I have a morning routine as most people do. I wish I could just sit down with my coffee to write for a while, but my time is limited before I get out of for a walk and then get ready for my school day. Usually I read the New York Times newsletter from my email. I don’t always read all of it because news is generally not good and could start my day with a somber tone. I skip and skim down to the links to the games of the day; my favorites are Wordle and Connections.
A few weeks ago my skimming began to sound in my mind’s ear like a found poem. This poem was created by lines from the December 3rd newsletter. I did not change any of the words or the order they appeared.
News Flash Found Poem (December 3, 2023)
Mothers are grappling with anxiety
after watching 10 migrants die at sea,
a man in Paris with a knife and a hammer.Kill all the deer;
A great step toward survival.Scholars want to show society
there is value in the humanities.Will it be a permanent cease fire
or AI or fertility that saves us?Magicians see thousands of donuts,
an exuberant document of
the human condition.We have become our data
simultaneously loading more
and more of our lives into systems
with little control
over the outcome.Stop reading
Margaret Simon, found poem NYT newsletter
and take the quiz.
Reflections on the Teche 
Margaret, your found poem is so true and rings a wakeup call for all of us. I’d love to linger over coffee too. I share your desire for that. I’m a fan of Wordle, but I haven’t played Connections. I’m going to check that one out today. If you love found poetry, check out the book for Sarah’s book group coming in January – – it’s Kate Baer’s I Hope This Finds You Well. It’s a new favorite.
Love this, Margaret!
Margaret, this perfectly encapsulates our situation today!
Margaret,
I read the NYT newsletter, too, and recognize many of these stories, which, as you say, are somber. I particularly like the contrasts your lines create, especially the ones about life vs death and what will save us. Have you read or seen “Leave the World Behind”? Your poem echos much in both the book and the movie.
In order to get to school on time, I have to leave the house by 6:05, at the latest, to drop off my kids at daycare. I somewhat envy those who CAN wake up to enjoy coffee and writing time in the mornings, so I am with you. I also read NYT just about every day, and I’m so excited to try this myself!! I love found poetry and the New York Times; I’m jealous I didn’t think of this before! 😜 Thank you for the idea. I love your found poem!
That was my life about 15 years ago but I’m empty nest so I can have some quiet time in the morning before my school day begins. Small luxury.
“Thousands of doughnuts” / “magicians” made me smile within the roiled, soiled World lines, Margaret, TY!
The newsletter sources we have here NYT, WashPost [ this happens when you have an engaged public interest law prof in the house] with helpful looks at headlines of Reuters, NPR, BBC, we have much gratitude for, as written words make it unnecessary to keep up via images, which don’t inform our family actions for The Good, any more than words.
You have deftly selected & shared like the Poet You Are – sending so many Appreciations, with more warm cuppa charms, more games comin’ at, precious You.
Good eye, Margaret…there are some amazing lines that work together really well. This question and all the variables is really good. “Will it be a permanent cease fire
or AI or fertility that saves us? “
I love found poetry! And these lines that you have curated are almost kind of scary.
I thought so too.
So creative, Margaret. Love the ending especially: “Stop reading and take the quiz.” Found poems are little pieces of joy! Thank you!
I recall these feelings and these times in my life not many years ago, when I woke at 4 to have coffee, try to write a bit, and begin the day in silence around me until due at 7 at a job I also loved at an extraordinary early childhood center.
Your final lines, at once so specific and yet so global, pose a day spiritual question and self-assessment….they are wonderfully chosen, and memorable.
oooooh! firefly tree!