Beautifully done and well deserved nomination. Loved this Ben!

Please forgive of I take this form of poetry and do my own. Beautiful imagery by this poem. Wonderful write. Please keep writing.

It's been a while since I've seen an Etheree written so well.
Take care.

What I think the emotions here are beautifully sad. I don't claim to exactly know what this poem is about but I believe this person who is in this metaphor is a tree, has had a difficult life, the "trees" are either her tormentors or an addiction perhaps drugs or alcohol that have ruined her past life early years in her life. The rivers are cleansing her, and i believe the rivers are a symbol of sobriety. The sun is her new life. The blackbird seems to be this person the way they are now, like the saying free as a bird. She is now free of the afflictions her past life held.

A small thing I noticed. And this is me being me but I really like how you chose blackbird. They are kind of two different things, I see black as a symbol of her past, a dark one full of all these negative thoughts and actions, and as I said above the bird is her symbol of hope and finally being able to fly free of everything and start a new thing.

There could not have been a more perfect title. Well done

One word... Brilliant

Its not a form I have come accross before but as always you make it your own and fill it with exqusite imagery and soul. Milly x

I fell in love with the way you worded: "sawdust soul". Not only is every line calming but also full of a newfound hope. This may sound rather odd, but truthfully as I was reading this piece, it dawned on me how I notice you take the time to pick the right words for each poem. Nothing ever feels rushed, misplaced or lacking something. Meaning, to me, I feel like these words were placed with care and for a purpose. This poem felt nurturing. The use of "swaddle", which I only hear in biblical Christmas stories and then the gentleness when the "rivers rinse".

This is a beautiful form and everything I feel reading this makes my heart feel like we have that chance to be free again. To start anew even if our exterior and interior are broken.

It's new to me Ben, not many can assemble a work of art and poem combined, by the way, loved the words!

This is a beautiful Etheree, one of the prettiest I have ever read.
The sorrowful message is etched with gorgeous nature tones and breathtaking visuals.
Just speechless!