This month Michelle Heidenrich Barnes shared a wonderful interview with Margaret Simon on her blog, Today’s Little Ditty. At the end of the interview, Margaret posted a challenge to “Write a mindful poem about the present moment.” Then, Mary Lee Hahn and Heidi Mordhorst created a Twitter hashtag #PoemsofPresence and invited poets to write small poems for each day in May. I’ve been playing along, and here are a few of my poems from this past week.
May 1:
May arrives
I fill the hummingbird feeder
Sweet anticipation
May 2:
overhead
osprey wheel and glide
surf the currents
May 3:
Unexpected Beauty
beside the old train tracks
one bleached skull
fragile, yet whole
May 4:
lemony finches
dot the apple tree
a cherry-red cardinal
perches in the birch
brilliant blue jays
swoop down
like bits of falling sky
May 5:
glowing sun peeks
into striated skies
another day dawns
May 6:
Investment
an afternoon walk
grudgingly taken
still yields
rich rewards
May 7: looking to linger on the light side here…
This week’s Poetry Friday is hosted by none other than, Michelle Heidenrich Barnes of Today’s Little Ditty fame. Make sure to stop by and enjoy an interview with Nikki Grimes and a sneak peek into her newest book, “Southwest Sunrise”, plus a bonus poetry challenge.
Nix the comfort zone 
Molly, what beautiful moments of presence. I’m not sure which poem is my favorite. I like them all. I’ve been emotional these days. I think I’m really missing hanging out with friends, joking, making puns and learning along side kids in person. These poems are settling and peaceful. Thanks, friend. Your #poemsofpresence are good medicine.
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I, too, am missing learning alongside kids and colleagues. Nature is the best medicine!
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That groundhog makes me smile. 🙂 Love the appearance of birds in your poems, too… and I, too, sometimes drag my feet into my walk and am always glad afterwards! xo
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I’ve been restraining myself from writing about birds every day! lol I get so much joy from bird watching.
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You have a way of capturing an image with few words. All of these poems resonate with me as I look to nature for solace. There is one lone female hummingbird coming to the feeder. I wonder if I should take it down and send her up to you.
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Thanks, Margaret. My husband swears he saw our first hummingbird the other day, but it was an unconfirmed sighting. We just had a hawk swooping around terrorizing a chickadee! That was exciting and happily, the chickadee escaped 🙂
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Well, I’m pleased to know I am consistent. I loved the tang of your bird poem when I saw it on twitter and the sweet anticipation of the hummingbird feeder – and they’re still my faves. Though I also know your grudging exercise (mine is more bike ride than walk) and cannot overlook your groundhog! Take care, lovely Molly.
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Thanks, Kat. I could happily write about birds every day! Be well. I so enjoyed listening to you read your poem on your post. Such a treat to hear your voice again 🙂
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Wow, that picture of the groundhog! I love that he “poses with his foraged leaves.” All your poems are wonderful May snapshots. Thank you for sharing them.
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Thanks, Janice. I’m not feeling as kindly toward the groundhog now that we’ve realized he’s tunneling into the side of our septic system! Yikes!
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I’ve enjoyed reading all of these on the Twitter feed, Molly, but love being able to re-read them all here in one place. It brings to light how much nature is playing a role in finding our balance in this unbalanced world.
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It’s been so nice to have this focus, Michelle. Nature is my go-to for balance and solace.
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I’ve loved every one, Molly, and am so envious that you have such woods to explore. That groundhog pic & poem makes me smile so much. Have a lovely weekend!
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Thanks, Linda. I’ve always been so grateful for all the places I can explore, including my own yard. These days I’m tuning in even more to nature to tune out other things.
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Your short poems display a mindfulness and a keen sense of observation Molly. The notion of being in the moment shines through. Love your alliteration, subtle, yet apt.
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Thanks! I can always use some extra mindfulness practice, and this challenge/invitation is a gentle nudge in that direction.
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What a mindfully precise but colorful week you’ve had, Molly! Thanks for sharing these little moments again–they do go by so fast on Twitter. “lemony finches” is my favorite.
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Your groundhog made me laugh out loud!
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love the way the words captured the moment your photograph caught with the groundhog with greens in his mouth… So fun! I’m also curious about the skull and the railroad tracks…did you take it home???? I love finding bones in the woods while I wander. Bring them home along with many other treasures waiting to whisper stories to me about future works of art.
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These are wonderful! I enjoy every one of them!
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Groundhogs are real chunks of sass, aren’t they? One ran across my daughter’s legs when she was a toddler (and was sitting on the ground between him and his hole).
I was wondering yesterday if the birds figure they are in charge now. My special favorite is your hummingbird poem… I was feeling that anticipation with you!
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P.S. Happy Mother’s Day!
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Molly, these are gorgeous! I love the way these details evoke emotion. May 4 is my favorite–those bits of falling sky…
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Love your groundhog and his morning smile Molly. Another favorite is your “Investment” I always feel better after a walk, even if I have to push myself out… Thanks!
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You have been productive this week, Molly. May 5 through 7’s #PoemsofPresence are particularly appealing to me. That groundhog posed so nicely for your camera. Would you like to add that one to my gallery since it is such an interesting pose? Let me know. l love your creativity!
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Pretty cool post. I stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I’ve really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!
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