Thank you for this space as I journey to reclaim my own creative self as a writer, a part and dream of my younger self lost to expectations. This space has been rejuvenating, divine intervention, and has had such a profound impact on me 💗
Wow. This hits to close to home Kaitlin. I’ve had very similar revelations in therapy and, ironically, I coined a poem after one of the sessions. I share it with myself often.
Thank you for crafting this space, Kaitlin. I hardly ever wrote poetry, and I found the practice deeply sacred and settling for my soul. I have loved reading everyone’s work, and been so encouraged by the ways everyone has interacted in these comment sections. It’s been truly beautiful.
Thank you for sharing this poem. We owe our younger selves our life and I’m reminded of a time in college when I thought about ending mine. Even though I’d never want to return to that time, I have to be grateful to that version of myself for her grit and determination and raw survival that felt like wading through dense fog on bloody knees.
My life has bloomed in unimaginable ways in the last decade + of life and I would have never gotten here without my younger self hanging on through it all. 💗
Thank you so much, Kaitlin, for creating and offering this space. I love to write, but my poetry writing was sporadic and blocked for a very long time. I have to create a lot for my work and also grappling with many things that rose to the surface, much like you name and describe in your poem. This month has truly been a rejuvenaton journey for me, and I feel rejuvenated in my writing and in my being. Sharing this space with so many gifted, kind and talented writers, and watching the power of love, compassion, affirmation and kindness at work, is rejuvenating. The child in me, still healing and growing, is rejuvenated as well. Thank you for this remarkable experience, the gift of so much splendid poetry, and the opportunity to let go and let be. Many blessings to you in the trails ahead!
I will share my poem shortly but I wanted to thank you first. This journey has meant a lot to me. Writing every day for a whole month has shown me I can write, and helped me get in the habit. Some of my poems are mediocre, but some I love. I can’t believe that stuck with it and now have 31 poems to show for it!
Firstly, thank you so much Kaitlin for this space. I am an occasional poet and the discipline of writing every day has opened my mind to new ideas and given voice to thoughts and emotions I was not aware of. I have loved every day.
May's poetic works
Rejuvenation station
Kaitlin's gift to all
Thank you for this space as I journey to reclaim my own creative self as a writer, a part and dream of my younger self lost to expectations. This space has been rejuvenating, divine intervention, and has had such a profound impact on me 💗
Words carry me
through a wordless journey
where every thing
is connected
My inner Self, so many parts
takes shape out on the page
From this different vantage point
I can see my whole
a part of creation
I’m restored
Rejuvenated
Wow. This hits to close to home Kaitlin. I’ve had very similar revelations in therapy and, ironically, I coined a poem after one of the sessions. I share it with myself often.
I Love you
I Love me
I Love us
I Love we
Wrapping fiber around fingers,
holding knitting needles,
I settle into the slow rhythm
of quiet crafting, and
I think about the way
I have been brought back to life
by the pure pleasure
of this simple, steady stim;
the rejuvenation of repetition.
.
I think about the way
I am connected to creation
by the sheep, and the spinners'
and dyers' devotion;
the totality of tenderness.
.
I think about the way
I am leaving a legacy
by joining generations
across continents;
the solidarity of stitchcraft.
Thank you for crafting this space, Kaitlin. I hardly ever wrote poetry, and I found the practice deeply sacred and settling for my soul. I have loved reading everyone’s work, and been so encouraged by the ways everyone has interacted in these comment sections. It’s been truly beautiful.
Thank you for sharing this poem. We owe our younger selves our life and I’m reminded of a time in college when I thought about ending mine. Even though I’d never want to return to that time, I have to be grateful to that version of myself for her grit and determination and raw survival that felt like wading through dense fog on bloody knees.
My life has bloomed in unimaginable ways in the last decade + of life and I would have never gotten here without my younger self hanging on through it all. 💗
Thank you so much, Kaitlin, for creating and offering this space. I love to write, but my poetry writing was sporadic and blocked for a very long time. I have to create a lot for my work and also grappling with many things that rose to the surface, much like you name and describe in your poem. This month has truly been a rejuvenaton journey for me, and I feel rejuvenated in my writing and in my being. Sharing this space with so many gifted, kind and talented writers, and watching the power of love, compassion, affirmation and kindness at work, is rejuvenating. The child in me, still healing and growing, is rejuvenated as well. Thank you for this remarkable experience, the gift of so much splendid poetry, and the opportunity to let go and let be. Many blessings to you in the trails ahead!
