This week I’m an irresponsible photo stealer. I usually credit the photographer, but I have this photo in my phone, and I know I didn’t take it. Someone else did. I just can’t remember who. If it was you, please claim it. Mary Lee remembered that this photo was on Kim Douillard’s blog Thinking Through my Lens.
I was fascinated by the perspective of the ladder, how it seems to go nowhere grounded by nothing and yet, we know the laws of gravity won’t allow this to be true. I used a random word generator for a word group to use: loose, danger, refuse, chalk.
Can you use the same words in a different way? Let’s explore perspective today. And if that’s too much to ask, just write and share. It’s May and my brain power is waning significantly.
Danger becomes refuse
Margaret Simon, draft
when the sky invites me up.
I loose my sense of direction
the chalk line blurs,
and I let go and fly.
Back home and away from beloved children and new granddaughter, I welcome this challenge, Margaret! Your wonderful poem of uncertainty and courage-toward-discovery is a great way to start back to a day at home.
Here’s my offering:
DEAR SELF
Chalk lines in an invisible plan
if you must but then erase them
loose your limits also known as
wishes
Refuse the belief in danger
and begin again.
Draft, Carol Coven Grannick
Begin again… that’s the message, when every day is new. Believing in danger more than the wishes can keep us from it if we let it.
“refuse the belief in danger” – Although it’s good to be cautious, sometimes that belief in danger can hold us back.
This reminds me of how monks will make mandalas from chalk and spend hours creating amazing art and then it all blows away.
Oh, my gosh—that’s fascinating, Margaret!
“begin again” is a powerful thing to keep in your pocket.
I love poems that are letters-to-self! You give good advice! 🙂
You put the random words to work…poem full of possibilities. After NPM with Laura Purdie Salas, this is a fun challenge. (I’ve had some practice!) Ok, here we go:
Go On Up
Sidewalk chalk drawing
Gravity lets loose
The only danger
Is if you refuse
To step up on that
Ladder to the sky
Lose your chance
To dream and fly
Draft ©Diane Anderson
I love how you used the words in such a different way, “gravity lets loose.” Gravity here is a metaphor for all the things we carry that prevent us from being our true selves.
I agree about the importance of stepping up…taking a risk.
Diane, I love the imagery of drawing as “gravity lets loose” and yet the choice remains to step up or not step up!
Love the imagery of gravity letting loose and yet having a choice to step up or not step up!
“the only danger is if you refuse”…so true.
Stepping up is so important.
The photo is from Kim D. Thinking Through My Lens! I remember it well!! Here’s my quickie for today:
step by step
never knowing
where we’re going
always believing
step by step
Thanks! I couldn’t find it on her Instagram. I must’ve stolen it from her blog. I like the circle form with the -ing words in the middle.
Agree with Margaret—love those “ings” mid-steps!
“never knowing…always believing…” I think you understand that more and more the older you get.
step by step – I like the way that phrase frames your poem.
Nice! I like the use of a random generator for words, Margaret!
No Ladders
I won’t need a ladder
when I rise to higher ground.
I will not hear the cries or groans –
just a glorious trumpet sound!
You wait and dwell on Earth a while,
I will decorate your room.
I’ll open all the windows up,
There’ll be no dark or gloom.
When you arrive I’ll brew a pot –
coffee’s a heavenly thing –
And with our ukes, no heavy harps,
We’ll both commence to sing!
Hallelujah, how we’ll sing!
Each in our golden crown…
…and if there be a ladder there,
we’ll push that ladder down!
By Donna JT Smith, ©2023
This sounds like a hymn to me.
Wonderful thoughts, Donna.
Huzzah for the ukes and coffee (brew some tea for me, tho!)
I agree it sounds like a hymn …
One glad morning …
I’ll fly away.. Oh glory!
Margaret, your line “let go and fly” reminds me of possibility.
Today I refuse to let fear rule,
choosing instead to loosen its grip.
Danger looms, but so does possibility.
How will I know if I don’t take a chance?
Today the sky’s the limit!
Chalk one up for bravery.
I love that last line and the way you changed the meaning of chalk! Creative!!
I like opening up to possibilities.
Great pic, gave me a strong sensation right away. I admire the bold steps in all your poems, the letting loose and the never knowing. Here’s my alternative: (I haven’t got the blue beyond verse on the page the way it is in my head.)
Gasp!
Imagination loosed
and gut
tight with fear
Laws of nature
Will not be denied
And yet…
“The blue beyond”
“Adventure”
So hard to refuse
“Worlds without end”
Still…
I choose Earth
Chalk it up to
The familiar path
And gravity.
© Karen Eastlund, draft
There is something to be said for dear old Mother Earth and her gravity. Comforting.