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Doreen Frances's avatar

I always love hearing you read your poetry. It brings the story or poem to life. I've never experienced waves on a lake, though!

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Robin Blackburn McBride's avatar

Aww, thank you, Doreen. I'm so glad you enjoyed listening. And yes, it's hard to imagine significant waves on most lakes, which are usually fairly small. The Great Lakes are different. On windy days, they can get quite rough, producing mighty waves. In the poem, I'm describing Lake Huron.

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Prajna O'Hara's avatar

Love this, Robyn.

Yes, to being called to slow down and Life as a journey of shifting perspectives. Beautiful poetry thank you I needed this today.

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Robin Blackburn McBride's avatar

Thank you, Prajna. I’m glad. 💜

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Prajna O'Hara's avatar

Dear Robin,

Oh, this gave me chills—the kind that rise from memory and water and grief braided with strength.

There’s such grace in how you hold the inheritance of courage—mermaid skin, nymph hide—and the way it ripples through your present life. Swimming alone in January, yes, but never truly alone.

What a gift she gave you. And what a beautiful, salt-soaked thank you this is.

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Robin Blackburn McBride's avatar

Thank you from my heart, dear Prajna. I'm grateful for your sensitive reading and caring message. Your presence here makes a difference.

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Bella Mahaya Carter's avatar

This is beautiful, Robin. Thanks for posting.

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Robin Blackburn McBride's avatar

Thank you, Bella!

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Maria Luz O'Rourke's avatar

This is beautiful Robin. Grandpa being your safe harbor from which you could transform 🧜🏽‍♀️

By chance, I just did a mediumship session, and the client's grandpa came through. She had such joyful memories of him teaching her to farm as a young child. One of his messages was for her to find that intrinsic joy again!

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Robin Blackburn McBride's avatar

Aww, that's so special. Thanks for telling me, Maria, and for reading this poem and sharing it. I'm most grateful.

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Leanda Michelle's avatar

Wow, Robin… “You taught me to swim through all conditions.” What a powerful poem! And my current repetitive words are ‘letting go’ … a synonym for your ‘surrender’. 🙏👏👏👏

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Robin Blackburn McBride's avatar

Leanda, I'm happy that this piece resonates with you. Thanks for reading it and for your kind words. "Letting go" sounds good, my friend. 🏊‍♂️💜

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Leanda Michelle's avatar

🙏🥰 Thank you Robin! xx

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Cathy Jacob's avatar

I love this, Robin. So vivid. I am right there with you. Thank you.

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Robin Blackburn McBride's avatar

Cathy, thank you. 🙏

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Robin Payes's avatar

"You knew I'd need the mermaid skin. . . ."

Such a loving tribute to your grandfather. I remember playing mermaid when I was little, sliding down the steps of our house, pretending it was a waterfall. "Feeling" the water washing over my "tail" and "fins". A beautiful feeling.

I love how you bring that memory to a January night to share it with us!

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Robin Blackburn McBride's avatar

Oh, that’s such a sweet memory. Our imaginations knew exactly what we needed and took care of us. They still do. Thanks for reading this poem, Robin, and for sharing your experience and this post. Thanks for being here.

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Robin Payes's avatar

I love tag-teaming in imagining with you, Robin. A journey into the collective imaginal (if I might name it that)

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Robin Blackburn McBride's avatar

✍❤

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Hugh McBride's avatar

What a moving expression of love! And gratitude. ❤️

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Robin Blackburn McBride's avatar

Hugh, thanks for reading this, and feeling it, too. ❤

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Julie Roorda's avatar

June always reminds me of our annual extended-family camping weekend, with my grandparents, my dad's nine siblings and millions of cousins! Especially singing around the campfire. Thank you for sharing this moving poem.

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Robin Blackburn McBride's avatar

What beautiful summer memories you must have, Julie. All those cousins! The aunts and uncles and grandparents. Singing by the fire. Pure magic. As always, thank you for reading my work and sharing your experiences.

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Julie Neches's avatar

Thank you for sharing this beautiful poem! I love the water so when I think of summer I imagine myself swimming in a scenic setting. So your poem resonated! Although my grandfather never taught me to swim. I had to learn in camp.

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Robin Blackburn McBride's avatar

Thank you, Julie! I'm glad this poem speaks to you, and I appreciate you sharing it.

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David W. Berner's avatar

Lovely poem. :)

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Robin Blackburn McBride's avatar

Thank you, David.

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