Thanks to Margaret Simon for hosting the Progressive Poem started by Irene Latham. And a big thank you for allowing blog-less me to appear on her blog once again. If you don’t know me I comment on Poetry Friday as Janet F. or Janet Clare F. and I love this poetry community! As a former teacher and poet I feel at home with my poetry friends.
Following last year’s procedure established by Donna at Mainely Write, we are choosing between two lines offered by the person before us and then writing two for the next poet. Our poem about kindness and friendship is now traveling a new path so off we go.
Thanks to Buffy for two great options, which did not surprise me at all, but I am off to the woods. I hear the bees buzzing, the quiet and the birdsong. I remember how I loved to explore the woods behind my house while playing as a child. And on hikes when my family camped in summers. Fresh air, imagination and wholesome times!
I’m a case of kindness – come and catch me if you can!
Easily contagious – sharing smiles is my plan.
I’ll spread my joy both far and wide,
As a force of Nature I’ll be undenied.
Words like, “how can I help?” will bloom in the street.
A new girl alone on the playground – let’s meet, let’s meet!
We can jump-skip together in a double-dutch round.
Over, under, jump and wonder, touch the ground.
Friends can be found when you open a door.
Side by side, let’s walk through, there’s a world to explore.
Buffy’s lines for me were:
- We’ll hike through a forest of towering trees
and
- Should we follow the stream as it eddies and flows?
Not surprisingly I selected #1! It sounds like a wonderful way to enjoy special time with a new (or old) friend.
We’ll hike through a forest of towering trees
And now for Jone, I offer:
Option 1: Look for flowers, enjoy birdsong as long as we please.
OR
Option 2: Find a stream we can follow while we bask in the breeze.
(You can tell I was torn by that lovely idea of following the stream!)
Jone you may choose one of these OR feel free to choose one of your own as Kat Apel describes in the first day’s post! Happy poeting!
P.S. As I was contemplating the idea of walking for health, poetry and friendship for the Progressive Poem, it reminded me of the one I saw today at Poetry Boost with Michelle Schaub. I recalled Thoreau espousing the benefits of walking about 4 hours a day. I googled and found this interesting link. I am going to make a goal of doing more contemplative walking! With and without my friends, but friends are always good to have around!
(You can find me on FB at Janet Clare. If we haven’t yet connected, I look forward to doing so.)
Reflections on the Teche 