A Little Peaceful Poetry

Happy Poetry Friday! Today's poem takes us to the oceans' edge, as the morning symphony is about to begin.

My inspiration for today's poem:

Imagining I am at an ocean front cottage, early on a crisp salty morning, hands wrapped around a cup of hot coffee anticipating the sunrise. I open the door and take my seat in nature's auditorium, readying for the concert to begin.

Grab your coffee, pull up an Adirondack chair and enjoy. :)

Hope you will stop by the blog of this month's host, Irene Latham @ Live Your Poem, to see her lovely poem, as well as the other poets listed in her comments. It will be peaceful time well spent. Have a great weekend!

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