National Poetry Month continues, and while I have been writing a poem each day in April, I have not posted them all here on the blog.
Today I return to post about “safe harbors.”
Yesterday for VerseLove at Ethical ELA, poet Padma Venkatraman offered this prompt along with her own beautiful work as an example: “Think about a place that feels like a safe harbor to you – and bring that space alive in a poem.”
Ah. I knew exactly what to write about…
Haven
I should convert
one of the boys’
old bedrooms
to a study
where I can write
with fewer
interruptions
but here
at the kitchen table
is my place
here
there are windows
all around
I open the blinds
while it is yet dark
inviting the light
before its return
bringing with it, birds
rippling with song
praise for the morning
and the new day
these colorful
feathered visitors
peer in my windows
from time to time
like curious, bright-eyed
Muses
—yes, I am here
—yes, I see you, too
and sometimes
when my husband
turns on the TV
in the living room
I grow weary
of the news
and sports
but when
he goes away
he leaves music playing
for the puppy
playing under my chair
little ball of golden fluff
having dragged every toy
he owns
to my feet
where he whimpers
just now
to be held
and so I pick him up
he curls in my lap
while I write
to the background song
a’rippling:
If my words did glow
with the gold of sunshine…
yeah, the Grateful Dead…
here in my place
my beloved space
I write
ever grateful, alive.
******
Lyrics: “Ripple,” Robert Hunter/Jerome Garcia, 1970.
My Jesse
with thanks also to Two Writing Teachers for the Tuesday Slice of Life Story Challenge
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lit bits and pieces 
Beautiful. You brought me right in there with you.
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Thank you, Cathy 🙂
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I love the contrast between the idea interruption-free writing space in our imagination, versus the kitchen chair with the birds outside the window and all the puppy toys, and a demanding puppy, under the chair. And we all thank you for the photo of Jesse. That nose! Those soft ears! That curl of the tail!
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Thank you, Fran! Jesse fills our days with joy over here. I think nature nurtures the writer-soul like nothing else – even if it is just beyond the window.
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Fran, your safe harbor setting is a place of peace. I always need the light of day to open my heart to writing. Your poem rings with calmness and appreciation for what each day brings. Beautiful lines: here in my place
my beloved space
I write
ever grateful, alive.
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Thank you for our sweet words, Carol. I am always uplifted by everything you write and count you among my life’s blessings 🙂
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Music for the puppy!? I am falling in love with your puppy (and a little warmth toward your sweet husband, too.) I, too, write at the kitchen table and often hold my puppy in my lap; however, his constant kisses get in the way of any typing I’m trying to do. I am enjoying writing beside you this month.
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Dear Al-Bear, showing his love while you write – although it interferes, ha. Jesse is a joy. As you have said, puppydom is not easy (!) but the love is worth it. I am always grateful for you and your words – happy to be writing alongside you as well!
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Fran, “inviting the light before its return”. The anticipation of what is to come. The sound of birds making their daily plans is morning’s music. Your safe harbor sounds like the perfect place for writing, for puppy holding, for just being.
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It is a perfect place for just being – thank you, Bob.
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What a beautiful poem! Your descriptions made me feel as if I was right there with you. It definitely sounds like a haven to me.
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Thank you, Jennifer! Hope all is going well for you in you new harbor 🙂
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What a lovely poem celebrating a lovely haven. I did create a space for myself in an unused bedroom, but I’ve found that I’ve remained downstairs in the living room by the windows, where the birds also keep me company.
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We are birds of a feather, Molly! Whatever I am feeling, birds bring me peace. And sometimes amusement. And always awe. Being near nature nurtures the writer-soul like nothing else. Thank you for your words 🙂
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Fran, I loved this so much! I’m so glad you shared it.
I want to print these words and keep near my writing space: “I write ever grateful, alive.”
You made me breathe in and feel grateful, too.
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Thank you for your words, Ana! I am glad the last line especially resonated with you – it is straight from my heart 🙂
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This poem was so melodic. What is it about kitchen tables that are so inviting to write at? And a puppy at your feet aching to be held. So sweet!
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I think the “pull”of kitchen tables as writing-places is that they are in the heart of the home 🙂 Thanks so much for your words, Amy!
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This poem is inspiring for all us scribblers.poem makers, Fran, reminding us that heart & feeling & words to put to heart & feeling are wherever we bring them… the hard park bench, our back up against a tree in a park or the hard kitchen table, which would remind me of the ToDo List, the drip drip drip of the sink, the crumb on the floor. I salute you for find it to be a heartbeat place, so evident in this perfect poem.
Appreciations.
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