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Thursday, June 28, 2018

Poetry Friday State of Mind

       This final Poetry Friday of June is hosted by Denver friend Carol Wilcox at her blog, Carol's Corner. She's introducing a new poet and sharing some wonderful poems that offer good ways to live one's life. Thanks, Carol!


"In a day and age when all manner of things are believed against contrary evidence - hey, why not believe there's a little good in everyone. ~ Robert Brault

          I am writing. I am calling. I want everyone to have a seat at the table. And I am trying to find good things to appreciate in life. It has been a tough week, again. I suspect I should be used to it, but I'm not. Here are two poems I've written this week, the second adapted to the season from another poem, whose author is anonymous. You will understand my various states of mind when you read. 

news floods the airwaves
the only water in sight —
barren days
Linda Baie © All Rights Reserved


        State of Mind

For the books I read,
the fireflies' glow,
the picnics in the nearby park,
the home to which I go,
the lamps I light late summer’s eve,
the quiet wind sigh of the leaves,
the shout of children in evening’s glow, 
this is the summer
that I know.
Linda Baie © All Rights Reserved

   Enjoy your Independence Day with all that it means to us here in the United States!

27 comments:

  1. I love your second poem because it makes me forget about the rest of the world and take in, and appreciate the world of nature and our own small universe. This line is lovely,
    "the quiet wind sigh of the leaves."
    For my posting I spoke to your first poem this week, for I can't seem to let go of the news of the children being mistreated. Thanks for both, especially the second! I think it's important to celebrate in a small way the 4th, so here's to small celebrations in our own way.

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    1. I too am filled with the plight of those children, cannot understand the cruelty and now the incompetence of those in charge. And as I wrote, I sometimes need to look elsewhere to find some goodness. I'm sure your post is hearfelt, Michelle. Thanks.

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  2. Your first poem is clever. Your second poem is hopeful. May many share that summer you know.

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    1. Thank you, Kat. The contradictions of my days are here.

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  3. All the lovely things that summer can be...I'd rather think on these than on the news. Thanks for keeping a light on the good things in life.

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    1. You're welcome, and yes, I would choose those summer things, too, Margaret.

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  4. Linda, the news keeps shouting out the plight of what's happening at the border or even here in NYC with the <300 children who are housed away from their parents. It is shameful so I hear your cry and the use of barren days. On the other hand, your second poem allows me to remember and celebrate the wonders of summer. "the shout of children in evening’s glow" You might be interested in pairing this poem with a photo to create an image poem for my summer gallery. I am trying desperately to get to the finish line with my spring gallery.

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    1. Oh, it has been a horrific few weeks, Carol, and you may be getting more news about those children than I. Best wishes for your spring gallery. And thanks for requesting the poem. I will work on it for you!

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  5. I'm right there with you, careening back and forth between the horrible news and the glorious summer days. Thanks for writing about it.

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    1. You're welcome, Ruth, it is what we can do to help ourselves and not to forget those others who need us to keep fighting for what is right!

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  6. Like you and many others, I feel like I'm constantly pulling myself out of the abyss of these "barren days"to remind myself to celebrate all of the small goodnesses that you capture so beautifully in your second poem. Thanks for both of these.

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    1. You're welcome, Carol, it is the challenge of our days. Finding those small things is a joy for sure.

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  7. If nothing else, Linda, we can stand witness. Thank you for doing so.

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  8. Your summer poem is a lovely reminder of why we resist the madness of this administration. The fireflies were out in force here last night. It was magical respite from the news of the week.

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    1. Thanks, Catherine, so happy to hear about your fireflies. They really are magical!

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  9. I am with you, Linda, and I love your wise advice to focus on what is beautiful in this world, while working against the evil of our times.

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    1. Thanks, Tara, we will keep working, I know!

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  10. I like both your poems. It has been hard to find balance--between being overwhelmed by the news, speaking up and taking action and still trying to find some joy in life. Despite it all, there is much good when we look for it.

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  11. I love your list of summer joys!

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  12. Thanks Kay and Donna. I'm glad you enjoyed the words.

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  13. The lamps you light help more than you know, Linda!

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  14. News does flood the airwaves, and I keep returning to Langston's hopeful lament: https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/let-america-be-america-again

    And as these barren, fertile days of summer unfold, I'm trying to challenge myself to see that so much of what I hold dear is mine only because it has not been theirs. Your summer that I also know is not the summer of so many kids I grew up with and near, not the summer of so many of my students--which does not mean I can't find joy in it, but that I must bring awareness of my privilege now. It's hard and necessary work. Thanks for helping with that.

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    1. I saw that you shared "Let American Be American Again" on FB & twitter, hopeful & then I'm hoping many will hold it for their mantra, too, Heidi. Yes, I know that our summer does not mean for everyone & wishing does not make it so, either. We will keep on fighting despite the other's words that mean to scare. Thank you!

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