I'm always surprised by how quickly this month passes, even though many of the days feel longer. Writing every day and sharing with you all is such a sacred practice for me, and I'm so grateful for this space. Thank you for continuing to create/hold it for us, Kaitlin.
Thank you Kaitlin, for leading and inspiring us this month. It has been a precious time, and truly a gift of light and love in a time when we need more of both in the world. This month has been islands of quiet in the chaos for me. Today’s Gaelic word is perfect, and the hopefulness in your prompt and poem fills my heart.
Thank you to everyone, you amazing poets, whose poems, songs and wisdom have brought smiles, laughter, tears, courage and hope to a tired soul. Blessings to you all. Mach! I
This is an exceptional poem, Barbara. It is a kind, grackious and hopeful poem on this day in May. Your invoking Walt Whitman brought a smile to my heart. I am perpetually amazed of the reach of artists across geneartions, across centuries.
Thank you so much for your words in response, for this and many of the poems I have offered, Larry. It has been a new venture for me, and I am very grateful for your affirmation.
An Amen, Ashe, Amin, Blessed Be, Shalom, Salaam, and may it ever be so to your lovely poem, Nancy. It has been such a gift to read your poetry every day.
Larry, I really appreciate your comments, not just on my poetry, but others, too. Your ability to find some nugget in each poem and give support to so many of us has been appreciated. I have also enjoyed reading your work is well.
This whole experience has truly been so spirit affirming and that's on Kaitlin.
What a pleasure to end this month with a 'focail as Gaeilge' - a word in Irish! Despite having learned the language in school for the guts of 14 years I rarely put it to use, so thank you for this opportunity/reminder Kaitlin! And thank you all again; it has been a treasure of a month 💜
This is remarkable and beautiful Jane, words from deep wisdom and abiding love. A wonderful benediction for the month. I like your adapted revision--and would love to use it tomorrow morning if that is agreeable to you, giving all credit to you. Thank you for yourr lovely poetry!
Thank you for this month, Kaitlin. I don't know if I will be able to join tomorrow, as it looks like there is link to join from Nicaragua, but I have so much appreciated this daily practice with you all :)
Thank you, Jane. As a minister who has offered this same benediction, I treasure your casting of it:Do not hurt anyone. Support those who feel they can't go on. I will share these words of blessing.
This is beautiful, Katie. Another brilliant and inspiring poem from you. What a blessing it has been to read your poems this month. Your lovely poem remidned me of a song I lvoe, "Time after Time" by Cyndi Lauper. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWvPOJOYqGA (Eva Cassidy version).
This is brilliant Steven. I like that you brought in the meaning of Mach as it relates to speed. Being of Irish descent, with some Scottish and English blended in, I can imagine Jesus saying A-Mach to his beloveds as he left them. Thank you for sharing your wisdom--it has been wonderful to read your poetry again.
Thank you Kaitlin so much for this month of poetry prompts and this space to share with such a supportive and encouraging community. Thank you for all you've created here 🤍
This was my first month joining. What a blessing this journey has been to have a prompt a day and a chance to shift my perspective, take a moment, and connect with all of you. It was a difficult month for me as a counselor and a mom, and this space was such an encouragement. Thank you Kaitlin!
***
As an aside, I can't seem to find the zoom link. It just goes to the zoom home page when I click on the 2nd link.
Larry, thank you so much for showing up, not just for me, but for everyone who shared their poetry. Your words of encouragement were and are so helpful. May you receive the same kindness in abundance!
Go forth, little one.
It is never and always
the right time. Go forth
"It is never and always the right time." Such precious wisdom in your words, A. Thank you.
Ah the duality of it all 💜
Wisdom.
I'm always surprised by how quickly this month passes, even though many of the days feel longer. Writing every day and sharing with you all is such a sacred practice for me, and I'm so grateful for this space. Thank you for continuing to create/hold it for us, Kaitlin.
so glad you're here!
This has been a special place in time--this past month of sharing.
Yes! Exactly this. What a joyful way to start each day this has been. I will miss it.
