Todd, this is exquisite and tremendous poem, full of hope and the magical wisdom and creativity you bring to your poetry. What a joy it is to read your poems!
Thank you for this, Kaitlin! May has been a full month. I didn’t get a poem written and added to this space every day—but most days I turned the word in my head as I struggled through the demands of the day, and it was helpful. There were a few days this month that held some kind of not life or death serious, yet momentarily catastrophic, event. Those days I didn’t even get to look at the word for the day. Some prompts I started writing about but left unfinished. You chose good words. I realized (again) the need I have to write and I need to carve out the time to keep doing it. I also very much enjoyed reading what others wrote. I tend to wax long in verbiage while some of the most powerful poems were from those who were able to express great emotion encapsulated in few words. So again, thank you—and here’s to HOPE!
Hope.
I know well the feeling of hopeLESSness.
The familiarity of the exhaustion of spirit when caught in that sticky web of not-enough-ness and “impossibilities”
And the futility of frequent, and frustrating failures
That immobilize.
But also,
I know the gentle dawning of Hope like the sunrise.
The barely perceptible incremental increasing
warmth and light pushing back darkness until
The glowing sun emerges and splendorizes the skies and all it touches.
The way Hope dances free
with the tree leaves and breathes sweet encouragement in the evening breeze against my face.
The chorus of Hope that sounds in birdsong, frog chorus, and laughing children,
Releasing and reviving melodies in my heart.
Hope lifts my head to an awareness of yet unknown possibilities.
Also, I just wrote this and posted without my usual mulling. I just changed “the chorus of Hope that sounds….” To “The harmonies of Hope which sound…” I do have an affinity for alliterations 😜
Yes, the sticky web of not-enoughness! So true. I am so glad you've joined us here, Joanna. And I hope you find beautiful, tender ways to journey with words as you go from here.
Thank you for a wonderful month of creating this space Kaitlin. In answer to some of your questions - over the past year or so I have been learning about finding ways to work cyclically - more in tune with the interplay between me, the earth, and beyond. And while I don't always get it right, it definitely works better for me! So I've been reminded here that I write best/better when I'm true to this principle 💜
I've really felt part of a community here this month - thank you all for the sharing, the wisdom, and the encouragement.
Thank you Kaitlin. Thank you for the hope you have inspired in me and in here. Thank you opening a space where we can share and receive and read each other’s words. Hope rises this morning in our world. Thank you.
This is superb, A. The integration of words you use, your spacing and cadence, are so skillful and artistic. Your poetry and you give me hope every day. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this month, Kaitlin. I enjoy writing poetry but without these prompts rarely do it. I was so surprised by the emotions that came up in my poems this month - forgotten memories, pain I thought I had processed, it has felt beautiful and mysterious somehow just to let the words flow. I am always glad to get poetry prompts from you - I am encouraged to let my writing be a creative way of finding my way through life that is somehow more daring, and often deeper than my journaling. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Kaitlin. It has been a real privilege to get to know you and your writing and the writing of those who have contributed here this past month. I have learned that I can (sometimes) put words together in a way that maybe, occasionally resembles poetry lol. These prompts have allowed me to pause, breathe, process various ideas, and find new ways to express myself creatively. I would love to receive more! And I look forward to staying connected to this community.
This is terrific, Jimmy. I love the rhythm and cadence you create with your rhyming pattern, one line followed by two that rhyme. That is superb! Thank you for sharing your fine poetry here!
Thank you, Kaitlin. This gift of May has shown me the hearts of many pilgrim poets, and reminded me of the joy of journeying together.
Hope
When the backward glance of wishing
Has worn you to a frazzle
And you can’t imagine anyplace
Or anyone you’ll ever bedazzle
I trust you’ll feel a tiny twitch
Like the wing flap of a sparrow
That stirs within the deepest deeps
In the very core of your marrow
Something that reaches out
Like a properly placed rope
Offering you a knot to grab
A lifesaver whose name is Hope
Who grabs you back and holds you
In hands tender but strong
Accompanying your journey
No matter how steep or long
She’s the traveling angel who’s
Already been where you’re going
She’s the heart forever beating
In the fear of your unknowing
Hope is a memory of tomorrow
Grown from a seed called grace
She’s the other side of sorrow
With us in each time and place
Thank you for being here, Todd! So grateful for your presence and your poetry.
