I am a firm believer that reading poetry begets more poetry. See Billy Collins’ poem The Trouble with Poetry. He understands the problem. Last night I was reading Pádraig Ó Tuama’s book of essays about poetry, Poetry Unbound. I had in the back of my mind the Poetry Sisters’ challenge for this month, a monotetra form about transformation. Mary Lee, a fellow Inkling, presented us with this challenge. Today she shares a monotetra about the pools in her life.
At first when I read the essay about the poem Worm by Gail McConnell, I was not inclined to enjoy it. I mean, an earthworm as the topic of a poem? But of course as he does every time, Padraig pulled me in and helped me see it for more than its surface appearance. I found myself swimming in his words and then writing a monotetra right there in my bed into my Notes app. This is only the second draft, but I’m putting it out there for you all to dig into (pun intended).
This poem’s worthless worm making
air holes with its muscle shaking
burying this compost wasting
ground is quaking. Ground is quaking.I dig in with sharp fingernails.
Margaret Simon, draft
Worm remembers for whom it hails.
Give me breath to survive this frail
time to heal. Time to heal.
To see more monotetra poems, visit…
Liz @ Liz Garton Scanlon
Tricia @ The Miss Rumphius Effect
Tanita @ {fiction, instead of lies}
Sara @ Read Write Believe
Laura @ Laura Purdie Salas
Mary Lee @ A(nother) Year of Reading
Michelle Kogan @ MoreArt4All
If you missed it this week, visit This Photo Wants to be a Poem to see a picture of my youngest, rosiest, 7 month old grandchild, June.
Reflections on the Teche 
You. Nailed. It.
Plus, enjambment for the win!
Not a worthless worm at all. Not at all.
💜your worm replenishing poem Margaret, it’s sounds and circular movement—I have a compost pile-yard material only and the worms do a wonderful job, thanks!
The monotetras are inspirational!
Dear Margaret, wishing you speedy wings of health in your dedicated work of healing. You are mazing to find these liftingwords to meet the challenge of the same-ending poem party, whilst you are also dealing with so much. Hoping next week brings even more nourishing nature notes, to to your eyes out the windows. Xo
amazing! [ not mazing….]
I love the story behind your poem, Margaret. It reads so smoothly, imagining that worm wiggling through. It’s lovely!
Beautiful monarch caterpillars. I was just remarking today that I don’t think I have ever seen a monarch caterpillar in person. They look like hungry, cubby dudes! Wishing you peace during your time to heal.
Great poem Margaret for a great find! Glad you have so many monarch caterpillars (worms) to enjoy this year!