Hello Andrea

Firstly, thank you. It is an honour - genuinely - to have a writer/person of your class mention me (let alone in this context) in one of your pieces.
In truth, you and a few others have inspired me since I joined this site immensely and told me (nicely) to not be too sensitive to peoples' comments and write for myself which I think I forgot for a while (Larry - thank you for that).
As you say, this is a conversation we had and we both agreed we write because we need to. BUT, what I would say is this: need to or not, Andrea, you keep writing your poetry - even if you don't want to! - because the site is so much richer for your presence and art. I think everyone will agree with me there.

Take with you my hugs (and even a little love perhaps!)

Ben

ps I was the Ben you meant, wasn't I? :((

Firstly this is beautiful as always.

Nothing
drips faster
than loneliness
down a heart
of endless
compassion..
^^^
This opening stanza is powerful and loneliness isn't easy to comprehend if you haven't been there or felt it. I am a spring chicken and have felt it and you are spot on with that feeling. The imagery here = wow!

for others who never see their worth.
^^^
How many of us don't see our true worth?

It's a lonely road
for my inky fingers.
^^^
This is beautiful. I image you inked from your writing which is obviously what I think you were trying to get through but the lonely feeling again comes through which is sad as no-one should be alone.

I write daily
of things that inspire me-
^^^
And I'm glad you do because you are an inspiration to me :)

Not to make a difference
or impress the endless people
who care to read
my poems,
^^^
I see that you don't ust impress me but many others too including those ou dedicated this to so you do make a difference and you should be proud lady.

but to simply live-
^^^
This gave me Goosebumps as it's like you write to live and live to write, god bless you.

as a writer my need
to put thoughts down
on paper
is my way of
coping with this life
I live.
^^^
I think many of us writers can relate to this stanza me included unfortunately because sometimes life can suck.

I will never underestimate
the power of poetry
and lyrical lines of
emotion.
^^
Poetry is one of the best feelings and I am glad I got into it as,it's helped me alot.

This is me and my words
thank you for reading
^^
My pleasure!!

You always write well and are an inspiration to me. Writing helps many of us to get out our emotions.

Take care, Em

Andrea, beautifully written thank you to those that inspire and encourage you. I agree with Ben and Em about the fact you do write and you do share your life through poetry so wonderfully. I love your descriptives of being a writer-well done!

Dear Andrea, you have this amazing gift and that is writing not to mention your compassion for others. Never stop reaching for the stars and keep stretching. It's alright to talk about your darkest moments by simply writing it down, it helps to overcome this fear. Thanks to two beautiful people you managed to do it. I can relate so well since this site and a few including you has helped me to make it through this darkness . You write because you need to and that's who you are. Never ever stop writing. You are this candle shining light on so many. Hugs and be blessed.

Hello my dear,

This is a lovely dedication. I can relate to your words as I'm sure many can.

Poetry is a perfect way to translate the emotions that would otherwise be trapped and undoubtedly cause harm. As Ben says, keep writing you do it so well and inspire so many, including myself.

Take care Andrea.

Michael

Andrea,

It brings me great joy to know that I have inspired you. You are a beautiful and courageous writer; your talent speaks for itself. I've discovered as a new writer you always remember to write from the heart and let the words flow on paper. I believe you've mastered this skill. I have so much respect and admiration for you, if it wasn't for your encouragement I probably would have never joined this site. Thank you for taking the time out to write this piece for me and Ben. I feel privileged to know you because your so special to me and you inspired me to be a better person. :-)

-ki

I am blown away by your imagery.
"Nothing drips faster than loneliness down a heart of endless compassion"
What a powerful emotional beautiful opening which really sets the mood

For those who lack confidence to know how worthy they are. The lonely road for a writer depicted so visually by inky fingers was
inspirational.

The inner strength that writes only what inspires you not to impress the endless stream of people who read but do not comment or show themselves

Your overwhelming need as a writer to put your needs down on paper as a way of coping with your life. This I can relate to being too ill myself to do a lot of things.
Writing is my purpose it gives meaning to my life.

The stanza about not underestimating the power of poetry and lyrical lines of emotion.
How true is this. Poetry has the means to pull our emotions in all directions to boost a spirit, to make us sad and to make us laugh, to teach us and to share our inner selves and thoughts.

Your words are so beautiful and capture so much imagery. I don't think you do realise your wonderful talent. I love reading your poetry you are so in talented and in touch with yourself and nature much more than you know.

A lovely poem and tribute to Ben and Kireasha and a bright torch for us all in the darkness.

I don't know how I missed this, freakin awesome!!

This is kinda me. Somethings I write just don't make sense at times but I have to write it down anyway. I've seen me jump out of bed and scribble just a line or two lest that thought be lost.

Thank you for sharing this

Craig