Friday, March 25, 2022

The Art of Reappearing

 
Hello, my friends.
Some disappearing act, huh! 
 
I might have been gone an entire year if it weren't for National Poetry Month and a serious hankering for more well filling. 
 
 
Creating daily inspirational posts gave me so much pleasure last April, I decided to give it another go this year—well filling for well being. Even if I don't manage a post every day, there should be enough of them to make a difference in my world. Hopefully in yours, as well.

In lieu of an explanation for my absence, perhaps this excerpt from Naomi Shihab Nye's "The Art of Disappearing" will suffice?

If they say We should get together
say why?

It's not that you don't love them anymore.
You're trying to remember something
too important to forget.
Trees. The monastery bell at twilight.
Tell them you have a new project.
It will never be finished.

Read the poem in its entirety HERE, or watch this two and a half minute clip from Naomi Shihab Nye's conversation with Bill Moyers. She reads "The Art of Disappearing" at the end.


Despite my own "new project" that will never be finished, I have missed you all and am grateful for those who have reached out in various ways to say hello.

Let me also take this opportunity to express heartfelt thanks for two books that were published during my hiatus:

 
 
For Every Little Thing: Poems and Prayers to Celebrate the Day (Eerdmans, 2021) is an engaging collection for ages 4-10 that recently received an Honorable Mention for Children's Books of the Year from World Magazine. Arranged from waking up to falling asleep, this anthology about the day and its delights gathers classic selections, modern prayers, and new poems from multiple cultures and faiths. From Emily Dickinson to Amma and from Kenn Nesbitt to Rabbi Rami M. Shapiro, fifty-one voices encourage children to be present and thankful at all hours. I am thankful to June Cotner and Nancy Tupper Ling for including my poem "Be." 

 
 
 
 
 
 
10.10 Poetry Anthology: Celebrating 10 in 10 Different Ways is Bridget Magee's anthologist debut. It includes poems in 10 categories based on "TEN": TENtative, TENderness, TENacity, TEN More Minutes, TENsion, I Wouldn't Touch That With a TEN-Foot Pole, TEN Little Fingers/TEN Little Toes, Take TEN, TENth _____, and I TENd To. I'm smitTEN with this collection and delighted to have my poem, "Stray," included. Word has it Bridget has another anthology in the works if you care to submit two truths and a fib.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lastly, in honor of World Poetry Day, I'm tickled to be included on Twinkl's 2022 list of Top 10+ Children's Poetry Bloggers. Many thanks to Saemi Jung for the lovely write up!
 
 
Looking forward to sharing another National Poetry Month together!


Today's Poetry Friday roundup is being hosted by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater at The Poem Farm.



25 comments:

  1. Welcome back, Michelle, and many congratulations on so many goodnesses. Sometimes time away is a well-filling time, and sometimes coming back is a well-filling time. I look forward to your musings and am also grateful for your sharing of Naomi Shihab Nye's words today. She fills my well regularly. Happy almost-April! xo

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  2. Congratulations and welcome back! I can fully appreciate the need to rest, fill up a well, and take the time to appreciate life. Glad you're doing well!

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  3. I'm happy you're back. I'm happy to be here!

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  4. Yay, you're back! You know how I love a good disappearing act myself, but it's still so lovely to see you. And CONGRATS on the anthologies, my friend! xoxo

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  5. Welcome Back! I hope you have had a productive break. Glad you are reemerging for NPM!

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  6. I remember seeing the cover of For Every Little Thing and finding it so beautiful. Congratulations on your poem and thanks for the reminder to pick up that book.

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  7. As Julia Cameron says, "As artists we must learn to be self-nourishing." She'd approve of your disappearing to rest and allow the refreshing waters to flow back into your quiet well. It's a delight to have you back, Michelle, and to look forward to seeing your new poetry!

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  8. Hooray for Michelle's reappearance! Always a delight to read what you post, my friend.

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  9. And now I will nod and become a cabbage in a grocery store.

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    1. Ha! You've got a pretty good disappearing act too, I see.

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  10. Hello, hello, hello! It's such a joy to see this post and see that you are working on a project...whether it will be finished or not. I'm looking forward to your writings in April.

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  11. "Well,"it's VERY good to see you back! Congrats on your publications, and I look forward to having my well refilled as only you can, Michelle.

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  12. Abracadabra, she's back! Congrats on the publications. Nice to be here again *hugs blog*

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  13. Yes, sometimes you just have to say 'no'! Congratulations for all your poetry goodness being published, Michelle. I'm glad to read words from you again. I know you along with all the others fill my well of poetry often.

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  14. Thank you for being back--no explanations needed. So glad you've filled your well, and THANK YOU for this stunning Nye poem, which I've never seen before. I adore it. <3 Congratulations on your two publications--whee!

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  15. Thank you so much for sharing that video with Naomi. Wow!

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  16. Welcome back and congrats on both the publications AND a way to keep us subscribed to your blog in spite of the demise of feedburner! LOVE the poem, and especially hearing her read it. That ending. No wonder Bill kept it in his wallet. We all should.

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  17. Yes, I am learning to be more careful with my time. Welcome back! For however long you want to stay.

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  18. Hey Michelle, Welcome, Welcome!!! Congrats on the poetry publications and sparkle recognition! I remember and like the poem and video you shared of Naomi Shihab Nye–Yes to those "Little Things," of importance. Looking forward to visiting your posts… xox

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  19. Thank you all for such warm and welcoming comments. Much appreciated! xx

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  20. Hi M.! Love that Naomi Shihab Nye poem. Congrats on the two publications :) xo

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  21. So. Happy. To. See. You. Here!
    You've been missed, Michelle, but in no way forgotten! Yay for "well-filling" in whatever form it takes.
    Congrats on 'For Every Little Thing" and thank you for the 10.10 shout out and link to my next anthologies' announcement. I hope to see your truths/fib cross my desk. :)

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  22. Congratulations on the publications that the past year has brought your way. Looking forward to reading your April poetry month posts.

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  23. Wow. Very exciting to have poems published in two different anthologies. Congratulations! So glad to see you back. I've missed reading your posts.

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