Monday, May 14, 2018

DMC: "Proof of Life" by Rebekah Hoeft




PROOF OF LIFE

I see 
not you
but spray of crusts
and flock of birds

I see 
not you 
but steaming dish
and window cracked 
and box with blanket 
on porch on snow

I see 
not you 
but pawprints 
from door to fence
to door to yard
to door to gate to door

I see 
not you
but TV flicker 
and lights on and lights off 
and garbage cans out and garbage cans in
and garage door open and garage door closed

I see not you
but in this twilight rest
see quiet proof
of life intact
in winter’s grip

© 2018 Rebekah Hoeft. All rights reserved.


Click HERE to read this month's interview with Julie Fogliano. She has challenged us to stare out the window and write a poem about what we see. You might even consider writing something down every day for a week:
At the end of the week, read through what you wrote and write your favorite bits on a separate piece of paper. I bet there will be a poem in there somewhere… see if you can find it.  – J. F.
Leave your poem on our May 2018 padlet. While some contributions will be featured as daily ditties this month, all contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration on Friday, May 25th, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of her stunning new picture book from Roaring Brook Press:






14 comments:

  1. Such a unique and beautiful take on the window poem theme, Rebekah— I love it! Serves as a reminder that what's not there (or seems not to be) is just as important as what is.

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    1. Thanks, Michelle! It became increasingly important this winter--aging neighbors who can't always hear knocking when we'd check on them meant I was reliant on the not there/there signs.

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  2. A different and wonderful look at our window memories, Rebekah.

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    1. Thanks, Linda! I'm a nosy window watcher, so this was a fun one to write!

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  3. I love this one. Signs of life are all around us. We just need to pay attention.

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    1. Thanks, David! I agree--I love finding little signs of life lived. Do you get sucked into those websites with pictures of abandoned buildings? I know I do--it's all about the little signs of life for me, not the creepiness!

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  4. I like the quiet notice at the beginning and end of your poem and the building presence in between!

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    1. Thanks, Michelle! I was kinda going for a quiet insulated feeling 'cause snow and cold and not really being able to use my senses for this window peering, except for sight.

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  5. Ah, this is a wonderful window! I really enjoyed this one. Thanks!

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  6. Thank you! I love the challenges here, don't you?!

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  7. Ah, I love this. Since I work from home, I'm always looking for "proof of life" -- it lessens the isolation!

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    1. Thanks, Jesse! I'm sure your little gives you plenty of proof, but I'm sure seeing life outside your own space is a breath of fresh air sometimes!

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  8. sounds like ever town every one busy but noticing little sins of the life living there with not see the people there how's lives are busy I love the journey this takes you on wail reading it

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    1. :) Thanks, Jessica! I agree--little signs of life everywhere. My sister just wrote a haiku about how busy lives get in the way of seeing. I was glad for that reminder, and Julie's reminder through this theme, to slow it down this May.

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