I just returned today from participating in the weeklong Quoddy Writing Retreat with Georgia Heard and Ralph Fletcher. My head is spinning, thoughts are percolating, and I am utterly exhausted. But… it’s the first Friday of August, which means the Inklings’ challenge is due.
This month our challenge came from Catherine Flynn who asked us to respond to Ada Limón’s You Are Here prompt: What would you write in response to the landscape around you? Lke Heidi’s prompt last month, this is such a perfect summer prompt. I really wish I’d been able to dedicate more time to this (and hope to play around with it some more), but the retreat was only a small part of my recent whirlwind of travel and visitors. I’m sharing something I wrote a few weeks ago that more or less fits the bill.
By the way, the sunflowers took off while I was away, and this is what they look like now:
Isn’t it wonderful to reap a reward from NOT weeding? Ah, the benevolence of benign neglect!
If you’d like to check out what the other Inklings did with this prompt, click on their links:
Linda A Word Edgewise
Catherine Reading to the Core
Margaret Reflections on the Teche
Mary Lee Another Year of Reading
Heidi my juicy little universe
This week’s Poetry Friday is hosted by Laura Purdie Salas at her blog. She’s celebrating the book birthday of her newest picture book, “Line Leads the Way”.
Nix the comfort zone 
My poem turned toward the bounty from not weeding as well. Look at those perky sunny sunflowers. Serendipitous, indeed! Can’t wait to hear about the retreat!
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I’m still enjoying the sunflowers. They’re quite tenacious as well as serendipitous!
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I’ve had “volunteer” sunflowers sprout up near bird feeders before. This year I just have weeds! Your poem is perfect. Wish I was going to be able to hear about the retreat next week. I’m sure it was amazing!
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I’ve never had so many before. Usually I accidentally weed them or the snails get them. PS I’m looking forward to hearing about your travels!
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So exhausted! I’m ready to be home. Excited that we will get to stay connected through this!
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I’m sorry your trip home was not smooth. It was great to connect and I’m also excited to continue to touch base through slices 🙂
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Gorgeous–here’s to benign neglect! Can’t wait to hear about your week, Molly.
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I think benign neglect is probably underrated.
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I think you could replace the last line of your poem with “the benevolence of benign neglect” and it would work just as well! 🙂
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Love that idea!
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The beauty of benign neglect, indeed! I love the idea of those sunflowers as thank you notes!
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I’m a happy recipient 🙂
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Molly, what a joyful serendipity. Your poem reminds me of Margaret’s. Your garden surely does not give “allegiance
to the government of gardens…” as she wrote. I love a garden in benign neglect.
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I’ve been on the road and very busy this summer. My garden has moved into some other state at this point. What comes after benign neglect, I wonder? Chaos? lol
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Molly, benign neglect is such an restful thought that flourishes with your words. When I returned home from the hospital in May, my garden was flourishing with surprises. While the wildness was evident, the mint plants in the herb garden enjoyed more than their share of population.
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I love the lens you’ve taken when describing your garden as “flourishing with surprises” . I hope you’re fully recovered and enjoying all the wonders in your garden these days.
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Molly, The sunflowers gifted by the feeding bird are a bright smile to your world. So glad for this. I also am thrilled for your creative time – and word – with Ralph Fletcher & Georgia Heard. BRAVA!
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