This is splendid, Todd. I like how you begin with the image of change in a jar, on the dresser and move out into the changes in our lives and the world. Quite nice.
Lisa, I expect it is one of your qualities that also contribute to so many good aspects of who you are! In fact, others might consider it wisdom or thoughtfulness!
Oh, I love this A. What a wonderful cadence and flow you create. There is a beautiful lyrical quality to your poem. I love the ending: "or the satisfaction of a room rearranged."
Very nice, Sarah! I really like the ending lines: "New rhythms in me drumming. I sit with them, and recall-it's all about becoming." This is remarkable work!
This is exceptional, Sarah. You describe so wonderfully how hard it can be to enjoy the pace of change when you are in it and padlding frantically just to stay upright.
"spare some change?"
says the liturgist to the congregation.
says God to
absolutely
everyone
That’s a whole-ass sermon right there, my friend. Thank you. 🙌🏼
Good thing, with so much else going on in the Feast of Pentecost liturgy today. Phew!
absolutely....
Change…
What?
Again?
Yes…
And again.
And… again…
And again…
Change
tiring
frustrating
thought provoking
reorienting
recalibrating
But… with
Hands open
Eyes open
Heart open
What’s around the corner is coming
So is growth.
Change
Right?!?. Again and again and again.
Very nice, Kristy. I like the way your flow blends so nicely with rhe constant rhythm of change. These lines towards the end are quite moving:
"But… with
Hands open
Eyes open
Heart open
What’s around the corner is coming..."
Change
It collects in a jar,
on the dresser,
until we pour it out
as an offering
to alleviate hunger
and poverty.
It’s so easy to imagine
when it’s someone else
who’s doing it.
It’s the way of the cosmos,
constant motion,
continual adjustment,
plans and re-plans.
We are pained when
it feels forced upon us,
but emboldened when
it feels like our choice.
It’s not easy when
we have to go first,
but the person we find
in the mirror
at the other end
is stronger, more resilient.
We don’t always
make good choices,
but the practice
is what propels us,
not to perfection,
but wholeness.
Change.
Let’s do it.
Let’s be it.
This is splendid, Todd. I like how you begin with the image of change in a jar, on the dresser and move out into the changes in our lives and the world. Quite nice.
It’s the word-nerd within, who insists on running each word through the dictionary (or is it the fridge) to see what comes out. 🤭
Well considered and pondered, I'd call it!
It's summer now
I'm sticky with sunscreen and bug spray
and a cloying sweat
But my winter coat's on the hook in the hallway--
The flip of the seasons so quick as to be dizzying.
.
The mockingbird sings all night long for a mate
And I let the medical bills pile up and wonder what it's all for.
.
We painted the house.
The kingbirds are back.
So many engagements.
I want to run away.
.
When my spouse bought a dishwasher
I cried, because I was stressed by the sudden introduction of something new.
But now I love it and can't imagine chores without it
But I am upset, like an apple cart,
by every new thing
Breaking its way into my life.
Why can't I be a kid
Why can't I be a teen
Why can't I be a mythical version of myself
Why must I be born
again and again and again?
Oof, this has gotten me right in the feels Lisa. Thank you.
I'm both glad and kind of sorry that it was relatable! :)
"upset like an apple cart, by every new thing"
Same.
It's such a mood!
I feel this poem in my bones.
transformational whiplash.
For real!
This is deeply relatable, Lisa. "Upset, like an apple cart" is so good. All of it is so good.
Thanks so much! I love exploring double meanings, such as "upset" here.
Yes! Me, too.
This is quite powerful, Lisa. It resonates so strongly, and speaks so keenly to what can be our innate resistsance to change, even good change.
Thank you!! I am ridiculously resistant to change of any kind, which often makes my life much harder than it needs to be...
Lisa, I expect it is one of your qualities that also contribute to so many good aspects of who you are! In fact, others might consider it wisdom or thoughtfulness!
Change happens one day at a time
You don't really see it happening
Then one day
You look back
And poof
You're different
You're not sure how or when it happened
You just know
At the core you've
Changed
Are you happy about it
Neither
You just go with the flow
And recognize the growth
Poof......
Very nice, Gloria. You capture the dizzying and also subtle pace and power of change so well.
Thank you!
Change
How odd
it is
that The Creator
imbued the creation
with an innate
aversion
to life's
only
constant.
Yes!!!
Ooooooh... I love this!
If I’d known that you were coming,
I’d have been better prepared.
As it is you took me by surprise
Just showing up like this.