Here here!!
Absolutely! I’ve learned so much this month in this practice and writing with you all! See you Sunday.
Indeed! I am ready for next May already!
I don't want to "go" from Kaitlin. A Poem a Day in the Month of May has been inspirational and enlightening. What next? A Croon a Day in June? LOL.
Thank you Kaitlin, for leading and inspiring us this month. It has been a precious time, and truly a gift of light and love in a time when we need more of both in the world. This month has been islands of quiet in the chaos for me. Today’s Gaelic word is perfect, and the hopefulness in your prompt and poem fills my heart.
Thank you to everyone, you amazing poets, whose poems, songs and wisdom have brought smiles, laughter, tears, courage and hope to a tired soul. Blessings to you all. Mach! I
Thank you Larry!
Mach, May 31
Today is Walt Whitman’s birthday.
I fell in love in college,
wending my way through the leaves of grass
you loved
in my small dormitory room.
The well-worn green volume still sits on my shelf.
Almost sixty years now.
O father of freedom,
of verse free and clear and brawny.
You sing a new song
for a new nation.
O bard of democracy,
we need you now.
We need your hope,
your strong words wrapping every child, woman, man
of every color and race
in the rhythm of your poems,
writing a vision of this nation you loved.
Today I add my voice to yours.
I will sing of what I see, of what I hear.
Of the women and men I meet.
Move over, make space for me beside you.
I too will lean and loaf in the summer grass,
and celebrate and sing myself.
I too will sing a song of my nation, of my world.
Let me go forth
like the child of whom you wrote.
Who went forth every day and
received the first object he looked upon
with wonder:
lilac, thrush, evening star,
wounded soldier, young lover,
blade of grass.
Now I am the child going forth.
I too will sing a song
of my nation.
I too will invite the world to sing.
O good gray poet,
I give you my hand.
I give you myself.
I give you my voice
more precious than money.
I will travel with you
as we take to the open road.
Will we stick by each other as long as we live?
This is an exceptional poem, Barbara. It is a kind, grackious and hopeful poem on this day in May. Your invoking Walt Whitman brought a smile to my heart. I am perpetually amazed of the reach of artists across geneartions, across centuries.
Thank you so much for your words in response, for this and many of the poems I have offered, Larry. It has been a new venture for me, and I am very grateful for your affirmation.
You are welcome Barbara! Your are a fine poet!
Such beauty and inspiration! Thank you for this tender gift!
https://open.substack.com/pub/dwightleewolter/p/happy-birthday-walt-whitman?r=59bib&utm_medium=ios
Yes(!) to every line you offered, Barbara. What a great birthday present to Walt Whitman.
Thank you, Dwight. This means great deal to me. My nephew, now 40, was born on Whitman's birthday, and I think of both of them with such love today.
206 years since his birth.
Go forth into the brightness of this new day.
Go forth with this nest of your soul that you have been building over all these years.
Go forth wild woman with all your sadness - joy - grief - rage - beauty and shake the world open.
Go forth my beloveds. Go forth.
WILD woman.......🙂
This is beautiful Jane, a true benediction for this month of poetry.
Thank you so much Larry for all your thoughtful and kinds insights to our poetry this month.
You are welcome, Jane! Keep
On writing!
Yes!
a-mach, mo chàirdean
Go out my children
and take your peace,
your hope, your joy,
your light into the world.
For the world is a dark
and dreary place;
more dangerous for some
than others.
a-mach, mo chàirdean
There are those that need
your quiet strength this day
forward, until they, too,
have justice.
a-mach, mo chàirdean
your love is needed
with the light you carry.
Go forth to find your destiny.
Our time within has come
to an end,
but a visit is always welcome.
a-mach, mo chàirdean
and take your comfort
into the world,
for there, it is badly needed.
An Amen, Ashe, Amin, Blessed Be, Shalom, Salaam, and may it ever be so to your lovely poem, Nancy. It has been such a gift to read your poetry every day.
