what some have said about poems I’ve made for them
Most recently, about a poetic tribute to a longtime opera company benefactor,
presented at a special awards event to great reception…
"Thank you, Colin! Just amazing! Took my breath away."
Courtney K., Director of Development
& from the good man who recommended me for the commission:
"Dr. F was completely stunned by your poem. He read it several times after he came home.
He said nothing like that had ever been done for him. He was floored
by how the poem resonated for him."
Texas
“This is so beautiful and truly the nicest present I could imagine…”
Zdenka J.
Malta
“Colin, thanks so much for your fine sensibility and soul. Thank you for mirroring me.”
Nadia C.
Brooklyn
“Wow, your poem is so beautiful and expresses my life and where I am at the moment so lyrically. Really. I’m quite touched by your thoughtfulness and your intuitive soul.”
Stephen J.
Florida
“What a beautifully spoken and sensitively-timed [birthday] gift…hearing you share the much needed and appreciated art of your poetic expression. It comforted and resonated as it curiously evoked and inspired. I listen to it each day that passes…”
Randolph D.
Rhode Island
“Colin, icing on the cake. [Your poem] left me speechless and humbled. Please know how much your words mean to me.”
Michael B.
New York
“Thank you, Colin. I have never had someone write a poem for me ~ I wept. Your words are very perceptive.”
Catherine B.
Rhode Island
“I love it. And wonder how many people walking this Earth are blessed by an annual birthday poem.”
Dennis F.
California
“Thank you Colin for such a thoughtful poem. I have saved it for future reference when I need a boost. All is well, 60 years later.”
Dr. Daniel C.
New Hampshire
“What a spark of light you brought to my day with your wonderfully-crafted poem, especially designed for me.”
Carl T.
Florida
“How divine!”
Jane H.
Vermont
"My own birthday poem from the Master. I'm thrilled!"
Annette L.
New Jersey
“What an incredibly special ~ totally unique ~ gift. Colin, thank you, from my heart-wood. I am genuinely touched.”
Gene U.
Pennsylvania
“I’m so lucky ~ I was overwhelmed with birthday wishes. Yours among them. But none included an intimate yet sophisticated series of lines, sentences floating in white space, each day moving a bit, creating new meanings. Bless you and deepest thanks.”
Jimmy R.
New York City
“Your personalized poems are so special to me. I have a collection of them printed out and keep them in my bedside drawer.”
Henry H.
Brooklyn
“Your tributes to my life over the years have been some of my most heart-filling events”
Anthony G.
Tennessee
“You have touched my heart with that wonderful poem. I don’t know anyone who writes about feelings as well as you do. I was so moved with what you wrote…”
David M. (at 93)
Canada
“Thank you so much for such a beautiful poem! I look forward to your poems every year, it’s one of the favorite parts of my birthday.”
Victoria D.
Wisconsin
“No one has ever written me a birthday poem. I especially like the title, its subtlety is smooth as a Summer’s day.”
Jim W.
Connecticut
“What a grand day I had! Beach, BBQ and carrot cake with my family….and then to read your special poem warms my heart and makes me even happier.”
Caroline McB.
Long Island
“Many thanks to you, dear poet, for revealing the ‘inner physicist’ on the occasion of my 85th birthday. Your genial and gracious estimate of my color temperature serves as an inspiration for me to continue to glow at 5600 Kelvin to the greatest extent I can!”
Professor Carl T.
Florida
“Thank you for this kind gift, I'll continue blooming!”
Emil B.
Portugal
“What a jewel of a poem; what a lovely precious gift of talent! Thank you so much.”
Anna A.
New York City
“Thank you so much for this truly stunning poem. Every word is perfectly placed ~ so lovely. So beautiful. Just like you.”
Rachel M.
San Francisco
“I have to say it’s one of the most thoughtful presents I’ve ever received.”
Ray R.
Maine
“This is beautiful and moving. I will treasure this.”
Alex S.
Mexico
“I can’t begin to relay the extent of my excitement [about] the many [gathered] poems you’ve written to this rather undeserving old man [over the decades]. I will ask for your guidance when it comes to the typeface, paper selection and anything else that comes to your unequaled and creative mind as we turn your annual birthday poetry for me into a fine, leather-bound book. Upon receiving them I’ve decided to grab my fly-rod, poems, flask and cigar to my local lake and redwood forest to enjoy with immense love, respect and gratitude.”
Dennis F.
California
“I am honored to receive such poetic praise…thank you. Every day is a miracle…”
Richard L.
Maine
“So appreciate this, your effervescent wonderstuff, woven especially for me, with kindness and thoughtfulness. I am truly humbled, and will cherish this poem always.”
Russell V.
California
“Thank you [for this birthday poem]. Your soulful voice,
heartfelt words and loving presence touch me deeply.”
Chloe G.
England
“[My birthday poem] I love it! Thank you so much for your creativity, passion, and vision…”
Joy K.
New Jersey
“This poem is a very special gift. And so timely.”
Anne F.
Brooklyn
“How wonderful a gift! I waited to ‘unwrap’ it until today…I shall cherish it.”
Hugh D.
Wisconsin
“Thank you for my birthday wishes and sweet, sweet poem.”
I adore it.”
April H.
South Carolina
“How special you make me feel.”
Nicole C.
Brooklyn
“With this poem…I truly feel like a king.”
Richard R.
Texas
“This poem, this birthday gift, has delighted me ever since I unwrapped it on the morning of the 18th. And unlike most of the cards and greetings I received, sweet as they were, this one has the breath of life animating it. It will live in my MacBook, filled under “Goedecke,” and in my mind and heart. It’s ME, even if I say so myself.”
Jimmy R.
New York City
“ A wonderful serenade, birthday poem, to this nomad now pinned to a sedentary life!”
Michael S.
Brazil
“You are beyond special, beyond talented, beyond the beyond … and many people who know you feel the same way as I do.”
Alma P.
Florida
“Bless your poetic heart…”
Mario G.
New York City