I think it fascinating the topics people ask for when asking you to write a poem. It’s such a wonderful moment of human connection that you offer. I just used the Norwegian cast on for the last project I started. I know I’ve done it before, but I had to look it up and sort it out again. (I did have to resort to a video!) That is a lot of guilt to carry about your mother. At whatever point we need it, I hope we all are able to accept help .... and that there is someone there who can and is willing to help. (Love the mushroom photo.)
Ah, projects! Don’t get me started. I start too many. I buy yarn. I buy fabric. I buy books. All with the best intentions. Now I want to do the poetry writing project. I miss meeting people and writing poems. But the weather is against me. It’s too rainy. Maybe I’ll just sit home and knit. While listening to Grover Gardner reading an audiobook.
I loved the first stanza of a Tiger poem, Rhinos like to ride bicycles, Kangaroos take the bus. What images ensue.
Also, the last part where you say we do our best (in caring for someone), but sometimes we don't feel it's enough. I had such an experience today at a craft faire. Wandering among the artists' booths, I came upon a elderly woman, more elderly than me. She was sitting in a chair next to a booth as if her daughter brought her along and parked her there for safe-keeping. I smiled at her and said, "That's the best seat in the house." Her beatific smile broke my heart. It went right to the sternum with its joy and pleading for more. As if she were asking me to sit and talk, like she was thrilled someone noticed her at all. Why didn't I stay and talk? I wasn't being rushed or called away. Was I afraid? And why? Her face haunts me now, her beautiful, beaming smile.
I’m going to write soon, I think, about wanting to rewind parts of our lives. I already have some metaphors lined up: Backspacing through life. The old one step forward, two steps back. What if we could do instant do-overs?
You made a difference in this woman’s life. Perhaps you could have done more. But, forgive yourself. We all scatter happiness seeds as we move through our days. Some of them fall on rich earth, the others on stones. There’s a parable about this….But the point is, we try, we fail, we try, we succeed. It’s our mission, our karma, our choice, our joy.
Bite off as much as you can swallow. You may have to walk away from the rest of the feast.
Good points, Fran. You're right about holding on to guilt for doing something not quite perfectly. And I'm wondering what life parts I would backspace. I've been reviewing my life a lot these past few years. In fact, if feels like I'm either preparing to die or needing a shrink. One reward of that is a plethora of poetry and story ideas. And if I change anything about my life, I wouldn't be sitting in this big tub of butter like I am right now. What would you change?
Well, I could do without the MS. But I am having so much fun, as you are, pulling poems out of the atmosphere, and writing about anything I want. Most of the backspacing I would indulge in has to do with regrets, and I am determined to banish regret. And guilt. But not memories.
Regret and guilt are two bitches I'd like to can. You know that Twix jingle tune? I use that to banish any thought or person that lives rent-free in my head. "Outta my head, get outta my head. You're not payin' rent so get outta my head." I'll be darned if it doesn't work.
I think it fascinating the topics people ask for when asking you to write a poem. It’s such a wonderful moment of human connection that you offer. I just used the Norwegian cast on for the last project I started. I know I’ve done it before, but I had to look it up and sort it out again. (I did have to resort to a video!) That is a lot of guilt to carry about your mother. At whatever point we need it, I hope we all are able to accept help .... and that there is someone there who can and is willing to help. (Love the mushroom photo.)
Ah, projects! Don’t get me started. I start too many. I buy yarn. I buy fabric. I buy books. All with the best intentions. Now I want to do the poetry writing project. I miss meeting people and writing poems. But the weather is against me. It’s too rainy. Maybe I’ll just sit home and knit. While listening to Grover Gardner reading an audiobook.
I loved the first stanza of a Tiger poem, Rhinos like to ride bicycles, Kangaroos take the bus. What images ensue.
Also, the last part where you say we do our best (in caring for someone), but sometimes we don't feel it's enough. I had such an experience today at a craft faire. Wandering among the artists' booths, I came upon a elderly woman, more elderly than me. She was sitting in a chair next to a booth as if her daughter brought her along and parked her there for safe-keeping. I smiled at her and said, "That's the best seat in the house." Her beatific smile broke my heart. It went right to the sternum with its joy and pleading for more. As if she were asking me to sit and talk, like she was thrilled someone noticed her at all. Why didn't I stay and talk? I wasn't being rushed or called away. Was I afraid? And why? Her face haunts me now, her beautiful, beaming smile.
Hey, I’m 73, too. We’re not elderly!
I’m going to write soon, I think, about wanting to rewind parts of our lives. I already have some metaphors lined up: Backspacing through life. The old one step forward, two steps back. What if we could do instant do-overs?
You made a difference in this woman’s life. Perhaps you could have done more. But, forgive yourself. We all scatter happiness seeds as we move through our days. Some of them fall on rich earth, the others on stones. There’s a parable about this….But the point is, we try, we fail, we try, we succeed. It’s our mission, our karma, our choice, our joy.
Bite off as much as you can swallow. You may have to walk away from the rest of the feast.
Good points, Fran. You're right about holding on to guilt for doing something not quite perfectly. And I'm wondering what life parts I would backspace. I've been reviewing my life a lot these past few years. In fact, if feels like I'm either preparing to die or needing a shrink. One reward of that is a plethora of poetry and story ideas. And if I change anything about my life, I wouldn't be sitting in this big tub of butter like I am right now. What would you change?
Well, I could do without the MS. But I am having so much fun, as you are, pulling poems out of the atmosphere, and writing about anything I want. Most of the backspacing I would indulge in has to do with regrets, and I am determined to banish regret. And guilt. But not memories.
Regret and guilt are two bitches I'd like to can. You know that Twix jingle tune? I use that to banish any thought or person that lives rent-free in my head. "Outta my head, get outta my head. You're not payin' rent so get outta my head." I'll be darned if it doesn't work.