poetry

Into a New Year with Poetry

A steady light rain has blessed drought-stricken southern California for the past three days. This gave me plenty of time to read, write, and enjoy my Christmas chocolates and teas.

I know it’s Saturday, but given it’s a holiday weekend, I decided to do a Sunday share today to honor the year going out and the one coming in. I find the complexity and simplicity of poetry communicate feelings the best.

Burning the Old Year

BY NAOMI SHIHAB NYE

Letters swallow themselves in seconds.   
Notes friends tied to the doorknob,   
transparent scarlet paper,
sizzle like moth wings,
marry the air.

So much of any year is flammable,   
lists of vegetables, partial poems.   
Orange swirling flame of days,   
so little is a stone.

Where there was something and suddenly isn’t,   
an absence shouts, celebrates, leaves a space.   
I begin again with the smallest numbers.

Quick dance, shuffle of losses and leaves,   
only the things I didn’t do   
crackle after the blazing dies.

And to welcome in a new year: Promise by Jackie Kay.

More rain is in store for this evening, so I’ll celebrate the passing year and talk about the one ahead with my two kids, who’ve decided to stay home instead of attending parties.

A wish for every good thing in your life to come into being. Flip the page to a new chapter and discover what’s ahead.

P.S. If you noticed, I accidentally posted a poem today. I hit a ‘reblog’ button of a poet I follow, Bill Bisgood. He writes a daily haiku. They’re very good. Visit his page.

Native American poetry, poetry, Writing

Sunday Share: Photos, Poetry, Prose

The week began with a text that barely made a sound, but I knew it was from my son. He was on a train from the east coast to the west coast. It’s a long story to explain why he prefers a train to a flight, so I won’t.

My children are young adults, but they’re always my kids, with every concern and hope for their safety. So when my cell vibrated, I grabbed it.

Clicking on the text opened up a gorgeous photo of the sunrise. The cotton candy clouds swirled over silhouetted mountains captured the moment’s symbolism. My son was entering California. He was coming home.

The image filled me with gratitude and peace.

Later in the day, I glanced at the books stacked behind my computer. American Sunrise by Joy Harjo met my eyes. The title, the colors, and the photo of people, who I interpreted as family, greeted me.

I flipped through the pages to one of my favorite poems by Rainy Dawn Ortiz- even her name refers to a sunrise.

Directions to You

East

The sunrise,

Red,

Morning heat on our face even on the coldest morning.

The sun creates life,

Energy,

Nourishment.

Gather strength, pull it in

Be right where you are.

Have a wonder-filled week. Sign up for the monthly newsletter, which arrives on the fourth Saturday.

Soon, I’ll receive advanced reader copies (ARC) of my debut novel, THE GARDEN OF SECOND CHANCES. Subscribers will have the first chance at a giveaway, using a random generator, for an ARC. I’ll mail this to the winner, if within the USA.