Reflections on the Teche

This month the Poetry Sisters challenge was to write a tricube. The tricube form is 3 syllables, 3 lines, 3 stanzas.

Molly Hogan sent me the list of prompts from the MoSt Poetry Center. The prompt I used was this:

“Write a poem of presence, in terms of being in a particular place and time, or of having a dynamic demeanor (such as in “stage presence”) or a feeling of an unseen spirit. Here’s an example by Arthur Sze, our new U. S. Poet Laureate:

Here by Arthur Sze – Poems | Academy of American Poets”

I borrowed the line, “Be here now.”

Every year as I begin to set intentions, I get the universal message of presence. I feel presence is essential to peace of mind, but it is difficult to find.

I have a new kayak. Taking the kayak out took some initiative and help from my husband hero. Jeff had the grandkids in the canoe. When I wanted to try to get the kayak out of the water by myself, my grandson Leo said, “Prove it.” That was all the challenge I needed to pull the 60 pound vessel onto the dock. I did it.

Here
after Arthur Sze

Be here now
Here frog croaks
Here wren calls

Be here now
Here stalk grows
Here tea steams

Be here now
Here oar strokes
Here strength comes

Margaret Simon

I want to thank Tabatha Yeatts who offered on Poetry Friday last week to do an art piece for our 2026 words. I took her up on the offer. I’m touched and amazed at how this speaks to my intention for the year as well as the tricube I wrote.