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Esker Memorial Month

Esker, in the world of Neopoet his gifts were not his poetry alone but the thoughtful, sensitive and meaningful feedback he gave to his brother and sister poets.

We can all share the pain and loss of his passing, gratitude for his gifts to us as a man and poet and a celebration of his life and works. Let us know which of his works or feedback  you would like to see highlighted-
https://www.neopoet.com/weirdelf/blog/mon-2017-12-18-1820
Some words from a newer member, Captain https://www.neopoet.com/captain
"Esker,
I first read his words and
I thought it was a trick
No one could say that kind of stuff off the cuff
He knew me instantly
He saw right through the digital pages
And reached back to give me a pat on the back
I felt it
And it was warm and true
And kind
And wise
And I wondered about the man on the other end
Of my digital call out
Reading the letters of my avatar name
What were his days like?
Was the sun shining for him?
I sure hoped so
….Thanks for bothering
Esker, wherever you are

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Comments

May your demons lay at rest so you can find peace. Until we meet again...

Keep Writing,
Carrie

"Quoth said the Raven, NEVERMORE"

his quill never run dry on the other side

Tears.

The world is a little darker without Steven's light. I share your thoughts, Carrie & Scribbler.

.
mysterious
flexible
any thought goes
to grip the neck
while on your toes

breathing your slumber
taking what's gold
making no judgements
ever youthfully old.

by one privileged
to have read him.

Esker,
I first read his words and
I thought it was a trick
No one could say that kind of stuff off the cuff
He knew me instantly
He saw right through the digital pages
And reached back to give me a pat on the back
I felt it
And it was warm and true
And kind
And wise
And I wondered about the man on the other end
Of my digital call out
Reading the letters of my avatar name
What were his days like?
Was the sun shining for him?
I sure hoped so
….Thanks for bothering
Esker, wherever you are

and if enough time and space, may I add this to the testimonials that will be appearing on the homepage over the next month?

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

I'd be flattered. It was sure a shock to come back to Neopoet and seeing the news about Esker. He really did have an effect on me - even though we only corresponded a hand full of times. It was such an asset to have someone that brilliant on this site, chatting with us and sending out inspiration. Wish I could have meet him.

We were friends for 10 years and never even talked on the phone.
I've admitted it elsewhere, possibly on this blog, that the biggest arguments we had were about his feedback. I felt he should have some shared his poetic brilliance somehow helping directly others improve their poetry. That's all I'm capable of doing.
He did something much greater, he shared himself and his brilliance to enrich others.
I feel deeply shamed and humbled.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

on this site. It took me a while to get used to his amazingly unique commentaries. His mind was filled with ideas, events of his life, parables. Poetry poured out of him like from a faucet.
And he would, quite often, post a poem like the above which shines with honesty and artistic craft. It shines with humility. It's from the soul of a poet, a man, a sacred being.
It is easy to see why he has such a profound effect on you who knew him for years, and others like me who only knew him too briefly.

..

Eumolpus
I'd rather learn from one bird how to sing
than teach ten thousand stars how not to dance
ee cummings

Indeed. That is only fitting.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

MY poetry
simple and plain
read once
message received
no brainers

Esker verse
like the ocean
or fluttering wings
or the night sky
was nothing
was everything

requiring thought
no mere skim
multi leveled
interpretation
left to reader

And here am I
a plain scribbler
trying to mimic
gaining naught but
head ache

but you told a bit of a fib with-
And here am I
a plain scribbler
trying to mimic

You never tried to mimic,
lucky for you and me,
no-one possibly could.
We do well with our best,
his work is in another realm.
Forever now.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

Steven, you left us too soon but now you know what it's all about. I don't know if there's an afterlife but I hope there's a place where you have found peace.

Soon to follow,
Joe

(Note: Joe asked that I post for him.)

I have been away far too long and just peeped in here after i believe an year or so...

Very sorry to learn about the demise of Esker ..a poet I admired a lot...

may his soul remain in eternal peace..

raj (sublime_ocean)

A lot of sadness today. I logged on after a lengthy absence hoping to just post a poem. Then I see Jess has passed and in reading his memorial find out another friend has also gone. Esker, without a doubt, had the most profound affect on my poetry of anyone. We used to exchange poetic messages in the early hours of the morning (as I am sure he did with many of you). It took me a while to realize (perhaps unbeknownst to even him) that those exchanges were helping me to write poetry anytime, anywhere and about anything. I will miss those exchanges. But perhaps more importantly, he exposed me to a number of poets who were never on my radar, most notably Anne Sexton. After reading Sexton, I feel that is when I found my true poetic voice. For that, I was and will always be eternally grateful. The world lost a very special talent. I hope that one day the world figures that out.

Scott

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