It is Tuesday and time to write a 'Slice of Life."
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Last week, I shared that my one little word for 2024 is ‘hold.’ Nine days into this new year, I am having fun writing one ‘summative’ poem a day, some aspect of the day that I want to hold onto – or that I am so preoccupied by, it has a hold on me. (I’d prefer all my ‘holds’ to be uplifting, but let’s be real – life isn’t that way.)
Basically, this is poetry as daily reflection. My poetry is weak/easy, mostly ‘free’ writing with no specific forms being used…I am not feeling especially proud of the writing itself. However, I am excited by how the writing settles me, allowing me to pause for a bit and review my day. It has been a nice intention for the new year – to stop and think about what I want to remember about each day.
I have lots of questions for myself, beyond whether I’ll be able to write a poem a day. I’m wondering if there will be patterns to what I’m writing about, if I’ll revisit the same topics over and over again. I wonder if my poetry writing will improve, especially if I try to write into new and different forms of poetry. I wonder if I’ll feel ‘called’ to edit, rewrite, or rethink certain poems.
For now, I’m just exploring. Here’s today’s poem – from babysitting three-year-old Bird, my granddaughter.
she tucks herself in now she never wants me to tarry at naptime insists I leave and she unwinds readies for bed all by herself she is growing up too quickly later I slip in to witness her stir from her nap she is snuggling under a blanket and laying right next to her its small head poking out is a plush small giraffe nestled under its own little blanket so dear did she sing did she coo did she hold the giraffe before its nap?
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Maureen,
I can see Bird! I can feel how bittersweet this moment is!
I’m excited for you and your goal of “hold” and poetry every day – I love the questions you wonder about your own journey ahead. That makes me feel you believe it’s exciting. 🙂
~Joy
Thank you! It does feel exciting to me.
Maureen,
I see much of your poetry as documenting Bird’s and Frog’s lives. What could be more important than that. It’s such a gift you’re preparing for these littles. I joined the Stafford Challenge to write a poem a day. It starts January 17, but I’ve written several poems this month and am almost finished preparing a chapbook to submit to Rattle. The deadline is Han 15. I’m sure I’ll write many bad poems and many short poems over the year, but I will write, even if it’s only two lines, like one of my favorite poems, “In a Station of the Metro” by Ezra Pound. No one is gonna tell Pound his poem is too short!
Glenda, you are filled with such fabulous ideas! I am so impressed that you’ve created a chapbook. Love that two line poem by Ezra Pound – you are right, even a short poem can be absolutely spot on.
Maureen, I love the idea of poetry as a daily reflection, a way of thinking intentionally about the day and the meaningful moments. This is a precious scene to bear witness to your granddaughter sleeping with the little giraffe. What a tender time, and oh – – I so agree that they grow up too quickly.
These days with grandchildren are absolutely flying by. Thank you, Kim!
Maureen, sorry for the delay in reading and responding to your post this week. First of all, I love your word for the year “hold”. Wow, I love this idea as time slips by so quickly and it’s easy to forget the lovely things that occur in our lives. Your poem is beyond precious. I love how you show what you have done for your granddaughter. She is surely blessed to have you as her grandmother. Thank you for sharing such a vivid and tender poem. Good luck with your poetry adventures!