I will share my poem shortly but I wanted to thank you first. This journey has meant a lot to me. Writing every day for a whole month has shown me I can write, and helped me get in the habit. Some of my poems are mediocre, but some I love. I can’t believe that stuck with it and now have 31 poems to show for it!
I will dearly miss the daily poem and thank you for inspiring us all to think and write and share.
Your poem of this day is beautiful and so appropriate to the end of the exercise, which has helped to create a daily discipline for me.
Blessings
What a beautiful journey you’ve taken us on. Thank you so much!
This is beautiful! Thank you for the inspiration all May long. 🙏🏽💗
Thankful for this poetic journey through the month!
It has been a wonderful poetry filled month! I have loved it. Thank you, Nya-weh.
REJUVENATION
.
Drinking in vibrant
waters of this sacred moment
Fluid oceans washing
over exhausted spent energies
.
Breathing in life giving
air swirling in and around me
Sweet winds on my face clearing
away what is finished, rebirthing anew
.
Rooting deeply within solid
ground as this precious body
Welcoming cherished nourishment
replenishing lost reserves
.
Stoking the passionate
fires of visions to come
Embers rekindled into dancing
fresh flames of enthusiasm
Firstly, thank you so much Kaitlin for this space. I am an occasional poet and the discipline of writing every day has opened my mind to new ideas and given voice to thoughts and emotions I was not aware of. I have loved every day.
Rejuvenation
Just a few days ago
I reflected on wisdom
Am I becoming old and wise?
Or is this strength
I am finding
As I discover myself
Really a return to
The essence of
Who I was
Who I am
Who I can be?
Is this change in me
actually rejuvenation?
Rejuvenation
.
As I bring this chapter to completion
And start more words afresh,
I take a break,
To stretch my legs, grab a cup of tea,
And take in the bright scene outside my window.
While my water boils,
Content, I stand watching the steam rise
And decide to pay my young friend a visit.
With a sigh, I step into the portal
And travel back, to a time
Where 15 year old me began to have stirrings
Of an exotic and exciting kind.
As I approach her, I see the colors flying
Around her head, lifting her up,
Enticing her; she is eager to reach out
Her delighted hand to try and capture one.
Successful in her quest,
Though what to do with it now
She didn’t know,
She meets my eyes and smiles, knowing
I know how important this moment truly is.
She smiles knowing she sees an ally,
A comrade in her games
Even better, one who has already walked where she wishes to go,
And she leans in, waiting for a story.
Laughing, I only run up and squeeze her hand,
At the same time snatching a lemon yellow out of the air;
It comes wriggling and shrieking, delighted,
Like a friend tagged on the playground.
Gleefully, 15 and I play a while yet,
Not speaking but fully sharing the experience,
Both of us wise enough to know
The story is still being told,
Even beyond our words.
It’s our deal - every now and then,
I come to visit her, teaching her
While she teaches me,
Rejuvenating me, restoring the
Sparkly rainbow tapestry I always used to wear
Around my shoulders,
Proud to be the dreamer in a dreamcoat.
And she always reminds me, most importantly,
That I didn’t lose it, but gave it to her for safe keeping
So that in times like these,
When I close one chapter and begin the next,
I can come slip it on and snatch colors with her,
Staying as long as I need
To feel a rainbow dreamer again.
.
I close my eyes and sink further into the down of the coat,
Her hand in mine,
And awake with a start, breathless, in my kitchen.
The water’s still boiling,
The sun’s still shining,
The leaves on the trees are still bouncing in the breeze.
Nothing has changed,
But my heart is on fire, gasping with new life.
I sigh a second time,
Vivid and inspired,
And as I go to pour the water into my cup,
I catch a tiny sliver of turquoise in my reflection,
Just above my left eyebrow.