Poems of the Week ~ The Power of Nature

In summer, we bask in nature's warmth and beauty, gather in lusciousness from our gardens, watch flowers blooming, hummingbirds humming, nature outdoing herself,  showering us with her goodness and bounty. I thought in this lush season we might enjoy reading a few poems about nature, written in recent weeks. Three that caught my eye were written by C.C. of Conscious Cacophony, Truedessa of  True Wanderings, and Gabriella of Gabriella's Writing Corner.  Let's dive in!

Sherry: C.C., would you tell us a bit about how your poem "Wildflowers" came about?

C.C.:  I can give a bit of background to it. Typically, Nature is soothing and healing for me and can always ground me in her embrace. But I went through a particularly difficult time towards the end of my marriage, during which even Nature was incapable of lifting me up....I was just so stagnant and my soul so broken. 

It's been three years since I left my husband. I wrote this poem to signify the end of that season of my life.....to represent that it's time now to let Nature do her work in me again, to allow the joy to flow, to grow....for those wildflowers to bloom once again. It's time for something different. Enough with the stagnation!!

WILDFLOWERS

I flay myself out upon the earth
bruised and bleeding
but she does not buckle, ever,

under the weight of my grief

I should be grounded

in her steady embrace

but I stumble and trip

upon my rocky

jagged soul

stagnant

after years of drought

dried up yesterday’s

luscious, fertile hope

my stony heart

a fallow ground

for Joy’s seeds

now, more crumbled

than Fall’s leaves after

an icy Winter beating

I finally surrender

to Nature’s wisdom

seasons are for change

and it is time

for something different

Let the wildflowers bloom.

Sherry: Let the wildflowers bloom, indeed, my friend. I especially love "my stony heart a fallow ground for Joy's seeds." Hopeful and brave, a turning towards life and joy again. The power of nature to heal, both herself and us. Thank you for sharing with us the meaning of this poem. It enhances the reading of it for the reader, for certain.

Now let's take a look at Truedessa's poem, "Finding Rhythm on Rockin' Waters".

Truedessa: First, I would like to say I am honored to have my poem featured at Poets United. "Finding Rhythm on Rockin' Waters" was inspired by the picture I took on a recent trip. The moment was captured on my camera and in my heart. It was a beautiful day and I was feeling reflective. I walked along a cliff wall taking in the sights and sounds. How many had taken this walk before me? My poem is about resilience, our inner strength and faith, that keeps us moving much like the rockin' waters. It is about believing in dreams and following them, even if you have to fall a time or two. More importantly it is about healing and finding balance in the journey.

Sherry: Such an important message, my friend. Nature and we humans both require balance, to be well.

Finding Rhythm on Rockin' Waters

Sometimes in life we skin our knees

on jagged rocks in the journey

making our way to healing waters

Rocks of various colors and shapes

the very bones of mother earth

each joint holding us together

Tranquility as blue water waves

hello, come rest your weary soles

let your thoughts flow freely

Wash away yesterday's sorrow

off a rocky coastline a ship

of dreams billowing sails

Chatty seagulls tell a story

dolphins splash offering a song

healing body, mind and spirit

Once again finding rhythm

with each breath of salted air

standing on solid rock

Sherry: I especially love "making our way to healing waters" and rocks being the "bones of mother earth". I can see the ship of dreams, and hear the dolphins' songs. Your use of such beautiful imagery is uplifting, and it also reminds us of our connection to the earth, which grounds us when things get rocky!!

I was really blown away by Gabriella's recent poem, "Apocalypse". Gabriella, how did the idea for this poem come to you? 

Gabriella: The poem was born out of concern for climate change and the fact that I find that politicians worldwide seem to be only moderately worried and ready to call for action, as well as take necessary and urgent measures.

Sherry: I share that concern, as you know. You wrote this for a dverse prompt to write in the style of Emily Dickinson, which you achieved wonderfully. Were you satisfied with it on completion? 

Gabriella: My writing was very much impacted by the form. I wanted the poem to be short and include as many Emily Dickinson techniques as possible. I wished to write in common meter since it is a meter that is quite characteristic of a lot of her poems. Obviously I was then limited to using iambs and this is a challenge, when your first language is not English, even if you know where the stresses are in each word.

I also wanted one or two images. The blue moon was an easy one as I had seen mentions of it during the day as this rare occurrence was to take place on Thursday night. The ‘muffled birds’ and nature choking came rather easily when I wished to express the idea that the air was too polluted for anyone or anything to breathe any more. When I used ‘prevails’, I thought of sail for the rhyme and the last image came almost instantly. I pictured a vast and empty ocean where the last sailing boat was folding its sails.

I then proceeded with the dashes for pauses and eventually capitalized some words that I deemed important. 

I do not remember reworking the poem but, as I mentioned, I struggled with the meter. I was happy to have encapsulated my main thoughts within the scope of two stanzas, as I was not certain I could have added another powerful one.

