12 Comments
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Carolyn Toll Oppenheim's avatar

I love this complicated poem for its beauiful complications.

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Breena Clarke's avatar

What a story! I love the personal/political. I'm so glad that Armenian guy asked you to marry.

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Zev Shanken's avatar

Priceless, precious, unique and well done, Esther. Really good poem. Really you and really relevant. Allen Ginsberg gave you good advice years ago. It always shows, but this time it shines. Thank you.

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Esther Cohen's avatar

thank you thank you xxxx

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Roni Fuller's avatar

Powerful. Just lit a yahrzeit candle for my wife who died 19 years ago. We must remember the past, do better in the future, or have no future. Thank you for the memory. I wept for the loss of my Betsy. I wept for the innocent victims of the bombing.

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Susan Spivack's avatar

I love this story! Thank you.

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Deb Godden's avatar

Family stories. The best!

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Cindy's avatar

What an amazing story. And very troubling but with a happy ending for you and Peter. Never heard this one XOXO

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jan castro's avatar

Well told. Reminds us how arbitrary yet calculated hate seems —and your story makes us question how people respond to terrorist acts and whether the actual bomber may be someone else.

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Sandy Polishuk's avatar

wow. I can see that would be a strong motivation to continue.

I hosted him for a dinner when he was in Portland for an antiwar event in the '60s. He was lovely, especially with my 4 year old. I can still see them sitting together and playing at the piano.

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Sandy Polishuk's avatar

thank you!

now I'm very curious what Ginsberg's advice was

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Esther Cohen's avatar

He said I was a poet (!!!)

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