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Holly Starley's avatar

Fantastic piece. I was talking the other day about how I think one of writers’ most important “jobs” - or at least one of the things that makes for good writing (or both) is the ability to see connections between disparate things and translate them on the page. You do that brilliantly.

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Deirdre Lewis's avatar

Oh wow, thanks Holly. I always feel lucky to have you as a reader.💕

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Nanc Hart's avatar

and painters

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Holly Starley's avatar

Yesss!!

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Kimberly Warner's avatar

Brilliant Deirdre! Your text and subtext are always humming right alongside one another. And then sometimes they marry in that perfect “you’re brave” moment and the angels or the guardian angels or the kind commies descend.:)

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Deirdre Lewis's avatar

Thanks Kim! Wow, I love that description.

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Nanc Hart's avatar

...Inside my head, I started throwing chairs and setting fire to curtains. Such a great line.

Oh, I feel like this, too. And other unacceptable or impolite thoughts. And the want, to say what I really think and most often do not and other times I actually do. And people are stunned or stare at their mistaken assessment of me. But I feel well if you really looked and or listened and were a keen observer you would have known.

I don't know whats wrong with me. [either]. Though I kind of truly do... pent up rage, disappointment, sadness, regret and more..

" You don't want to be old and alone".. But I already am.

Charlie C. was absolutely leaving things. Tokens, alms, crow like treasures to connect. Guardian angles are real and they respond, but I keep forgetting to ask for help.

" I think you are doing great, you are brave, I can tell", she said.

"Yeah, but it'll pass, it always does".

Your writing... my heart responds immediately like its always written> for me. I feel a possibility of being seen and heard and then maybe I can remember my holyness again.

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Deirdre Lewis's avatar

Thanks Nanc, I’m grateful for your generous reading!

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Leslie Rasmussen's avatar

Wonderful, so wonderful, I have to read it again. Tonight I'm going to invite the angels over.

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Rona Maynard's avatar

"Pick your ear:" both hilarious and brilliant. The hilarity part is for five-year-olds and those of us with waxy ears, who need to have them professionally picked so we can hear again. Seriously, though, I loved this. It crackles from surprise to surprise.

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Deirdre Lewis's avatar

As soon as it was out of my mouth I knew something was off. Ha! Thank you so much Rona.

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Rona Maynard's avatar

Don’t even think of changing it.

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Deirdre Lewis's avatar

Ha!

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Shelagh Doonan's avatar

As always Deirdre, thankyou for your piece- a delight to read, here in the Devon countryside 🌿. I love your dialogue, and can feel your pleasure in slipping into (and recalling) the conversations with those women in that bar. Conversation - beating heart of our lives. Rare and great when we find/make exploratory conversations with others, especially strangers. 🌱

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Deirdre Lewis's avatar

Thanks Shelagh and I agree, sometimes conversations with strangers are the highlights of life…this particular one is fictional though a lot of the other details are true.

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Allison Deraney's avatar

GAWD - your writing always pulls me right in.

"Inside my head, I started throwing chairs and setting fire to curtains. Outside I said, “Did you ever win anything?”

Hahahaha - so good. All of it but that line - so many head nods. So relatable.

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Deirdre Lewis's avatar

Thanks Alison it’s amazing how we get good at keeping our thoughts separate from our behavior. That’s why I love being around little kids, they are not good at it yet😄

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Allison Deraney's avatar

Yes! So true. And I think it returns (the zero inhibitions/no filter) when we are older. It's why I love (most) senior citizens. Many don't BS their way through situations any longer. They've earned their time and say, hell no.

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Susie Mawhinney's avatar

Absolutely amazing dialogue Deirdre, I was there in that room with you, tears welling!

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Deirdre Lewis's avatar

Thanks Susie. I would have loved it if you were.

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Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

Great exit line from the "communist". A compelling piece, which feels as if it is holding a great weight of life on its shoulders.

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Deirdre Lewis's avatar

I love that Jeffrey, thanks.

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Robert Burke Warren's avatar

Wow. You can pick my ear any time, brave sister.

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Deirdre Lewis's avatar

Ha! Now I know how. 🤓

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Deirdre Lewis's avatar

Ha! Thanks so much, Leslie. Thanks too for subscribing, and let me know how the angels are.😊

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Manuela Biron's avatar

Great piece!!! Love pick your ear. It feels like a good old conversation with someone that has a bigger story to tell. I feel in my life I’ve had such quirky conversations that you know are a spark that lights your life. Just like little angels. For me it’s the heart shape rocks I find at the beach from the people that have passed. Thank you ☺️

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James Freedman's avatar

Once upon a time many years ago I read your stories online, and realized that your work is a constant brilliant ongoing venture into a living prose that animates life, drama, and the narrator's truth.

Looking forward to the next Snap book this fall.

Your kind online friend,

James

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