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.