Poetry Friday - So Much Remembering!

     It's Poetry Friday, and Patricia J. Franz is hosting on her website, Reverie, here! Be sure to visit to read her wonderful words about summer! And visit all the other Poetry Friday writers! Thanks for hosting, Patricia! 

      We ended August saying goodbye to so many people, great people, and you may know more than those I am thinking of: Dolly Parton, Tim Curry, Yayoi Kusama, and just yesterday, Gloria Steinem!  Among these, today I'm also remembering the poet, Wendell Berry! Of his poems, many know "The Peace of Wild Things", comforting all when feelings are low: "When despair for the world grows in me.. ."  

      I've also read some about him as a farmer, living all over the world, yet eventually he ended up a farmer in what he named Lane's Landing, in Kentucky. I've been to Kentucky numerous times because my grandson went to college there. It is beautiful land, one I'm not surprised Berry fell in love with.

       Though I've been in Colorado for a long time, I grew up in Missouri, with two grandfathers who were farmers. They, too, had gorgeous land, and when Joan Rush McCullough shared Shirley Thacker's recent Farmku, illustrated by Clara Elffers, I snatched it right away! 

       With those briefest of words, Shirley's haikus bring scenes depicting my own memories, then Clara brings them to life with her special print-making. Warm colors bring warm feelings on every page. Yes, I rode with a grandfather to gather the cattle each evening, gathered eggs from fussy hens, and learned to bottle-feed tiny lambs born a bit too soon. Here's a glimpse from the book!

          I am remembering, too, that today is the anniversary of my husband, Arvie's, passing. It's been thirteen years, and every day, something brings him to me. 

         Poetry's the gift we all love, right? In their own spectacular ways, Shirley and Clara in their book, Dolly in her songs, Tim in his voices, Yayoi in her paintings, Gloria in her strong voice, and Wendell in his words, all have given us poetry. 

         Hope you get to find and enjoy Farmku!

Poetry Friday - Speaking of Affordability

    It's Poetry Friday, and Mona Voelkel is hosting on her website here! Be sure to visit to see what she has shared, from a plaintive wishing rock! And visit all the other Poetry Friday writers! Thanks for hosting, Mona! 

       I've been walking out a lot, mostly early mornings or during twilight, when it's much cooler. My mail comes late, really! So I often have a mile circuit that ends up at the mailbox. My neighborhood shares banks of boxes! 

      And, as I shared last week, I am reading the news, fussing about much of it, and doing what I believe is helpful to those in need. People, lots of people, are complaining about the high prices, our recent crisis, it appears, of "affordability". Of course, think 'tariffs'! 

     Here's my tip for you: 

when stepping out

look everywhere as you go  

colors have no price tag

                Linda Baie ©

     I spent a bunch of time with Dolly Parton this week! Perhaps you did, too! And, I found this, among so many precious words.

         “If you see someone without a smile, give them yours.”

Poetry Friday - Lingering

   It's Poetry Friday, and Denise Krebs is hosting on her website, Dare to Care here! Be sure to read her poem about faith, which will make you realize the faith people do not lose! Thanks for hosting, Denise! 

       I hope all is going well with each of you, perhaps busy with writing, reading, with friends and neighbors? I was busy last week overseeing varied home repairs, not large, but taking time. I am still in charge of the bookstore inventory which also takes a couple of afternoons each week. It is always a delight to see what new books come in, and this time of year teachers appear to be culling their classroom libraries. We receive lots of books for kids, lovely for our customers! It has continued to be hot. I walk early in the morning, do any lawn work needed, and stay in, doing housework, reading or work the laptop! And I watch the shadows! 

Out the window - back yard! 

 

                                                                    Lingering

 

I like the way the shadows move,

and sit and watch the sun inform

from dawn until the eve

that which we should perceive.

 

In mornings our day stretches out

like pulling strands of yarn.

Then shadows disappear at noon.

I say “Oh no, too soon!”

 

In afternoon, the arc has moved.

Elongation is the goal.

Opposing morn; the lengthening slows.

Where do the shadows go?

 

                                                            Linda Baie ©

Poetry Friday - Another Time Together

  It's Poetry Friday, and Ruth is hosting on her website, There is no such thing as a God-forsaken town here!   Out of news that is often sad, she's brought us a poem showing "life is so fine"! Thanks for hosting, Ruth! 

In these days filled with mornings where one often dreads looking for the news, I found a quote that helps. I may have pulled it from one of your posts. I can't remember, but I love it, and read it every day, so thanks to whomever shared it! 

          “I shall no longer ask myself if this or that is expedient, but only if it is right. I shall do this, not because I am noble or unselfish, but because life slips away, and because I need for the rest of my journey a star that will not play false to me, a compass that will not lie…..Therefore, I shall try to do what is right, and to speak what is true.”     Alan Patton, “Cry the Beloved Country”

          And, I just got home from, the beach! My family again gathered for another trip to Costa Rica. I haven't kept exact numbers, but I believe this may be our 16th trip together to numerous beaches in the world, not too far, but far enough that takes us to new lands, new people, and to again being all together. It was a lovely and happy time!

 

night swim

each evening's view

Far from home,

A group settles.

Most leap

Into the waves,

Loving the hours we’ve

Yearned for in our memories.

 

                        Linda Baie ©

Poetry Friday - The Good in Memories

 It's Poetry Friday, and Jan Godown Annino is hosting on her website, Bookseed Studio here!   She's brought us a poem from far away, a paean to our dear earth, something to keep close, to keep well! Thanks for hosting, Jan! 

                      I know that you all may know these words from Tolkien, and yet, they are ever in my mind. 

       “I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.

        "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” 

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

         You may know that wildfires are in numerous places here in Colorado, some continuing to rage, no diminishing in sight. They are not near Denver, but the smoke is, making it challenging, dangerous for some, to be outside. I miss my usual times, but still have to do some things. This recent time brought a poem out of the smoke! 

A Chore Whirrs Up A Memory

finding solace in the everyday

mowing my tiny lawn

my old push mower whirrs me along

I spread the cuttings

like my grandpa showed me

adding free fertilizer

funny how those old words stay

keep me remembering my times with him

how he managed

hard days softly

Linda Baie ©