A fond farewell

[William Haskins]

hi everyone,

i just wanted to let you all know that i'm going to be heading on down the dusty road. i've really enjoyed my time at AW and even moreso as poetry mod.

i know the new moderator will do a great job and i hope you all will continue to come together and make this a vibrant community.

i wish you all the best in your writing and in your lives, and hope that you'll continue to grow and explore your potential as poets.

poetry does matter, you know...

take care,
william

[Stew21]

oh this makes me so incredibly sad, William. And I wish the best for you as well.

[alleycat]

Sorry to see you go, William, but good luck with whatever new endeavor you undertake.

Remember to drop by from time to time.

Charles

[Stew21]

ok, i was in shock and didn't say nearly enough there to you about how much you've encouraged me and inspired me. You have.
Won't be the same without you.

[KTC]

I wish you wouldn't leave William. I value your input and presence here in AW. Take care, my friend.

[NeuroFizz]

Open letter to william.

I am so sorry to see you go, william, and I wish you the very best in your future challenges, intellectual and otherwise. I hope your road is broad and smooth. I also want to thank you for all you have given to AW, and to me in particular. You struck the flint of my interest in giving poetry a try, and while I have not fueled an inferno, I have had fun in both playing with and appreciating the flames. I also thank you for answering all of my pestering questions about why you do this and that in your poems. Through those questions, and your clear answers, I gained a better perspective on word choice, symbolism, sound, texture, and all of those little things that make poetry special. While I will never be a poet of note, my practice of the craft has had a very beneficial impact of my prose writing--one I can clearly see. So, no matter what is next for you, go to it with the knowledge you have made a huge difference in my approach to the craft. You have made me a better writer.

All the best to you, and if there is anything I can ever do for you, please don't hesitate to let me know.

Thank you, Rich

[Unique]

I hate good byes so William - :e2tongue:

[Shiraz]

Because I never really got to know you as well as others, this good-bye isn't as painful for me as some. But, it is hearfelt in that I wish you well and have enjoyed all of your contributions here at AW; especially Blue Rock.

Good luck and take care,

[Robert Toy]

You stole my line!
Nevertheless, I hate to see you go. Wish you the best of luck.

[drachin8]

to dear william:
we'll miss your skeletal grin
and grim prophecy

tread heavy on your
road of dust; with such a trail,
we'll find you again.



Okay, that kind of sucked for quick poetry, but you get the drift. We'll miss you around here...happy trails?

:)

-Michelle

[Perks]

It did not suck. I liked it. And he can do nothing but tread heavy. He's a force, not a ninja.

[JennaGlatzer]

Don't be a stranger, ya hear? You always have a home here. We'll miss you tons.

[Godfather]

It's a damn shame you're leaving William.

I thought you were a great mod, and a great poet. In honesty, you've inspired me.

I wish you the best, and I do hope to hear from you again.

So long, been good to know ya.
(you know the song, don't ya?)

[trumancoyote]

****, I... goddamn. Goddamn.

This is weird to say, William, but I wrote lots just 'cause I wanted you to see it and ****.

I don't know if I like this at all.

But yeah. I don't mean to be as selfish as all that, and I totally wish you luck in all your endeavors and anything you might be going through.

You've been a good Papa Poetry to us all.

Thank you.

[DeborahM]

Wow, I'm in shock. We'll miss seeing you around!

Take care and happy trails! Pardon the pun...

[jst5150]

William:

Thank you for Blue Rock.

v/r, Jason

[ddgryphon]

I don't have words to express the loss I will feel here without you William. I will remember you as our "dear dark lord" who could twist a word just so and wring gold out of it.

Because you have given so much here, we will always be blessed to have a part of you with us.

Thank you.

Remember as you're traveling to step into the light now and again, just to remind yourself that there is truth in the whitenss of your bones.

Best.

ddgryphon

[Zonk]

Alas.

But Why???

It won't be the same without you, O Skeletal One.

I wish you every happiness and success in life and love, and wonder at the strangeness of missing someone I have yet to meet...

:Shrug: :Shrug: :Shrug:

[Paint]

Thank you William. Please come and share your poetry, it would be so sad to think you were permanently leaving.
I have learned so much from you, and valued your praise highly.
Good luck my friend--
Paint

[Haggis]

I'm certainly no poet. But the fact that I'm actually reading it again is due almost exclusively to your work here, not to mention the quality of your own poetry. Thank you for that, and good luck.

[P.H.Delarran]

oh darnit.
well William, your influence here has been immense, i always figured your middle initial would be I for inspiration. you will be highly missed and always remembered. hope you come back to see us sometime and best wishes to you as you wander off.

[ChunkyC]

My sincere best wishes for all that life has to offer you, William.

It seems when watching the news and wandering about that there are far too many people these days who live their lives on the negative side of the ledger. You are not one of them. The Water Cooler has been enriched by your presence, and that presence will be sorely missed.

