Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Poets United Midweek Motif ~ Happiness


               BY JANE KENYON
There’s just no accounting for happiness,
or the way it turns up like a prodigal
who comes back to the dust at your feet
having squandered a fortune far away.


And how can you not forgive?
                                  . . . .   (read the rest of this remarkable poem HERE at the Poetry Foundation.) 

~

Midweek Motif ~ Happiness



For this week's challenge I picked two poems for inspiration ~ one above by Jane Kenyon and one below by Marian Kent. 

Your Challenge is to respond to one of these poems OR to choose one or two lines for your jumping off place.  






Today I’m five. Too young for sentimentality,
but old enough to appreciate that I’m riding
in a Volkswagen microbus sitting on a cardboard
straight chair between my folks in the front seats

singing along with "Afternoon Delight" when my dad
says She knows all the words to all the songs,
just like her Aunt and I beam with something like
five-year-old pride and never forget it ever.

And then we arrive at our new house, new house!
which by the way is a big tall two-story new house
with a railing on the front steps that’s made
for swinging, so I swing, attracting the notice

of some neighborhood girls, girls! and we girls
go running down the sidewalk across the backyards
through the lumberyard to the railroad tracks
and lob iron ore pellets just for good measure.

Then we’re all in Linda’s screened-in front porch
pumping the porch swing singing in four-part harmony
(altogether now) ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE da da da da da.
And you know, that’s still true, all you need is love.
 ~

       


Please:  
1.    Post your Happiness poem on your site, and then link it here.

2.    If you use a picture include its link.  
3.    Share only original and new work written for this challenge. 
4.    Leave a comment here.
5.    Honor  us by visiting and commenting on others' poems.


(Next week's Midweek Motif will be Social Good.)


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61 comments:

  1. Welcome, Poets United. I started a little early so I could check in before an 8 am check up at my doctor's office across town. Good thing I did, too, as it was a surprise Mr. Linky crash day. But all is fixed and today promises lots of happiness. Meet you back here later. Have a great day.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hope the check up ticked nothing but good boxes for you.

    We are off to the big city and I don't own a phone nor tablet, so visiting later today.

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    Replies
    1. Glad you played today! Looking forward to seeing you later. The checkup gave me some tasks, but all easy stuff.

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    2. And my trepidation about weekend events feels easier too. All it took was writing, making contact, and enjoying my regular Tuesday evening at a play reading in Malcolm X Park. Thank you for the proverbial hug.

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  3. good morning susan...
    i went to a place that makes me happy
    on multiple levels....
    hope that check up goes well for you today...smiles.

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    Replies
    1. All is well. I liked your lion's roar today very much. My 2 days at the Jersey shore reminded me of great mornings at Virginia Beach before classes in Williamsburg. I will go again and again, God willing!.

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  4. Thanks for the happy prompt Susan...and hope you come home happy :)

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    Replies
    1. Yes, happy. And happier still from reading your poem! Now I've got to pass that on.

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  5. It's been a while, but I wanted to drop in and say hello.

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    Replies
    1. How wonderful to see you and to read a fresh Laurie poem! I'm happier for it.

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    2. Yay Laurie, wonderful to see you!

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  6. Good prompt, Susan! Wishing everyone much happiness!

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  7. Good morning, poets! Susan, I enjoyed the prompt and the poems you feature.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Gabriella, for this comment and for the memories.

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  8. Wonderful readings! I needed that!
    And the Doctor's visit this morning went well with nothing huge or urgent to deal with. The rain cleared in the last half hour and the mugginess is gone.
    Carry on, Poets United! More!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am so glad the doctor's report was positive. Awesome. Onward, pilgrims!

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  9. All days are better when we add a bit of happiness, and today seems to need it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It did, does. Thank you for being here today and over the weekend when things were tough. I read a poem at your site, but didn't know whether to post it for you or not. See you later?

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  10. Thanks for the prompt Susan. It's always good to focus on happiness rather than all the alternatives. Enjoyed the poems you cited.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Myrna. You truly worked with the motif. Very fine.

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  11. Nice to see Marian's first recorded happiness, and of course, hear the Beatles again.

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    Replies
    1. Yes. I found this poem to be unforgettable. Thank you for enjoying, Jo-hanna, and for letting me know.

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  12. Hi everyone! I'm sorry if my poem doesn't follow the rules because it was written and posted before the Midweek Motif: Happiness that is today was posted. I hope you all forgive me for that. I also wrote a poem yesterday about the passing of beloved comedian/actor Robin Williams. All are at my blog. Stop by for a visit. love you all!

    Jamztoma
    jamztoma.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. See, now? I didn't know that and now I have to harrumph! Thank you for sharing this fine piece, though.

