Michael...you wouldn't know how this piece created a hollow in my heart too...this is painful to read because it is so beautiful. You have a unique way of expressing feelings...and you know how the pauses in here just compounded the sadness.

I could not nominate anymore, used up all... but nominated or not this is a surely splendid work. Love, love, love this.

Michael,
I too am out of nominations, but i hope this goes up.. this is amazing, raw, emotional, and everything else..
Well done on another beautiful heart shattering write.

I agree with Naomi - this needs nominating.

All the best,

Ben

Michael this is the first long sad poem that I've read and thought to my self " so much beauty in this sadness ".I related to it with much nostalgia .Genius write.

Everyone else's comments here have said what I like about this poem, but here is what I loved:

"Your radiant personality; so rich and colourful,
like that of a rose; unfurling; bursting
with beauty; with warmth that
blossomed your affection.

Petals; brushed your
softness upon
my lips."

Not only the words, but the way in which you cleverly shaped the stanza. A rose is described as unfurling and bursting with beauty, yet the stanza shrinks to form an arrow head that points down to the word "But". It's like an oxymoron of emotion and imagery - like something blooming into destruction. I love subtleties like this, whether they're intentional or not, though I'm sure this was as there's too many cues there for it to have been an accident.

Seeing as everyone is out of nominations, I'll take the honour of nominating it. I should also thank Mel for asking me to read this. Great write, my friend. You have it down to an art.

I am pretty sure this will win.
Masterpiece!

Michael, beautiful, that's all, and I am so happy it's nominated.

This is wonderful Michael. I really enjoyed reading it - X

Definitely a master piece Michael

This is love wrapped in painful memory and unable
to let go because those lovely memories themselves become
a nightmare when the person we love leaves...heart wrenching
and moving.

Well done on the HM!

I so totally agree. Excellent write. Take care