Thursday, April 30, 2020

Poetry Friday - Finding Connections

  Liz Steinglass here at her blog hosts today on our first Poetry Friday in May! It's May Day perhaps the beginning of some better times. Liz has begun her May by airing her first author video, sharing poems from her wonderful book, SoccerVerse!  Thanks for hosting, Liz!


            There was much to sadden us in April, but also much to celebrate with so many writing poetry in April. I hope you all have read at least a few of the poems written and shared. The Progressive Poem hosted by Margaret Simon is complete, well, almost. Someone needs to create a title and it needs a bit of punctuation finished, though Amy LV did some. You will love that final line added by Michelle Kogan shared here! Not only did she write the final line, she sang the entire poem accompanied by her banjo! Wow!


        On the Poetry Friday before April 1st, I shared a poem about 'Scraps', my days changing because of this challenging time we now are living, finding it hard to settle down and the things, though nice, that were taking my time, though I moved often from piece to piece without a concentrated focus on any. My April did change that, my challenge to take those small wooden tree circles and create a poem and sketch from each. I did it and they helped me spend long and comforting hours writing and doing art. They certainly weren't all perfect, but they created a month-long capturing of strange April, what Shakespeare foretold and now I agree was "the cruelest month". I am glad I found such a challenge. You can read the list of my blog posts, including the kind of poems and the topic of each one up above. 

         And, this Pandemic time pushes me on. In my search for reading about other past Pandemics, I found the book that I'd read a few years ago about cholera:  The Ghost MapThe Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic--and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World, by Steven Johnson.  I'd forgotten it and now feel its connection profoundly. 
         In the time of the 1850s in London, the city had grown to enormous proportions, and the leaders were facing some of the biggest challenges ever faced when groups of people moved together. There were just too many people and too much waste to deal with. Some of you may know the background of this time in history, the time when most scientists thought it was the miasmatic air that caused cholera and other diseases. The experience of those contracting cholera was horrifying. but no more than what those with Covid19 flu are experiencing right now!  

          And I found this poem by Linda Pastan. It isn't easy to comment about people passing, but Linda Pastan does just that, about a time, perhaps in her own life, when saying goodbye was happening too often. And it feels like a connection from this past to our own now. I am heartbroken for those who have died during this time, and those who are struggling with many personal challenges. I'm trying to help where I can, hoping all who read this are staying healthy and helping if you can, also. 

Departures by Linda Pastan


They seemed to all take off
at once: Aunt Grace
whose kidneys closed shop;
Cousin Rose who fed sugar
to diabetes;
               the rest is HERE


26 comments:

  1. Linda, you were one of the people I had in mind when I was referring to the impressive feat of writing everyday. Hats off to you! And what wonderful poetry you wrote. I love Linda Pastan's work. So many are closing up shop these days. This poem makes me think of them leaving all together like the soldiers leaving for war.

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    1. Thank you, Liz. I am at a bit of a loss today to realize I have not poem to write. Oh, I will find another topic I'm sure, but after 30 days, it is strange. Yes, that 'leaving' touches others, too, like soldiers.

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  2. On of my favorite poets! I love Linda Pastan...and Departures is especially poignant right now. There are deaths that are not covid-19 related that we still cannot grieve in our normal ways because of physical distancing. It adds to the sadness. I admire your poem a day efforts. Your theme was super cool. I wished I had thought of something as interesting as your wood circles. I love what you did with them.
    Three cheers to the Progressive Poem. I really think it's the best one yet. I enjoy this community so much!

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    1. I agree about those other deaths. I visited the cemetary where my husband is and noticed a tiny group by a grave, evidently saying their goodbyes in a very different way that has happened before. Thanks for the compliment, Linda. That challenge really helped me through the month. And yes, our community is a treasure to us all.

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  3. I so loved your NPM project, Linda. Enjoyed every last poem and drawing; it was a nice surprise each day and something to feel good about during a tough month.

    Thanks for the Pastan poem; especially poignant and resonates a lot in view of what's happening. Thanks, too, for mentioning The Ghost Map. It does sound interesting and will help put things into some kind of historical context.

    Truly heartbreaking about those lost to the virus. You make a good point about how strange it is also for those who are mourning deaths from other causes, who also cannot gather and extend comfort and support. Perhaps an even greater tragedy is having an administration who sees these losses as mere numbers, a crisis something to gloss over and move onto the next thing because it's politically expedient.

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    1. Thanks, Jama, for liking my circles, sometimes whimsey, sometimes serious. They were a blessing for me to do this strangest April, felt more serious than other Aprils, actually. The Ghost Map was a fascinating book. I'd like to read of other times when people faced such challenges. It's helpful to know that we can make it through, but the politics of these days is the 2nd challenge. Onward we go whether we like it or not!

