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Thursday, October 12, 2017

PoetryFriday, the 13th

       Irene Latham at Live Your Poem hosts this week's Poetry Friday, which happens to be the 13th, thus Irene has shared thirteen wonderful things for today! Be sure to visit and read her list, then visit everyone's else's post on this somewhat spooky day!



         I'm headed for a Highlights workshop this Saturday morning. It's tricky getting there, so I have to travel a day early in order to be there on time for the Sunday start. I'm excited to write with Georgia Heard and Rebecca Kai Dotlich again, and this time, among others, I'll have the wonderful opportunity to spend time with Diane Mayr and Janet Clare. I've met each briefly, but this is different. It will be lovely to sit and talk and write together!

        I'm happy NOT to be flying on Friday, the 13th, today! I know, it's only superstition, but no matter how much I try to ignore them, I continue to stay away from under ladders, watch out for a 13th step, and keep umbrellas closed in the house. I grew up with a superstitious grandfather who taught me well!


         Here's a quote by Judith Viorst.  

      "Superstition is foolish, childish, primitive and irrational - but how much does it cost you to knock on wood?"

         And a poem "comment"!

A Query And An Answer 
It’s fascinating
to contemplate
the crack
on the sidewalk,
to surmise what
sort of person could
possibly believe that
even a faint touch
could harm someone.

Who created this myth
that utters threats to youth
to beware of their
actions,
to check all their
Impulses,
to mind what they’re
TOLD?

It has to have been
someone’s mother-
wise in her discipline
or wicked, or just
plain tricky.
                                          Linda Baie ©All Rights Reserved



34 comments:

  1. Linda! I got lost there for a moment, do forgive me. :) SO EXCITED for your HIghlights adventure... please give hugs to Diane and Janet... I am wishing you four leaf clovers and wordswordswords! xo

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  2. Enjoy your time at the Highlights adventure! I suspect it will be fabulous, and I can't wait to hear about it! I enjoyed your superstitious poem! Evil trickery, indeed!

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    1. Thank you, Kay. I do wonder where all these admonitions begin!

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  3. I also wonder who comes up with these warnings that make us stop & think. Your Highlights workshop sounds heavenly--enjoy!

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    1. I remember our good time together, JoAnn. Thanks!

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  4. I'm not so superstitious...really...I do take note of some of the superstitions that have been handed down. I think they're kind of fun.
    Have a great time at Highlights!

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    1. They are fun, and if I happen to do "something" warned against, I don't worry, but I do notice! Thanks, Penny!

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  5. I hope you have a fabulous time at your Highlights workshop! What fun! Your poem was so much fun to read and I would agree, I bet mothers are behind them all!

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    1. Thanks, Leigh Anne, I know it will be fun and inspiring and lovely. Yep, it's those tricky moms!

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  6. Oh, I'm jealous, Linda! I'd love to be there writing with you and Diane and Janet. You're off to a great start with this Friday the 13th poem. I'm going with your supposition that the tricky mother started it all!

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    1. It would be wonderful to have you there, Michelle. You've inspired me quite a lot these recent years! Yes, moms have a few tricks up their sleeves! Thanks!

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  7. Can't wait to hear all about Highlights! Those silly supertisions! Great ponderings

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    1. Thanks, Linda, it will be fun! Between the 13 things from Irene, five from Brenda & Carrie's curses, it's definitely a day to ponder!

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  8. I love your conjecture poem about who created that sidewalk crack warning. So clever! Have a wonderful time at Highlights. Happy creating!

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    1. Thanks, Molly, I'm hopeful for some new poems!

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  9. What a perfect poem for Friday the 13th. And I know you'll enjoy the Highlights workshop! Hopefully you'll give us a second-hand taste one of the Poetry Fridays coming up.

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    1. I certainly will share, Violet. It is wonderful to be there, and always a new experience, too. Thank you!

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  10. I love your poem, Linda - it's always the mother! Looking forward to reading about your Highlights experience when you get back. =)

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  11. That curse! It gives children "permission" to jump around, dancing through the hallways in order to keep their mothers safe!

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    1. Ha! I never thought of it that way, Mary Lee, and do think it's amazing that kids still know these old sayings.

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  12. Mothers can be tricky. You have to watch out for them. But kids love hopping the cracks. :-) Have a wonderful time at your poetry feast.

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    1. Thanks, Brenda, as I said to Mary Lee, I'm surprised that kids still know about this warning!

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  13. Have a wonderful time at your workshop! And I wonder who DID come up with that crack thing.

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    1. Thanks, Ruth, I will. Perhaps a little research is needed?

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  14. I still try to avoid cracks, even now! Those things we learn when we're young can be hard to let go of. (I think Mary Lee may be on to something, though...)

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    1. Yes, I think about them, too. We were taught well, I guess. Thanks, Tabatha.

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  15. So many PoetryFriday peeps have mention Highlights workshops... and today I find myself wondering, what are they!? (And why haven't I ever wondered this before???) Either way, it sounds like it will be a rewarding weekend for you. Enjoy!

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    1. They are various lengths, short weeks of writing in various genres led by talented writers at a special place in Pennsylvania owned by the Highlights Magazine group, who also owns and operates a couple of publishing houses. Here's a link, Kat! https://www.highlightsfoundation.org

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  16. Of course it was someone's mother! No, wait--surely it was KIDS who made that one up. But ladders and black cats sound adult to me, and smashing mirrors and a pinch of salt over your shoulder.
    You do know this great song, don't you? In my Top 100 of All Time...
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CFuCYNx-1g

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    1. Oh, I'd forgotten, should have posted it, too! Yes, guess it might be a mixture of who created all these "rules"! It all depends on the POV, doesn't it?

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  17. Here's a few
    knock-knock
    n'knock knock
    knock …
    for you to carry through your poetry retreat–hope it's fabulous!
    Tricky and fun poem, though I'm a bit superstitious myself and often avoid cracks if I remember. And a shout back to Heidi for posting Stevie Wonder's wonderful song!

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  18. I'm trying to remember which family superstitions we've passed along to our children. Very few, I think. It makes me a little sad -- as you point out, they are a connection from generation to generation.

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