It's Poetry Friday, and Tricia Stohr-Hunt is hosting HERE at The Miss Rumphius Effect with a look and a poem for a treasure from the past. Thanks for hosting, Tricia!
I'm worrying, and preparing, then thinking. These coming days will be challenging and sad. Yet, here I am, planning to play a part in making a bright future for my grandchildren. I will not quit! Here comes the rest of the new year!
Glad To Start Again or
I thought I was
Mozart helps me nestle--
contented for this new beginning,
after a loving holiday.
But gray skies appear
beyond my sunshiny days.
It’s like sleet spits at all our windows.
My own brain clouds
with “Why? Who could? Who would?
And, then “How will they suffer the loss?”
Along with keeping busy with mindless dusting,
I wonder why again.
I sit at my laptop,
fingers tapping.
Searching for the latest news,
though I can’t know if lists and actions
will help. Still, I do not stop!
Yes, it’s still sunny outside,
so I go to rake a few more leaves,
look for fallen branches after yesterday’s wind,
talk to my neighbor.
Quiet voices wing in from down the sidewalk.
“Hey, great to see you; how ya doing?”
The other neighbor’s dog barks, so I know
Someone is walking around there, too.
A flicker flies, and sparrows twitter.
Nature brings some solace,
before lunch.
Then, I remember again.
Linda Baie ©
I feel your pain with the round of endless busy -- but you went outside. That is the beginning of wisdom. Someone is walking around there, too. Flickers are flying, sparrows are twittering. Life goes on. Don't forget, friend. -tanita
ReplyDeleteYes, my best words are "get outside", Tanita. Thank you!
DeleteLinda, boy, that really captures these times for me, too. Thank you! One of the small things I did was to remove the news sites from my bookmarks toolbar. I'll still read the news, of course, but hopefully will be more intentional about it.
ReplyDeleteOh, gosh, that was me, Susan T., above.
ReplyDeleteYour poem SO resonates with me, Linda. Thanks for putting the swirling thoughts and emotions during this time into a poem. I'm wrestling with wanting to tune out (esp. Monday) vs. staying engaged enough to respond (though wondering about that) - - and just praying a lot!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder that Nature offers solace, as well as catastrophe. And that neighborliness is a treasured value.
Linda, thank you for speaking up and out. Peace to all of us to stand up and resist. "Get outside" are some great words to remember in this next chapter. I'm glad you are able to enjoy the outdoors and friendly neighbors.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan, Robyn, & Denise! Your words certainly will feel very good this coming long weekend!
ReplyDeleteLinda, your poem addresses your sorrow. This line, "It’s like sleet spits at all our windows," holds the anguish. Monday will turn us upside down but we must be strong and hope for peace in our future.
ReplyDeletePersonal Note: My baby grandgirl has RSV. She was supposed to stay with me this weekend with her sisters while her parents attended a family wedding but my daughter had to cancel her trip to bring her to the ER and then the doctor once again. I have the 4 and 7-year-old so that is good that they are isolated. My husband had to go to the pharmacy to get a RSV vaccination. Once again life is topsy turvy in my household. Jone's perseverence poem writing may help us all.
Dear Carol, thanks for coming by, but that's not as important as the news of your baby granddaughter. I hope she will get well very soon! My granddaughter & daughter recently got Covid again. They're okay but it was a surprise! Take care of yourself, too!
DeleteI watched the local news here (DC is my local station) and I just wished I hadn't. I had to spend some time today outside just to clear my head a bit, despite the cold.
ReplyDeleteWell, you know I understand! It's cold & snowy here & I went out to shovel, loved every bit! Thanks, Marcie & take care! We are all together!
DeleteThis captures the feeling of my life right now. Outside is such a good place to start. I have promised myself that I will not hide away. I will keep standing and at least bear witness to what unfolds. I admit, I have anxiety about what it means.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda, it is a good feeling to hear from all of our poet friends who feel so similar, will not stop supporting what is right! Thanks!
DeleteYes to music, especially Mozart, nature, and family–community, ah but yes what lies ahead, and for many cities and locals like Chicago–we are a sanctuary city and have a large immigrant population–we are preparing to stand together… thanks for your poem and thoughts for what's ahead Linda.
ReplyDeleteNature and community as sources of solace. Yep! We will need a lot of that in the coming days.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle & Rose! Best wishes to you in our new year!
ReplyDeleteYes! Less news, more nature and art. We can only do what we can do (ie: rake leaves, take care of our neighbors).
ReplyDeleteYes, Linda, we don't quit or obey in advance. And as Wendell Berry says (and you do, too), the peace of wild things helps.
ReplyDeleteWell, it has begun, hasn't it? We will not give up! Thanks, Mary Lee & Karen!
Delete