It's April. It's Poetry Month!
And, its Poetry Friday, with Christie Wyman at Wondering and Wandering! Her post is full of great things today, bird song, "conk-a-ree" anyone? and the next lines in the Progressive Poem. Thanks, Christie!
Remember to check out the list of what everyone is doing at Jama Rattigan's blog: Jama's Alphabet Soup.
And check on the Water Poem Project where every day, a poet is sharing a prompt connected to water, hosted and created by Laura Shovan!
Plus! Check each day for the added line to the Progressive Poem, created by Irene Latham, now hosted by Margaret Simon! The link is above and the graphic to the right!
I want to say thank you to Irene Latham for the poetry postcard for poetry month and Jone MacCulloch for continuing her wonderful poetry project with students. I'm happy to share these joys from my mail!
A leap with the theme of CIRCLES for poetry month, poems & small sketches. I am looking forward to reading everyone's posts. I'm sure I will love each one, knowing they're done during a time we've not lived before. I am worried about so many, those close and those far, my community, too.
April 1 - haiku
April 2 - cinquain
April 3 - a couplet
April 4 - limerick
April 5 - a kyrielle
April 6 - a skinny
April 7 - quatrain
April 8 - tanka
April 9 - a prose poem
April 13 - a nonet
April 14 - haikuApril 15 - lune
April 16 - sonnet
April 17 - free verse
April 18 - silly verse
April 19 - couplets
April 20 - free verse
April 21 - a skinny
April 22 - a prose poem
April 23 - cherita
Best wishes for continuing good health to you all!
The Ordinary
April 21 - a skinny
April 22 - a prose poem
April 23 - cherita
Best wishes for continuing good health to you all!
The Ordinary
I’ve learned patience with the days,
un-winding them a few hours at a time.
When the sun casts morning shadows,
I’m up and out walking,
allowing plans to rise.
Ordinary is the word I have used before
but now the whirr of the mower
becomes extraordinary.
Still loving this challenge you have set yourself, Linda - and your illustration took me back to my childhood. My grandparents had an old hand-mower and I remember thinking it was the most amazing thing ever. A mower without a motor! In your poem, the line "un-winding them a few hours at a time" really struck a chord with me. That idea of breaking the looming day down into smaller portions is so wise.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sally, I imagine each person has figured out a way to manage the days, at least I hope so. It's tricky with really no place one has to be. I'm not sure I've ever had so much time open. I am grateful that I took on this challenge which helps take some time, will find another for May!
DeleteLinda, this is so true. Now, when I'm outside I see people at a distance -- I listen for sounds of life. It has been an extraordinary month for poems and poetry. I've gotten such a kick out of your circles.
ReplyDeleteThanks, and I agree, it is intriguing to watch so many from a distance. I did see a neighbor the other day & had a nice conversation six feet apart!
DeleteLove your poem (and you are too clever with all your drawings!). So many things we took for granted -- like signs of life in our own neighborhoods -- become small miracles now. My favorite lines are the opening two, the unwinding of days a few hours at a time.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jama, I know that there are small miracles happening in many places. Perhaps that is one blessing during this time.
DeleteThe whirr of mowers has not become extraordinary here in Florida. If or when it does, that will surely be a sign that things have gone from bad to worse. It's hard to imagine Florida without that sound! But I do love the sentiment of your poem, Linda. And those opening lines are golden.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle. I understand that Florida is a whole different place than Colorado, tehe!
DeleteLove the idea of learning patience with the days, "unwinding them a few hours at a time." Even with the shelter in, I find that it's easy to fill my days. Just realized this am that I've missed the last few days of the progressive poem. Off to check it out now.
ReplyDeleteI know the days fill up, but differently than before. Thanks, Ramona!
DeleteWonderful daily musings, Linda. I look forward to each one. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen. It's been a special way for me to take this April challenge.
DeleteI have loved your circle poems and drawings all month. And like many others, I love the "unwinding them a few hours at a time." That has become a part of my days now, too.
ReplyDeleteWell, as you see, me, too, Kay. I'm glad we are reading each other's poem journeys! Thanks!
DeleteIt continues to surprise me how the ordinary has become extraordinary--and your poem really captures that.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Buffy, I hope we don't forget that part!
DeleteYour poem is a guide to the new "ordinary". I hope that "allowing plans to rise" sticks with us, though. I've enjoyed your entire month of circle poems and drawings - you are so clever with those wooden circles! :)
ReplyDeleteI have that 'wish', too, Bridget. We need to learn and grow in different & good ways during this time. Thank you!
DeleteYou just keep on going. is it getting tough? I love finding out what you have created with the circle. The scooter is so cute and the poem clever.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it seems tough, but so far I have faith that the next one will arrive! Thanks, Margaret!
DeleteJust when I think I have a favorite, you go and give me another favorite! When I was growing up, my neighbor had an old blade mower, so this reminded me of him.
ReplyDeleteHow great, Leigh Anne. There are several around my neighborhood, with small lawns like mine! Thank you!
DeleteLinda, I love your celebration of things ordinary. You have shared the joy of simple pleasures. It is critical that we cast an eye over the ordinary in order to discover something extraordinary. Thank you for sharing this important information.
ReplyDeleteThis line: "I’ve learned patience with the days,/un-winding them a few hours at a time," has made me slow down and concentrate on the wonder of each ordinary task today, Linda. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.
ReplyDeleteLinda, this is a beautiful poem. I love the line Carol mentioned as well. You always write extraordinarily well about the ordinary.
ReplyDeleteI love how those ordinary become quite extraordinary! Thank you for sharing, Linda!
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone. It is a time that we're slowing down and needing to find those small pleasures!
ReplyDelete"Ordinary" becoming "extraordinary" it sure has. Telling poem for our times Linda, and sensitive art too! Yes to patience also, we need lots of it to stay focused and unmuddled, thanks.
ReplyDeleteI'm really loving your project, Linda!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle & Ruth!
ReplyDeleteI love the sense of calm this poem radiates. Getting "up and out walking,/allowing plans to rise" is the best way to begin the day!
ReplyDeleteIt is for me for sure. Just being outside is a joyful thing. Thank you, I'm glad you think so, too!
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