Take care, friend. And drop us a postcard every now and then, won't you?

--Charlie

[Shwebb]

Aw, William, I wish you wouldn't go. I love getting blown away by your poetry and your succinct posts.

I hope you know that we have been enriched by your presence here, and I'm so very sad to see you go. Please drop in, and don't be a stranger. And if you decide to pop in on chat, I promise I won't out you, even if I do guess it's you after only a few of your sentences.

Your leaving is like finding out a landmark in your neighborhood is about to be razed. You will be leaving an empty hole, here, that will take a long time to fill.

Best of luck and good wishes, William.

[Sarita]

Thank you for everything. Everything.

Sara

[rhymegirl]

Poem for William

Life is a long corridor
with many doors
leading to many rooms.

Some of those doors
I've opened
and within each room
I've met someone
and possibly made a friend.

We never know
unless we open it,
if the person who stands
behind the door
might become
a lifelong friend.

[KTC]

He seems, at first
a little heated,
anti -quated? -social?
But no...
There's something more,
bubbling
just under the surface,
ready to beat,
dissipate the facade.
A heart, pure...
he walks with poets,
nurtures their soft footfalls,
much like a squirrely old Frost
bickering kindly with students,
even as he holds their hands,
walks them down
the crooked corridor---
to the path less travelled.

[LimeyDawg]

Well, crap. I'd hardly had chance to tap into your wealth of knowledge and now you're off. Damn, damn, damn.

[Stew21]

*don't forget to take your Rose Garden with you!*
I'm going to miss being accused and guilty in your poetry.

[maestrowork]

I hope you will come back and share your brilliance and humanity with us again. Until then, take care. Our community has been richer because of you.

[poetinahat]

Jesus Christ.

Ain't that a gut-punch.

I've gushed often enough, William, so you know what I think of you and your talent. I haven't mentioned how much I admire your knowledge and presence in the OP and TIO threads too; I feel like a child in comparison.

Fare well, William.

Thanks.

[oneovu]

I'll miss you, william.

All my best, Sara

[Cabinscribe]

We'll miss you, William!

I hope you come back soon!

[ricahardo]

Here's the thing: We all participate here because there is a comfort level here. And why? Well I believe it's because there's a powerful mixture of welcome and constructive criticism. A sort of ' Come and join us and take advantage of the expertise that is available.'

My best guess is that we only have a few legitimate experts. I am certainly not one. But you William are. Your sagacity has been a rock for many of us. You have the ability to spread your criticism and your praise shrewdly and constructively. I haven't often procured your commentary but when I have it has made me think deeply and I have, I believe, evolved as a poet. Equally I have learned from your wisdom to others.

Perhaps you realise how much you have been appreciated, perhaps you don't.

Whether you do or not - be assured that your touch, your professionalism, your imagination and your sincerity will be sorely missed and will not easily be replaced.

Respectfully,

Richard Millman

[rtilryarms]

See you soon Brother!

[kdnxdr]

William,

best of wishes

kid

[wordsheff]

I hope you stop by man...drop us a poem, a hello, anything.

Good luck with everything...tho I doubt you need it.

WS

[MacAllister]

The door is always open, William. I'll miss you.

[emeraldcite]

I'll leave a light on...

[Pat~]

'Bye William. Thanks for all the hard work you've put into this forum, esp. with the Poetry thread. You will be missed.

[paprikapink]

Finally! Geez, I never liked that guy.


























Just kidding. I'm a giddy William Haskins fan too. It's been cool to swim in the same pond with you.

[mkcbunny]

I haven't been around much lately, but when I was able to be here regularly, I loved how you led this forum. It was quite inspiring. Glad I popped in today, though sad to see this news. Thanks for all of your time, effort, and commitment.

[Patricia]

Thank you for sharing your beautiful poetry with us. You will be missed.

[PrettySpecialGal]

William,

Thanks for your influence here at AW.
Please know what a positive force for poetry you have been for me-- even though I don't post much, I have lurked, read, taken in much of what's been shared around here, and you have helped inspire me to turn to my poetic eye a little more often with my writing.
Again- lots of my stuff-- I haven't shared. Some I have. But you deserve to know that it's "out there"-- and you have influenced and inspired some of the style...

thanks for sharing yourself with us.

PSG

[Birol]

You'll be missed, William. Know there's always a place for you here.

[robeiae]

indeed.



















(can I have your avatar?)

[DeniseK]

I guess I can finally reveal what AW member I had a crush on. :cry:

[Unique]

Still claiming dibs on his amygdala.

[NeuroFizz]

Still claiming dibs on his amygdala.
I'll help you get it out.

[triceretops]

Well, dang it! Where ya goin' William? Oh, the humanity of it....

Tri

[awatkins]

Take care, William. Be well.

