It seems only fitting to end National Poetry Month by re-visiting an incredible poetic adventure and challenge that I had the good fortune to be a part of. It was a journey of words, histories, friendship, illumination, trust and absolute beauty; an exercise that showed just how powerful poetry can be. It was inspired by Brooke, a woman who weaves magic into everything she writes, and who invited others to find the magic within themselves, through poetry. What could be cooler than that?
The extraordinary poems were written by, Brooke, Tom, Wulf, Bojana, Tanya, Miriam, Brad, Elizabeth, Steve, and Kim
The adventure began with this poem from
George Ella Lyon.
I am from clothespins,
from Clorox and carbon tetrachloride.
I am from the dirt under the back porch.
(Black, glistening
it tasted like beets.)
I am from the forsythia bush,
the Dutch elm
whose long gone limbs I remember as if they were my own.
I’m from fudge and eyeglasses,
from Imogene and Alafair.
I’m from the know-it-alls
and the pass-it-ons,
from perk up and pipe down.
I’m from He restoreth my soul
with a cottonball lamb
and ten verses I can say myself.
I’m from Artemus and Billie’s Branch,
fried corn and strong coffee.
From the finger my grandfather lost
to the auger
the eye my father shut to keep his sight.
Under my bed was a dress box
spilling old pictures,
a sift of lost faces
to drift beneath my dreams.
I am from those moments–
snapped before I budded–
leaf-fall from the family tree
April 30, 2018 at 8:10 am
What an incredible poem this is.
It is said that the only impossible journey is the one we haven’t begun (yet). We all proved here that nothing is impossible when you have something to believe in. A dream is reality waiting to happen.
April 30, 2018 at 8:31 am
Beautiful!
April 30, 2018 at 11:49 am
What a beautiful expression. You have just inspired my next Rush Reboot!!!!!!
Thank you
April 30, 2018 at 11:54 am
Glad I did. Can’t wait.
April 30, 2018 at 8:11 am
Bravo! Loved your posts. You did poetry month splendidly!
April 30, 2018 at 8:32 am
Thank you Beautiful Lady!
April 30, 2018 at 8:16 am
Thank you, beautiful lady. I needed this so much this morning. Such a lovely tribute to our talented bunch. Thank you for celebrating us…
April 30, 2018 at 8:32 am
Thank you for the magic!!!
April 30, 2018 at 11:56 am
Brooke…you started it. Wear it proudly!
April 30, 2018 at 11:55 am
Yes, Susan, you have really become a force for positive growth and change. Do you realize that? Amidst all your juggling, you have become a beacon in your own right.
And it glows!!!
April 30, 2018 at 12:12 pm
You are beyond wonderful, Wulf! Thank you so much. Thank you for helping me see myself through different eyes. Thank you for always being kind and always supportive. I am so lucky to know you and to be a part of this incredible community!
April 30, 2018 at 12:21 pm
You are welcome, Susan, but all I so often do is state what is obvious to so many, yet oblivious to the person I say it about. 😘
April 30, 2018 at 1:01 pm
Insert many heart emojis here!!!!!!
May 2, 2018 at 7:06 am
That was a fun challenge! Thank you, Susan for revisiting it, Brooke for challenging me, and the whole tribe for participating! Great month! 👏👏👏