Sad News

[Angeline]

I am heartbroken to tell you that we've lost our dear Annie. UnderYourSpell passed away on December 29, 2020. As most of you know she had been in poor health and in and out of the hospital recently. I don't know much about what happened, only that she died in her sleep, but had been very happy to be home for Christmas with her family. There's some comfort in knowing that.

I am so sorry to bring you this news. Annie was my friend for over 15 years. We met here on the forum and became close, messaging almost daily. We helped each other with poems and just life. I'll miss her. And I know you all will, too. She was a wonderful moderator and someone who kept the forum going these last few years. She loved to learn and developed quite a range as a poet, tackling forms as well as free verse. I was always impressed by her willingness to jump in and try, no matter the challenge.

I believe we can honor her by sharing her poems and our memories of her. Most of all, keep her threads alive: try the teach-ins and challenges or just write. I know that would make her happy.

 

[bronzeage]

These days of punished generosity
are only thunder clouds, dwarfs in the sky,
who sling darts to answer kind intention,
but soon scattered by the wind who bore them.
If you are to suffer for mercy's sake
cling to my chest. I hold my shield skyward.
Imagine the drum of arrows on bronze,
the marching cadence of my beating heart.
Errant missiles skirt our shadow and nip
ankles like yelping dogs too small to note.
Let arrows pepper my shield, if the weight
should rend my shoulder, I have the other.

 

[todski28]

Another name carved
into the ruins of these
debauched halls
a will-o-wisp light shines
on closed eyes

and we read
and we write
words sear themselves
into blood and bone
and life does what it does
every time taking something
more
weary feet march on
built to carry heavy things

with eyes hollowed out
by the vigil
I can say
You will be missed
but your words
will stay
a testament that you lived

 

[29wordsforsnow]

It's been a pleasure saying Hello, even though only for a short time, and a tragedy to already say Farewell.
Please, rest in peace.

 

[Piscator]

Damn, we had just become Facebook friends, where I discovered the unsurprising fact that Annie fancied pit bulls. But on PFD, she was a much deeper friends and kept us all movng with her generous praise and deserved sarcastic criticism. Her last days, weeks and months were difficult but she soldiered on with 30 for 30's while keeping her reviewers in line.

She'll be sorely missed but fondly remembered for a very long time.

 

[butters]

if there is a hereafter
may your youthful nature shine
your words bring smiles to the ears of gods
and--with all past sorrows slip't--
may you dance in the light forever




r.i.p Annie

 

[Lyricalli]

I didn't know her well, only from here, but even so, I knew enough to like and respect her. My heart goes out to those of you who knew her well and will feel her loss most keenly, and I hope there's some comfort in the words and legacy she's left here.

 

[ericalauren]

I'm sorry to hear that.

 

[Angeline]

I didn't know her well, only from here, but even so, I knew enough to like and respect her. My heart goes out to those of you who knew her well and will feel her loss most keenly, and I hope there's some comfort in the words and legacy she's left here.

Absolutely. It means a lot to me that her poems will have a home here and I can have that part of her again when I read them. I can remember so many that she labored over. She had a great work ethic as a poet.

 

[Rockymtnman]

As the wind whispers a last goodbye
And the sea let’s out it’s tired sigh
the moon does shine with thoughts of loss
In my dreams I turn and toss
her hand touches me one last time

 

[jthserra]

the words

the words
lyrical voice
so suddenly silenced
until our memories of her
echo

 

[Ashesh9]

RIP Annie

Om Shanti
I just read this.

 

[Tzara]

Notebook empty,
her long, last poem is silence.
Yet I can still hear
the cadence of her fingers
on the keyboard of my mind.

 

[BlackCaramelCreme]

I am just now seeing this! Oh no! I am so out of touch!

I’m so sorry, my heart goes out to her family. I met her here. She critiqued a poem or two of mine, while I was on Uggg’s thread. She was very sweet, kind and welcoming for those entering the poetry community.

 

[MsNatalie99]

I'm sorry to hear that. Love and prayers to her family and friends.

 

[Angeline]

Happy birthday in heaven, Annie.

 

[29wordsforsnow]

Happy birthday in heaven, Annie.

(not too far from the reality, I hope)​

 

[Piscator]

For Annie

Her Facebook page ends abruptly,
with a couple of RIP’s and
eighty-one incongruous
“Happy Birthday” messages.
For last Friday would have been
her birthday, but this year it was
preceded by her deathday.

I knew her only through. this forum.
She was the doyenne of poetry forms
and perhaps porn forms too, but
we didn’t go there. Yet, I remember
Annie not only for her knowledge
of and dedication to poetry but for
her positive attitude, always tempered
by her unapologetic British sarcasm.
And that other British character trait,
perseverance, which she demonstrated
in winning Lit's only Poetry Survivor contest.

UYS she published 281 works on Lit
280 poem and 1 story and dispatched
more than 15,700 posts on Lit forums
while also serving as a moderator on
Poetry Feedback and discussion.

In World War 2, Annie was a member of
the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF)
and one of her proudest moments was
having her poem included in an art installation
"Magnificent Medals Remembrance"
in November 2020 at the Army Flying Museum.

I will end with a copy of one of
Annie’s earliest poems in Lit which
she wrote for lifetime partner,


For Ron

If I was just to fall asleep
And somewhere in the night
I slipped away from earthly life
I leave behind this light.
It shines within your eyes my love
It nestles in your heart,
And I will not be gone from you
Don't grieve that we're apart.
Celebrate the love we had
And all my joy of life,
How very, very proud I am
That you made me your wife.

 

[Angeline]

For Annie

Her Facebook page ends abruptly,
with a couple of RIP’s and
eighty-one incongruous
“Happy Birthday” messages.
For last Friday would have been
her birthday, but this year it was
preceded by her deathday.

I knew her only through. this forum.
She was the doyenne of poetry forms
and perhaps porn forms too, but
we didn’t go there. Yet, I remember
Annie not only for her knowledge
of and dedication to poetry but for
her positive attitude, always tempered
by her unapologetic British sarcasm.
And that other British character trait,
perseverance, which she demonstrated
in winning Lit's only Poetry Survivor contest.

UYS she published 281 works on Lit
280 poem and 1 story and dispatched
more than 15,700 posts on Lit forums
while also serving as a moderator on
Poetry Feedback and discussion.

In World War 2, Annie was a member of
the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF)
and one of her proudest moments was
having her poem included in an art installation
"Magnificent Medals Remembrance"
in November 2020 at the Army Flying Museum.

I will end with a copy of one of
Annie’s earliest poems in Lit which
she wrote for lifetime partner,


For Ron

If I was just to fall asleep
And somewhere in the night
I slipped away from earthly life
I leave behind this light.
It shines within your eyes my love
It nestles in your heart,
And I will not be gone from you
Don't grieve that we're apart.
Celebrate the love we had
And all my joy of life,
How very, very proud I am
That you made me your wife.

I've copied your homage here, in the Thread of Forms.

 

[Neonurotic]

When I am gone for awhile and come back to PoBo for random poem(s), I always look up when last posts were made and this what I find about Annie.

How fabulous, lady Annie was. I'm so glad her poetry and humor lives on here.