Poetry Friday - Sometimes A Walk...

   It's Poetry Friday, and Carol Varsalona is hosting on her website, Beyond Literacy Link, here! She's welcoming Lady Autumn. Be sure to take a look and know the joy of those colors! Then, visit others who are sharing, too! 

        Among all the other egregious things happening in the U.S., I was recently alarmed by a Pen America article at the list of books being banned in both schools and libraries. Here's the fifty-two most banned in schools since 2021. FYI - Banned Book Week is October 4 - 10. https://pen.org/top-52-banned-books-since-2021/ 

       I'm sharing today that sometimes my imagination is wild when I go out walking! Here's a recent example! 

What Happens!

  

I’m out for a stroll.

What I don’t see

won’t hurt me,

will it?

Then imagination runs wild;

I am beguiled

By what I take

For a terrifying snake.

But looking again,

find a broken limb. 

Inside I laugh

At such a gaffe,

Keep walking along,

With a daydream song

 

Linda Baie © 

Welcome to Poetry Friday -- A Remembrance

 

         I'm both glad to welcome each of you and sad for this day of remembrance for what we know as "9/11". 

           My post last week was about remembering, and then, today is my week to host, and we are here, on September 11th, known for 25 years as "9/11", and we're remembering again. At least those of us who were alive- some growing up, some long grown. I am also remembering that it's my maternal grandmother's birthday. I named my daughter Sarah after her. She was not living on that day many will never forget, but I know she would rant and rail against those who did it, and if she could, step up to help in any way that she could. 

        I have been thinking about what it means to be a hero? Does it count if you didn't mean to be one, just jumped in to help save someone, and then, as so many did that day, kept going? I imagine each of you have numerous examples from that day.

         Then, I think about the day before, a Monday. The week before was Labor Day. Does anyone remember what they did that day? It started a full work week. Perhaps some were excited to start a new job? Or, maybe someone knew that the end of the week would bring good company, or simply another weekend of rest?

Let me tell you that life

can be hard-earned,

but still be lovely.

No matter the grief,

sometimes it comes with laughter.

We honor those still living,

also the lost,

those who gave with shadowed smiles,

walking in to help others--

Never forsaken,

remembered! 

          Linda Baie ©


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Poetry Friday - So Much Remembering!

     It's Poetry Friday, and Patricia J. Franz is hosting on her website, Reverie, here! Be sure to visit to read her wonderful words about summer! And visit all the other Poetry Friday writers! Thanks for hosting, Patricia! 

     SPECIAL NOTE: Still wishing all of you a lovely holiday weekend! I guess blogger commenting is back! 

      We ended August saying goodbye to so many people, great people, and you may know more than those I am thinking of: Dolly Parton, Tim Curry, Yayoi Kusama, and just yesterday, Gloria Steinem!  Among these, today I'm also remembering the poet, Wendell Berry! Of his poems, many know "The Peace of Wild Things", comforting all when feelings are low: "When despair for the world grows in me.. ."  

      I've also read some about him as a farmer, living all over the world, yet eventually he ended up a farmer in what he named Lane's Landing, in Kentucky. I've been to Kentucky numerous times because my grandson went to college there. It is beautiful land, one I'm not surprised Berry fell in love with.

       Though I've been in Colorado for a long time, I grew up in Missouri, with two grandfathers who were farmers. They, too, had gorgeous land, and when Joan Rush McCullough shared Shirley Thacker's recent Farmku, illustrated by Clara Elffers, I snatched it right away! 

       With those briefest of words, Shirley's haikus bring scenes depicting my own memories, then Clara brings them to life with her special print-making. Warm colors bring warm feelings on every page. Yes, I rode with a grandfather to gather the cattle each evening, gathered eggs from fussy hens, and learned to bottle-feed tiny lambs born a bit too soon. Here's a glimpse from the book!

          I am remembering, too, that today is the anniversary of my husband, Arvie's, passing. It's been thirteen years, and every day, something brings him to me. 

         Poetry's the gift we all love, right? In their own spectacular ways, Shirley and Clara in their book, Dolly in her songs, Tim in his voices, Yayoi in her paintings, Gloria in her strong voice, and Wendell in his words, all have given us poetry. 

         Hope you get to find and enjoy Farmku!