One of the silver linings of quarantine life has been the community spirit of reading and writing #PoemsofPresence together. Thanks to Margaret Simon's DMC challenge, keeping up with these "mindful poems about the present moment" on the padlet and on Twitter has not only kept me busy, it's helped to make me feel less isolated. My own focus has been on writing haiku because it makes the daily habit seem less daunting. Not that I haven't missed a few days anyway... but if you can't cut yourself some slack during a global pandemic, when can you??? I'll continue adding to my #PoemsofPresence diary over the coming week if you'd like to stop by again when the month is over.
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| M. H. Barnes |
no presents
just presence
quarantine birthday
May 3
morning walk
I count my steps
to the next patch of shade
May 4
sorting my thoughts
into boxes
midday sudoku
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| Tom Lee |
May 5
morning news
a lively debate
of birdsong
 |
| Sarah Laval |
quarantine life
eyeing the grass
get its hair cut
May 7
afternoon tea
I welcome the sun
like an old friend
 |
| Richard Hurd |
May 9
I mistake a cardinal
for a stop sign
May 10
avoiding the sidewalk cracks
six feet apart
mother's day
 |
| Steve Schroeder |
long afternoon
postponing my fresh start
one more day
florida spring
the shadow of the ceiling fan
lengthens
 |
| Margaret Simon |
May 14
no more
or less that she can handle
open window
 |
| Rene Rivers |
May 17
the white pickets stand
at attention
May 19
a poem stuck
to the roof of my mouth
morning breath
 |
| M. H. Barnes |
May 20
day's end
my mask and armor
laid to rest
May 21
day 59
the moss holds on
by a thread
 |
| yoppy |
May 23
anthill
the lump in my throat
I can't swallow
May 24
a crowd of clover
congregates
sunday mass
 |
| ihave3kids |
home workout
coaxing my muscles
out of lockdown
May 26
the scenic route
an empty nest
around the next bend
 |
| M. H. Barnes |
May 28
high school graduation
doomsday
takes a back seat
May 29
clouds
exploded into shrapnel
days like these
 |
Tomáš Píšek, "The end will bring beginning" |
May 30
afternoon nap
resting my mind
and expectations
May 31
saying goodbye
in search of an ending that isn't
the end
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JAMA RATTIGAN
Congratulations, Jama!
Michelle, what a delightful diary...each image alone stopped me and I found myself slowing, slowing, slowing as I read through. Thank you for being such a present presence for us here.
ReplyDeleteYour 'presence' is felt in all of your poems, Michelle. I especially like your cardinal stop sign poem. Going to do my best to write a poem of presence before May ends...or after. Like you said, "if you can't cut yourself some slack during a global pandemic, when can you?" - words to live by. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm wowed by your collection, M.! Wonderful work. I think I could pick a different favorite every day.
ReplyDeleteThese are all beautiful. I wrote about a haircut yesterday -- the grass getting one has happened a few times, but not people yet...
ReplyDeleteI've been postponing my fresh start for nearly three months, now, but I'm glad to see you continue your haiku habit.
ReplyDeleteI love your Mother’s Day poem. That made me chuckle. What a great gift to protect your mother’s back while social distancing.
ReplyDeleteI remember doing a haiku diary a few years ago in April & love looking back to it. But this year, yours seems more meaningful in our time. I've enjoyed most of these on twitter, but missed that cardinal/stop sign - perfect! Thanks, Michelle, creative you!
ReplyDeleteMichelle your poetic diary of entries capture small moments and associated thoughts with much precision. No words are wasted. They each play their intended role. I too have celebrated a birthday in lockdown land this month. It possessed that vital ingredient that no virus can curtail- the love of family. The notion of having a poem stuck to the roof of your mouth is such a great analogy.
ReplyDeleteI didn't imagine it, day by day amidst all the Twitter notifications and gorgeous photos and chained replies--your haiku have been stand-outs in their economy of words bearing a magnitude of emotion. The turns, the juxtapositions are repeatedly perfect, especially those last three. I hope you're hanging in.
ReplyDeleteI love having all your snippets here to read together. These little poems are just perfect little pictures. I am seeking shade on my daily walks and have moss hanging by a thread by my kitchen window, so I adore how these things are placed so neatly into your haiku. Thanks for being present and being you.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, congratulations on adding so many delightful haikus to your #PoemsofPresence Diary. The lawn haircut and shadows during your walk stand out as interesting perspectives on quarantine life. Would you like to offer these two with the photos accompanying them for Nature Nurtures 2020? I'd like to have a Quarantine Life addition to the gallery.
ReplyDeleteI love all of them!! Perfect way to start the day with your lovely words. And thanks for the giveaway; can't wait to see Laura's new book. Happy Weekend!
ReplyDeleteWonderful haiku poems of presence! I love your "present" mind... these poems encourage me to work further along these lines. Thanks for this lovely post!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful growing collection. I'm seeing such a complete view of your month.
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying seeing all your poems nestled here together, and I like how you wove them in and out of the page. I especially like your two bird haikus,
ReplyDelete"morning news
a lively debate
of birdsong"
Maybe the birds could take a turn in leading us…
What a spirited cardinal, thanks Michelle! xo
Oh, Michelle, I love these! Reading through these game me such a glimpse of your life and emotions. I especially loved the grass haircut and sorting your thoughts into boxes. Love!
ReplyDeleteEach entry in your diary is more pithily perfect than the next. You have such a way with an economy of words.
ReplyDeleteI've really enjoyed your haiku this month, Michelle - though you wouldn't know it by my lack of actually commenting! Thanks so much for sharing & for making room for others to share. XO
ReplyDelete