Starting to Stack
Photo by Amy LV
Students - Most years, I write a poem about firewood because I love trees, love wintertime fires, and love stacking logs and bits of wood. You can see 2024's firewood poem in the sidebar now or search it in the search box: "All of this Firewood."
Today's poem thanks a chore, and I challenge you to consider trying this. Thank a chore! It is easy to find ourselves complaining about or dreading chores, but usually, once our bodies get going, it can be possible to find a light in the work, to see how it matters, to make it as good as we can. This is true of anything: our attitude is largely a choice.
Did you notice the word soonhere in today's verse? You're right, it isn't a real word. Originally I had written coming days of snow, but then I decided to be more playful. So if you wish, go ahead - smush some words.
And the ending meter, all stretched out here? I realize that this breaks the meter I had set up. I might have written soonhere days of snow to keep the meter straight, but instead I stretched out the line breaks and words too - in the soonhere/days/and nights/of endless/twinkling/snow. When we write, we play. Words are swings and slides and bikes and jumpropes....play on!
Margaret is hosting today's Poetry Friday roundup over at Reflections on the Teche with a couple of beautiful original poems inspired by an interesting challenge that I plan to try. Each Poetry Friday, all are invited to share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship in this open and welcoming poetry community.
This week I wish you the good fun of imagining that a tree or flower or animal or object is thinking or feeling or talking...or all three! Have a playful party in your brain!
xo,
a.
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Love that you bring poetic play to a chore, Amy. I will look for a chore to play with -- and thank today.
ReplyDeleteI wrote this quote in my notebook to remind me - "Words are swings and slides and bikes and jumpropes....play on!" Thank you, Amy! Any chance you will be at NCTE this year? I haven't been in several years, but Philadelphia is practically in my back yard. Would love to see you.
ReplyDeleteI'll do my best to bring poetry into the cleaning of the bathrooms, but I'm not making any. promises!
ReplyDeleteI love reading about your word choices and play in writing. I need to write a poem to the chore of repotting a plant. The plant looks great at the top where we see it, but got waterlogged and breaking off at the roots. I repotted and said a prayer that it will reroot and live!
ReplyDeleteAny, I loved your firewood poems and especially the history and life the wood has lived. I imagine it sharing its secrets in the smoke. Beautiful image. And your "smushed word" is just right! Irene gave that suggestion at a recent webinar and it is a fun way to play with words. Have a good weekend!
ReplyDelete"Words are swings and slides and bikes and jumpropes....play on!" - Add me to the fan club for that sentiment. Lovely take on "chores" - I love imagining you in a beautifully handmade scarf and hat reading and writing by a happy, crackling fire....
ReplyDelete