[Angelinity]

what they said - though i only got to read one of your poems (it was a pretty cool one! ).


yeah - not fair!! :cry:


they say there is a reason for everything, though :)


good luck and godspeed :hi:

[Sarita]

though i only got to read one of your poems (it was a pretty cool one! ). You're really missing out. Wander over to www.poisonpen.net (http://www.poisonpen.net) and let yourself be wowed by this beauty:

La Femme Qui Pleure (http://www.poisonpen.net/poetry/la-femme-qui-pleure)

or this one:

Crooked Moon (http://www.poisonpen.net/poetry/crooked-moon)

Egads, I could go on and on... okay, one last one.

She picks her words like flowers (http://www.poisonpen.net/poetry/she-picks-her-words-like-flowers)

[Stew21]

You're really missing out. Wander over to www.poisonpen.net (http://www.poisonpen.net) and let yourself be wowed by this beauty:

La Femme Qui Pleure (http://www.poisonpen.net/poetry/la-femme-qui-pleure)

or this one:

Crooked Moon (http://www.poisonpen.net/poetry/crooked-moon)

Egads, I could go on and on... okay, one last one.

She picks her words like flowers (http://www.poisonpen.net/poetry/she-picks-her-words-like-flowers)

yep. i spent a bit of time over there yesterday, feeling sorry for myself for not getting to see more of his work here. it made me feel better.

[Sarita]

*shameless self promo*

Ooo, Trish, did you see my painting? It's on the dirty little short story that Will did for our Idol contest last year. I love that short. It always makes me cry.

[Stew21]

*shameless self promo*

Ooo, Trish, did you see my painting? It's on the dirty little short story that Will did for our Idol contest last year. I love that short. It always makes me cry.

no. but i'll go look right now!

eta: it's beautiful. my goodness, Sara!
and that story is breathtaking. my goodness again.

[Bravo]

it's been great on the boards with you, will. wish you the best and hopefully youll stop again sometime soon.

good luck in the meantime.





(or i can just post something that gets your blood boiling so much in TIO that you just have to come back and respond. :D )

[Bravo]

every1, say good bye with a smiley.


:)

[Godfather]

*shameless self promo*

Ooo, Trish, did you see my painting? It's on the dirty little short story that Will did for our Idol contest last year. I love that short. It always makes me cry.

where?

[JennaGlatzer]

:e2cry: :e2bummed:

[JennaGlatzer]

where?

Ooo. Here: http://www.poisonpen.net/fiction/philosophy-of-the-flesh/

[dahmnait]

I am sorry to hear you are leaving William. However, I refuse to say goodbye. Goodbyes are for those you will never see again. And since I will see you again, even if it is only in my head as I write, I say instead, "Thank you."


Go n-eírí an bóthar leat.

[Susie]

William, I am truly sorry you're leaving as everyone is. I so respect you as a mod. and a poet. You'll be missed greatly. Hope you're doing well and bet you'll write that bestseller and we can all say we knew you when. Not goodbye, but farewell. Hope you'll miss us so much you'll return one day soon. :Hug2:

[SpookyWriter]

William,

I am saddened by the departure as are many here. You've are such a strong inspiration to many of us. I wrote a few poems because of your guidance. I can't imagine what this forum will be like without the dry wit and deep thoughts you share with us. I was just beginning to understand you, so now what will I do? But I do wish you the best and hope you'll return someday.

Spooky

[Rivana]

Damn, that's sad news to come back to. I think you've done a wonderful job. Best of luck with whatever comes next and don't forget us entirely. ;-)

:Hug2:
/Tessa

[dclary]

Dude, you suck. Quit me at TWO message boards?

Biyotch!

I'll hunt you down. I've done it once... I'll do it again!!!

[Kate Thornton]

I have never posted in Poetry before -

William, you will be much missed. I hope you check in sometimes - I am so glad to have been here with you.

[tjwriter]

And so the apocalypse begins...


We'll all miss you Haskins. You've always been one of my favorite posters to read.

[jdkiggins]

William, I'm sorry to see you go. Always know you're a very talented writer. If you ever get up to PA, look me up. Take care of yourself. :Hug2: One last smilie for you, guy. I know you love them soooo much!

[Bret]

Well, we all gotta go sometime...

but we don't always get to announce it you cheating *%$#!

adios amigo

[Jean Marie]

Shocked, confused and saddened for me. Excited for you, William, that you're, hopefully, moving on for a damn good reason, or else...

I'm gonna miss learning from you, a lot. Please don't be a complete stranger.

Most importantly, take care of yourself in whatever you do.

[Mom'sWrite]

I followed the posted links to William's world and all I can say is "Holy ****!" I can't believe he left just as I arrived. It's like watching Elvis disappear into a waiting limousine. He was thaaaaat close, and then, gone forever.

What a tremendous talent, I'm sorry I couldn't sit at the feet of the master.:(

Carol

[Lyra Jean]

But...but....I write poetry now. You can't leave. I'm not good at it yet. Hope you come back to the boards.

Safe journey

[Forbidden Snowflake]

Just wanted to say you made me laugh often and I loved reading your writing..