Thursday, January 23, 2020

Poetry Friday - Smiles in Various Ways


             Kat Apel at her blog hosts us today. Thanks, Kat for the somewhat good news of the fires receiving a bit of rain. Hoping that Queensland receives some soon, too. Kat also shares a fun poem with her own picture of a couple of possums and a different look at school because it's time in her part of the world for everyone to start the new school year--happy and exciting times ahead!


Starting in November, I've been reading a poem a day from Ted Kooser's Winter Morning Walks I love Kooser's poetry, his style, the way he writes about life, his metaphors, his "seemingly" easy way of talking to us readers. Kooser wrote these poems as he was recovering from surgery for cancer in 1998. He sent them on postcards to his friend Jim Harrison. I cannot remember how I learned about this particular book, perhaps someone shared it, perhaps in browsing at my local Indie? But I've loved it and it makes me look harder when I go out walking, too. Here is a taste of Kooser's words:


         from Rainy and cold:     "The sky hangs thin and wet on its clothesline"
       from Clear and at the freezing point, about his old willow: "sweeping the rusty roof of        
                                                            the barn/with the pale blue lacework of her shadow."
        from Gusty and forty at dawn: "Sunlight like honey this morning."

                                                                                                                                                                          There is a small lake in a park near me, where I walk often. It's elevated enough that I have a great view of the mountains while walking by the lake. I could see even more if I could fly! 

           If I would send poems on a postcard, here is one I would send.



With a Mountain View and Water Birds, too

I look, I listen, I watch them land--
splash, bump, glide.
They ignore me because
they own the sky, the water,
and the land.
It's cold today but remain they do.
The squawking and talking
makes me lonesome,
wishing I might glide along
to listen to the gossip, gleaning
some warmth from the sun.
             Linda Baie ©





              As I wrote in my recent Poetry Friday post, postcards give smiles, thus here are two more smiles I've received.  Thank you, Kay McGriff and Robert Ertman for these special words and images to send me happily into the new year.



from Robert, who tells me this photo was taken at the 
Washington DC Botanical Gardens:

Winterberry--
among fifty shades of brown


from Kay McGriff

stacks of books, rivers
of words beckon adventure
through the new year 

37 comments:

  1. Maybe you did glean some warmth after all, Linda. :-)
    I like "they own the sky, the water,
    and the land." I hadn't thought of it that way!
    All the postcards are so thoughtfully made. Kay's image is beautifully colorful.

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    1. Oh me too, Tabatha. I loved those words. And too, gleaning some warmth. Lovely way with words, Linda. (Also beautiful imagery in 'Clear and at the freezing point'.)

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  2. Thanks, Tabatha & Kat, being outdoors is a 'best cure' for everything it seems.

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  3. I have Winter Morning Walks. I love Ted Kooser's poetry too. He has a book of Valentine poems that I've read many times. Your poem sounds very much like Ted's, and it would make a perfect postcard poem. Thanks for sharing it today!

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    1. Thanks, Linda, we continue to have warmish weather so I'll be out walking and watching, somewhere!

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  4. Linda, thank you for sharing Ted Kooser's poetry goodness and your beautiful response.I love your ending:
    wishing I might glide along
    to listen to the gossip, gleaning
    some warmth from the sun.
    The poem sets the tone for a peaceful day. The sun is shining and I am in the mood for a walk because I see "Sunlight like honey this morning." Have a wonderful walk. (I also received those beautiful postcards from Kay and Robert.)

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    1. Yes, it is forecasted to be in the fifties today so I will go a wandering, Carol! And the postcard goodness keeps coming, such a wonderful thing. Thanks!

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  5. Thanks for all you've shared today. This post is a welcome respite from the depressing Senate trial. Love your photo and poem especially; the last part is so wistful. Did not know about Kooser's Winter Morning Walks -- will have to check it out. Lucky you to have received such wonderful poetry postcards too! :)

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    1. Thanks, Jama. I'm glad to introduce you to a new poetry book! Yes, the postcards are wonderful mailbox surprises!

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  6. Ah, I was right with you on that walk - lovely! I'll have to check out that Ted Kooser volume, too.

