March 2023 SOLC–Day 31
A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow.
http://www.twowritingteachers.org
This post is also a Poetry Friday post.
Whew! Well, here it is. The last post in this year’s challenge. Success! I won’t say it’s been easy. In fact, this year it’s been more difficult for me than it has in most of my previous years (all 8 or 9 of them–I can never remember). In short, while part of me will miss the daily posting, a big part is heaving a huge sigh of relief.
I struggled with sleep again last night and composed an awesome acrostic from the word “Slice”. I thought it would be a great ending post, and perhaps that’s why I was finally able to drift back off into sleep. But when I woke this morning it had disappeared into the mist. I sat down to write one again, hoping to retrieve some fragments, but the remnants were well and truly scattered.
I sat for a long time, debating what to stay. What to write. Finally, I realized that I really want to end this month and begin this new day with gratitude. I once met a beautiful, wise soul who said, “All my prayer is praise.” I’m not much of a prayer person, but her words sparked something within me. I love the idea of rooting myself in a practice of giving thanks, of praising. I am far from successful at this, but still I persevere.
Next my thoughts turned to a recent ELA prompt to write a “Pile Poem”. Amy Kay, the mentor poet shared there, was apparently inspired by this quote:
“So, what if, instead of thinking about solving our whole life, you just think about adding additional good things. One at a time. Just let your pile of good things grow.“
A Pile of Gratitude
Choosing the first one is probably the hardest. My husband? My three children? The blessing of my sisters? Living in Maine? Maybe the Carolina wren who sings the day awake or the fox sparrow scrabbling beneath the birch? I can't forget the marsh, the beach, the deep green of pine and steely grey granite. Each day's sunrise. The ever-present chickadee. The bold swagger of a crow on glittering snow. The laughter of children. Soon, I suspect, my lines will be overflowing, overrunning the page, the margins, and rewinding onto the next line, pooling, puddling like the extra fabric of curtains in old homes, and I think what a wonder it is to live a life that is so full of beauty, friends, family, community, that I have to worry about not having enough room to write it all on the page. It simply won't fit within the margins. And isn't that just grand?
©Molly Hogan
After writing this, I previewed to see how the poem looked when published. I realized I was right–when constricted to the blog format, my lines took on a life of their own. No longer does my poem have the ever increasing lines of my draft. To capture that, I’d have to play a bit more with technology, and I decided not to do that. It feels right to let my overflow of gratitude take over the form and make it its own. A teetering messy pile of sorts, one I might need to reconstruct now and again if it tilts or threatens to topple. That feels just about right.
Every day this month the SOL icon has been centered at the top of my post with a thank you to Two Writing Teachers, but that’s so easy to overlook. So here it is again: A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow. A huge additional thank you to everyone who took the time to read and comment on my blog during the month. I only wish I’d had more time to meander, read and comment along the way.
Poetry Friday this week is hosted by Mary Lee Hahn at her blog, A(nother) Year of Reading. Yet another thing to add to my pile of gratitude.
Nix the comfort zone 
Oh, I love this. The messy pile, the gratitude for so many things you can’t fit them on the page, the how grand is that?— I’m sorry you didn’t sleep again. Maybe April will bring better sleeps. Happy SOLSC 2023!
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April showers bring more sleep? lol One can only hope! Thanks for your support and comments during the month!
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I love how your poem changes from your list of things you love, to the reflection on how there are just too many things! What a great perspective for us to take on!
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It’s a perspective I’m always trying to remember. Some days it comes more easily than others… thanks for your constant support this month. I’m sooooo glad you participated!! Yay, us! (and now to plan our celebration…)
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What’s better than a messy pile of gratitude?!?
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Right!? I like the idea that sometimes the pile might topple over and need to be rebuilt. #truth
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I’m grateful for the words on your blog every day. I think this is a great format today, probably more apt than an acrostic, even a meandering one. I think I’ll try one of these on a Tuesday slice. It will have fewer bird references, though maybe in the future I’ll learn to recognize more.
