Poetry Friday is with Karen Edmisten.
As we continue our journey through Here We Go, the latest Poetry Friday Anthology book from Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong, we encountered a totally timely poem by David Bowles, “Border Kid”.
You’re a border kid, a foot on either bank.
Your ancestors crossed this river a thousand times.
No wall, no matter how tall, can stop your heritage
From flowing forever, like the Rio Grande itself.(from Border Kid by David Bowles)
We looked at similes and played with using them in our own poems. Emily wrote this sweet poem about Home.
Home
by EmilyHome is like a safe haven
where you are watched over and protected.Home is like a nurturing mother
always taking care of you.Home is like a vault,
holding all of your secrets.Home is like a best friend
supporting you when you need it.Home is like an answer
to your echo is a lonely room.Home is like a book
with memories and stories to tell.Home is like a gentle hand
reaching out to help.Home is more that just a house.
I am learning more every day about writing poetry. As I participate in Laura Shovan’s daily challenge, I realize that poetry can be elusive. I try to follow the stream of my words, but sometimes they go astray. I am trying to be brave, write brave, and bravely post. The community is gentle and kind. Even when I bash my own poem with qualifiers like, “I am no good at rhyme,” someone finds something positive to say. I know the importance of critique groups. But when we write, especially poetry, we are vulnerable. The intentions of Laura’s challenge are different. We accept that it’s a drafting workshop. I try to apply this learning to my own classroom coaching. You are not going to hit the mark with every poem, but I encourage my students to give each exercise a shot and to post on our class blog. Writing can only get better with more writing.
I posted a poem that I wrote for #tenfoundwords to Today’s Little Ditty padlet. This month’s challenge from Jeannine Atkins is to write a personification poem about an emotion. I wrote this ditty about Mindfulness.
Mindfulness
Make an active mind, non-active
Re-awaken your innermost self.
Seek a word of peace,
Blow away resistance, fear, and dread.
Engage your attention to now,
Hold on with compassion and understanding.
The space left open is for love.
Reflections on the Teche 
Laura’s challenge is hard. Somehow I find myself trying to shoehorn in as many of the words as I can, even though I know it’s optional to use them all. I’ve been enjoying it, and I’ve been surprised by what’s coming out in my poetry lately.
You should honor your process. If your process requires more time and thought, then that is the way to go.
I like your ditty. Mindfulness is something I work on. My mind is always chaotic and on tangents.
Thanks so much for the reminder to honor the process. I would tell someone else to do this, but often don’t take my own advice.
We have to help each other to remember. It’s easier to be self-critical than it is to be supportive when you’re a critical thinker.
Hi Margaret! It’s interesting to hear you speak about Laura’s challenge. I found it difficult and then became distracted by a project but, I think you hit the nail on the head. For me, it’s difficult for me to put anything down that is not reworked and perfected, at least to my mind. Thank you for sharing! And thank you for being brave!
I think if we all keep in mind that we are all drafting and playing with words, it’s easier to put something down.
Beautiful words, and beautiful thoughts. We are so often our own worst critics, beating ourselves up over our perceived mistakes, weaknesses or flaws. When I first started participating in the Poetry Friday community I was far too intimidated to ever share any of my writing – these fellow bloggers were real poets, and I was just an amateur – what could I possibly contribute?! But, as you say, the community is kind, and sometimes, just by taking a small leap of faith, you can discover inner strengths and talents you never even knew you had. Keep writing, and keep sharing!! đŸ™‚
I’m so glad you have found this community. I love being here. When I meet poets face to face, it’s like meeting a best friend.
I love what you say about poetry being elusive and that writing (and sharing) it takes bravery. Of all the genres, in poetry we disclose more of ourselves than in others, which is why critique sometimes feels like an attack on our very person.
The last line of your poem snags my attention and leaves me pondering. I love it when writing does that to me.
Yes, we are so vulnerable. This community is wonderful and supportive. I am ready for some tough critique though. I want to get better as a reader and a writer. Emily’s last line in her poem just nails the entire piece. She’s absolutely right….and so young to know it. Hugs and high-fives to her….and you for helping her be brave with poetry.
Emily’s poem is so lovely – hopeful and haunting.
I love Emily’s poem, and this: “Home is like a best friend.” It’s a new thought for me, and I like thinking about that. And I love your ditty, to move out of all the thoughts that seem rampant every day. Laura’s challenges are always a joy, and this time others, like you, are certainly showing me new ideas. Thanks, Margaret.
Emily’s poem really hits it on the head. I like your quote-image very much! Beautiful.
I love Emily’s poem, and yours. “Engage your attention to now.” It ought to be easy, but it’s SO hard sometimes! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
It’s so difficult to shed that protective clothing, isn’t it? I admire your courage, Margaret, and will keep seeking out that small space where love lives.