Finding a Poetic Treasure

With a back too achy to stay in bed, I slipped on my robe and shuffled in the dawn light to a cozy spot. "Poetry Friday"- yes, just what I need.

Pulling up the link, I began savoring the words of many talented poets and leaving notes for them on how they inspired me. (Thanks Tabatha for hosting)

After clicking 'send' on my last comment, I wondered what I would post.

And then the most delightful and unexpected thing happened. I found a poetic treasure, buried deep in my "documents" files. A poem I had long ago written, that took me right back to the moment, feeling all the "feels" and once again missing my mother-in-law, June.

Summer is letting go... falling into the arms of autumn.

Hope this reminds you of someone or some place that has been a treasure to you this summer. Keep on creating- writing down that recipe, blogging your thoughts, sculpting images to sit in you garden, taking pen or brush or recycled materials to express those treasured memories.

Like me, you may rediscover them as a perfect gift, just when you need them.

My precious mother-in-law, June,

making her famous tuna salad on the porch at camp.

Miss you, Junie!

Poetry Friday- Transitions

My body is home, but even a month later....

my head is still at Highlights.

7 a.m walks were the best way to prime for a creative day.

There is always a transition when you leave a place you love

and arrive back home to your everyday life.

You've been there. We all have.

The perfect place to write.

To this writer,

my retreat at the Highlights Foundation in Pennsylvania

has been a part of each day

since I got back.

There is something about

connecting with people who share your passion.

What joy!

And being out in nature made it even more wonderful.

Poetry friends- an endless source of inspiration.

Poetry has filled my head and my mornings since I got back.

Over twenty-five poems have been birthed since June 26th,

for a collection I am working on.

I'm in the flow.

But....

This excitement about writing has been tempered by several big rejections I got this week:

for a picture book, three poems, a memoir piece and even a Town mural proposal I submitted with my daughter.

Ugh! It doesn't get easier....

As you know, all part of a creative life.

So...

I continue to try to "go to Highlights" for a little while every day, inspired by everyone and every little thing.

Our inspiration rocks - mine was "seeds".

Hopefully some of the other outstanding subs will transition into acquisitions and an agent. Wouldn't that be nice? :)

So, in an effort to turn those "Literary Lemons" into lemonade, I'd like to take a dip into the "Poetry Friday Pool" for the first time today. Here is a verse poem I wrote on my first morning home from Highlights which expresses the transitional feelings I felt.

Have a good day, everyone and happy writing!

Cathy

Transitions

It’s the morning after.

Eyes flutter open.

“That’s right, I’m home.”

“I’m going to watch the news,” my husband says,

leaving me alone

staring at the ceiling.

I hear the loud mumble of newscasters

eagerly listing their stories,

one more urgent than the next.

My eyes squeeze shut to block it out.

I can feel my heart quicken.

I splash some water on my face

and join him downstairs...

because

that’s what I always do when I’m home.

On the couch,

everything is as it’s been.

But my head is at Highlights.

The images

shout for me to buy a car

or take the latest drug.

I grab the clicker and mute

It is too much.

I head upstairs

to find the quietest spot,

to open the window,

and let my senses carry me

back to the mountains.

I breathe in the birds

and words

and images of newfound friends.

I hear

the screen door snap shut on my cabin,

and buzzing meadow bugs searching for nectar.

I see

another poet on her early morning walk,

and rocks of inspiration.

I feel

gravel finding a new home in my shoes,

and sun on my face rounding the corner to the barn.

I smell

food lovingly being set out by workers,

up far before I stirred,

and the promise of creation hovering in the air.

The tv is suddenly turned off.

The house is quiet again.

I feel my heart lighten.

“I’ll make some breakfast,” he offers.

Soon, the familiar smell of coffee and bacon

slithers around the dining room wall.

I close my eyes

and I am once again

at the barn,

knowing my poet tribe

will soon be trickling in,

eager for their first cup.

©Cathy Stenquist

A story in just 50 words? Come on....

A sneak peek at my 46-word submission.

As a writer, I need to build many things into my story to capture the readers attention and make reading it a satisfying experience:

1. An awesome beginning with an immediate inciting incident. No dilly-dallying here :)

2. Just the right perspective in which to tell the story: 1st, 2nd or 3rd person POV.

3. A story arc with plenty of tension.

4. An important problem that has to be overcome that my future child reader will relate to.

5. A period of time when all seems like it is going well. And then...

6. Boom! An unexpected problem.

7. A satisfying ending that surprises and delights
   

And all, while leaving room for an illustrator to do their magic.

EricaLeigh Art creating her magic for my book FOREVER HOME.

In a typical picture book manuscript, I have around 500 words to use. Now, imagine doing all this in 50 precious words! Precious is the key-word here, folks... each and every word has to move the story along and be on trial for its life. And what if I want to rhyme?

Fa-Get-A-Bout-It!

Well this week it was time to decide what I was going to submit to @Vivian Kirkfield's

#50preciouswords International Contest. Click on this link to see the awesome submissions and perhaps to enter your own)

This morning I browsed through my writing, and found the one, and bravely hit the submit button one again. I believe this is my 5th year submitting to #50preciouswords. Woohoo!

Through the years....

Some attempts have been a bit wild

Fifty extra points if you can read this out loud.

 (Inspired by IZ DU TAK by Carson Ellis)

Some have even made it into a real book!

(This entry + a few more words, became my book, FOREVER HOME)

But the exercise of writing small NEVER disappoints and more than not, leads to a picture book manuscript. I never know what might inspire me. This year, I am entering a poem that I wrote during my wonderful classes with Renee La Tulippe's Lyrical Language Lab. What a class! I highly recommend it for any writer. (Click on this link to learn more.)

So....

With out further adieu...

Here is my 2024 entry - at a mere 46 words- A CHANGE OF PLANS. Fingers crossed!