“I have to tell you what I’ve learned, that I know now
what happens to the dreamers.
They don’t feel it when they change. One day
they wake, they dress, they are old.” Night Song [from Marathon]
~ Louise Glück
Okie dokie ~ Let’s do this thing!
I. The prompt poem:
Two Kinds of People, a ‘garland kimo’ by Selma Martin MOI
((What a great honor. Thanks so dearly.))
II. Selma’s prompt guidelines
- Theme: The beauty and perpetuity of the natural world that surrounds you;
- Think about the simplicity of a blade of grass or a flower petal, of how every detail IS a life of its own;
- Form: Any form;
- Length: No longer than 400 words, but not too short;
- If you write haiku or any of the short syllabic forms, please make it a long series where we can feel your surroundings.
Inspiration for this W3 prompt
Louise Glück (1943-2023) was a famed poet and essayist. (*Click* on her name to read more.)
In a world run by technology, now more than ever, it can be rewarding to unplug, go outside, and look to the natural scenery around you. In Louise Glück’s poem “Sunrise,” the narrator reflects on the still, beautiful landscape in the hills and how nature is always there, persisting, even through life’s ups and downs:
And if you missed a day, there was always the next,
and if you missed a year, it didn’t matter,
the hills weren’t going anywhere,
the thyme and rosemary kept coming back,
the sun kept rising, the bushes kept bearing fruit—–‘Sunrise’, Louise Glück
III. Submit: Click on ‘Mister Linky’ AT THE SKEPTIC’S KADDISH WEBSITE (link below)
Submissions are open for 5 days, until Monday, Aug. 26, 10:00 AM (GMT+2)
Fresh out of my soul, this poem:
THREE CHEERS FOR MORNINGS LIKE THIS
(317 WORDS)
Hill after hill, the canopy of trees goes higher and higher
Don't know where the yard ends and the mountain begins
It is wild out there on any sunless night:
raccoon dogs, wild boars, hares, owls, civets, rodents, more;
it's also home to wild lilies, irises, Purple Coneflowers, more.
As I sit reading by the wide open bay window
inhaling the fragrance of the Four O'Clocks,
imagining them playing hosts to the moths,
an owl hoo hoots poetry at the Sturgeon Moon
and now I imagine all creatures regarding Moon too.
Early next morning I turn to the mountains
the panorama, most beguiling at the break of day—
the sun slants at an angle on the forest floor,
splash splashing the underbelly of maple leaves
who call out to other trees for the chorus to begin.
But day breaks out much earlier than it used to —
Rooster thinks it's queer. I stumble out to soothe him in
a green day dress. I must look like the vomit version of a
green silver Lily in half moonlight, half sunlight. He scolds
and pours liquid shame over me. From inside I hear him
Chanticleering, rightfully claiming agency on the day.
When the wind kisses the leaves, I feel kissed.
When the Four O'Clocks drop their tired petals, I feel kissed.
I shall die on a morning like this and feel kissed.
And my tired body will break open like a river when an
agile body will flow and go on climbing hill after hill,
through the canopy of trees to take me higher and higher...
A giant Asian praying mantis zooms by, perches on the open
window, and as she stares at my open book moves her jaws in a
circular motion. She's reading, memorizing! I don't move,
nothing moves. Until she snaps open her wings, and reciting Mary
Oliver flies away into the ocean of golden light.
Copyright © selma
Thanks for this great honor.
Thanks so much for participating and for reading my work today.
(btw, we have no pets. The rooster I mention is one that lives in the neighborhood;
I borrowed him for this poem).
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Such a delightful poem, Selma. Congratulations on being POW this week.
Thanks dearly, Robbie. Glad you enjoyed it.
Pow 💥 😉 thanks for that too. I hope you participate. You’re good with long and short poetry. Well you’re good at many things. Bless you. Good night. 🤗
Thank you, Selma. I will think of something I’m sure 💕🌻
Now how could I be anonymous? It’s me, Selma! thanks Robbie. 🤗
A wonderful poem and inspirational, Selma! 🩷
Thanks, Cindy. I hope you participate. Or it’ll be lonely here this week. Bless you. 🤗 🤗
You’re welcome, Selma. Oh how cute of you… I’ll try to look since you invited me but no promises.. I can barely keep up. lol😂❤️
Go at your own pace sweetie.
