Poet’s Corner: “In My Book” – Margaret Sullivan Waldhelm

Poet’s Corner: “In My Book” – Margaret Sullivan Waldhelm

Poet’s Corner: “Approaching Nectar” – Margaret Sullivan Waldhelm

Poet’s Corner: “Approaching Nectar” – Margaret Sullivan Waldhelm

MINDFULNESS

I bet you thought I had disappeared from Blog Land, but I’m back, at least for today. Although, I haven’t managed to post here with any regularity, I’m hopeful that I can return with something new. Checking email, Facebook, on-line banking, all the things that keep me tied to the computer, are taking up too many precious hours. I’d much rather be spending it with family and friends or writing poems and stories and taking photographs. Because I’m still discovering many wonderful people, new places and things, I would like to share them with you. While I figure out what I will post here in the future, I’ll leave you with something I shared in writing class.

MINDFULNESS, THE WORK OF A LIFETIME

Writing lists and lists

Making notes about notes

Leaving the notes behind

One day you let the world go by

You forget to take the pictures

There’s a note unread on your desk

To finish that poem you started last summer

Too late for your last doctor's appointment

Too early for the next one

Timing!

Maybe, all we have are days upon days

Not scheduled on a calendar

Driving down the road

Walking in the grass

Through the trees

Under the stars

Living, learning, loving

Where it doesn’t matter

When you get there

 MSW

CARRY A POEM IN YOUR POCKET DAY

Many years ago, I found this poem by James Hearst in an old magazine. I copied and framed it, and around this time of year, I like to share it with some friends. On this National Carry A Poem In Your Pocket Day, I’ll be carrying this one. It is like an old friend that speaks of spring and hope and faith and of course the glorious Forsythia.

FORSYTHIA

You said, take a few dry

sticks, cut the ends slantwise

to let in water, stick them

in the old silver cup on the

dresser in the spare room and

wait for the touch of Easter.

But a cold wave protected the

snow, and the sap’s pulse beat

so low underground I felt no

answer in myself except silence.

You said, winter breaks out in

flowers for the faithful and

today when I opened the door

the dry sticks spoke in little

yellow stars and I thought

of you.

By James Hearst

GOOD FRIDAY

GOOD FRIDAY

On this day, I sit so still

As if I’m stalking the earth.

It is a good Friday, any way you slice it.

My eyes open and close to sunlight

And shadow-then wind and stillness.

With early clouds floating by,

 I tune in to songbirds and wait

For new colorful wings to arrive.

 Sun hits my legs, hot and burning,

 Till a breeze returns, cools me

And flips the pages of my opened book.

 Spring endures, regardless of what I believe

 On this breezy Friday before Easter.

 In a straw lined bowl on the counter,

The hardboiled eggs, dyed and arranged

 Wait to be tapped and rolled on Sunday

Uncovering the opaque white that protects

The golden prize inside.

MSW

MEADOW

Meadow is ready for her Spring Debut at the Yarn Burst at Clermont. It's difficult to see that Meadow started out as a one dimensional sheep cut out of plywood. The Wooly Bullies, a crochet and knitting group that I am a member of, have transformed  her into a fluffy floral wooly with lots of charm. Our group meets at the Cairo Public Library twice a month to crochet, knit and exchange ideas and patterns with lots of chatting and laughter. 

After all her primping and pampering, our lovely Meadow was ready for her photo shoot yesterday, and enjoyed her chilly but sunny day outside. We will have to keep an eye on her though, she likes to wander, as sheep will do. I found her playing in the snow and by the large rock in the driveway before I could coax her back inside. My cat, Zena is not sure if she likes the attention that Meadow has been getting but is probably relieved that all those flowers were not for her. 

Remember to mark your calendars for the Clermont Yarn Fair on April 19th from 11 to 4. Proudly, Meadow will be waiting.

