband! Nice one!
A very emotional poem as you write with you feelings about your husband. It is alway the case when they are around we are relax and without tension. Be brave and keep writing your own feelings in poem that will make you learn more ....