Year end craziness is in full swing and I find myself reflecting, thinking of best intentions, lost opportunities, dropped balls and fresh slates. This week’s Poetry Friday is hosted by Karen Edmisten. Click here to visit her site and to check out more poems.
Reflecting
I once knew a woman
who was asked
“If you could change anything,
what would you change
about yourself?”
and she answered
with no hesitation
“Nothing”
Her words stunned me
imprinted in my mind
to be recalled now
years later
while I ponder
who I am
and who I would be
and the chasm of distance
between them
©2018 M. Hogan
The following poem was inspired by my current dandelion obsession and a prompt in poemcrazy by Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge. She suggests that you focus on an object, then name it, compare it, and ask it to bring you something you need.
Oh, Dandelion
moored in emerald seas
with bold, golden blossom sail
tossing in springtime breeze
soil-bound by roots, tapped deep
held fast, yet straining to soar
you transform, break barriers,
take flight as light as a wish
dancing on the edge
of dreams
Bring me
your
strength
your
whimsy
and
your
ability
to reinvent yourself
©2018 M. Hogan
Nix the comfort zone 
You are getting close to having a dandelion poem collection. I love how this one has shape and this line, “take flight as light as a wish
dancing on the edge
of dreams” . I wish on your dandelion poem for wisdom for poetry today. I haven’t written a post. I have a hard time believing you need to change anything about yourself. Happy Friday!
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It looks like that dandelion wish worked for you, Margaret!
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I am loving the dandelion poem! I’ve used that same prompt with happy success… yay! And I do think one of the hardest things is learning to accept ourselves just as we are… it’s so easy in our culture to get sucked into the fix me! trap. Yes, growth is good. But really, we are just right just where we are. I honor your journey! xo
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It is a journey, isn’t it? I’m reflecting a lot on this past year and a very challenging class and how I can improve my teaching. I got kind of wrung out this year and am looking forward to rejuvenating over the summer.
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I love your photo and poem. What a great prompt! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
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Poemcrazy is a fabulous book, full of all sorts of great prompts. It’s one of my favorites!
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I agree with Margaret. These dandelion poems are emerging as a beautiful book, with your photos, too. Wonderful, Molly. The earlier poem and question is something I guess many ponder. I do plan things, but generally am satisfied with the daily me. Teacher reflections might be a separate thing, too? Each summer was a time to ponder how to be a better teacher for my students. Thanks for a thoughtful post.
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This is through FB. I couldn’t figure out how to do otherwise. Perhaps you’ve seen it? https://www.facebook.com/boredpanda/videos/10156776117389252/
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Linda, last week I had a bit of a dandelion extravaganza in my post, and I shared that video (or a very similar one)! Isn’t it marvelous!? Thanks for sharing it again. 🙂
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I do think a lot of these thoughts were related to my teaching, Linda. Though I can’t imagine not wanting to change anything about myself outside of the classroom either! lol
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Your Dandelion poem is gorgeous Molly! I agree with Margaret and Linda, I would love to see these dandelion poems in a book with your photo images. Who wouldn’t want to “reinvent” oneself after reading these lines,
“take flight as light as a wish
dancing on the edge
of dreams”
Thanks!
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Thanks, Michelle. There’s something magical and uplifting about the transformation of a dandelion!
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I love how your pair of poems work together. I’m with you — I can’t quite imagine being able to confidently say I want to change NOTHING about myself!
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Thanks, MaryLee. That statement still boggles my mind. The older I get, the more accepting and comfortable I am with who I am, but there’s still plenty of room for upgrades!
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As quite the dandelion fan myself, I love your dandelion poem! Especially the ending wish to be able to reinvent ourselves. It seems I am often looking for reinvention or reimagining. I am in awe of the woman who would change nothing. Wow–what a place of acceptance.
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I’m not sure if it’s acceptance or a lack of insight! lol (and that might just be the somewhat catty part of myself that I should wish away!)
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How clever you are, Molly. Loving that dandelion poem! And yes, I agree – much more comfortable in my own skin the older I get – but still things (or past moments!) I would like to change…
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Stunning dandelion poem!
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Thanks! They’re pretty spectacular plants once you take the time to notice!
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Sounds like a woman I would want to ask a few more questions of — I’ll bet she would have other interesting answers!
If you didn’t want to write a whole book about dandelions, maybe you could do a collection about “weeds”?
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A collection about weeds–intriguing idea!
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