This was so incredibly sweet 😍😍😍Thank you for writing this beautiful poem. Can’t believe we’ve lived together for 13 years and been married for 10. And yet I absolutely 100% can because we’re perfect together
To Crystal-lee and Gloria Horton-Young This is so wonderful it made me cry. You each are amazing. I love poetry. In fact as a grad student I wrote a book of poetry (might be found at Harvard) with simple designs. I gave a few readings which I enjoyed very much, however they will never reach up to yours. Thank you for sharing with us.♥️
Your poem "Winter Water" really packs a punch. The way you describe getting snow for bath water and the cold seeping into your room paints a vivid picture of real hardship. I love how you use "priming" - it works on multiple levels.
The contrast with your roommate's experience is eye-opening. It really highlights what true poverty means.
Your writing is tight and impactful. Thanks for sharing this slice of your life - it's powerful stuff.
Thank you Gloria. I much appreciate your comment. It was very helpful to me that you would ask for me to share one from me. I forgot to write that it was written long ago but it had been accepted as student work. I recalled that in some way I think that can be used if say if a person copied someone else’s work ….. and they could take your degree 📜 back!!! Ugh! 😣 Fear! 😨 A school we never leave! Help! 🥵💊💊💊💊💊👩🔧 Okay that helped! Thank you!
Gloria, I rarely share these but not because I don’t want to but only because it hurts. This is here where I’ve done most when sharing a bit. Of course I do like it when others do and talk about it. It rarely happens and that’s okay. It is a little fear that I will disappoint readers, so I posted this along time ago. Just last week, some friends of mine are writers, and they convinced me, so I’m just now I am going it. Thank you for the chat.
I’m in the garage looking 👀 through the boxes that were never labeled. I will look continue to look because I want to show them to you while my biggest fear is that I won’t find them.
There is indeed a “raw beauty” in survival and the lines that it etches on our faces. I see those lines as roadmaps, reminders of the way home. I have often wished we could tell our stories by touch, by tracing those lines with our fingertips, or by laying clean white sheets of translucent parchment over our cheekbones and rubbing charcoal across the surface. I suspect what would emerge would be much more than simple lines - that something akin to the person’s spirit would seep through as well.
All that is to say I loved this poem. How amazing it must be to feel you belong in another’s arms, that your combined space is deeper and more verdant than either of you alone. Thank you for sharing and giving us a glimpse. Hugs.
I’m not quite sure what this connection is between you and me—on either side of this vast Atlantic, meeting somewhere in the in-between of time zones that only partly overlap. And yet, almost every poem of yours starts the cinema of my mind, stirring up memories long lost, from places dusted and dark. Your words pull forward times both achingly beautiful and hauntingly wondrous.
This poem to the love of your life reminded me of mine. Despite all that happened, despite everything she left me with, she will always remain the love of my life. It’s nearing five years now. My father, gone for forty years, was also a memory I kept locked away for so long because it was too raw, too painful to touch. But here I am tonight, sitting with tears in my eyes, allowing myself to feel the loneliness and the ache of missing.
And yet, I’m also fully aware that without her death, I might never have found Jay. I might never have reconnected with myself. I wouldn’t be sitting here at 2 a.m., teary-eyed and longing, but also writing—writing to you, because your words opened something in me.
Thank you, Gloria, for giving words to what so often feels indescribable. For being a mirror, even unknowingly, and for creating something that reaches me in places I thought had been long buried.
You are most welcome, dearest Gloria. You are such an inspiration that I might dare say I’ve developed a love affair with your words—though I promise, not enough to make your lovely wife jealous! By the way, am I correct in thinking that you’ve recently turned another page in your life’s story? If so, please accept my warmest Happy Birthday wishes! 🎉
Soulmates. That's a strong word. You share something priceless. Priceless: Something that is worth a lot but not for sale. All happiness to you both.❤️❤️🥂
This was so incredibly sweet 😍😍😍Thank you for writing this beautiful poem. Can’t believe we’ve lived together for 13 years and been married for 10. And yet I absolutely 100% can because we’re perfect together
We are perfectly imperfect in the most precious of ways.
A lovely couple!❤️❤️
You are the match made in heaven. I know how this feels and I am so happy for both of you that you have been blessed with this deep eternal love.
You are a very, very, extremely lucky Crystal-Lee!
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ maybe! lol
E. Jean Carroll AND Crystral-lee: Now wait a minute.
Maybe Gloria Horton-Young feels blessed and "lucky." The poem shows HER thankfulness and depth of feeling for Crystal-lee.
That comes from goodness and depth in Crystal-lee herself!
That is so true!
Don’t I know it! ♥️♥️♥️
ꪶꪮꪜꫀ ꪗꪮꪊ
To Crystal-lee and Gloria Horton-Young This is so wonderful it made me cry. You each are amazing. I love poetry. In fact as a grad student I wrote a book of poetry (might be found at Harvard) with simple designs. I gave a few readings which I enjoyed very much, however they will never reach up to yours. Thank you for sharing with us.♥️
Share a poem with me, please.
Winter Water
When it was in time to take a bath,
My mother would send me outside for a bucket of snow.
She would melt the snow on the stove
And then take the warm water outside
To pour down the hand pump.
She called this priming.
She would pump buckets and buckets of it,
So we could take a bath.
After my bath I would play with the snow
That had accumulated by my bed,
Had come in through the cracks in the wall.
My room mate thinks she understands poverty,
Because she lived in a cabin for a little while
When her father was in graduate school.
