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Thursday, November 23, 2023

Poetry Friday - Good Things Outside

   

            It's Poetry Friday, and Ruth Bowen Hersey is hosting HERE at her blog, There is no such thing as a God-forsaken town with a post that welcomes goodness this day after Thanksgiving, in America. She's written an ode to taxonomy and the good news from those who observe, organize, identify.  Ruth is now living in Kampala, Uganda, though I began to know and love her posts and poetry when she and her family lived in Haiti.  

              Also, it's the end of the month and the #PoetryPals have challenged us to write in the style of Valerie Worth. After re-reading some of her books I have, I am feeling very challenged. They are so good! Ruth also asked us last week to write about something good. I tried to connect the two, and use the Poetry Sisters' challenge also to include transformation as a theme. Thus, finding 'goodness' outside is what I do nearly every day. I walk, I venture down the block to get my mail. I travel to a nearby lake to watch the water birds. And, I note change. My continuing theme is #getoutside! 

The upper left photo was taken during the annular eclipse in Santa Fe.
The others are from my own home.

 

Get Outside

 

Shadows make their way

across my day,

art created 

minute by minute,

slipping across the grass, 

partnering with the sun.

They nap

as clouds roll by.

Then,

when sun’s up again, 

they refresh with the warmth 

of brick walls,

cement slabs,

patio stones.

Late day lines lengthen,

linger into dusk.

Sometimes they achieve

an eclipse masterpiece.

            Linda Baie ©



22 comments:

  1. YES, going outside and taking up the habit of 'noticing' is a joy that's always in reach. I love the idea of those shadows slipping, partnering, napping, and refreshing. The action words you use personify the shadow into a leggy dark display, dancing up walls. Love it!

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  2. Linda, I am thankful for your faithfulness to Poetry Friday! Your photos are so interesting and your ode to shadows lovely. I'm a sucker for alliteration, so I find this very beautiful:
    "Late day lines lengthen,
    linger into dusk."
    Enjoy these long late-day lines!

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  3. Oh, those shadows are busy...glad they get to take a nap. What perfect personification. Well done! I echo Heidi...you have been a dependable PF friend. Thank you! I wish you time to gather some more interesting photos and poems today.

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  4. Your photos are fantastic, and I LOVE that they get to nap when "clouds roll by!"

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  5. Thanks, everyone. I look forward to Poetry Friday a lot & treasure each of you, too! This was fun because I love shadows, notice them every time I'm out! It's snowing today, shadows are hiding under I guess! Happy Weekend coming!

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  6. Linda, your noticings are wonder-filled. I find your poem based on shadows quite interesting and creative. Your shadows helped make this a true noticing. Thanks for always being a great PF supporter. Have a wonderful weekend with family.

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    1. Thanks, Carol, It was a nice Thanksgiving with my family but the weekend is filled with the bookstore this time. Hope you'll have a good time with your family!

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  7. Linda, your poem so comprehensively capture a day in the life of a shadow. Close observation has been put to great use in your poem. I was not left in the dark at all...

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    1. Thanks, Alan, that is good news about you and the dark! Have a great weekend!

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  8. I love the way you lean into the shadows, Linda, with your poem and photos. Thank you for taking us with you when you embark on your outdoor explorations. "art created minute by minute" indeed. :)

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  9. Linda, I'm so glad you joined us. I am a fan of alliteration and love "lines lengthen,/linger into dusk."

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  10. Thanks, Bridget & Tricia, I'm happy you enjoyed the poem. No shadows today, sleeping!

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  11. I love the clouds "partnering with the sun," acknowledging how they work together to form shadows. Yes, it's wonderful to be outside as often as we can. Happy Holiday weekend, Linda!

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  12. Mmmm... a shadow napping till clouds clear. I love this image and the FEEL of this image, Linda. Well done.

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  13. Linda, great job channeling your inner Valerie Worth. I love the sweet shadow photos that grace your poem. Nice metaphors like "They nap / as clouds roll by."

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  14. Thanks, Janice, Patricia, & Denise. I've been at the bookstore today, so cold & snowy. Recently, the sun is back, sunset time. It'll be shadow time tomorrow!

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  15. Linda, I absolutely adore your napping shadows! I'm so glad you played along--this is a super poem!

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  16. And what an eclipse ending to your poem, shadows achieving an "eclipse masterpiece!" You masterfully wove all these elements– transformation and finding joy into your Valerie Worth style poem, Brava, and great pics too, thanks Linda,!

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    1. And, thank you, too, artist extraordinaire! It was truly amazing to see those eclipse shadows!

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  17. Gosh, this is just lovely, Linda -- and it absolutely took me back to the eclipse! I love the idea of looking at shadows rather than sun. Very Worth-ian indeed.

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    1. Thanks, Liz, as I wrote above, the eclipse shadows were amazing! Also, I just read & then left a review on Goodreads for your 'Full Moon Pups', an awesome book you must be very proud of! Thanks for that, too!

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