This summer is moving jaggedly for me, sometimes rushing by and at other times, lingering unexpectedly. I don’t seem to get to choose which moments fly by and which rest with grace (Now that would be some super power!). Still, I’m enjoying the overall luxury of less-scheduled days. Then, somehow yesterday was Thursday before I knew it was even approaching… and Friday quickly followed (as it’s wont to do…). I’ve been scribbling this and that in my notebook, but hadn’t thought about a post for Poetry Friday. Here are two poems I’m still tinkering with.
Forgotten
After I left
I remembered the cantaloupe,
the one I was supposed to cut,
still resting on the counter
where I had left it.
There’s a poem in there somewhere,
cushioned within
the skin, the seeds, the pulp,
woven from
the initial, careful selection
the good intentions
and now the inevitable
slow, steady
decomposition.
There’s a poem in there somewhere,
but I still can’t find the words.
©Molly Hogan, draft
Seeing the Light
Not long
after her husband died
she brought me a candle,
intricately wrought from beeswax,
the kind you hesitate to light.
“Be sure to burn it,” she said.
©Molly Hogan, draft
This week’s Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted by Margaret Simon at her blog, Reflections on the Teche. Be sure to stop by and check out her poetic contributions to a recent anthology.
Nix the comfort zone 
Some profound statements in your tinkering: “the inevitable slow, steady decomposition” and “‘Be sure to burn it,’ she said.”
You seem to be working on saying, not saying and believe me, your poems here do that well.
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So much beauty in these lines, Molly! Definitely a poem cushioned in that cantaloupe. And the “be sure to burn it” really resonates with me. Thinking of you. xo
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Oh – your ‘Forgotten’ reminded me of mine; ‘The Chicken’. I know that thought process.🤦♀️ And there’s so much wisdom in ‘Be sure to burn it’. Well placed for effect.
So lovely to be here catching up again, Molly. Hoping your summer meanders and there is more poetry scattered through your days. (Though less forgotten…)
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What a treat to “see” you here, Kat! It sounds like your life has been full of all sorts of poetic wonders lately. Thanks for stopping by 🙂 ( and I loved “The Chicken”–thanks for sharing!)
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Molly, Molly, Molly…you write the most beautiful lines. That cantaloupe with a poem inside. That candle with express orders to burn. You amaze and inspire me. Wow.
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Thanks, Linda. Your positive energy is such a gift!!
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A poem in a cantaloupe! Love it. And the candle also. Fertile ground for poetry. Thanks so much for sharing. I will be thinking on these two…
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Molly, I like the poems you are working on. That cantaloupe tells a whole story. I love the “careful selection” and “good intentions” and then it’s forgotten. I believe we can all learn from the “poem in there”.
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Your reflective focus on everyday items has elevated them. Your gentle examination of these things has teased out the moments surrounding them. Our notebooks are so important. They allow the emergence of unexpected gems. Love what you’ve done here Molly.
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“Seeing the Light” made tears spring into my eyes. Such truth.
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Such beautiful tinkerings. And that candle – you r touch with this poem is superb. No need to punch on repeating the message. Beautiful! Burn the candle indeed.
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I think the words found themselves and crept out of your cantaloupe, and onto your paper–I love your poem crawling out…
It’s hard to burn beautiful candles… lovely tinkering Molly, thanks!
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Your tinkerings brought a sense of wondering to me, Molly. Thanks.
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Oh, I really like the idea of a poem in a cantaloupe. It’s just right (ripe–haha) for summer!
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“The summer is moving jaggedly for me ….”
This perfect description of the unpredictable fluidity of time’s passage hooked me, and then your two drafts reeled me in. Both are beautiful, poignant, moving. Thank you.
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Wow. That candle poem is perfect. Such wisdom in so few words. x
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