Poetry
Friday today is hosted today by Carol Wilcox at Carol’s
Corner. The
first of June evokes such good memories doesn’t it? Thank you Carol!
I’ve posted two times in recent weeks
about the geography of place and the importance of its integration in numerous
areas in the classroom, including the social studies of course, but also in all
kinds of writing—fiction, poetry and memoir.
Then yesterday I received my online Orion
magazine and there were three poems about place. One is about the prairie. I wish I had known it when Tabatha asked some
of us to write about a beloved fictional character and choose several poems
that character might like. A favorite
writer of mine is Willa Cather, whose work I reread, especially My Ántonia. Ántonia Shimerda is a favorite character and
I know she would love this poem, as I do.
The poem is
Prairie, Under
Full Moon
In the
blooming period, everywhere is open.
Winds make you arrive where you do not
want to go.
Disrupt the
Sequence of the hours.
Eva Hooker is professor of
English and writer in residence at Saint Mary’s College in Indiana. When I
researched her, I found that she is a nun, named Sister Eva Mary, and her poems
have appeared in The New England Review, AGNI, Terrain.org, and other publications.
"angels roam restlessly"
ReplyDeleteGorgeous poem, Linda. I could feel my mind and heart opening up more and more with each word. I need to read My Antonia again :).
I was truly excited when I found this poem Jama. I hope you do read My Antonia again. I find it especially wonderful in its connections to place. Thank you!
DeleteWow, this is beautiful! Perfect for reading just before one sets out for a drive onto Colorado's eastern plains!
ReplyDeleteI've driven east many times, & might not choose to live there, yet there is something magical about that broad sweeping view. Have a good trip, Carol.
DeleteYup. Poem sounds like and pictures look like home to me!
DeleteAnd sometimes that's good, right? It is often beautiful.
DeleteI have an ongoing love affair with the wind. When I was in high school I described my beloved cousins (who were my male heroes) as the 'winds of my life.' I agree with Jama, it's the kind of poem that gradually opens up one's heart.
ReplyDeleteOh, it's lovely to hear your connection to the wind. I do love hearing those stories of connections! Thank you for all your comments, Myra. I love hearing your ideas both in the comments and on your own posts. Happy Weekend!
DeleteThat poem makes me feel restless for the wind and open spaces. Lovely photos too!
ReplyDeleteThank you Andi. There is something inviting about those long views. My school is on the edge of the prairie, & it is always somewhat windy, so that sound & the meadowlark singing gives me such pleasure.
DeleteLike Jama, I now want to re-read My Antonia, too. What a perfect poem to capture the windswept beauty of the prairie, Linda.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you like it, Tara. I was happy when the magazine arrived! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI can echo some bits from the previous comments. I too am restless for freedom of opened wide sky and a blooming day when everything awakes as is so insightfully written by this poet. Thanks so much for sharing this poem, there is so much out there to discover. I love that you continue to expose me to new things each week.
ReplyDeleteThanks Betsy. The poem fits us in numerous ways, doesn't it, like your restlessness? Hope you have a good week!
DeleteWhat an interesting poem. I especially love these lines and the enjambment "...prone / To excess."
ReplyDelete"You see words are not always accurate.
Sometimes they are prone
To excess. And mutiny."
I think it is a poem to read again & again, especially when gazing on the prairie. I'm glad you enjoyed it, Violet.
ReplyDelete