the cold
not in
the bones

not yet

but still
there is a winter
feel
to now

there is
a craving
for mulled wine

for strawberries
cream
of full summer
and attendant
lips

shit

a maudlin
passion
is a wasting
of scarce days

Milner, your N's frankness on the subject of death -- which seems to have moved into the spare room so they can talk to each other through the walls for the next fifteen years -- is become more personal and gripping with this poem. Tom

me sees the delightful play on mulled wine.  Des verres du vin from other life-times to be mulled over, re-tasted

Not so much else for those two to talk about except the dark of these short winter days, and the snow, Tom.

Happy you picked up on the mulling over the divine juice of the grape, Peter.

Thanks to you both (and the wine).

milner

milner;
this poem is just what i needed.  hey, when are you gonna have a new book out, buddy?  i need me some milner for my shelves.
john

now, this poem is smack dab where it belongs.
jy

Last of the Mulled Wine - now there's a TV programme I would watch.

This commands respect, Milner. I'll raise a glass to you. Single malt all right?

Cheers

David

simply wonderful.  i love the reflective nature, the self-examination. 
it feels so honest. real.

thanks,

tiko

Yeah!

Thanks, John, your opinion so highly valued, as are all voiced on this site. Putting something together now. Thanks also for the pick.

A single malt is fine, David. I respond with just a morning coffee, but nonetheless heartfelt.

A bow, Tiko.

'Yeah' is more than ample, Rick.

Cheers

milner

o my this is awesome, milner.

and I agree with John.

wonderful, delightful job.
cheryl

Thanks, Cheryl, 'awesome' will do for me!

Maybe it'll do to read at my 80th birthday do on the 25th (if that ain't tempting fate!).

milner

Can't believe you'll be 80 years old, milner.  But how cool is it that you're so bright and intelligent, and your memory is still intact.  I refuse to believe my mind has to go as my age grows.

My mom will be 87 on the 24th.  She's still very intelligent, but her memory, o my, can't describe how frustrating...but I love her.

Happy Birthday, milner,
cheryl

That thought of the brain power rapidly declining, pops into my head from time to time, Cheryl. What boots it with incessant care to deeply contemplate such morbid gloom? (Sorry Mr J. Milton)

Thanks

milner

Don't think on't! :)

Many of the traits that characterize and define the stages of our lives go unnoticed while we're busy living. When we are cognizant enough not only to recognize a trait that defines where we are in life but to capture or define it, that's an event worth celebrating.

On another level here, you've reminded us of the poignancy (or is it panic?) that results when one realizes that one's days are limited and that the things with which one is occupied matter more than ever.

Bravo! Great choice!

Congrats, Milner!
Hey, this'll be up for your 80th.
A good moment also ("May I interrupt this tizzy...?) to say thanks from all of us for your gold-standard service to the website to date.
Tom

The lion in winter. 

Wishing you a Happy Birthday, Milner

Cheers!

Just got in from a long cold day to find this. My, what a warm homecoming!!

Thanks Jay. It makes a fine birthday present that it'll still be up there on the day, Monday.

Bless you, Lavonne.

Tom, that's quite a compliment coming from the most thorough editor on the site.

No words for that, John. Cheers.

A glass raised to you Peter.

 In fact, a glass raised to all of you.

milner

dear Milner

glad to know i am back in time to send you
warm wishes for your glowing B'day.

May this circle be but one of the many circles that embrace you.


May Monday and every day be filled with the abundance of creativity.

Sláinte &
a warm smile from Rotterdam

silent lotus

Thanks, SL. trust you had a good and fruitful trip.

Don't expect Monday to be that 'creative', more likely considerably destructive of my liver. But it's recovered pretty well in the past when rested, or I'd have been long gone.

Heart(kidney, liver, spleen?)felt thanks.

milner

missed this when it first aired, milner.
agree with the above praises.
congratulations both on the Front Page placement and on your upcoming birthday!

Stella

This has now gone onto the front page of Outlaw Poetry; with a lush dessert (could it also be a cocktail?). It's like christmas and birthday both in tandem.

 http://outlawpoetry.com/2010/01/23/milner-place-old-man-in-a-tizzy/


milner

what a pleasure to find this gracing our front page. 

Thanks Stella and Lynn for such kind words.

SL, I'd better stick to beer if I'm going to survive tomorrow, however tempted.

Cheers

milner

Hadn't thought of it quite those terms, Ron, or with that immediacy, but in its way, I suppose it has that essence. Thanks

milner

Thanks, SL, I did. Hope to have my head straighter again by tomorrow.

Cheers

milner

"Attendant" to me is fresh and very apt, giving more than one appropriate image/meaning.  "mulled wine" seems just right, and also strawberries and cream.   and the "not yet".  I like the poem, thank you for it.

Thanks, Jonathan. Thought you might well have a feel for this.

Cheers

milner