Welcome to this week’s Poetry Friday Roundup! I was so excited to be hosting this week for many reasons, but not least because I knew immediately what to title this blog post. Phew!
Titles are so important, but they give me so much trouble. Far too often I hem and haw, and then finally choose a title simply to have it done. On rare occasions, a title comes to me immediately, but I can’t stress enough how rare that is. Usually, it’s a difficult process and results in a title that, at best, feels adequate. At worst, the process makes me circle round and round, tear my hair out, agonize loudly and at length, and question my writing skills. It’s an ugly process. Sigh.
A few weeks ago, not long after yet another title tussle, a Poetry Foundation Poem of the Day post popped up in my Inbox. The poem for that day was titled, “Lost in the Milky Way.” That’s a great title, I thought. Suddenly, it occurred to me that I could use the title like a found line. Inspired by that title, I could write a poem, and then I could even compare it to the one the poet wrote. The hard part was not looking at the original poem until mine was written. The wonderful, freeing part was knowing that I already had a title for my poem!
Now, I thought that I was very clever. I’d already written most of this post and had my plan in place. Then, I read Margaret Simon’s PF post two weeks ago. Rats! Apparently, my idea was not as innovative as I had thought! lol She noted that Austin Kleon shares the title-stealing idea in “Steal Like An Artist” and then went on to share a beautiful poem of her own based on a title stolen from a painting. Oh, well. I decided to go with my plan anyway. Maybe I’m stubborn, maybe I’d already invested too much energy, or maybe I just couldn’t face having to create a title!
At any rate, here’s my poem, based on a stolen title:
Lost in the Milky Way
To lose oneself in the Milky Way
first one must find it.
“Is that it?” I asked
that first night, so long ago.
“That smudgy streak?”
“That’s our galaxy!”
Your words tumbled out,
intense and eager.
“Made of millions–no, billions
of stars
and planets
and solar systems!
It’s a barred spiral of light!”
You spouted facts and figures,
gesturing with one hand
while the other held mine.
My head swirled
with light years and
numbers with zero
after zero
after zero.
Standing beside you now,
gazing into space,
my hand slips into yours.
I ground myself
in this one moment
in space and time,
while you continue to sing
your love song to the universe,
lost in the Milky Way.
Molly Hogan ©2019
Once my poem was written, I was eager to go back to the Poetry Foundation e-mail and check out the original poem with the inspiring title. The first thing that startled me was the poet’s name, which hadn’t been visible in the e-mail title. Linda Hogan! Go figure! (Thanks, Linda, for a great title! )Then, I read her poem.
Photograph by Charles J Egita Photo
Update: I apologize if I’ve been late approving any posts, or have missed approving any, and for not getting around to read and comment on posts. I’ve been unexpectedly caught up in a medical emergency. Thanks for understanding, and I will do the best I can when I can.
Nix the comfort zone 
Thanks so much for sharing these beautiful poems today, Molly. My head is swirling too—it’s been a tough week—but reading these poems helped.
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Reading and writing poetry can be such a balm.
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Oh, I love how you turn something challenging into a beautiful poem! I hope you start with titles more often. And, you know I’ll play! I’m taking the titles and giving them so thought. Thanks so much for hosting this week. What a wild week and day to host considering Lee’s passing. There’s so much more good in the world because of him.
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I knew I could count on you to play along, Linda! I love how you’re always up for a challenge, and look forward to seeing what you come up with.
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I like yours MUCH better!
Thanks for hosting the roundup this week.
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Aw, thanks, Mary Lee!
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Love your beautiful found poem, Molly. Thank you for sharing it and for hosting this week’s round up.
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Enjoyed reading your beautiful words, Molly – and the story behind them, and the nod to the borrowing that all creatives do from one another.
Of course, my eyes keep filling with tears – you picked the perfect poem to honor Lee. A gift he left for us. Thank you.
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He definitely enriched the world with so many gifts. What a beautiful legacy. (By the way, for some reason your comments have been going to my SPAM folder. I apologize for not noticing earlier. I just caught it and hopefully approved all of them.)
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What a great line, Molly. “It’s a barred spiral of light!” Each writer has his/her own style and so I say “great job” with your poem. I have been immersed in so much confusion today that I did not hear about the death of Lee. There is such sadness when a wonderful, inspiring person passes on. His legacy remains. I remember Lee when I was a young reading teacher. Meeting him at a reading conference was such an amazing experience for me. I could listen to him for hours.
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How lucky you were to meet Lee and have those memories!
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It has been a week of sadness all the way through, but you’ve written a beautiful memory, Molly, that made me smile at its intimacy, both of you looking up, awestruck. The other poem is interesting, a bit ‘other-worldly’ maybe. I think you should continue to think you’re clever! Thanks for hosting.
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I’ll work on continuing to think I’m clever–thanks for that!
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I can identify with your poem because I used to gaze at the stars all the time as a child (and still do!)…nicely done, Molly.
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I’m overwhelmed by space and stars and those crazy numbers and concepts of space and time. This actually wasn’t autobiographical, although my husband is fascinated by all those concepts that make my head spin.
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[…] and the uber-talented Molly Hogan is our hostess this week for the poetry roundup on her blog, Nix the Comfort Zone. Perhaps you’ll join us? Molly’s sharing a sweet poem she wrote using a found title. […]
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[…] I am glad to be joining Poetry Friday yet again this week with another female poet whom I consider to be perfect for our #WomenReadWomen2019 theme. Thank you to Nix the Comfort Zone for hosting this week. […]
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Thank you so much for sharing Lee Bennett Hopkins’ words here as well. Such a staggering loss for the kidlit community.
