Sunday, April 26, 2020

Apr26Poetry: Reasons Why



I'm trying something new, taking a risk this month - participating in
#VerseLove with Sarah Donovan,
hoping to write poetry every day this April.







Today's inspiration is a spoken word poem, creating a list or a countdown to create a clear argument. This poetry style is called "Reasons Why and Responses To," a way to share passion and expertise. What a challenge this was! Silver lining of rainy Sundays during a pandemic: extra time to play with words. Here's what I created:


Reasons Why I Walk Along the Creek in the Rain

7. It clears your head, better than bed, those daily steps, they give you pep.

6. You know you have the clothes, jacket, boots, nothing exposed, there's no bad weather, only bad clothes, this debate is all that slows.

5. You'll have the path to yourself, absolutely no doubt, silence in the rain, silence reigns, everything's so quiet, you hear so deep, branches crack, a frog leaps, wings flutter, water washes over rocks, it's so quiet you hear nature talk, there's something to be said about solitude, something that fills your soul and your mind, too.

4. It's like taking a trip in your mind, going to another place and time, you're in a cloud forest and you are lost, no - Isles of Shoals or some other sweet spot, maybe Gene Kelly's with you, singing away the blues, it's a big game of make-believe, same old same old like you've never seen.

3. Transported by your feet, a series of visuals without repeat, colors like no other, in the softer light, pinks seem pinker, flowers so bright, redbuds at peak, peeking at you, dogwoods want in on the show, too, it's a school without walls, surprises await, endless possibilities to see something great, the surprise of the heron, in the creek, standing and staring, and you, standing and staring, too, everything glistening in the rain, everything different, nothing the same.

2. Think about writing 'reasons why and responses to,' write in your head, as you're walking, muse, what is it they say, what do they advise, "Good Lord willin' and the creek don't rise?" - there's got to be a way you can answer this prompt, these puddles at your feet, making you stomp.

1. Because you can, understand, because you can.

And, you did.

2 comments:

  1. Laura, from Sarah Donovan's 30 Days of Poetry website:
    Maureen,
    I love your images and rhymes. I particularly love “silence in the rain, silence reigns” and “maybe Gene Kelly’s with you” and “the surprise of the heron, in the creek, standing and staring, and you, standing and staring.” I’ve spent more time over these last six weeks marveling over the nature around me and your words echo my thoughts.

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  2. glenda funk, from Sarah Donovan's 30 Days of Poetry website:
    Maureen,
    I love the rhythm of your poem and hear the creek in your words. The nature imagery offers calm, a tranquility we so desperately need in these uncertain days. I have an image of Gene Kelly dancing and smile reading “there is no bad weather, only bad clothes.” Yesterday we walked five miles along a section of the Snake River, and this week I’m hoping the weather is warm enough for a trek into the Caribou National Forest. If there’s one blessing from self-isolation it’s that it has pushed me to get out and explore where I live and the surrounding area nor, and of course I write poems in my head as I walk. Thank you.
    —Glenda

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