Welcome, and happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) I’m so happy you’ve dropped by. Whether you’re a regular participant in the Poetry Friday world, or you ended up here from a search or a link, please know that we’re a welcoming community! Read, comment, think, share, and enjoy!
Hey, if you’re in Chicago, and if you’re willing to come to the Hilton Chicago sometime during the NCTE/NCTM conference, I’d love to say hi in person!
Now. Poetry Friday. I’ve been thinking about community a lot lately. Now that a bit of the pressure is off for me to earn a certain income (a true privilege after a whole career of having to think about business and income), I don’t feel quite as frantic. And each time I gather with other writers, I feel a bit of a stronger bond. I’ve always had a really bad memory and a hard time keeping details of people straight. I can’t remember who lives where, whose parents are alive or dead, whose spouses or kids do what… So it’s often been hard for me to feel really connected to writer friends over my rather frantic career. When I get together with people, I sometimes stay out of conversations, because it feels like they (no matter who I’m with) all know each other so much better than I know any of them.
Now I can ease up on the income writing and have a titch more time for connecting, and it’s lovely. I don’t remember anything more than usual (it’s a me thing, not an age thing!), but I just feel the bonds a little more strongly. I thought I’d reshare this poem. I wrote it four or five years ago about group of writers, most of who are part of the Poetry Friday community. We were working our way through The Artist’s Way together, and we had such wonderful conversations…I shared it last year here for the first time, but I’ve been feeling the “fairy ring of sprouting hopes,” so I hope you don’t mind that I’m sharing it again.
I’m away from my laptop this weekend, but the awesome Buffy Silverman has the Poetry Friday Roundup this week! Don’t miss it 🙂
12 Responses
I love the ending “We are enough.” I am happy I am part of your bubble.
I love the hopeful feeling of community, Laura! Thanks for posting your encouraging poem. I feel the same way in groups.
I also have a pretty lousy memory when it comes to names and personal details–but I do remember this wonderful poem you wrote, and the great discussions we had in our virtual bubble.
“We Are” is beautiful and so affirming, Laura!
And I’m glad you are feeling the respite from more time to breathe and connect. ❤️
I am so grateful for this Poetry Friday community, a place to share my thoughts and to get new ideas and learn about books. So glad things are going well for you, Laura! You are a terrific writer and a prolific one!
Hi, Laura–I have so many reactions to this post I’m sending you email, my friend!
Some poems cling tenaciously to our conscious being and make requests to be offered more light. It seems this poem is representative of this, Laura. I can readily understand its appeal. Like the presentation layout as well. The repeated use of ‘We’ is irresistible.
You never have to remember any of my details…I just love that you say ‘we are enough’ and that you include me in your bubble. This is a lovely poem.
Keep sharing this one as often as you want. It’s a beaut — both words and image.
Oh I love “a circle of squares.” 🙂 I hope your presentation goes well and you get to see lots of writer friends!
Thank you for this and so much else, Laura! I feel privileged to be part of this Poetry Friday community. I don’t know if you remember this, but I saw you a few years ago at an NCTE Conference and you made me feel so welcome, so much a part of the “we” in your lovely poem.
Thanks for sharing this again and reaffirming how special the PF community is. Glad you now feel you have more breathing room to connect and bond with fellow writers. Happy June!