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    1. I imagine you'll love it, Tara. Hope so! Thanks for sharing so much of your place!

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  7. "The squawking and talking makes me lonesome" -- that hit me in the heart, Linda.

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    1. Aw, I was thinking about family when I wrote, Laura. Thank you!

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  8. Linda: I am a big Kooser fan also. I'll share a wonderful exchange with him later in the spring. For now, thank you so much for sharing his words and for writing your own beautiful poem and photo. Writing becomes more and more about listening...

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    1. Yes, it is all about listening, Karen. How wonderful that you like Kooser, too. Wish you were closer; we could share! Thanks!

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  9. I met Ted Kooser once, such a gentle man. I love his poetry. The lines you selected are wonderful for their simple imagery. I have his book The Poetry Home Repair Manual and get it out when I need a boost. Your poem took me to a place beside you walking in the beauty of the mountains and water.

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    1. That is wonderful that you met Ted Kooser, Margaret. I do love his books & that "manual" is so good and inspiring. Thanks!

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  10. Ahhhhhhh Kooser. I went to a reading of his at LOC a long time ago. It was lovely. Such a natural poet and you are right. He does make it look easy with his simple words. Lacework, clothesline. How those every day items become beautiful with his writing.
    I love how you glean warmth from the sun...how you want to be with the birds more than just a spectator. Your postcard is beautiful too.

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    1. And you've met him, too, Linda! Yes, his writing pleases me every time. Thank you!

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  11. 'Gleaning some warmth from the sun." I love this - and gleaned a smile from your observations.

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    1. Thanks, Sally, you've sent a smile my way, too.

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  12. Thanks for your "With a Mountain View and Water Birds, too" love this scene even without the image, I can see it, and perhaps the birds are taking you in too… Your poem takes me there, as do Ted Kooser's metaphorical lines–lovely post!

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    1. Thanks, Michelle, it was a pleasure to write.

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  13. I wish there was a mountain view where I could also see the water birds near me. I do love watching them though. Your poem is so lovely, Linda!

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    1. Thanks, Becky, but I love those ocean pictures you share, too!

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  14. Oooohh...Kooser's words are just delicious! Your poem brought me right along on your walk with those birds that "own the sky, the water and the land." Your poems glides right along with them even if we can't quite catch their gossip.

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    1. Oh, I love that last line, Kay. What a fine thought! Thanks!

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  15. Oh, that is just beautiful! I have a book of poems written back and forth-I THINK between these two poets. They are very brief poems. I'm going to look at my shelves later today. Okay, I couldn't wait. It's called BRAIDED CREEK: A CONVERSATION IN POETRY, and it's by Jim Harrison and Ted Kooser. (Is yours really to Jim Morrison? Or are The Doors in your head?) https://amzn.to/2S3uLp1 I think you'd love this book! THese postcard poems are great, too. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. OMG, I'm so glad you questioned my head being in The Doors. No, it really is not Jim Morrison, but Jim Harrison! Yikes, am sorry! I will look for Braided Creek, Laura, thanks for the correction and the book!

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  16. Thank you for sharing your lovely poem. I’m not familiar with Winter Morning Walks but I think it is one I will have to seek out.

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  17. I like the idea of working through a particular book one poem a day. Not sure why I haven't thought of that before. Epistolary postcard poetry exchanges over time--also a good idea. Thanks, Linda!

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    1. This book is dated through some of the winter months, so works well for a while, Heidi. I do like the idea of sending poetry each day to someone, too. Thanks!

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  18. Linda, those snippets you shared from Ted Kooser's book are stunning. I can see why you treasure it! Your poem is lovely filled with a similar deep appreciation for natural beauty and wonder. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. You're welcome, Molly. Kooser's poems are to be loved every time I read one.

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  19. I love Ted Kooser, too, Linda. I've had the joy of hearing him read his work in person, and it was wonderful. I love your poem, too. You should most definitely put it on a postcard and send it out into the world!

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    1. It's wonderful that you, too, had the pleasure of seeing and hearing Kooser, Karen. Thanks for sharing. I'm glad you enjoyed my poem!

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