Category Archives: Everyday Poems

Take Your Poet To Work Day

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Today is Take Your Poet To Work Day sponsored by the delightful folks over at Tweetspeak Poetry.

Today, Rumi joins me on my travels. I am a teacher on summer vacation so he is along for the ride. First up, practicing the piano. Lunch on the deck will follow. Then rehearsal of The Magdalene, which is coming up this Sunday. And finally, a meeting with Fr. Scott. I’m sure Rumi will be a welcome guest to our meeting.

It’s not too late for you to grab a poet and take her or him with you. Also, while you are there check out the GIFs created for today. They are a hoot.

Oh, and just for the fun of it, here is one of my favorite Rumi poems, The Guest House, translated by Coleman Barks:

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

Gravity

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I told you I didn’t want tonapofeature3
wear shoes, I can’t feel the
floor, I need to be grounded

You gentled me,
give up the gravity,
you promised I could fly

In trust I stepped tiptoe
lifting my heals
I gave up my ground, I let go

You were right
it wasn’t about the shoes
it was the gravity

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Author’s Note:

NaPoWriMo Day 13. I didn’t follow today’s prompt from the website.

Instead I was inspired by my favorite place to play, Tweetspeak Poetry and Every Day Poems.

Today my poem is drawn from the line – give up the gravity – from the poem Deep Noticing by Brenda Hillman, from Loose Sugar.

Inhale

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In this story, she knows no fear.
Softness of last light crosses her cheek.

The hush of evening’s calm enters her,
spirals inward, down. An afterthought

of day’s swiftness tumbles into moist earth
beneath her bare feet. His caress tenders a longing

deep within her being, this story hers, eyes closed
to what is, inhales all that could be.

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Author’s Note:

Today a little challenge from Tweetspeak Poetry and Everyday Poems. Use a line from a poem that shows up in my morning e-mail from Everyday Poems and create one of my own.

Valentine’s Day and the first line from the poem Khaleesi Says by Leah Umansky, author of Domestic Uncertainties, is my inspiration.

Release

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There was no going back
Rather, there was
No going forward any longer
It would only be back
Deep into the dark

The light would fade
Slipping farther
Out of the blaze
Into obscurity
Not meaning to exit
Not yet anyway

But it was done
And when all is done
Release
Becoming night

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Author’s Note:
The photo prompt comes from Everyday Poems. I was also inspired by one of the regular poets on the site, Reno King Lawrence whose poetry I always enjoy. I never heard of Francesca Woodman but was moved by her photography and story. Thank you to both Reno and Everyday Poems.