Larry, I really appreciate your comments, not just on my poetry, but others, too. Your ability to find some nugget in each poem and give support to so many of us has been appreciated. I have also enjoyed reading your work is well.
This whole experience has truly been so spirit affirming and that's on Kaitlin.
Thank you for your nice words, Nancy. It has been a pleasure to write and read with you! And I agree with you, a standing ovation for Kaitlin!
To larry,
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up."
You are this.
Thanks.
Amach, amach!
Head on out for awhile!
Give the world your light -
Breed connection, and smiles!
Arais arís -
Then back again.
Replenish, reboot -
Be your own wise friend.
Tar isteach -
Come on inside.
Throw the doors
Of your heart open wide.
Agus amach, amach!
And head out once more!
You have so much to offer
My sweet, mo stór.
What a pleasure to end this month with a 'focail as Gaeilge' - a word in Irish! Despite having learned the language in school for the guts of 14 years I rarely put it to use, so thank you for this opportunity/reminder Kaitlin! And thank you all again; it has been a treasure of a month 💜
Love this so much!
Another beautiful poem, Sarah! Your poetry has enlightened my life. Thank you!
You are so truly welcome Larry 😊💜
Peace be with you, Sarah!
And with you!
Mach - to venture forth
Searching inward for a plan
I seek my own map
To think outside the box
Of my current circumstance
First to recognize the box
Where it comes from
And how it was built
Where it is sturdy
And where it was made of false assumptions
Then to decide
What must be cherished
What can be kept
What must be excised
What can be transformed
Where it should be open
What must remain or return to be enclosed
Creating the vessel of my circumstance
Of my choice
To my liking
From my experience
And with lessons I've recieved
Created not made, with eyes uncovered
I can set forth
In a purposeful direction or many or none
This is wonderful Joe. Your poems are not conatined by any boxes, real or imagined. May the walls come tumbling down!
Kaitlin, thank you for doing this poem a day. I cannot begin to express how helpful, insightful this journey through May has been.
When I was a little girl, my grandparents took me to the local church every Sunday and the Rector always ended the service with this prayer:
Go forth into the world in peace.
Be of good courage.
Hold fast that which is good.
Render to no one evil for evil.
Strengthen the fainthearted.
Support the weak.
Help the afflicted.
Show love to everyone.
Love and serve the Lord,
rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit;
and the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
When I read the prompt for today, it came to mind, even though I haven't thought of it in years. So I decided to write my own version for today.
Go out into this crazy world in peace.
Be as brave as you can
And hold tight to all the good things and people you know and love
Don't hurt anyone, whatever they do to you,
Share your strength with those who are struggling
Support those who feel they can't go on
Help those facing trouble of any kind
Show love to everyone
Love and serve God,
Remembering He is with you
He has a plan for you
And for Him, nothing is impossible
Go out into the world today
And remember that hope and love and connection
Go with you, always.
What a beautiful benediction to this precious month! Thank you.
This is remarkable and beautiful Jane, words from deep wisdom and abiding love. A wonderful benediction for the month. I like your adapted revision--and would love to use it tomorrow morning if that is agreeable to you, giving all credit to you. Thank you for yourr lovely poetry!
Of course, I'd be honoured.
Jane, shared your lovely adaptation as a benediction today. Folks loved it. Thank you!
Thank you Jane!
Thank you for this month, Kaitlin. I don't know if I will be able to join tomorrow, as it looks like there is link to join from Nicaragua, but I have so much appreciated this daily practice with you all :)
Thank you, Jane. As a minister who has offered this same benediction, I treasure your casting of it:Do not hurt anyone. Support those who feel they can't go on. I will share these words of blessing.
Our prior pastor always said this for the Benediction at the end of the service, too.
I like your updated version.
EXCERPT:
"And hold tight to all the good things and people you know and love
Don't hurt anyone, whatever they do to you,
Share your strength with those who are struggling
Support those who feel they can't go on
Help those facing trouble of any kind
Show love to everyone..."
