For years I tried sudoku and failed over and over. I left a whole puzzle book halfway completed. As the puzzles advanced in difficulty, I gave up. I find comfort in words. I find confusion in numbers. It’s just how my brain works. So when Heidi challenged the Inklings to write a Sudoku poem, I put it off. Heidi was inspired by Mary Lee who was inspired by a Rattle poem.
My inspiration came from these things in my life:
- My daughter in New Orleans wants to grow things. She planted wildflowers and she was so proud of how they bloomed, but now the heat is killing them.
- Molly Hogan, an Inkling and friend, sent me some strawberry jam. She posted about strawberry picking on her Slice of Life post this week.
- My husband and I went dancing. We love dancing. I wore a flowing colorful dress.
How do you fit all of those experiences of delight into one grid? I tried. Here is my experiment. I think it’s important to remember this is a puzzle, so some of the lines will puzzle the reader. I think that’s okay. Let me know if you try out this form.
The Garden Gate: A Sudoku Poem
Check out the other Inklings poems:
Linda Mitchell
Molly Hogan
Heidi Mordhorst
MaryLee Hahn
Catherine Flynn
Reflections on the Teche 
I looked for all 3 topics, think you included them nicely, Margaret. I will try to take time to do one & from all that everyone has said, it must be a big challenge. I feel so busy sometimes that I may have to wait, but someday. The part I love is the first vertical column, for your daughter! “wildflowers share generosity with us with the wind”. Good for you for making such a variety of topics work!
Absolutely beautiful and full of your classic voice–positive, grateful, generous. My favorite line is “share blossom losses free gifts.”
Your title weaves all parts together,—lovely poem with flowing rhythm, thanks Margaret!
This came out beautifully, Margaret! I like the way these poems can give an overall sense of connection among several themes, the parts adding up to more than the whole. My favorite line is “her losses strawberry dressed, bittersweet”–beautiful music.
Margaret, I am intrigued by Sudoku and spent many moments trying to unravel the mystery of it. It is a challenging feat for me. Your poem blends your thoughts into one whole. How wonderful. Marcie sent me a wildflower package and I have been thinking about spreading its beauty in my garden. Perhaps, I will unrattle my thoughts as I plant and the beginnings of a Suduko poem will emerge. Thanks for sharing your process and final thoughts. Keep on resting in the summer heat and enjoy all the little ones frolicking in the sun.
Oh Margaret! I think melding these three inspirations came out beautifully! I love that sudoku poetry pulls out the metaphors. Favorite line is first one across the top!
Thank you for sharing your intention — the weaving of the three threads. You succeeded in making something new and beautiful from them!
I love how you wove the three themes together, Margaret. I especially like the vertical line of:
gate/gifts/fragrance/embrace/find space
Lovely thoughts, Margaret. The sudoku poem looks so interesting and you did a marvelous job of intertwining your ideas. Thanks for sharing.
I love how you wove all of that in!
Oh my gosh. Margaret! I have to try this out. So fascinating. Another way for me to think. I also kids would enjoy playing with this form. Thank you!
Oh, I’m so glad you told us about your different motivations. It added to the fun of the poem to discover each thread and how you wove them together so beautifully. I’m especially fond of the line “wildflowers open her garden gate”, perhaps because that’s what’s happening in my own garden. So much to love here, and yay for the strawberries making a cameo appearance! 🙂
Wow! This poem dazzles on so many levels, Margaret!
Well done, Margaret! You’re all killing it. This is such a challenge but you all make it look so effortless. 🙂