CABIN FEVER

Another snowstorm quickly arrives and we prepare to hunker down, watch the snow, and read a good book. With no intention of approaching the shoveling till tomorrow, my cat Zena is giving me reading suggestions. Her feline ego is showing its face and she stays near to grab all my attention.  The local weather service has predicted 12”-18” of snow and I pray that the power stays on. I’ll cook some comfort food (lentil soup is on the menu tonight) and catch up on a few projects around the house. Before I settle down to read or write or give into the cravings of another creative journey, I must play with Zena who is suffering from "Cabin Fever". This is also a good time to reach out to family, a neighbor or call an old friend. Wishing everyone a safe arrival, wherever they go today.  

THE BEATLES

Oh, YESTERDAY

Was A HARD DAY’S NIGHT

When we sang our way

Through our young life

And the Beatles songs

Held so much meaning

Here we are, fifty years later, still singing

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS,

I would like to GET BACK

And remember them again.

I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND

And travel ACROSS THE UNIVERSE

In STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER

With my RUBBER SOUL

Take you on a MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR

With SGT PEPPER’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND

We’ll ride in a YELLOW SUBMARINE

Before we walk on ABBEY ROAD

And if I can’t remember any more,

Will you still need me, WHEN I’M SIXTY-FOUR

Or let me end it all now with ROCK AND ROLL MUSIC

And LET IT BE with a REVOLVER

Because HAPPINESS IS A WARM GUN

And not necessarily in that order

Which brings me back to:

THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD

Where I can hear YOU SAY YOU WANT A REVOLUTION

But PLEASE PLEASE ME,

I know WE CAN WORK IT OUT

Let’s COME TOGETHER and HELP

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

ALL TOGETHER NOW,

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED!

P.S. I LOVE YOU

OUT OF STOCK UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

In May of 2012, I first offered my book for sale on this blogspot, as well as other local venues. Although there might be a few copies for sale that are floating around locally, I am temporarily out of stock. Until I re-order and receive more copies, it will no longer be available on this site. I am working on making it available as an e-book through B & N (Nook) and Amazon (Kindle). I'll  post here, when it is available once more. 
I wish to thank all my supporters and readers; your kind comments and well wishes have inspired me. I will continue blogging and posting and hope that you will continue to stop by and visit. 

CHRISTMAS DISMANTLE

The Christmas tree has not been lit for a few nights now reminding me it is time to store it away. I think I’ll wrap up the small tree, as is, and just tidy it up next year. Christmas songs, playing in my head since Thanksgiving, have finally subsided and the fireplace mantle is ready for dismantle. Often, the wreath remains on the door the longest and is the last thing to be packed. Until I decide on something for Valentines Day, the white door just begs for something red amid all the snow. 

Another year has come and gone, but a bright new one, full of possibilities, hopes and well wishes has arrived. It is time to place your best foot forward (that would be my right one, my left is not behaving lately) and place it right into that deep snow that will fall all winter, either to shovel out or clean off the car. I guess it’s time to get back on the treadmill and start the yoga class, get out of the house, before cabin fever sets in, and be social once again. It’s time to pay property taxes and order more fuel for the cold months ahead and make sure the cars are in good shape to withstand this cold winter. Snow-shoeing is on my to do list this winter and I am also looking forward to making a visit to see the kids; I miss their loving faces and big hugs, not only on Christmas but always. 

I watch the deer on the trails and often they come closer to the house looking for food and resting under the evergreens at the top of the hill. Each morning, there are more and more footprints in the snow, most are deer prints and I believe some are from the coyote that has been visiting lately but many smaller ones I can’t identify yet. On some gray days, I just want to hunker down and stay inside where it’s warm and do all those around the house things. But when the sun appears and lights up the hills with tinges of color and shadow, I’m eager to go outside to brave the chilly temperatures. During the cold winter, the sunshine is good for mood and makes it easier to: Put on a happy face.

May this year find you smiling more than usual and happier than you expected.