Wonderful. I love the mantis “reciting Mary
Oliver flies away into the ocean of golden light.”
And the owl hooting poetry at the moon.😊
Aww. Happy to know you read to the end of this long one Melissa. Thanks for being this sweet. Happy you enjoyed it. Blessings. Awaiting your lines.
That’s my favorite part too, Melissa!
Selma ~ that idea of the mantis reading really made me smile… just delightful!
Much love,
David
Thank you, dear David, Sir. Delighted you enjoyed that inclusion… bless you and the best of the best in everything. You rock. xo
hi, Selma! 👋🏻
Just wanna let you know that this week’s W3, hosted by the wonderful Suzanne Brace, is now live:
https://skepticskaddish.com/2024/08/28/w3-prompt-122-weave-written-weekly/
Enjoy❣️
Much love,
David
Congratulations dear friend on being the selected poet. What a wonderful poem you’ve written to your own prompt. Awesome
Thanks for appreciating dear Sadje. Louise Glück raises the bar so high I had to give my words wings to “try” to fly. Thanks for reading.
You did a great job my friend
Congrats on being the POW! I can feel this poem, what a morning ❤️ Captivating 😍
Thanks Abolí. Happy you read and enjoyed. Awaiting your lovely lines.
You’re welcome ❤️
Beautiful, a morning like this would be lovely.
Happy you agree.
Awaiting your gorgeous lines, Diana dear. Knock it out of the ball park like you always do. 👏🏽
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This is so beautiful. I did chuckle about the comparison to vomit but it didn’t kill the mood at all!
Christine?
Lovely details Selma. Congratulations! (K)
Thanks dearly K.
I love spending time with you, with your descriptive words, thank you gifted poet. 💖
Aww. You are sweet. Happy you enjoyed this long one. Xo
Always do, thanks Selma and happy weekending to you! xo
Beautiful poem. Interesting words written in poem.
Bless you, Raj. Thanks so much
What a stunning poem, Selma, and one that reminds me of when we spend time in the outdoors, when inspiration ‘kisses’ me, nudging me into poetry or a story. I also love how Mary Oliver found her way in at the end. 🩷
Delighted you enjoyed this long one. Not as long as Louise’s but very long. Thank you. Spending time in nature’s arms is awe inspiring. I know you know this. It shows in your words and poetry 👏🏽
🤗
Exquisite, Selma. Congratulations on being the PoW and lovely prompt, I like it. 🙂
Thanks so much Kitty. Blessings
How different is our vision at the break of dawn… opening eyes on nature’s inspirations on our life’s journey – lovely poem and prompt for us Selma 💞Suzanne
Thanks for reading my poem. different as they might seem, the same—sort of like the sea, always different, always the same. I really enjoyed your poem this week. Thanks. Bless you.
I love the green day dress detail in your awesome poem, Selma. 💚 I wanted a pet praying mantis when I was a kid. 😁
A praying mantis. Oh my! You already had the makings of a creative mind.
Thanks for reading my long poem Lesley. Glad the green dress wasn’t a downer for you. Blessings.
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This is so beautiful! I just loved it. A wonderful prompt for us Selma, there is so much to rejoice in nature.
Heather. Heather of the photogenic House Finch, Thanks so much for reading and commenting. Blessings dear friend. 🤗
A great prompt, Selma! I shared one written while on our recent vacation to Colorado.
Gorgeous. Gorgeous dearest Lynn. Thanks dear one. Loved it. And the beautiful close up. How lucky. Bless you.
Words can do so much. Help, rest, urge on, remove pain or sadness and you knpw so well what to do with them. Cheers, Muriel
Muriel, so pleased you dropped in to read this long one. Thanks for the encouragement. Be well. Bless you in all you do. Thank you. Xo, Selma