Thursday, June 15, 2017

Poetry Friday - Nothing Better Than Play


         Thanks to Carol Wilcox at Carol's Corner for hosting our Poetry Friday.  


        “It is a happy talent to know how to play.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
















     My granddaughters stayed with me a couple of days and nights earlier in the week. Their mother was on a work trip so we planned their stay to give their dad a few days off. We often go lots of places, but they are in day camps since school is out. What did they want to do? Stay home and play. And play they did, including Legos, Harry Potter pretend dressing up, a tea party, Old Maid, and reading books. One place we did leave the house for was for a nearby sprinkler time for cooling off. But even then, when we arrived home, they flew up and down the sidewalk "flying" with their towels." My poem today reflects the idea of being present and grabbing the memories because time really does go so quickly.

Here And Now

Days dangle like sweet apples
in the back orchards of my mind.
Today I’ll dream opportunities
for occasions of a memorable kind.

As years pass by I often try   
to brake with supernatural powers.   
There’s no other thing goes faster
than seconds, minutes, hours.

I’ll capture a parcel of my life,
keep the present from slipping away.
It helps to love the lastingness
of the tick-tock of today.
                Linda Baie © all rights reserved

        One thank you to all who come by to read my posts when you can. This is my 1499th post! It's a blog of stories and poems and celebrations through the years. I am grateful for the company along the way.

44 comments:

  1. Last night I attended the funeral of a father from my school. Fabian, who was 33, the stay-at-home father of four girls at my school. died after complications from liver surgery. Your poem captures how I am feeling this morning. All we are promised is right now, this very second and we need to celebrate right now. Thank you!

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    1. I read about this family, Carol. I'm so sorry for their loss. Yes, right now is important. Thanks!

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  2. 1499th!! You are really making the tick-tock of today last by preserving them in posts. "There’s no other thing goes faster
    than seconds, minutes, hours." -- so true!

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    1. Thanks, Tabatha, it's been a challenge and lots of fun connecting with others in our world, like you!

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  3. Play and relaxation and just letting go are so important no matter your age. Sounds like your granddaughters had a ball. Love your poem with its reminder to make the most of every minute. Congrats on 1499 posts!

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    1. Thanks, Jama. I thought of you when we had our tea party, know you would have liked to come, too (tehe), and perhaps a few bears?

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  4. Congrats! I love visiting, Linda. Today's poem is so reflective. I love the line, "I'll capture a parcel of my life"

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  5. I am visiting my parents and realizing that these times will end one day. They are healthy now in their 80's and I want to cherish every moment with them. "Keep the present from slipping away."

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    1. Yes, you're right, every moment counts, Margaret.

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  6. I love it! Your granddaughters will have such beautiful memories of time with you!

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    1. Thanks, Ruth, I hope so. I have wonderful ones with my grandparents, so I had good models!

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  7. Well, all that practice (1499!) makes for perfect posts, like this one. Thank you.
    Such a blessing you are to those beautiful girls, as they are to you, making simple, soul-nourishing memories in the "tick-tock of today." XO

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    1. Thanks, Robyn, lots of words have passed on this blog. I'm amazed myself!

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  8. That's a lot of posts--and lots of memories captured to revisit on another day.

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  9. I loved these pictures on FB, Linda - and you've written the perfect poem through which to capture these grand (daughters!) times.

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    1. Thanks, Tara. Those moments are important to me as you probably know.

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  10. Linda, I love the message of poem, and I really loved "Days dangle like sweet apples." I'll be thinking of your poem next week while my granddaugther stays with me. I try to hold make the time we spend together memorable. Thanks for your poem.

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    1. I hope you have a wonderful time with that granddaughter, Linda. Always a delight! Thanks for telling me.

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  11. The images of your sidewalk sprites lift me up, Linda.
    Appreciations for so beautifully sharing how we live for Moments.

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    1. Thanks, Jan. I'm happy you enjoyed those pictures. It was such fun to see them run and "fly".

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  12. One of the things I love so much about working with children is the way they help keep my spirit young, and help me find the joy in life!

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    1. Well, you know that I agree, Jane. It is joyful always.

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  13. I love those sweet, dangling apples to start! And I also love that two little girls chose to stay home and play. That's me! I love to stop. I put down roots over holidays and you have to dig me out at the end. :) As to kids and memories and growing... If only we could keep all our special moments as forevers. (Because how would we ever choose, if it had to just be one 'time'?)

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    1. It is just right to stay home and "play", isn't it, Kat, even for adults? Thanks for telling me what you love, too.

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  14. Wow Linda, What an accomplishment 1,499 posts Hooray! Your poem is beautiful and full of life, wish we could slow that "tick-tock of today," down. Cute and energetic girls too, thanks for all!

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    1. You're welcome, Michelle. Of course I'm wishing it, too!

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  15. I love it....and continue to enjoy the glimpses you share into a beautiful and close grandparent relationship. Your grandaughters are getting so much from knowing you. I love the image of days dangling like apples. It's so true! Have fun and rest up when you can.
    Congrats on 1,499 posts! I feel so lucky to have found your joy in words here. Best wishes for many, many more posts.

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    1. Thanks, Linda, I'm glad that you've joined us here at PF and other places.

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  16. I love how the "tick tock of today" slows down during the summer. Thank you for sharing these lovely, joyful thoughts and words. -- Christie @ https://wonderingandwondering.wordpress.com/

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  17. Congrats on 1499! Keep 'em comin'!!

    And, YES to savoring every single moment!

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    1. Thanks, Mary Lee. I will do that savoring for sure!

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  18. So happy to be part of the tribe that follows you! Congrats on a magnificent milestone. Haven't stopped by your celebrate post yet, but how fun that it will be 1,500! And doubly happy that we've met in person and enjoyed getting to know each other that way too! I love these grand moments shared with your grand girls and seeing the joy on their faces as they play. They're so lucky to have you! I love your final two lines, especially that phrase - "love the lastingness."

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    1. Always wishing you at least lived across town! Thanks, my friend!

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  19. I just love this post, Linda, especially the last two lines of your poem:
    " It helps to love the lastingness
    of the tick-tock of today."

    What a great reminder to live in the beautiful now rather than fixating on the anxieties and aspirations of tomorrow or yesterday.

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    1. Thank you, Violet, every day can be a blessing if you let it.

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  20. "Days dangle like sweet apples" is such an enticing opening line! It evokes so many memories of summer. Your granddaughters are lucky girls, and will have so many happy memories. Congratulations on your 1,499th post! You are an inspiration in so many ways, Linda!

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  21. That is precious. I hear "the tick-tock of today", too. Loud and clear. Speaking of which, my postcard to you will be a few days late. I haven't had time to get it all together yet. But I haven't forgotten!!

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    1. Thanks, Brenda. Whenever it arrives, I know I'll be delighted!

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  22. The opening stanza of your poem is so beautiful, Linda. I'm glad you're continuing your role as educator through your blog. Thank you for sharing your gifts and insights!

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    1. Thank you, Laura, too. It's nice to hear from you!

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