Connections

A Poem a Day

April is National Poetry Month in the USA. 

Each day during April  Random House/Knopf sends a poem by email to those who would like to receive them. Go here to sign up. It's free. Read, write or listen to some poetry today!

Where I'm From

A barn, a corral and some tool sheds in rural Colorado

The prose poem below resulted from an exercise posted by a blogger on one of my email lists.  The "jumping-off" place was a poem by George Ella Lyon.  Read her poem here and other bloggers' entries here.  My effort is below.

Where I’m From    

I’m from unpainted barns and dust-blown fields,

From waterpails with dippers,

From wooden outhouses, and kerosene lanterns.

From branding irons and cattle drives.

I’m from dresses made of printed feedsacks,

From two pair of shoes a year, one for school and one for church.

From Lava Soap and Lifebuoy,

From clothes scrubbed on a washboard

Over the same metal tub used for baths on Saturday night.

I’m from Spam and Saltines, cornbread and beans,

From fresh vegetables in the garden beside the windmill.

I’m from making do, count your blessing and

Where there’s a will there’s a way.

From you ask too many questions and

Just take it on faith,

From always do your best, but

Why can’t you leave well-enough alone?

I’m from schoolhouse dances on Saturday nights,

Dancing schottische, polka, and cotton-eyed Joe,

From The Shadow and The Lone Ranger on radio,

From 4-H, county fairs, carnivals and rodeos.

From spelling bees and memorizing Bible verses

To win yo-yo pencils at school.

I’m from Ruthalee and Demoree, then Bain, then finally

From Scotty, too late to parent me

But just in time to be a grandpa to my children.

I’m from Colorado ranch transplanted to Texas Panhandle city,

To backyard fallout shelters, duck-and-cover and tornado drills,

To sockhops in the school gym, detention for dirty dancing,

Dragging mainstreet and drive-in movies.

I’m from finally asking the questions

That took me away from magical solutions,

Away from racist communities and exclusion 

To cultural diversity and celebrating differences

As opportunities rather than threats.

I’m from being a teacher

Which taught me that being interested

Is the key to being interesting.

I’m from love people and use things.

From life-long learning, continuing curiosity and--

Gratitude for where I’m from.

                         --Deb T, March 2005--

Today's Poem!

It is National Poetry Month and Borzoi Reader emails a poem for each day during April. Click the Borzoi link to sign up to receive a poem each day for the rest of the month.

I started to copy today's poem here--with attribution and disclaimers, of course--but the clause "no use of any part of this excerpt without written permission of the author or publisher" stopped me. I have great respect for the intellectual property rights of all who create literary and visual arts, so I hope you will let me share this poem with you by clicking on this link.

Meanwhile, it's a lovely day and My camera and I will be off to Bluff Lake Nature Center for a long walk and some communication with the natural world.

Poetry month!

April is National Poetry Month!

I love poetry. I read one or more poems at bedtime nearly every night. I am drawn to the rhythm, the imagery and the precise use of language. Though National Poetry Month highlights poets from the USA, I enjoy reading the English translations of many international poets. Like international dance and music, poetry reveals the subtle world view of an individual within a given culture. Links to activities celebrating National Poetry Month can be found here. During April the Borzai Reader will send a poem every day to your email address. Sign up at this link.