Thank you for this beautiful re-write. As a counselor who holds a lot of heavy stories, I will take up this blessing
See how the grass
grows, how the lilacs
bloom, how the bumblebee
ambles among white clover
"I fear I'm falling
behind" you say
as the red-winged
blackbird fights off
another crow
you try to map
it on your calendars, try
to time your blooming
for when the world
is ready
meanwhile, the dandelions
have already gone
to seed and
some part of you knows
every being leaps
to the timing
of their own pulse
maybe you're late
maybe it was
an early spring
no matter —
you're here now,
go forth
Thank you, Katie. It is never too late to bloom. someone in the world will always see your beauty. The time will be right.
This is beautiful, Katie. Another brilliant and inspiring poem from you. What a blessing it has been to read your poems this month. Your lovely poem remidned me of a song I lvoe, "Time after Time" by Cyndi Lauper. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWvPOJOYqGA (Eva Cassidy version).
I love Eva Cassidy's voice! Another cover she does is Sting's Fields of Gold https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UVjjcOUJLE
Yes, her voice is phenomenal. Her Fields of Gold is my favorite version of this lovely song.
Thank you, Larry! I love Eva Cassidy’s version ❤️
You are welcome, Katie. Isn’t Eva’s cover a gem? Many blessings to you.
mach
go forth
or
mach
speed in relation
to sound
how about
both
go forth
at a speed
which
your actions
and
your words
meet
so the
good news
you speak
is seen
in the
life
you
live
go forth
in
shalom
This is brilliant Steven. I like that you brought in the meaning of Mach as it relates to speed. Being of Irish descent, with some Scottish and English blended in, I can imagine Jesus saying A-Mach to his beloveds as he left them. Thank you for sharing your wisdom--it has been wonderful to read your poetry again.
Thank you, Larry. Interesting that you mentioned Jesus using A-mach. I considered using Kadima, Hebrew for "go forth" in drafts as I was writing.
I really enjoy this community. Especially the ones that have been here from before.
Peace be with you, Steven!
And also with you, Larry!
Thank you so very much, Kaitlin, for this journey.
You have awakened my voice. you have awakened me.
You have created a wonderful community.
Thank you Barbara! So glad you've been with us.
Mach
It's time
Be bold
Be brave
Stay gentle
And make your way out
Out into the light.
Thank you Kaitlin so much for this month of poetry prompts and this space to share with such a supportive and encouraging community. Thank you for all you've created here 🤍
Thank you Claire. "Be bold/Be brave/Be gentle" What loving wishesfor us. I have loved your poetry this month. What a gift.
Thank you Larry and thank you so much for all your encouragement and support this month in helping me to keep being brave and keep sharing
You are welcome, Claire. I hope you never stop!
This was my first month joining. What a blessing this journey has been to have a prompt a day and a chance to shift my perspective, take a moment, and connect with all of you. It was a difficult month for me as a counselor and a mom, and this space was such an encouragement. Thank you Kaitlin!
***
As an aside, I can't seem to find the zoom link. It just goes to the zoom home page when I click on the 2nd link.
***
Sometimes I remind myself
That I am a tree-
Not a twig or sapling.
I am not the only tree
And we can grow on,
Connected and upheld
Patient and steady
Protected and protecting.
So glad you've joined us! And I updated the zoom links so it's easier to join. :) Thank you for letting me know!
We are a grove of ancient and wise trees, Jess. "connected and upheld.
This is so nice, Jess--and you are a tree among many good trees! It has been wonderful to read your poetry this month!
It has been such a joy to gather with everyone over the last month to share poetry. I look forward to next year, and wish you all a blessed summer!
***
Day #31 Mach
Open wide your wings
and ride the wind if you dare.
Keep your heart ready.
Just beautiful, Christian! What a delight it has been to share poetry with you! Keep on shining!
Larry, thank you so much for showing up, not just for me, but for everyone who shared their poetry. Your words of encouragement were and are so helpful. May you receive the same kindness in abundance!
Thank you Christian. I do feel loved. May that love resonate for all of us!