Poetry Friday - Reflecting in August
I've changed my Poetry Friday badge to a picture of a small plant in the alley outside the used bookstore where I volunteer. In the news, the word "survival" serves as fitting for much that is happening. Survival as an asylum seeker, survival as a refugee, survival of the Amazon, survival of essential institutions in the U.S. democracy, and this week, survival of a hurricane! My poem is brief, wishing and hoping for this plant, a tiny survivor, as metaphor for the rest of the world.
Thanks to Kat Appel from across the water in Queensland for hosting. Today, she's sharing two verse novels that sound quite wonderful and some grand news about a new picture book from her in the making! Congratulations, Kat!
a skinny
Sometimes in need -
simple
survival
ignore
vainglory
simple
marking
humble
grit
simple
will I ever learn?
Linda Baie ©
It might just be surviving, but that flower is still blooming and looks like heaven. I have to believe that we will survive, although I shudder to think of what we might have to endure to get there. Humour helps me a lot. Have you seen that cartoon of Satan refusing to take David Koch?
ReplyDeleteI was at the store today & it is still blooming! Ha! No, I have not see that cartoon. Will look for it. Thanks for the smiles, Cheriee!
DeleteSurvival is a word with grit. Resilience is its armor. Your flower represents your emotions this week, Linda. The hurricane alone has caused many to rethink life, living, and find new avenues of survival, much like the world today. I saw that you are traveling to Costa Rica-is that right? Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteYes, it feels so like we're trying to survive each day & I am clinging to the bits of hope like that little plant. No, I just mentioned an earlier trip to Costa Rica, have not plans to visit at this time. Thanks for the good words!
DeleteI hadn't realised you (and your peace) were threatened by a hurricane, Linda. Do take care, and be gentle with yourself. (Grit was the word that stood out for me.) Also - thank-you for your congratulations.
ReplyDeleteOh no, Kat, I am in Colorado, with no threat from the hurricane, just concerned about those I know who are in its path. You're welcome, happy to hear about your coming book!
DeleteLet's hear it for your plant's grit and what it represents. I'm struck by the word "vainglory" in your poem. Not a word I see very often, but perfect here.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm praying for those in the path of the hurricane, and all who need extra grit this weekend.
I'm hopeful for a whole lot of people, glad you are too, Carmela. I learned about 'vainglory' in a specific moment several years ago. It feels right to me, too. Thank you!
DeleteSurvival should have been my OLW...maybe we all should use it for next year...
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think so, Donna. This plant is showing us all a little grit, right? Thanks!
DeleteI love the word "vainglory." I have a few family members in the path of the hurricane (unless it changes course). It's so hard being so far away.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is, & to just hear news item after news item. Glad you like 'vainglory', Linda. Thanks!
DeleteA skinny is just the right form for this surviving flower. It's sparse but hanging on with too few resources. What a metaphor you've created in this post. I really love the idea of "humble grit" There's a world of imaginations in that.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda, it did feel right to do it this way. I tried an acrostic, but it was too dark. Thanks!
DeleteYou've captured in your skinny what so many of us are feeling. Humble grit is definitely required. Thanks for the photo of your tiny survivor, encouraging all of us to hang in there!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ramona. That plant keeps hanging in!
DeleteOh, Linda, I love this. Your plant, your poem, your humble, simple grit ... it's all hopeful, even in the face of so many challenges in our world. Hearts and hugs!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen. I agree we all need some hope.
DeleteI love the tenacity of your flower and poem. Sometimes it's those little things that can provide hope for us. May we all survive the many challenges in front of us.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping, too, Kay, for everyone. Thank you.
DeleteYour image and poem may be simple, but profound in their message. That hurricane frightens me. It's as large and violent as Andrew in 92 and Katrina in 05. Praying for our friends in its path.
ReplyDeleteFrom this morning the hurricane looks as if it's swerving north, but still will hit the edge. Hoping that will change, too. Thanks, Margaret.
DeleteYou say so much in this skinny. I am wishing others the grit and fortitude to endure whatever they may face. Thank you for sharing this message!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Kiesha. And thanks, too!
DeleteYou know the lessons in this skinny well, Linda. It's the rest of humanity, particularly policy makers, that need to learn! #Resist
ReplyDeleteOh, I do agree, Jane. Glad to hear from you!
DeleteYour gritty flower reminds me of Michael Pederson's Urban Weed Awards, which I learned about them from Austin Kleon's blog. (https://miguelmarquezoutside.com/post/181341634733/tallest-weed) The skinny is the perfect match for your poem, its message and its inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link, Molly. That's wonderful!
DeleteThank you for this lovely reminder to keep it simple, Linda. I do often wonder "will I ever learn?"
ReplyDeleteYep, me, too! Thanks, Catherine!
DeleteSimple, yet so complex. Thanks for your survival poem, Linda,...I hope we learn soon. =)
ReplyDeleteI hope so, too, Bridget. Thank you!
DeleteLove your flower and the survival it represents. Your skinny is the perfect pairing, Linda.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kimberly!
DeleteDon't you wish all that's gone wrong could fit in a skinny? It often feels like life is a pantoum with the repetition of unimaginable events! I also sometimes feel I'd like to ignore the state we're in, but if I do, then I'm not contributing to survival. Thank you for sharing your yearnings in this poem, Linda.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Joyce. Wonderful to think of it as a pantoum, that 'repetition'! No, I won't ignore, but like you I would love to.
DeleteOne foot in front of the other, Linda! Sometimes keeping it simple like that is the best we can do. (Or maybe one leaf at a time, if you're a weed?)
ReplyDeleteHa! "one leaf at a time" is apt for autumn coming. Thanks, Tabatha!
DeleteWe just keep trying to process and make sense of it all, don't we? It's becoming harder and harder to keep the faith, yet, as humans, our hope and resilience never dies.
ReplyDeleteNo, I won't give up, but it's been long almost three years! Thanks, Michelle.
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