I've been quiet here lately but I'm popping in to host Poetry Friday this week, and to share this beauty by Ellen Bass. This poem spoke to me, especially after the results of the election, and I hope it might speak to you too.
Hug each other, stand for what is right and good, and keep creating and embracing beauty.
And one other note on hope: Go listen to Dolores Huerta on Julia Louis Dreyfus's podcast, "Wiser Than Me."
Any Common Desolation
by Ellen Bass
can be enough to make you look up
at the yellowed leaves of the apple tree, the few
that survived the rains and frost, shot
with late afternoon sun. They glow a deep
orange-gold against a blue so sheer, a single bird
would rip it like silk. You may have to break
your heart, but it isn’t nothing
to know even one moment alive. The sound
of an oar in an oarlock or a ruminant
animal tearing grass. The smell of grated ginger.
Any Common Desolation
by Ellen Bass
can be enough to make you look up
at the yellowed leaves of the apple tree, the few
that survived the rains and frost, shot
with late afternoon sun. They glow a deep
orange-gold against a blue so sheer, a single bird
would rip it like silk. You may have to break
your heart, but it isn’t nothing
to know even one moment alive. The sound
of an oar in an oarlock or a ruminant
animal tearing grass. The smell of grated ginger.
....
(Read the rest here, at Poets.org.)
~~~~~~~~~~
Leave your links with the ever-helpful Mr. Linky:
17 comments:
What a poem, Karen - thank you for sharing. "the big dipper pouring night down over you" is an image that will stay with me. Sending hugs your way, and to us all... I didn't get a post up this week (Etsy orders!) but will leave a signpost.
Stunning : "a blue so sheer, a single bird/
would rip it like silk' and the line that Robyn mentioned. Thanks for hosting, hon!
This poem is such a beauty...that sheer blue like silk. My goodness. Thank you for hosting this week. I'm so glad to be here with you and the gang.
I feel drenched in that poem, Karen--thank you. And thanks for hosting!
Wow! What a poem! Thank you for sharing.
Ellen Bass's poem lands with some powerful reminders to seek answers within the restorative powers of the world around you. Celebrating and appreciating simple pleasures when the wider world is delivering turmoil delivers an essential balm. I can see why you chose this poem, Karen. It is most appropriate for these disturbing times.
Yay for Etsy orders keeping you busy, Robyn!
My pleasure, Tabatha. Poetry is healing. :)
Me too, Linda. xo
"Drenched" in it — I love that, Laura.
It's quite a poem!
I agree, Alan. This one reminds me of Wendell Berry's "The Peace of Wild Things" in that way.
A powerful poem, as others have said - and exactly the poem we need right now. Thanks for sharing, Karen, and for hosting!
Stunning poem, much needed this week. Hold onto beauty, never lose hope. Thanks for hosting this week!
Such vivid imagery! Sometimes it does feel like the big dipper pouring night down over us. Thank you for hosting, Karen! I can't wait to finish listening to the episode of Wiser than Me that you shared.
Thank you, Karen, I need that "blue so sheer' and we are lucky to have it often here in Colorado! I appreciate that you have shared Bass' wisdom here at the end of another challenging week. Many thanks for hosting!
Color leaves me breathless often too, thanks for sharing this rich poem and for hosting the Roundup!
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