Sherry: I think you achieved your objective flawlessly. It is an impressive write. Do you feel the future is as bleak as this poem foretells, or do you hang onto hope that humanity will get it together in time to turn things around?

Gabriella: I hope that we humans will wake up before it is too late. Sometimes it is hard to hang on to that hope though.

APOLCALYPSE

what ever will remain when all
is Gone - the last blue moon
observed - when lights are Out
and muffled birds just Swoon

who will be left to testify -
when Darkness falls, prevails -
feel nature Choke and see
this planet fold its sails?

Sherry: The impact is stunning, Gabriella. Thank you so much! The power of humans to upset earth's equilibrium, the power of nature to respond.

I agree, it is hard to hang on to hope. Tough legislation was needed years ago; they are moving far too slowly, while global warming is accelerating. Yet we need to go on hoping. Mother Earth is so beautiful, and generous, so deserving of our love and gratitude. And our protection.

I hope you enjoyed these three wonderful offerings, poetic friends. Do come back and see who we talk to next. Who knows? It might be you! 

Four Poems of the Week

In the many, many wonderful poems we all read, there are sometimes poems that stand out above the rest, that make us pause and say to ourselves, "This is what poetry is all about!" Recently I came across four such poems and decided, instead of featuring only one Poem of the Week, to offer all four, for your delectation. The first is by Sumana Roy, who writes at Vision. 

LIFE OF A POET - GABRIELLA

Today, to satisfy all of the romantics among us, I am taking you on an overseas flight to Gay Paree ! We will even take a peek at the Eiffel Tower and I am excited. Hop aboard! We are going to visit Gabriella, who writes at Gabriella's Writing Corner. I am certain you have enjoyed her work as she makes her way around the blogosphere. Get ready! I can see the Tower off in the distance! We are circling, and are about to land. 

Sherry: Gabriella, I am so thrilled to be interviewing someone who lives in romantic France!  Which area do you live in? And what does life look like at your house?

Blog of the Week ~ Gabriella's Writing Corner

Kids, I'm sure you have encountered Gabriella on the poetry circuit. This talented poet writes at Gabriella's Writing Corner, and is active in the online community. On her About page, Gabriella describes her poetry as "impulsive, evocative, and feminist" - all good descriptions! As I so love to do, I sleuthed around her site, magnifying glass in hand, and plucked four of my favourites of her recent poems for your delectation. Enjoy!

I SING

I sing the hills and mountains,
dark forests, fresh brooks,
the deep blue sea

i sing the generations before me
lives of my grandmothers
lore of my forefathers

i sing public education
dedicated teachers
printed books and libraries

i sing freedom of speech
reporters, newspapers,
poems and protest songs

i sing the affection of pets
the words of friends
comforting smiles of strangers

i sing the fireworks of summer
thin bubbles of champagne
and your name

     *     *     *

Isn't that beautiful, kids? Here is another very evocative piece :

photo (and tree) by Gabriella

WINTER MOMENTS

The sky is everywhere
white snowflakes whirl
on the horizon, pale
seasonal blanket

the sky is everywhere
we retreat to the house
enjoy the dance of
joyous red flames

the sky is everywhere
as we rewrite
the lost and forgotten
languages of love

fragile eternity

     *     *     *

So wonderful! And another: 

GOD’S PRAYER TO MAN

Do not seek me in the blue sky above,
I am not hiding in the clouds.

Do not seek me in antique cold buildings,
I do not care for old grey stones.

Do not seek me in ancient books and scrolls,
I am not a definition.

Do not seek me in long-winded sermons,
I prefer life to homilies.

Instead, seek me in the songs of young children,
In their imaginative games.

Seek me in passionate conversations,
in correspondence between friends.

Seek me in the shudders of first embrace,
In the yearnings of hungry eyes.

And above all, seek me in rhymes and rhythm,
In the skilled words of the poets.

     *     *     *

Yes, "seek me.....in the skilled words of poets", most of all. And speaking of the skilled words of poets, check this out!

OF LIGHT & FAITH

Past is the blind faith of childhood,
the sun is low as men yearn to find
a path, soft gleam in busy lives,
remember an ancient promise.

some hold battered dog-eared books,
with dark or thankful hearts they bow.
pleas softly whispered, sacred words,
they offer gifts or just themselves.

spry burning flames on golden oil
dancing shadows on clouded walls.
incense sticks glow, smoke blurs the line
between what is profane, divine.

enduring light of red candles,
human presence, smiles of strangers,
mischievous laughter of small children,
comforted souls now cease to fear.

reassured there will always be
bright chirping birds, cool mountain streams,
red dawns, use for old skillful hands
deep love, joyful chapters to write.

     ***     ***     ***

This poem filled my heart so much I wanted to start at the beginning and live life all over again! Thank you, Gabriella, for the gift of these poems, and for your participation at Poets United. It has been such a pleasure getting to know you through your wonderful poetry. 

Have a wonderful Christmas, those of you who celebrate, and bright blessings to all!