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  4. Moving poem Linda, and yes so timely. It's devastating thinking about the number of individuals that have and are loosing their lives to cover-19. But we need to remember all and be more prepared as we move forward. BTW I loved your daily poems for April's NPM, while I didn't comment on that many I saw and read most, and the art was lovely too, thanks Linda, and thanks for your uplifting spirit! xo

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    1. I do think of those lost every day, Michelle. Our local public radio hosts a blog where I can read about them sometimes, give a thought to them & their families. I'm glad you enjoyed my daily poems. It was nice to have something to focus on during the April days. And I enjoyed everyone's poems, another good part of April. Thank you!

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  5. She says so much in so few words. This is such a sad time, not only for those losing loved ones to Covid, but also to those facing other losses (some major, some minorish) that feel like just one loss too many on top of the pandemic. Some family members just had some bad news yesterday about both a close family member and a beloved pet. Too much.

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    1. I am sorry to hear of your sad news, Laura. It seems like day after day there is more that saddens us. I try to hold the good news, too, but sometimes looking ahead to a mystery makes it hard, too. Hugs to you today, and for all the days ahead.

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  6. I have found it hard to focus so many times this month, so I am particularly impressed with your poetry... every day! How did you do it? Anyway, thanks for your constancy and your thoughts, and my best to you going forward.

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  7. Wow. What a poem! I'm so glad you shared it today. It's a keeper. Loved your NPM project, Linda, and I hope you will continue to find creative endeavors that stretch your talents in so many wonderful directions.

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  8. Linda, I enjoyed reading the different parts of your post and admire your journey with the circles. I will "circle" back to read some of your posts, Linda. The poem, Departure, is one that makes me think more about the people passing away here on Long Island and in NYC. It is so sad. The sun came out so I am going to take a walk. I took one earlier in the gentle rain but my shoes and socks got soaked.

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  9. I agree, Linda, that this April has indeed been "the cruelest month." While we are weathering this storm so far, it feels like we have still have a long way to go. Linda Pastan's poem does resonate today. I loved the creativity of your project and all the writing those circle inspired. Be well!

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  10. This is such a hard time, but the important thing is to do what you have done -- put one foot in front of the other and keep moving, keep being creative, keep helping where you can. Thank you for your inspiring month! I LOVED your final poem!!

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  11. Linda, thank you for all you are doing to help others. I'm doing what I can also, but I always feel I should be doing more. I love Linda Pastan. This poem reminds me of last summer when we had to say good-bye to several in our family and some friends. It was such a difficult time. Writing is especially important during the hard times. Take care of yourself. xo

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  12. I appreciate everyone's comments, like a far away hug today. I had the pleasure of actually visiting a friend in her garden, staying far apart, but just seeing her was wonderful. Then my daughter & the grandgirls came over for a bit before dinner, lovely visit, again far apart. How I did April, a day at a time, writing, dreaming about circles - ha! - & enjoying the art as much as I could. Thanks, everyone! Be kind to yourselves & stay safe as you can!

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  13. A beautiful poem to share, Linda, and very timely.My father in law died a few weeks ago and we had one of those tiny funerals, which was sad - but the wonders of livestreaming meant hundreds of people watched on from the safety of home, which was comforting.

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    1. Oh, Sally, I am sorry to hear about your father in law. Yes, it is wonderful that people could still show their grief and caring through the internet. I send my sympathy to you and your family. I'm glad that the poem was a good one for you today. Thank you for sharing.

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  14. I thoroughly enjoyed your wooden tree circle/poem project for NPM, Linda! April was a cruel month, but your creativity and goodness shone through and helped a great many people (me included). I also want to note that I love, love, love your Eeyore quote on the header of your blog: "A little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference." True that! :)

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    1. Thanks for liking Eeyore's sweet words, Bridget. I just changed it recently and love that quote, too. And thanks for enjoying my 'circles'. It was a month hard to believe, but now I'm hoping May will be a little better!

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  15. It is truly terrifying, Linda, to think of crowded cities during pandemics across time. We were just watching the news and devastating footage from the slums in Mumbai. So terribly sad. Be well. -- Christie @ https://wonderingandwondering.wordpress.com/

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    1. I agree, Christie. There are areas all over the world that are so at risk. Thanks for coming by.

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  16. I think the only other poet I know who has the same feel for writing about loss is Marie Howe. Just a lovely poem, and I do love the ocean liner metaphor so much.

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    1. Thanks, Tara, I will look for Marie Howe. I know the name, but really am not very familiar with her.

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  17. It is hard to comprehend all the loss this pandemic has created--and will continue. Like you, I am looking to help where I can, but so often feel it is so little.

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