Thank you for hosting and for sharing your lovely poem! 🙂
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[…] be sure to visit my friend and critique group partner, Molly Hogan, at Nix the Comfort Zone for the Poetry Friday […]
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[…] poetry every week. I invite you to join this awesome community. This week, our host is Molly at Nix the Comfort Zone. Check out her post about stealing like an artist and the milky way–and see what other poets […]
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I love your milky way poem (and Linda Hogan’s, too). Such a lovely image of love and traveling together. I especially like the first line: “To lose oneself in the milky way first one must find it.”
Also, thanks for sharing the sad news of Lee Bennett Hopkins death-and his inspiring poem.
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Thanks, Susan. I’ve only rarely seen the milky way. So much about space simply blows my mind.
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I like your dreamy poem about the milky way–a long time ago I was in Maine and saw/felt the milky way–two very different views entirely. Thanks also for sharing Lee’s timely “good-bye” poem–he was one of my favorites and always will be. Thanks for hosting Molly.
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I love thinking of you seeing and feeling the milky way, Michelle.
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[…] Poetry Friday round-up is with Molly at Nix the Comfort Zone. […]
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I love what you did with your poem, a love song to your husband that is based on true love. I think the title stealing idea, original or not, is a fun one to try. Thanks for sharing more titles to steal. So sad to lose a giant in the children’s poetry world. I’ve read many posts on Facebook, and I’m sure there are many waiting here. I don’t think his legacy will be lost in the poetry community.
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Thanks, Margaret. Lee’s legacy is sure to live on and what a beautiful one it is!
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[…] more poetry (and I’m guessing many more tributes to Lee), don’t miss the Poetry Friday Roundup with Molly at Nix the Comfort […]
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Molly, thank you for sharing your title woes — you are not alone in that! I love the enthusiasm in your Milky Way poem… and also the words from LBH. Thank you. xo
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It may be selfish, but it’s nice to know that there are others who struggle with titles as well. I keep hoping that I’ll get better at it over time, but I’m not seeing much change!
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Thank you for hosting today, Molly. I wouldn’t worry too much about stealing Linda Hogan’s title. After all, as Picasso said, “Good artists copy, great artists steal.” “Lost in the Milky Way” is a great phrase, so full of
possibility. Your lovely poem captures that possibility. Thank you, too, for sharing Lee’s wise words. Such a loss for our community.
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Thanks, Catherine. I suspect this won’t be my only title theft!
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Beautiful post, Molly. The title-stealing idea has been around forever, and it’s so lovely to play with. I love your zero after zero after zero and the way you broke and placed those lines. Thanks, also, for sharing Lee’s poem–such a loss:>(
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Thanks, Laura. I guess I’m definitely going to have to let go of thinking I was clever. lol
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Molly, thank you for hosting, and for all the effort you have put in to do that job in a difficult week. I adore your poem–so concrete, so grounded and yet soaring into something so unknowable, so metaphysical. I also prefer yours to Linda’s, although that has beautiful mystery too. Thanks for the stealable titles! Don’t you think “Dear Echo” and “A Poem for Pulse” are good tree-worthy titles?
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Thanks, Heidi! I can’t wait to see what you do with a tree poem with your own or a stolen title! The two you’ve listed are definitely good candidates!
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Your poem is so beautiful, Molly. It makes me think about my husband and all he teaches me about the world. And “title tussle” – that’s IT! Thank you for hosting today. I love when our collective subconscious works together…there is a magic here. xx
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Thanks, Amy. I’ve actually really appreciated your posts and comments about how to find titles for poems. Sadly, with all those wonderful ideas, I still have those tussles!
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I love both of these beautiful poems. Yours, especially, speaks to me and brings me back to the time I first saw the Milky Way. It took my breath away, and I wish I could find a dark enough spot to gaze upon it and wonder more often. I can relate to your title tussles, too. Thanks for hosting today!
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I’ve rarely seen the Milky Way but I just read an article that Maine is one of the few areas that still has dark enough skies for good star gazing. I should take advantage of that more.
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[…] the Poetry Friday Roundup with Molly at Nix the Comfort […]
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What Mary Lee said, because she’s right :)!
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Thanks, Tara!
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Two poems, same title, each different both stellar. I love the title challenge. I have a difficult time with titles as well. The spiral of light…it’s where we will find Lee now. I love that poem of his. Here’s to a better week.
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Thanks, Mary Lee. It’s nice to know I’m not alone with my “title tussles!” I echo your sentiment, wishing us all a better week!
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Your poem, the idea of a “stolen title” and how you went with it, shows another way to bring a poem to life. There are many connections in the titles in the “original” version by Linda Hogan…..but your share of Lee’s poem was my favorite part. I see him in a bright sky having said good-bye and done his ultimate most to make a difference in this world for so many. First time visiting your blog and happy to meet you, especially on this sad day.
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Thanks for visiting, Janet! I was lucky enough to win a copy of your “A Suitcase for Seaweed & More” this past year and have thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m delighted that you stopped by and took the time to comment.
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[…] week, my friend Molly Hogan wrote about stealing the title of a poem to write her own poem. This idea was intriguing to me and […]
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[…] early August, Molly Hogan wrote a post about titles and suggested that we use a title of a poem to spark a new poem. I took it one step […]
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