Very beautiful. I especially love "the traveling angel who's already been where you're going."
Brought tears!
Todd, this is exquisite and tremendous poem, full of hope and the magical wisdom and creativity you bring to your poetry. What a joy it is to read your poems!
Thank you, Larry! I’ve been inspired by all I’ve read here this month.
Thank you for this, Kaitlin! May has been a full month. I didn’t get a poem written and added to this space every day—but most days I turned the word in my head as I struggled through the demands of the day, and it was helpful. There were a few days this month that held some kind of not life or death serious, yet momentarily catastrophic, event. Those days I didn’t even get to look at the word for the day. Some prompts I started writing about but left unfinished. You chose good words. I realized (again) the need I have to write and I need to carve out the time to keep doing it. I also very much enjoyed reading what others wrote. I tend to wax long in verbiage while some of the most powerful poems were from those who were able to express great emotion encapsulated in few words. So again, thank you—and here’s to HOPE!
Hope.
I know well the feeling of hopeLESSness.
The familiarity of the exhaustion of spirit when caught in that sticky web of not-enough-ness and “impossibilities”
And the futility of frequent, and frustrating failures
That immobilize.
But also,
I know the gentle dawning of Hope like the sunrise.
The barely perceptible incremental increasing
warmth and light pushing back darkness until
The glowing sun emerges and splendorizes the skies and all it touches.
The way Hope dances free
with the tree leaves and breathes sweet encouragement in the evening breeze against my face.
The chorus of Hope that sounds in birdsong, frog chorus, and laughing children,
Releasing and reviving melodies in my heart.
Hope lifts my head to an awareness of yet unknown possibilities.
A seed of Hope planted
Yields the promise of fruit.
Also, I just wrote this and posted without my usual mulling. I just changed “the chorus of Hope that sounds….” To “The harmonies of Hope which sound…” I do have an affinity for alliterations 😜
Yes, the sticky web of not-enoughness! So true. I am so glad you've joined us here, Joanna. And I hope you find beautiful, tender ways to journey with words as you go from here.
Thank you❤️
‘Hope lifts my head to an awareness of yet unknown possibilities.’ Beautiful 🫶🏽
Thankyou❤️
This is beautiful Joanna! A toast of Hope to you!
Thank you! And back to you, Larry!
Some answers.
1. what did you learn about yourself here?
that i like to play with words.
2.what surprised you about poetry in this space?
That I would find a snug little dark poem corner to squat in.
3. will you keep writing beyond this?
probably.
(but probably not every dang day🙂)
4. would you like more poetry prompts from me?
Yes.
5. how does poetry shape your ways of being in the world?
I feel more armed, with a confident swagger, to be able to rattle out a 5-7-5 on just about any curve ball the world throws at me.
Takes the sting out of things a little bit.
And i thank you kaitlin, and all you good accommodating poem folks in here with your good and kind and powerful words for that new found swagger.
Well that brought a few tears to my eyes, Chuck. Thank you for being a steady presence here, I appreciate you! Keep up that swagger. :)
I love you Chuck. I love your swagger too. I don't think it's that new though. woof?
Woof, my sister.
Thank you for a wonderful month of creating this space Kaitlin. In answer to some of your questions - over the past year or so I have been learning about finding ways to work cyclically - more in tune with the interplay between me, the earth, and beyond. And while I don't always get it right, it definitely works better for me! So I've been reminded here that I write best/better when I'm true to this principle 💜
I've really felt part of a community here this month - thank you all for the sharing, the wisdom, and the encouragement.
Yes to cyclical ways of being! And I am so glad you felt welcomed this month. I love this community.
Sarah--I have really enjoyed your poems and insights! Beautiful blessings to you!
Ah thank you so much Larry! And many, many blessings to you in return ☺️
Thank you Sarah! And you are welcome!
Thank you Kaitlin. Thank you for the hope you have inspired in me and in here. Thank you opening a space where we can share and receive and read each other’s words. Hope rises this morning in our world. Thank you.
Thank you, Larry, for your steady care of everyone here. So grateful!
Answer to number 3 - yes! (and hopefully much more often)
And 4 - yes, please! Always!
This is one of my favourite things out of the entire year.
Mine too! :):)
I went looking for hope, feeling
all alone, and I found it lying
.
at the bottom of a stone, under
which I'd crawled for comfort.
.
