Happy Poetry Friday, and Happy New Year! Welcome, everyone! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.)
2017 ended on a low note for me, so I’m happy to be sharing poems with the Poetry Princesses today. We’ve decided to continue on our monthly journey of writing and posting poems according to a prompt chosen by one of us. This month, Kelly Fineman was the idea person, and she charged us with writing a sonnet or a curtal sonnet (which I’m hoping she explains on our site, because it’s all I can do this week to just get the poem up).
I was thinking about the comfort that animals give us (and I wrote this poem before Jack died, so it wasn’t about him–though of course it is, now). I recently read Orbiting Jupiter, a beautiful, heartbreaking story by Gary Schmidt. It’s mostly about people, but the cows…it was like they were right there. I decided to make a horse the object of my poem. I like cows a lot. I love horses. So it had to be a horse.
I’m looking forward to seeing what my Poetry Sisters have come up with–right along with you guys!
Kelly
Liz
Sara
Tanita
Tricia
Non-poetry demands are keeping Andi away this month, but we are holding her spot. xox
Click here to see all our previous Poetry Princesses collaborations.
For more poetry, check out the Poetry Friday Roundup, hosted this week by wonderful teacher/poet Catherine Flynn at Reading to the Core.
20 Responses
Oh„ my.….the love of a horse in a nuzzle. It’s all right there. I love the idea of sadness ghosted and the world shrinking to the empty field. This makes me feel held. Thank you. Lovely poem.….now I have got to figure out that sonnet form.
Poetry Princess Day is so fun. I learn a lot from you all.
It’s so beautiful, Laura — and I know I’ve said it before but I LOVE the visual aesthetic you apply to your poems. Also, more hugs to you — so so so hard to lose a dog.…
Wishing your hollow days to become full again. Peace.
From cold to warm. That. You’ve encapsulated all that animals do for us so beautifully. I also love how you captured how closed in a snowy world can make us feel. Just gorgeous, Laura. (I second Liz’s love for your added visuals. They enrich your words perfectly.)
It’s a gorgeous and poignant presentation, Laura, that one moment in the field, a nuzzle is all that’s needed. I have a friend who has horses, who will love this very much, too. I’m glad you connect this to Jack, too, a comfort.
I have been a fan of snow bees ever since Joyce Sidman’s WINTER BEES book — just the idea of bees still serving their cause, in such bitter cold — and I love that you included them here. I think a “jagged, velvet veil” is the most beautiful imagery of snow imaginable. WOW. Even before you knew you’d be grieving, you wrapped up all of the hollow feelings and low notes and put them into a package that made the world brighten again, and I just love this one.
This is so beautiful, Laura. I wish you much warmth. xxxx
“She nuzzled at my neck, and I was healed.” Wishing you a warm nuzzle and healing in the empty space left by Jack.
This is a lovely, lovely poem.
This is wonderful, Laura. I also love those last lines. Our four-legged friends absolutely have the power to heal us. Sending you hugs.
Laura, don’t we all know those hollow days… I’m so sorry for your loss. I love everything about this poem. Thank you for sharing. xo
Oh my! Curtal sonnet for the win.
Wow.Such a beautiful,comforting poem. I’ve not spent a lot of time with horses, but recently visited a friend’s horse and was amazed how cuddly he was, nuzzling us over the fence. I can imagine how comforting that silky hug would be in a moment of loss. So sorry for your own loss of Jack. xx
I hope the warmth of Mae warms your heart through your loss of Jack. Animals can provide such comfort, and we miss them dreadfully when they are gone. Your poem is beautiful. Reading it is like getting a hug.
Laura, this is so touchingly beautiful. Animals really do provide comfort, and somehow they seem to know when we need them the most.
What a beautiful tribute, and I can hear that horse. Brings back memories of fences, pastures and patties. Mucking our stables and watching a horse thunder past.
You’ve woven a truly sensitive bond with Mae in this poem Laura. It also feels very textural to me from the movement of the horse’s tail down into her being ” A FIRE IN THE STORM.” The backround colors are lovely and have a glow in the ochre. Thanks for your sonnet, I’m looking forward to finding out about this particular form, a curtal.
I’v very sorry about your doggie Jack Laura, sending you a hug.
Swoon. Just commented to Kelly that her sonnet seems so effortless, so conversational. Ditto here. LOVE the snow bees in a whirling swarm!
You’re so right about the cows in Orbiting Jupiter. I love the way their very physical presence is described — and you do the same in this poem! Great job! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
Wonderful poem, Laura, starting with the image of crunching the path through the balsams. You may want to offer this one for my winter gallery.
I read through your post last week, Laura, and thought I commented. Your post was open on my computer so I am taking another stroll through. I do like this poem and like this format. The image poem is quite visually appealing. I sent you a note on presenting with the team for NCTE. I hope you received it.