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If you're presenting this in a way that is anywhere near how I'm hearing it in my mind... I would love to be there. smile

PLEASE record this. I'm begging you. Even if you just record it in your room or something. I would love to hear it. heart

Yeah, I think I'm going to get my friend in on this. If he can get his hands on a video recorder, and help me hook it up, I'll definitely do this. Remember though, my voice isn't exactly pretty....
-Andrew

Not for the reasons you might think I do. I swear to you, Maggie, there is nothing more I would hate than for someone not to be forewarned. Time and time again, so that they don't forget. It makes the strangeness endurable to people if they know it's coming. Even then, it isn't always easy. Even Justin was a little put off by my voice, I think, not that he'd ever admit it, and in his defense, I think he might have simply noticed, recoiled, and immediately written it off, which is what makes him so special, I think. I even notice it in his posts. I can honestly say that the only person I have ever met online who has heard my voice and not reacted awkwardly to it at all was Tommy. And of course, that caused me to be awkward, because I didn't know how to react at first. She'll tell you that most of our first offline conversation could categorized between "gay jokes" and "whatever popped into my head and made an ounce of since". I'm glad I handle conversations better now.

But it seems like all my friends eventually get over it. I even think some don't recognize the way my lips pull at words differently and the way my tongue twists sounds oddly--as time goes by, I think it means less and less to people.

But yes, Maggie. As always, my cell phone is yours to call.

Love and Vale,
-Andrew

I know, Andrew. I was only kidding. I don't usually pay much attention to peoples' voices. And the only time I ever do notice if they have an odd (for lack of a better word) voice is if I've seen them in person and it wasn't what I expected. But I've never seen you in person, so...

And even if your voice is 'strange', I'd get over it. You're my friend and I love you... the sound of your voice isn't going to change that.

Maggie...KiyoKyo...between those two replies, I can't be doing anything but smiling and blushing.

Maggie, I think I'm beginning to really accept my voice. It's something that I've always struggled with...but I'm ready to lay that skeleton to rest. I'm learning to stop fighting who I am, one step, one day at a time.

By the same token, KiyoKyo, I'm no longer ashamed or embarrassed about your praise...and I think I'm actually starting to deserve it--or rather, the piece deserves it. I'm beginning to realize that refuting praise is actually wrong--that it hurts the piece itself. I seem to do better when I acknowledge your praise especially, and I feel a warm flush of pride when I read one of your remarks. After all, you took the time to write it, and with your knowledge and experiences, I feel like I should take inventory of whatever advice you have to offer me.

Love you both,
-Andrew/Valens

P.S. This piece is definitely flexible. I enjoy the ambiguity and the direction. I think I might try more pieces like this. Oh, and by the way, this format is a reformed version of "The Year" prototype, and I like the sharpness and softness, the contrast, the punctuation of 'oh' and 'wow', and the overall feel of this poem. I think I'll try to work into this style a little more.

Of course, you're still going to see the Narrative Emotive style, too. But even that will have a dash more of this, I think.

Let me know what you think,
-Leavy-Kun/Valens