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Wow, thanks. I feel the same way about your writing. Your stories are so well spun and so dryly humorous- I feel like I have a direct connection to a master raconteur! I just love all the connections made through this month. I’ll keep an eye out for your gratitude poem.
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There is so much about this that I love, not the least of which is that beautiful, messy poetic masterpiece. I appreciate you, your words & the possibilities you bring for future writing ideas. Hopefully sleep will come with April!
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Thanks so much, Amy! I really appreciated your support and comments through the month. I always wish for more time to read posts and comment on them… this year that was especially the case! In other words, I’ve read your posts more than I’ve commented, and always enjoy them!
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Beautiful sentiments, Molly! Life is messy and it only makes sense that our praise and gratitude can be messy too! Thank you for posting each day – I am grateful for your words, your photos, and you.
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It really struck me as I wrote this poem how much I have to be grateful for. Some days I find it harder than others to tap into that. It was such fun to ride along through March together 🙂 Thanks!
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Two things. First, congrats on 31 small victories. The writers among your friends/fans know this is no small accomplishment.
Second, this comment (Every day this month the SOL icon has been centered at the top of my post with a thank you to Two Writing Teachers, but that’s so easy to overlook.) is so true and so important to reiterate. What we see too often, we no longer see.
I have quotes from Anne Lamott in the signature of the emails I send out. They’ve been there for six months and I overlook them all the time. So here they are:
All quotes from Dusk Night Dawn (2021) by Anne Lamott
“the hardest work we do is self-love and forgiveness”
“perfectionism, the most toxic condition of the soul”
“Fear is not facts.”
Thank you Anne and thank you Molly for a morning bit of joy to start my day.
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Oh, I just love Anne Lamott, and these are great quotes. I especially need to remember the final one. Thanks for reading along all month!
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Dear Molly, the overflowing poet: SO much to love here. I love, too, that you allowed the poem to spill out in its own way…beautiful! xo
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Thanks, Irene. It was a very organic process this morning 🙂
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That was so beautiful and visual and authentic and just true, Molly. What a gift you have and are.
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Judith, thank you! I so appreciate your consistent support. We need to catch up soon!
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Just loved “the bold swagger of a crow on glittering snow.” I am definitely going to try A Pile of Gratitude poem. You are so tuned in to nature and your keen observations help me visualize your words. I have loved visiting your blog and hope to see you every Tuesday. Thank you!
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Lynne, I can’t thank you enough for reading and commenting on my posts this past month. Comments are a real motivation to keep writing and you have been so generous with yours. I’ve enjoyed reading your blog often, but haven’t been able to comment as much as I’d have liked. I’ll keep an eye out for you on Tuesdays!
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Your writing stirs my soul. “To live a life that is so full of beauty…” that whole line touches me emotionally. Thank you!
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What a lovely comment. Thank you so much.
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I was sorry your acrostic disappeared, but you found something wonderful in its place!
The other day, I was sitting on an airplane, wishing I hadn’t lost my phone in the airport, feeling like praying about it, and some kind of gratitude popped into my head. The phone ended up being passed onto the plane right as the doors were closing. I feel like gratitude is a powerful prayer, but you have to mean it and that is tough.
xo
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I think it’s a powerful stance and one that I seldom remember to take. That’s why I was so struck when someone said to me “all my prayer is praise.” It was a passing comment, but it stuck with me. I love the story you share and am so glad your phone found it’s way back to you!
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I need to try this – wow. How I love this pile of gratitude, so messy and chaotic and jumbled — and welling, and overflowing, and watering the roots of your soul… Now watch as you blossom. Lovely, thanks for sharing.
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Thanks! It’s funny how I didn’t try this when the prompt was current, but a memory of it came back at the perfect time. So much of life is like that if we just remember to keep our eyes open for possibilities.
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Hooray for so much wonder that “It simply won’t fit within the margins.”
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It was one of those moments when writing about gratitude reminded me of all that I have to celebrate. I’ve been dwelling in darker places a lot and this poem emerged like a gift to me. One more thing to be grateful for.
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Molly, that is a sweet pile of gratitude. I love the way you talk to your reader about which should go first, and then how it “simply won’t fit within the margins” and yes, that is grand!
