Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.)
Whew! I’ve been in a whirlwind with NPM, some work-for-hire work, a trip to Madison, and much more. All good stuff. But. Not a lot of poetry writing in the past month, other than NPM!
Here’s something I wrote back in March. It was inspired by a song inspired by a traditional ballad. And it sprung from memories of a perfect afternoon in the Carolinas when I was a child. I was there with a friend’s family, and I never wanted to go back to my own house. My friend and I “rode” down a river that ended in a waterfall. We didn’t go down the waterfall! But the water was rushing and cold and clean, and the day sparkled, and I wanted that trip to last an eternity.
And for loads of great poems, don’t miss the Poetry Friday Roundup with poet-librarian-artist Linda Mitchell at A Word Edgewise!
26 Responses
Set it to music! I imagine a banjo strumming…
Believe me, if I had any musical skill, I’d be trying to be a songwriter. Instead, I hum this one to the tune of the song that inspired it. :>D
“The sunshine kissed our shoulders.” Every kid should feel this joy and security and sense of wonder in summer. I think my middle schoolers will love this poem. Thank you for a crisp and sparkly reading experience.
Aw, thank you, Linda!
I’m glad you wrote the poem, Laura, a memory forever! It’s a song!
Thanks, Linda🙂
Love the journey in your poem Laura, your repeating “then,” and closing now, and repeating refrains— wonderful water-filled longing, thanks!
Thanks, Michelle. It was fun to write!
Wow, the first thing I thought when I read your gorgeous poem is — this should be a song! I see from the other comments, I am not alone! I wish I knew a composer to send your way.
Thank you, Tracey–and also thanks for your lovely OSKAR’S review on Amazon. I appreciate that so much!
I love the repetition, especially the lines “I wanted so to stay there” — I hear the yearning. I also love the progression from Then to Now. Such a beautifully knit memory, Laura.
Thanks so much, Patricia 😊
Such a rich retelling of a childhood memory, Laura. Nostalgic and full of glorious imagery. It is intriguing the way those far off experiences in nature return with such glorious clarity and refuse to be denied the poet’s attention. I gained much vicarious pleasure from this river time memory. Loved the refrain at the end of each stanza that told the reader of your inside world.
Thanks very much, Alan–this is one of the best memories of my childhood! It was lovely to try to capture it in a poem.
I think you captured that glorious day perfectly, Laura! “sunshine rode our shoulders” and “we kissed the sky” — beautiful images.
Thanks, Rose–and also thanks for reviewing OSKAR on Amazon ❤️
This poem has so many, many lovely sounds! I especially love the word “wallowed.” It feels like such a southern word to me (but maybe because both of my parents are from the south?).
Thanks, Marcie–and I agree. Pigs waller in the holler😅
Love to go on that ride with you, Laura! So vivid. You reminded me that Sam Hunt has a song (“Bottle It Up”) expressing a similar desire to save a moment. It’s a good emotion for singing about 🙂
Thanks, Tabatha. It was an Ed Sheeran song that inspired this poem. I’ll check out the Sam Hunt one!
Laura, this poem inspires such joy and a feeling of freedom, fun, and longing. 😀
Thanks, Karen!
I love how the container of then, then, then, now works with this poem to take us with you on the journey.
Thank you, Margaret 🙂
Oh, Laura, your sweet poem will help make your dream come true: “I wanted that trip to last an eternity.” There are so many wonderful lines and images in your poem. It sounds like a ballad that could be sung by you, that river riding child. “We kissed the sky and shivered” and “full of gleams and missing dreams” are some of my favorite lines.
Aw, thank you, Denise!