CP -
Thank you.
“I've seen your obscure. This is not obscure.” Too funny, too true. And by comparison - I agree in that way.
Sio -
“I don't understand how the muffled snaps of twigs helps the imagery”. It obviously doesn’t if there’s not some sense to it. My thought was that the “voice now lost” would suggest a loved one who is no longer here - and there being something as a part of the memory of their voice like steps approaching in a forest, slowly, like in a dream, or . . . memory– the compelling part of a departed loved one’s voice that distinguishes it from other voices. Something even subtly striking and memorable about the voice. The snaps then being part of the (now gone) voice, and the muffled snaps then part of an on-going low level imaged dialog. I know this is asking the words to carry way more water than possible, but that’s what I was trying to write toward.
I can see your edit - cut twigs in the voice part because its not really effective and go with the two images that do seem to work better. I could do that but feel strongly that here I need three elements, otherwise the remaining two play off each other too strongly, like a compare/contrast death match which would take the poem to the wrong end. So maybe I make (audio) image one work or replace it with something that does. Thanks for your take. Always appreciated.
Indar -
I love your take and I am honored with the excessive credit you give me. I like your idea of the bridge much better than mine, which was a reach to what will be, or rather what N here and now imagines will be. And I am pleased that I intended the butter beans and onions in a bigger way as you suggest.
Amie -
Thank you. You have a unique way of reading poems that usually surprises me. Instinctual or something like that. Glad you liked this one.
Lon -
Sorry this didn’t ring your bell. “
I most appreciate poetry that brings greater depth and clarity to some aspect of existence” – I do too. I really do try to write such stuff. For this one, so much seemed to roll off the pen and write itself. While responding to the kind comments, I have gotten a better idea of how to verbalize what I was trying to do, but it really doesn’t matter much since the poem either does or does not connect with a particular reader.
To paraphrase a newbie from a year or so ago –
Its okay if you don’t like this poem, I have others.

Thanks for the readings and all of the good feedback.
T