Too bad about your lost SLICE acrostic. Is it time for a notebook and pen by your bed? I hate to lose those middle of the night compositions.
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I do have a notebook and pen by my bed, but my husband (understandably) isn’t keen on me turning on a book light in the middle of the night. Also, sometimes I’m almost not awake enough to even think that whole process through. It’s like when you’re cold all night but can’t quite remember that you could pull the extra blanket at the end of the bed. (or is that only me? lol)
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Oh, no, it’s not just you. I understand that blanket thing. The thing that wakes me fully is getting up to go to the bathroom; then I notice it I’m too cold or hot. I guess I probably write things when I’m having those 3 o’clock in the morning questions. I write always with the light off, thus I sometimes get some percentage of illegibility the next morning. 😉
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What a perfect messy pile. Now I’m thinking about having my students write a pile…maybe toward the end of April. Congrats on a great 31 day of posts. Your post appears in my email when I wake up in the morning, it’s a wonderful way to start my day!
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I start my day with your posts as well! You’re an inspiration in so many ways! I’ve always loved knowing that you’re out on the west coast soaking in and sharing gorgeous scenery while I’m trying to do the same on the east coast. Congratulations!
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To find yourself overwhelmed with gratitude is indeed a wonderful feeling, Molly. My wife and me often refer to ‘simple pleasures’ wrapped in myriad small moments across a day. Being grateful is such a great thing to consider and celebrate. Congratulations on scaling the heights of Mt. Marchslice…
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Thanks, Alan. I’m still wondering how I made it up over some of the trickier parts of the climb, but the view from the “summit” is superb!
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I’m glad you didn’t wrestle technology. I think you’re right–those overflowing lines are the best metaphor ever. Your words and your photos always bubble over with gratitude, Molly. I see your photos and often think they’re a prayer unto themselves (even though I’m not a huge pray-er myself). Congrats on completing SOL March!
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Thanks so much, Laura. I had great fun playing around in your poetry project today. Thanks for so generously sharing.
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What an image, good things “pooling, puddling
like the extra fabric of curtains in old homes”, and I’m so impressed that you managed every day, bringing these so-enjoyable slices to us. Thank you, Molly!
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Thanks, Heidi! It was a tough month, a slog at times, but as always, I’m so glad I persevered. Thanks for reading along 🙂
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Molly, this is beautiful in every way — from saying goodbye to a rewarding challenge to counting your blessings sparked by that wise soul. Remind me to tell you why I sent you a weird message with the phrase, “Doug is on his way.” It’s kinda funny.
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I was wondering about that message, but was a bit nervous about responding! I can’t wait to hear the story.
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There’s so much to love here, as Irene says. It’s a rainy Saturday morning here in Connecticut, but full of such Poetry Friday richness for me. Thanks for your part!
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Rainy Saturdays can be a delightful time to savor PF!
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I used to do both March & April & loved SOL, met wonderful people there, but I understand it’s a lot. Your “pile” is extra wonderful, Molly. I’ve lately seen some gift ideas for teens about filling a gratitude journal, or jar, I guess you know. This will make a pile of goodness, no questions asked. Congrats for March!
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Thanks, Linda! It is a lot, but always worth it!
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What a beautiful, honest slice for Day 31. You made it!! Yay! I have seen these pile poems popping up this year, but I think yours is the best. This line is a wonderful visual- “pooling, puddling
like the extra fabric of curtains in old homes” I can so picture that, your gratitudes piling up at the bottom of the floor. What a lovely thing to have so many things that you can’t fit them all! Until next March, my friend…be well and keep writing!
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Thanks! I so enjoyed following along with your posts. I hope you’ve fully recovered from your health scare!
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Love a pile of praise – of gratitude. When words fail, give thanks. Yes. Thank you.
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Your poem is a brilliant way to pile it on, Molly – teetering, messy, and inspiring. Thank you. 🙂
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Definitely messy! lol
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It is grand, Molly! I love your “pooling, puddling” pile of gratitude and the quote that inspired you.
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Thanks, Catherine. It’s a great quote, and one I will try to remember.
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