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  13. I think Marian's poem captures exactly the full hearted happiness possible when we are children.........so happy you included it here as I had somehow missed it and it is not to be missed. I am hornswoggled right now, but I will write to this prompt, even if I am late. And I will read all of the wonderful links later this afternoon for sure, cant wait.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Who hornswoggled you, Sherry? Let me know and I'll give them a talking to! Isn't Marian's poem splendid? It's from a year ago, but I found it unforgettable. We'll wait for you, Sherry, no rush. This prompt will be active all the way to Friday. Have a happier afternoon.

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  14. awww.... thank you, Susan. wonderful! looking forward to reading happy poems.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey! It's the poet! Look, everyone!
      It's been a lovely day, a great deal thanks to you.

      Delete
  15. Hi Susan. I am new here.
    Till when can we link our poems?
    Thanks.

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    Replies
    1. hey nimi...this stays open til the sunday i think...
      susan can answer you more precise when she steps back in
      so you have a bit of time left...smiles.

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    2. Welcome Nimi! I just woke from my second nap of the day ... This prompt never actually closes, but I only read here through Saturday at noon. And then, you are also welcome to post at Sunday's Poetry pantry the day after.

      At Poets United, those are the two sharings a week--mine prompted and Mary's on Sundays not prompted. The rest of the week we have very wonderful interviews with Sherry and Poems and Poets from Rosemary.

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    3. Thanks Brian and Susan... Look forward to being a part of Poets United

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  16. I enjoyed reading the poems by Jane Kenyon and Marion Kent! My poem is a little bittersweet this week, but I am glad to be sharing and reading poetry here. :)

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    Replies
    1. You are very welcome, Judith. My poem is bittersweet too. But to glimpse happiness TODAY is something, whether bluebird or daisy.

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  17. Will be around - make me happy! PS putting a comment might seem difficult on my blog - no problem, your visit is kindness enough!

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    Replies
    1. I didn't figure it out, but I loved the visit! So welcome, Hamish. Thank you.

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    2. Hamish, can you tell me how to make a comment? I love "my eyes kissed the sky"!

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  18. i think i m a bit late... i really enjoyed the second poem... reminded me of when i was five... :)

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  19. oops, first-time comment didn't make it. In case it did, kindly forgive me ;-)

    So:
    It's been a while, but I'm really happy I peeked here and took the prompt!

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    Replies
    1. I'm happy that you joined us with those beautiful bottles. When I "got" the full imp-plication of your poem I had to laugh. Wow.

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  20. Came across this by accident and coincidentally, the verse I wrote had some semblance of similarity to the challenge here and so went ahead and added my link to the linky

    This space is cool :) will be back to check out more

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    Replies
    1. You are very welcome. Please do return and comment on the work of other poets here.

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  21. Some beautiful poems on this most elusive and desired of human states

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    Replies
    1. Yes, aren't they? Yours, too. Thank you for joining in on our challenge.

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  22. I think Kenyon inspired the bittersweet. Happiness is not all giddy and easy to attain. Thanks Susan this hit at the point I needed release this week. Hugs!!!

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    1. I liked that Kenyon talks of regaining happiness and not always having it. Your poem is splendid. I am delighted that this tight powerhouse of a poem started out here.

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  23. I look forward to reading the entries...may take me a few days...as I will be away from my computer at work. Hope everyone has a great weekend. :-)

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    Replies
    1. Yes, take your time, It is so good to see you at the end of this week that has so tested our view of happiness and happy people. And if we lose sight of it for a minute, we can find it again. Have a nourishing weekend.

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  24. Both beautiful. I don't do poetry, but I love to read them.

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    Replies
    1. Welcome. Be sure to leave comments for the poets ...

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  25. Susan, lovely poems you shared. I'm happy to have found Poets United.

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    Replies
    1. You are very welcome. i hope you will read, respond, and leave your own work too. Wednesday we're prompted, Sunday is open, and the rest of the week we have interviews, poems we wish we had written, and the living dead--all fine reading and discussions.

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  26. If you haven't read Mary Oliver's "morning poem" lately, you might want to read it today. Here's the link: http://www.thedailyinspirations.com/documents/mary_oliver.html

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  27. thank you susan for this prompt. I enjoyed doing my inner search while trying to write ...:)

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    Replies
    1. I know what you mean, Arathi. Thank you for posting your poem.

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  28. What a great week for reading! Maybe next week can be happy too. Think of an evil in society and write about its OPPOSITE--a social good. Put out some positive vibes and visions in poetry. Sing out!!. See you Wednesday for the Midweek Motif. Tomorrow is our "open mic"--Poetry Pantry with Mary.

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  29. Susan,

    I am VERY late to post my poem. I had many ideas, but time constraints as well!!
    I may add it to The Sunday Pantry, as it is a late Sunday offering. Loved the subject.
    Eileen

    ReplyDelete

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