Thursday, May 30, 2019

DMC: "Instructions" by Michele Krueger




INSTRUCTIONS

Seed,
tucked in soil,
freed of hull,
weathered shell,
slowly swell.
Accept your fate.
Germinate.
Take root.
Be firm.
Introduce yourself
to worm.
Take stock.
Learn to navigate
around mole,
over rock.
But beware,
Don’t linger there.
Travel up towards light,
heat.
Be nourished.
Burst forth
and flourish.
Drink, quench.
Avoid flood.
Unfurl leaf,
Burgeon bud.
Give the world
a fragrant scent.
Flower’s sweet
accomplishment.


© 2019 Michele Krueger. All rights reserved.


Elizabeth Steinglass has challenged us to write a poem giving instructions to an inanimate object about how to do its job. Click HERE for more details and to read this month's Spotlight ON interview.

Post your poem on our May 2019 padlet. All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration tomorrow, Friday, May 31st, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of her fantastic debut poetry collection from WordSong:





20 comments:

  1. This is beautiful, Michele! I think in another life you must have been a flower. :) I just love how you take us step by step through every detail of the process, including the creatures met along the way.

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  2. Very nice, Michele! You bring a fresh, human perspective to the growth of a seed.

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  3. Swoon! How much do I love this one?! A whole lot (and burgeon bud is my new favorite phrase.)

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  4. Ah, this is just wonderful. It's not just a seed, but the world of the seed. Nicely done.

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  6. Much to love about this poem, Michele. About a seed, but not. So human. “Take root ... learn to navigate ... but beware, Don’t linger there ... Burst forth and flourish ...”
    Thank you for this simply beautiful tribute to a bloom, as well as a soul!

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    1. So glad you enjoyed it, Vicki, and so glad we met. Be well.

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  7. Much to love about this poem, Michele. About a seed, but not. So human. “Take root ... learn to navigate ... but beware, Don’t linger there ... Burst forth and flourish ...”
    Thank you for this simply beautiful tribute to a bloom, as well as a soul!

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  8. I especially love the ending and these lines: Be nourished./Burst forth/and flourish!

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  9. Oh, this is lovely! I especially like how you used burgeon as a verb--I always think of it as an adjective. "Burgeon bud"--fabulous!

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  10. Love the ending- love smelling flowers!

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  11. Perfect poem for spring, Michele. The mole's little cameo made me smile. They always make me think of The Wind in the Willows.

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