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I also feel a thrill when I hear the Canada Geese passing overhead and honking their vocalizations. It is such a familiar sound, a sound of comfort and recognition. How much I welcome the sound of their return, telling us humans it is winter's end. That we need to prepare for Spring.

There are so many ways to commune with Nature, and the more we do so, the more we understand. And understanding is the key to finding our place, our place of peace and harmony. Thanks, Neil, for your Sijo and your photos and videos of what you see and feel in your walks.🐦🦜🕊

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Thanks Perry and much appreciated. I like how you phrase their sounds and one "of comfort and recognition." This exactly how I feel when I hear that first flock of Canada Geese arrive in Spring. It's such a great feeling. Another confirmation from Nature that Winter is in fact ending and Spring is beginning.

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Oct 22Liked by Neil Barker

Neil, you have brought a lot of value to these Substack communities. At least, to me, I find your creative poems, amazing photos/videos, your sincere tone in writing have inspired me. So happy you addressed some puzzles in my head whiling reading that three lines without knowing the originality of it. Thank you 🙏.

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Thank you very much Nancy and I appreciate your kind words.

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Congrats on 1 year of Sijos, Neil! I feel fortunate to have found my way to your wonderful nature writing and poetry and, of course, photography. Looking forward to what you have to share in year 2!

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Thanks Heidi and much appreciated! I still cannot believe how quickly a year has gone by!

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You’re doing great! I love your posts!

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Congratulations on year, Neil! I always look forward to new writing from you

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Thanks James and much appreciated. Amazing how quickly a year goes by!

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Oct 24Liked by Neil Barker

I’m glad I found this unread in my inbox. Indeed, distilling experience with nature into 3 lines seems like a deep practice. It’s beautiful that you have been doing this for a year. We started at just about the same time, I published my first True Nature at the end of August 2023.

What a beautiful video of the geese!

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It's amazing how quickly a year flies by and the geese are a timely indicator.

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Such a beautiful recap of a year well spent! 👏🦅☺🙏

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Thanks @Finding Grace and much appreciated!

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Do you know if Sijo poems were originally meant to be sung, and hence the specific number of syllables? I wonder..

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Congrats on 1 year! I guess I've been here almost a year too! lol I always enjoy the read and pics.

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Thanks Lindsay and much appreciated! Amazing how quickly a year goes by!

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Neil, Congratulations on a year of Sijos here on Substack! Your Sijos, personal writing and photos have made my life brighter! 😀

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Thank you Pamela and very much appreciated!

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Informative. Inspiring! Thanks, Neil.

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Thanks Gary and much apprecaited!

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I saw my first "v" formation of Canada geese yesterday, so now I have to take fall seriously. Thank you for all your wonderful pictures of nature and your thoughtful sijo. I haven't attempted that form yet in poetry, but I think I now have an excellent tutor!

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Thank you Carole and that "v" formation is a nice seasonal signature to see fly across the sky! :)

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I have really enjoyed your first year, and look forward to many more. Thank you for using your words and experiences to connect others with nature. We (collectively) would be in a much less dire situation if we all spent some time observing and writing poetry. Blessings, gratitude and love from very far southwest of you.

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Thank you Carl and much appreciated. I hope things do improve with even small steps like observing the Nature around all of us.

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Thank you, Neil, for a year of limpid meditations on the loving nature that surrounds and gently tugs at our attention.

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Thanks Peter and much appreciated. That care and attention towards Nature is such a small step and can hopefully lead to great things.

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Oct 20Liked by Neil Barker

Neil, your poetic reflections always bring light to the first hour of the morning even before the sun rises. Thank you for your generous gift.

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Thank you for Ann and much appreciated!

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Oct 20Liked by Neil Barker

Thank you, Neil, for the photographs, the poems, and your daily devotion :-)

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Thank you Joni and much appreciated!

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I am very grateful for your poetry, Neil! Congratulations on your achievement! I look forward to seeing what new nature friends you'll see this winter!

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Thanks Wei Tam and much appreciated! A year passes by far too fast!

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Oct 20Liked by Neil Barker

All the best to you.

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Thank you Michael and all the best to you as well.

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