Welcome to Poetry Friday! I’m delighted to be hosting this week’s Roundup, even though it did sneak up on me. (Where did July go anyway?)
by Stephanie Corfee
I’ve been thinking about joy a fair bit recently. I’ve been considering what it is, where I find it, how I nurture and spread it, etc. Way back in May, I read the transcript of a fabulous 2023 commencement address given by Sarah Leavitt to students graduating from the UBC School of Creative Writing. Entitled Joyful Persistence , it was all about finding joy in creative practice. Here’s a small quote to entice you to find some extra time to read it:
“For most of my life, my art-making, whether it was drawing, writing or making comics, felt painful and fraught. But now – most of the time – creative practice is something that steadies me, something I rely on to think and feel my way through the world. It’s a source of deep joy. I’m going to share some ideas with you today that have helped me make that shift.”
At about the same time that I read this, I happened to read Mary Oliver’s , Don’t Hesitate. The final line “Joy is not made to be a crumb” sang for me. Don’t you just love it? I returned to it recently, and it inspired me to write this golden shovel, which is still a work in progress.
Joy
after Mary Oliver’s “Don’t Hesitate”
It sneaks up on you. Joy-
a whisper, a flutter, and whoosh! there it is,
rich, heady and full throated, not
something to nod at in passing, but made
to be fully savored, to
wander and wallow in. Stop! Be
greedy! Gobble up each morsel! This is a
moment to lick your plate clean of every crumb.
©Molly Hogan, draft
Then, in a lovely moment of serendipity, I came across this quote:
Joy as insurrection…wow!
Consider this an invitation to rise up against the oppression of fear, and stir up the pot of joy with big, messy strokes! One way to do so is by sending some poetry out into the world, so you’re invited to share your link at the Inlinkz link party– Click here to enter . You’re also pretty sure to find some joy by clicking on other links and seeing what’s on offer this week. En-JOY!
PS I may be a bit delayed in making the rounds due to summer visitors, but I’ll be around sooner or later.
Nix the comfort zone 
Wonderful post, wonderful reminder and validation of how creating feels to me, too. Thank you for this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks!
LikeLike
I’m a big Mary Oliver fan, so I especially love your golden shovel and the celebration of joy as something to “wander and wallow in.” Thank you for this beautiful, heartfelt post sure to bring joy to all who read it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mary Oliver is the best, and I love that there are still poems of hers for me to discover. That’s joy!
LikeLike
I’m feeling joy! 🙂 Beautiful, exuberant post, Molly, and your golden shovel is golden. Love when serendipity is so serendipitous. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s so fascinating when things fall into place!
LikeLike
[…] has the roundup today at Nix the Comfort Zone. Be sure to stop by and feel all the JOY she is […]
LikeLike
I often think about how I’m never really happier than when I’m making something, a poem, whatever. I love that you are writing about joy in creating and that joy seems to be part of the political discourse in the last week. Bring on more of it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The change in political climate is oh-so-welcome! Here’s hoping we keep tuning into joy and spreading it as we can!
LikeLike
Thanks for your delicious poem Molly, filled with enticing joy and spread throughout your post—I’m looking forward to more… And thanks also for hosting this week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Michelle! Here’s hoping we all take the time to notice and celebrate joy!
LikeLike
Yes to JOY! I’m here for it! Thank you for this beautiful message and links.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for all the joy you spread through your art–in all mediums!
LikeLike
[…] Poetry Friday is hosted today by Molly Hogan at Nix the Comfort Zone. […]
LikeLike
Molly, you ARE joy! Thanks for this feast. I am definitely about licking the crumbs. I do have a strong resistance to the word “work” as it relates to my poet-life. NOT work. Play. Pleasure. Joy! xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t that the truth! Molly IS a joy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Dan!
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Irene! I love that you resist the word “work” to describe your poet-life. Your focus on play, pleasure and joy shines on through!
LikeLike
Ollie can sure turn a phrase “Joy is not made to be a crumb.” And joy as insurrection! Love it. We’ve all been given some hope with Kamala’s excellent choice for VP. A teacher no less! Molly, Susan Collins has to be retiring soon. Any interest in her job or a recommendation for a candidate with whom you live!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved the idea of joy as insurrection, so I’m glad you did, too. No ideas for Susan Collins’ replacement here. Politics is NOT our wheelhouse!
LikeLike
Thanks for hosting with such JOY! I love that simple 3 letter word. And how you transformed Mary Oliver into a tasty morsel of it all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Margaret. I think the more you look for joy, the more you find, so I’m trying to keep my joy lenses polished up as we head into the school year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for hosting today, Molly. I went on a similar search for joy several years ago. Certainly, readings on joy helped me as well. One that was particularly helpful was a book that had a joyful quote on each page. I love this line from your blog today -“rich, heady and full throated.” Thank you for sharing your thoughts on joy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do think that the more you look for joy, the more you’ll find. I hope you found your search rewarding 🙂
LikeLike
Some provocative questions! Thanks for hosting today, happy weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I hope you have a joyful weekend!
LikeLike
Thanks for hosting us and for this focus on JOY! Let the insurrection begin!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m a rule follower by nature, but that’s one insurrection I’d sign up for! (Does one even sign up for an insurrection? lol)
LikeLike
[…] Molly has this week’s JOYFUL Poetry Friday roundup at Nix the Comfort Zone. […]
LikeLike
Thank you for all this joy, and for your golden shovel. I love the advice to be greedy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Also, stopping back in to thank you for the link to the Joyful Persistence talk. I loved it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I’m so glad you were able to find time to listen to it. I loved it, too!
LikeLike
Love the golden shovel, Molly–“Gobble up each morsel.” Good advice for all of us!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Buffy!
LikeLike
Hooray for joy! Yes, to joy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
#truth! Hope you’re finding joy in the beginning days of the school year, Linda!
LikeLike
Gosh we’ve been wallowing in joy –the lead up to, the weekend of, and the after-glow of our son’s wedding! I love that last line: Joy is not made to be a crumb! We are feasting on every beautiful morsel!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How wonderful that you’ve been feasting on joy. I really enjoyed your post this week! Congrats again to all!
LikeLike