Happy Poetry Friday! Welcome, everyone! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.)
Hey, this part isn’t poetry, but it’s the LAST DAY for these two things, so I’m sharing here.
First, there’s a Goodreads Giveaway. Win one of 20 copies–last day to enter is today.
Second, it’s the last day to get CLOVER KITTY GOES TO KITTYGARTEN at its Amazon First Reads Pick price of only $6.99 for the hardcover! Lovely gift for a child, parent, or teacher feeling anxious about the school year. Tomorrow, August 1, is the publication date, and it will be back to full price then.
If you end up reading, I’d so appreciate an honest review on Amazon. And you can find lots of printables and extras on my book page.
Now, back to poetry! The end of July already? Holy buckets. This month, our Poetry Princess assignment was an etheree with a them of foresight, or summer or both. Did you write one? If so, share on social media with the #poetrypals hashtag!
I thought, “Foresight–who has foresight? It’s one of the things the pandemic has taken away. I’ll just write about summer.” Interestingly, to me, anyway, that lack of foresight became the theme anyway:>)
I’m looking forward to seeing what my Poetry Sisters have come up with. There’s a lot going on right now–um, see poem above–so several of us couldn’t make it this month. And we’re not beating ourselves up about it. :>)
Liz
Sara
Rebecca
Tanita
Tricia
Kelly
Andi
Click here to see all our previous Poetry Princesses collaborations.
The fabulous Catherine at Reading to the Core has the Poetry Friday Roundup this week. Check it out! And if you’re interested in writing along with us during August, here’s your prompt: The theme is hindsight again — pick one of your old poems to revise and/or write a new poem in conversation with it… (any form). We’ll be posting August poems on August 28, and we’d love to have you join us!
35 Responses
So many challenges lately, I’ve fallen behind in the poetic ones. Kudos on your etheree… so much good there! Thanks.
I hear ya. You have to pick and choose. You’re welcome to join in any time, but no pressure! Thanks for reading.
Laura, your poem is nailing the pandemic summer. I love your addition of a black hole imagery. The design adds to the intrigue. May I add this one to the Embraceable Summer Gallery collection?
Thank you, Carol. You absolutely may–even though it’s rather (okay, very) downbeat!
Thanks for sharing your etheree, Laura. You’ve captured this summer (so far!) perfectly. We are definitely acutely aware of our fragility. Thank you for the invitation to join your Poetry Princesses August prompt — I look forward to some poetry hindsight…how’s that for mixing my mediums? 🙂
Hahaha! Thanks, Bridget. I wish this poem weren’t based on fact. Can’t wait to see your August poem!
Laura, comparing this summer of uncertainty to a black hole is brilliant! It makes me feel less alone in my angst. I love how your etheree builds to your final line, a truth so easy to forget: “Nature reminds us how fragile we are.”
Thank you, Catherine. I try not to focus on the angst too much, but I had to let it run free in this poem. We’re in it together!
You poem is perfect, Laura. I love the imagery of the black hole. That really nails it. And, yes, we all realize now how fragile we are.
I did try the challenge. Here is mine. If I’m not supposed to post it here, I’l take it down. Thank you.
First Breath of Day
dawn
arrives
time to pause
and meditate
linger with coffee
dreaming myself forward
a jumble of emotions
shifting plans, struggling to be still
staying quiet in uncertainty
embracing small delights, breathing spaces.
Sandie, this is beautiful! I love how those first two lines FEEL like an inhalation after the title–a mini break. And I love “dreaming myself forward.” So glad you wrote along with us! Fine to share here and anywhere you like. If you share on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram, give it a #poetrypals hashtag. Hoping we can all find each others’ poems that way. We’ll see. This is a new thing, and I’m happy you joined in.
Thank you for you kind words. I’m not brave enough to share on FB yet, but I will look for other poems.
Yes, you did end up writing the theme, didn’t you? That blackhole image is effective. I wish we could get away from it. Love the image you chose for the background. It gives it a monster look.
It does, doesn’t it. Kinda feels like we’re living through a horror movie. Are zombies next?
Oh, Laura. I also have gaping darkness in my poem. What a time we are living through. How glad I am that we have poetry and each other.
Yes!
Laura, the black hole metaphor fits perfectly, certainly for our family. My son is planning to get married but who knows when, where or how it will be done. “Nature reminds us how fragile we are.” I’ve been feeling that. I love the etheree form and yours builds line by line in a beautiful way towards the end.
Thanks, Janice. I hope the wedding, whenever and however, is a beautiful celebration!
A black hole is SUCH an appropriate image here.
I’ve really been feeling it this week — things swallowed and gone.
They’ll never come back, BUT we’ll eventually get creative and think of a new “us.” God haste the day…
Exactly!
Well done, Laura. Your poem makes the most of the format by feeling like it is rolling, swallowing things as it goes. It feels gulp‑y.
Thanks, Tabatha!
“How fragile we are” is a reminder that this pandemic is taking its toll. Too many people are losing the battle. Our daughter has decided to have a small, family only wedding in October. A relief to have that decision made.
Yes! Just having the decision made. Of course, even once Annabelle and Eric decided to make it tiny–immediate family only, things kept changing right up to about a week and a half before. Like, the park where they rented a gazebo canceled their reservation (and all reservations) without even notifying them. So hoping that your daughter’s wedding goes smoothly!
It’s happening in our backyard so we will honor her reservation. But I’m sure there is something we haven’t thought of.
Location that won’t cancel and a family who loves her and wants to celebrate. All the major things are settled, and the rest will fall into place 🙂
hey hey dear Laura. a happy miao! about kittygarten & printouts & pawfect giveaways 🙂 seeing those kitten illustrations is soothing.
thank you for your poem of wisdom from Mom N., often my best leader. I like the foresight prompt & hope to meet you back on Aug. 28.
Thanks, Jan! Aren’t Hiroe’s illos just wonderful? Glad you might join in for August.
“Yawns like a black hole.” Indeed it does. What a perfect analogy for this “season of uncertainty.”
I feel “it swallowed touch first” on a visceral level, as I am missing hugs in a way I never imagined. I received at least 10 or more a day from the kids. I can’t imagine being in a school and not showing love for kids in this way.
Wonderful, wonderful poem.
Thanks, Tricia…I don’t know how teachers will do it. Kids NEED those hugs, even though I completely realize they’re impossible now. I know teachers will find other ways, but…
Laura, you captured how so many of us feel. My big plans were swallowed whole early on — our book club retreat and a trip to see family in Texas and Oklahoma, both scheduled for March. And now we wait and wonder when we will meet our new granddaughter, now three months old.
Oh, Ramona. That is the hardest. I think the not meeting new family members and the not being able to comfort/say goodbye to failing family members…both ends of the spectrum SO hard.
I love your ethereal. It’s such a lovely form both poetically and visually. And you really captured how this summer feels for me. You are a poetry princess!
Thanks, Susan!
What a strong and haunting metaphor for our times your poem paints–a blackhole swallowing all–And then there is nature keeping us in line, powerful, thanks Laura!
THank you, Michelle!