37 Comments
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Jack Herlocker's avatar

“Some teachers talk of creating poetry and committing errors, but Leonard, he creates errors and commits poetry.” 💚💚💚

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks, my friend.

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Meg Oolders's avatar

My favorite line as well! 💜

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Romance, believe it or not, is everywhere. Oh wait, you already know that…

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Meg Oolders's avatar

Oh, yes ... I do. 😊

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Jack Herlocker's avatar

When an author turns a nice phrase, it deserves to be shared. 💚

If only so other authors can copy it. 😉

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Ha ha ha. It's out there, Jack. I am not attached. You know, unless you use the whole story, that would not be cool. 🙄

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Jack Herlocker's avatar

There was a spate of that about 8 years ago, with bots stealing stuff from Medium and posting on clickbait sites. Nowadays, they'd just have AI do it. <sigh>

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Kate Henry's avatar

Insightful. How did such a quiet man get in prison? More answers hidden.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

I am guessing Leonard is not of a criminal nature. Probably something circumstantial - being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It happens more than we suppose.

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Linda Brown's avatar

Excellent ending of a sweet story.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you, Linda.

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Jill CampbellMason's avatar

Touching. As always, you've written of a universal feeling when one can't understand that love as a give-and-take cannot be chosen as to where it might happen. When a teacher is designated, everyone believes they learn from a teacher. When the teacher can learn from them!! Sooo much here.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

I agree that love isn't a matter of choice. It arises, it is unpredictable and it is undeniable. Thanks, Jill, for reading over here at 🌿Leaves. I admired your post this week about Thunder Creek!

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Jill CampbellMason's avatar

Nothing like sharing admiration to bring about a wondrous day!

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James Ron's avatar

I was catching on to whom(?) Leonard was writing to, but the "parole" surprised me. Also loved the line that Jack highlighted - “Some teachers talk of creating poetry and committing errors, but Leonard, he creates errors and commits poetry.” Most excellent, Sharron!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you, Ron. I loved your hitch-hiking tale this week about 55 Rides... lovely!

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Jim Cummings's avatar

A truly unique and wonderful story, Sharron. A romance conducted at arm's length through poetry and margin notes. Leonard "commits" great poetry.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

I usually write from a photo prompt. Lately I have been inspired by a piece of music or by a dance. Leonard's poetry here is a short remix of the song lyrics of "I Found" by Amber Run.I am glad you liked my story, Jim. I am glad you find the time to read at 🌿Leaves! Your comments mean so much.

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David Perlmutter's avatar

Malcolm X and Chester Himes both found their voices as writers during prison terms; I suspect Leonard has started to find his.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Indeed they did - and no doubt many others. There's a lot of time for self-reflection, in prison, I'd say. Thank you, David.

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Sharon Hudson's avatar

I, as usual, am blown away by the beauty of your fiction, Sharron. There are so many stories stirring within that brilliant mind of yours! I cannot wait until the next one finds its way to Substack....we don't want to miss a one!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks for reading through the rough draft on this, Sharon. You are always so helpful. I love your latest memoir on the Three Stages of Life from The Gopher Farm, too.

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Janice Walton's avatar

What a powerful and beautiful story with a remarkable and poignant ending. You've done it again!!!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

So glad it spoke to you in some way, Janice. I thought the song "I Found" was so powerful. It said " I found love where it wasn't supposed to be" and tried to imagine where that unexpected place would be.

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

Beautiful. I reminds me of the movie, Labor Day, where a fragile woman kidnapped by an escaped prisoner is healed by his kindness to her. Sadly, he is caught and she waits five years for his release. The love in their eyes upon reuniting is luscious. Some people know when love has found them ... in the wrong place and time ... but it sustains itself until they're free. What a great ending to this perfect love story, Sharron.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

I adored that film. Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin. Such an unlikely pairing, yet so right. The ending made me cry. Ah well... so do a lot of beautiful things these days. Thanks, Sue. I especially liked your two posts "The Redwood Man of Boulder Creek" and "Western Heritage Day".

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

Thank you, Sharron.

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Elle Wolfe's avatar

So good!!!! Did not see that ending coming!!!!

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Justin Deming's avatar

What a brilliant story (and twist at the end)! So good, Sharron!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you. I have been experimenting with using songs and dances as prompts. I used two excellent songs by Amber Run this week. I have received many nice comments on the stories, but no one mentions listening to the music or watching the dance, so maybe it is redundant.

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Justin Deming's avatar

Keep experimenting and trying new things, Sharron! Either way, your readers will continue to show up for your stories. ✨

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K.C. Knouse's avatar

Like an Olympic gymnast, you stuck the landing, Sharron. All 10's for you. In love, there is no scorecard. You give all you have to give and humbly receive what has been given to you.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you,, my friend. I really appreciate the re-stack! I sure am enjoying your serialized story of Junior's Luck. Those two leading characters are beautiful.

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K.C. Knouse's avatar

Thank you, Sharron.

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Matt Inwood's avatar

Lovely, Sharron, especially the creating/committing errors line.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you, Matt. I loved ( and re-read) your story about having tea with your dad. Just beautiful.

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