Today’s post is inspired by Kim Johnson, who’s organizing a community event for National Poetry Month. Her local arts council chose the theme of “Awakenings” and in her Slice of Life Story Challenge post of March 12th, Kim sent out a call for short poems of 4-6 lines. Featured poems will be displayed on canvases in windows around the town square throughout April.
Kim: Here’s to power of awakenings, poetry, and community! Much success to you, my friend, and all involved in this exciting event.
Now…how might I play some little variations on this theme, let’s say, with snippets of my life?
*******
awakening (plural awakenings)
noun
- the point of morning coffee (may require more than one cup)
- a soul-spark generated by infinite possibility
- a heart condition caused by beautiful language
- (plural) the celebration of poetry at a local literacy event
*******
Sisters Seeing
One winter’s night, when I was ten, I dreamed of an angel.
My little sister stood by me at the window, watching it pass.
Morning brought this revelation: she had dreamed of it, too.
*******
First Rhythms
Love of words was born in me
upon my grandmother’s lap
reading stories in rhyme
rocking chair keeping time
with the beating of her heart.
*******
Cicada Rhythms
High in the oaks against the bluest of skies
the rattling swells as its season dies.
A paradox, this buzzing call
from amid the leaves, soon to fall.
This song of my childhood, lingering still
in the last of the light, before the chill.
Full force, cicada sings—don’t you know?
—summer’s gone on the wings of a song long ago.
Yet it returns, when you rise from the ground
Awaking the child I was, with that sound.
******
Lullaby for My Granddaughter
Precious darling, while you’re sleeping
I’ll be here, safe watch a’keeping
This time is such a fleeting thing
When you awaken, love, let’s sing.
My precious Micah after I sang her to sleep
*******
Composed for Day 27 of the Slice of Life Story Challenge with Two Writing Teachers
with thanks to Denise Krebs for inspiring the Dictionary Entry poem
lit bits and pieces 