If I’d known that you were coming,
I’d have paid the past more mind
When it was still the present
Before you came along.
If I’d known that you were coming,
I’d have made a different choice
Than to wish away the days
Of an ordinary life.
I should have known that you were coming
Because change always does.
And now that you are here
You might as well come in.
"You might as well come in." I feel that.
I love this Karri! The ending is superb: "you might as well come in." Indeed!
I want to change the world
But all I’ve got is chump change
(Small acts of healing, one little moment at a time)
This is wonderful, Alexandra! It's a real gift to create such a powerful poem in three lines. Wow!
Sometimes all it takes
is the simplest change;
like the light of the moon
as it waxes and wanes,
a difficult concept
more clearly explained,
new intimacy with something
you once found strange
a different perspective through
distance you've gained,
or the satisfaction
of a room rearranged.
Oh I love the flow and rhythm of this!
The rhythm of this feels like breathing room.
Oh, I love this A. What a wonderful cadence and flow you create. There is a beautiful lyrical quality to your poem. I love the ending: "or the satisfaction of a room rearranged."
Wrote this one a few years back to help me with the transition from summer to autumn ...
The nights are drawing in.
And I am okay.
I see the change - I am the change.
This mantra I will say.
To remind myself
That change is good.
New rhythms in me drumming.
I sit with them, and recall -
It's all about becoming.
Very nice, Sarah! I really like the ending lines: "New rhythms in me drumming. I sit with them, and recall-it's all about becoming." This is remarkable work!
She always aims for the big screen
Like all those angels do.
but she has a quirky habit
of bailing halfway thru.
Flaming Tongues? On their heads?
Then they talk funny?
They'll just seem drunk again,
Still toasting the Easter bunny.
But it's just the kind of drama
that you're known for, no shit.
Something to write home about,
an event that they won't forget.
Allrite, allrite let's give it a shot.
Lets try your crazy scheme.
But don't you dare change horses
In the middle of your theme.
(Badum tish) (🥁)
God of Upheaval, Storm of the Spirit,
Lord of The Winds Of Change,
you love us too much to leave us where we are.
Drive me out of my comfortable habits
of comparison and complacency,
because I’m still buying the lie
that I need that apple to be enough.
Very nice, January, and very fitting for Pentecost!
They say
"the only constant
is change,"
a knowing look
in their eyes.
For the perfectionist,
the control-freak,
this is a hard truth
to swallow.
But I've discovered,
slowly,
with difficulty,
that if I can embrace
the fickleness of life,
if I can lean into
my powerlessness,
when I simply
(bravely)
hang on to the raft
and float through the rapids,
my strife subsides
and I
can enjoy the ride.
Hanging onto that raft here for awhile now!!
This is exceptional, Sarah. You describe so wonderfully how hard it can be to enjoy the pace of change when you are in it and padlding frantically just to stay upright.
Thank you, Larry. You are so encouraging :)
*hang on to the raft…
and float…*
Yes!
Planck said;
“When you change the way
You look at things,
The things you look at Change
Brilliant insights
That usually ring true
But do they apply
When looking at You
Do we notice our own Change
And take proper Credit
For Glowing & Growing
Making our old life, one big Edit
If you’re writing prose here
And doing the tough inner work
Dontcha think you deserve
More than just an occassional perk
An actul Self-Hug Perhaps
For how far you’ve come
Still feeling & caring
Refusing to go Numb
Maybe Tassle your own Hair
It’s not really that Strange
An Extra dose of Self-Love
To Celebrate your own Change
Hunched in a doorway
Sheltered from the rain
Begging for change.
Coins tossed in a vain
Attempt to contain
The palpable shame,
Which money won’t assuage.
Spare change
Is not a living wage.
It is profane
To short-change
Someone’s pain.
True capital gains
Occur when we engage.
Listen to the human race…
We are begging for change.
The kind we can sustain.
Stop justifying restraint.
BE the change.
This is powerful and poignant, Janine. Your rhyming is exquisite and works so well.
I love your poem today so much, Kaitlin - it inspired mine (and reshaped the way I think of change), so thank you :)
Change
I used to think
I hated change
but now I realise
I hate sudden change
forced change
unexpected change.
I love natural change
light to dark
day to night
sunrise to sunset
the rhythm of the day
winter to spring
spring to summer
summer to autumn
autumn to winter
the flow of the seasons
the change that comes
with the passing of time
young to old
gentle
quiet
peaceful
one day at a time
I love this idea of natural change vs forced change.
This is very beautiful, Jane. Thank you!