Reine
Reen Carter
The Divinity School
Harvard University
Hey Reine,
Your poem "Winter Water" really packs a punch. The way you describe getting snow for bath water and the cold seeping into your room paints a vivid picture of real hardship. I love how you use "priming" - it works on multiple levels.
The contrast with your roommate's experience is eye-opening. It really highlights what true poverty means.
Your writing is tight and impactful. Thanks for sharing this slice of your life - it's powerful stuff.
Thank you Gloria. I much appreciate your comment. It was very helpful to me that you would ask for me to share one from me. I forgot to write that it was written long ago but it had been accepted as student work. I recalled that in some way I think that can be used if say if a person copied someone else’s work ….. and they could take your degree 📜 back!!! Ugh! 😣 Fear! 😨 A school we never leave! Help! 🥵💊💊💊💊💊👩🔧 Okay that helped! Thank you!
You are most welcome.
Gloria, I rarely share these but not because I don’t want to but only because it hurts. This is here where I’ve done most when sharing a bit. Of course I do like it when others do and talk about it. It rarely happens and that’s okay. It is a little fear that I will disappoint readers, so I posted this along time ago. Just last week, some friends of mine are writers, and they convinced me, so I’m just now I am going it. Thank you for the chat.
I’m in the garage looking 👀 through the boxes that were never labeled. I will look continue to look because I want to show them to you while my biggest fear is that I won’t find them.
Found it!!! I was sure you would think I maid it all up. 😀It was on the dinner table!
Thank you. I’d be happy to. I won’t be anywhere near as brilliant as yours however!
Absolutely breathtaking and you both were made for each other The perfect couple that everyone should strive to have at least once in their lifetime
I only married her so you would be my mother-in-law. ( ˘ ³˘)♥︎
Really remarkable testament to the nature and power of real love.
Wayne, she is a keeper.
There is indeed a “raw beauty” in survival and the lines that it etches on our faces. I see those lines as roadmaps, reminders of the way home. I have often wished we could tell our stories by touch, by tracing those lines with our fingertips, or by laying clean white sheets of translucent parchment over our cheekbones and rubbing charcoal across the surface. I suspect what would emerge would be much more than simple lines - that something akin to the person’s spirit would seep through as well.
All that is to say I loved this poem. How amazing it must be to feel you belong in another’s arms, that your combined space is deeper and more verdant than either of you alone. Thank you for sharing and giving us a glimpse. Hugs.
( ´ ▽ ` ).｡ｏ♡(¯ ³¯)♡ love love love your beautiful words, Jena.
Inspired by yours. Your poems always take me unexpected and delightful places, Gloria. Hugs.
Thank you and big hugs.
...as s poet
a consumer of poetry...
i am here to say....
gosh ➡️ lovely...!
Thank you! Lulie 🙏
Gloria Horton-Young -- She who stirs the Storm: I listened.
You read the poem so very beautifully.
Both you and Ms. Crystal-lee look very good TOGETHER.
The poem expresses deeply felt LOVE more truly than most -- or maybe anything -- I have read elsewhere.
Thank you so very much for sharing.
It’s so important to let those you love hear that refrain constantly.
Gloria Horton-Young: Actually, I do. They do "hear that refrain constantly."
You and I share that value.
You have a WONDERFUL reading voice.
And I LOVE the picture of you and Ms. Crystal-lee.
Lovely, Gloria!
( ˘ ³˘)♥︎ Thanks, Diane
Oh Gloria... this is perfect! So many of us go without knowing a love like you share. It's a celebration of the two of you. ❤️❤️
We are so lucky. I recognize my good fortune every day.
Absolutely wonderful, Gloria Horton-Young!
Thank you, Reine!
Great stuff Gloria.
Thanks, TC!
Best lipstick! Best Poetry! Best Love!
Indeed!😀❤️
SO MUCH FUN!
Thanks, love! 💕
Crystal-lee, you are SUCH a lucky woman! Gloria, you are SUCH a lucky woman!
I am!
We are!
Gloria,
I’m not quite sure what this connection is between you and me—on either side of this vast Atlantic, meeting somewhere in the in-between of time zones that only partly overlap. And yet, almost every poem of yours starts the cinema of my mind, stirring up memories long lost, from places dusted and dark. Your words pull forward times both achingly beautiful and hauntingly wondrous.
This poem to the love of your life reminded me of mine. Despite all that happened, despite everything she left me with, she will always remain the love of my life. It’s nearing five years now. My father, gone for forty years, was also a memory I kept locked away for so long because it was too raw, too painful to touch. But here I am tonight, sitting with tears in my eyes, allowing myself to feel the loneliness and the ache of missing.
And yet, I’m also fully aware that without her death, I might never have found Jay. I might never have reconnected with myself. I wouldn’t be sitting here at 2 a.m., teary-eyed and longing, but also writing—writing to you, because your words opened something in me.
Thank you, Gloria, for giving words to what so often feels indescribable. For being a mirror, even unknowingly, and for creating something that reaches me in places I thought had been long buried.
With love and gratitude,
Jay
Hugs, sweetie. You are so lovely and kind.
You are most welcome, dearest Gloria. You are such an inspiration that I might dare say I’ve developed a love affair with your words—though I promise, not enough to make your lovely wife jealous! By the way, am I correct in thinking that you’ve recently turned another page in your life’s story? If so, please accept my warmest Happy Birthday wishes! 🎉
Soulmates. That's a strong word. You share something priceless. Priceless: Something that is worth a lot but not for sale. All happiness to you both.❤️❤️🥂
So beautiful 🌈❤️