It followed me when I climbed
up the stem of a dandelion and
.
as I rode a wish along the wind
and as I got caught up in a cloud.
.
It fell as I rained down and rolled
around the frond of a fern, returning
.
to earth. I am never alone now.
It is always with me -
.
can't you see? -
among the words, and seeds,
.
and everything.
This is lovely x
This is superb, A. The integration of words you use, your spacing and cadence, are so skillful and artistic. Your poetry and you give me hope every day. Thank you.
Thank you, friend.
Thank you so much for this month, Kaitlin. I enjoy writing poetry but without these prompts rarely do it. I was so surprised by the emotions that came up in my poems this month - forgotten memories, pain I thought I had processed, it has felt beautiful and mysterious somehow just to let the words flow. I am always glad to get poetry prompts from you - I am encouraged to let my writing be a creative way of finding my way through life that is somehow more daring, and often deeper than my journaling. Thank you.
Hope
Hope lingers,
she is always the last to leave
Hope holds on,
he is always here until the very end
Hope fuels us,
motivates us,
moves us forward.
Hope brings us life
Hope is everywhere
a smile
a flower
the morning light
a coffee
a cake
a glass of wine
a hug
a kiss
a 'see you soon'
Hope is here
deep inside me
I can feel it
as I write.
Hope holds me
as I hold on to hope.
I love rhis beautiful poem, Jane. I would add to your listing of what hope is: Hope is Jane Longley and her magical mind and heart of poems!
Aw thank you so much for the encouragement - much appreciated!
Really beautiful 🫶🏽
Thank you so much, Kaitlin. It has been a real privilege to get to know you and your writing and the writing of those who have contributed here this past month. I have learned that I can (sometimes) put words together in a way that maybe, occasionally resembles poetry lol. These prompts have allowed me to pause, breathe, process various ideas, and find new ways to express myself creatively. I would love to receive more! And I look forward to staying connected to this community.
Thank you Rachel! I am so glad you were here. Keep writing and holding that sacred space!
Rachel, your poems are delightful, and so full id depth and meaning! Thank you!
You’re very kind, Larry! It’s been a pleasure to read your work as well.
Thank you Kaitlin!
Hope
Holding
On
Patiently
Evolving
An early morning sunrise
Waking up to
Birdsong floating on the breeze
Through my bedroom window
My mind clear
Hope.
Hands
Open
Prayerful
Expectation
My daughters’ laughter
The swish of backpacks
Slung over shoulders
Quickening steps to meet friends
Faces beaming in recognition
Hope.
Healing
Onward
Potential
Expanding
The promise of better angels
The love of family
And unexpected community
Words written, read, shared
Our voices unafraid.
This poem shakes the sky, Rachel! I love this:
"Hope.
Healing
Onward
Potential
Expanding"
Thank you for your poetry!
I have so many thoughts and much gratitude to share, which I'll try to do later when I'm on my computer instead of my phone. In the meantime:
.
I don't hope in outcomes.
I wield it like a weapon,
Gritting my teeth and saying,
"I try again, I try again, I try again."
LIsa, your poems have been some of my greatest joy this month. Short, long, in between, they have opened my ehart ecvery time!
No way to Cope
Without a boat load of Hope
Hope, its the greatest of things
Greater than the buzz of the bees
Or the dance of the trees
Hope, its the greateat of things
Greater than a painted sky
Or the most bittersweet goodbye
Hope, its the greatest of things
Greater than the scent of the lilac
Or the voice of Roberta Flack
Hope, its the greatest of things
Greater than the song of the Jay
Or the Dock of the Bay
Tis Greater than the sand on the shore
Even Greater than the Lion’s roar
Hope it the Greatest of things
Greater than the Harpists strings
Hope, its the greatest of things
For all the complex Human beings
This is terrific, Jimmy. I love the rhythm and cadence you create with your rhyming pattern, one line followed by two that rhyme. That is superb! Thank you for sharing your fine poetry here!
Frantically thumbing
for the next seed to ponder
June breathes cold turkey.
Thank you kaitlin for a fine month in May.
when eyes are closed,
there is still fire
kindled in shadows-
warmth is a word
held within, hopeful
in its breathing.
This is very lively A. M. Your poetry is so moving.
My one hokey hope
Is to evade those venues
where hopeless hangs out.
Thanks, y'all.✌️
We all need a good map that point out the places of hope and hopelessness!