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| Mom hooking a rug. |
As gifts,
my wordcraft
couldn’t compete
with the homemade scarves
afghans, socks, jam, wooden bowls, and art
crafted by other members of my family.
I knew that, even as I made
tiny books, calendars with my photographs,
and fully designed books of poetry.
Except for my brother and mother,
I don’t know if anyone read them.
But I persisted. I felt the heart
in the other homemade items
and was thrilled to put my heart in mine—
my heartbreak over wars and racism
and climate change refugees and trees,
my heart lifted with the sea and sun and rain
and living and growing beings.
And what did it matter if others lost the gifts
in piles of papers and bookshelves?
These framed poems were gifts to me as well.
I learned to stage my poems between readings,
I learned to get poems out there
overcoming introversion and fear
of being vulnerable, a crippling fear
hidden in shyness, in quietness. And now
I know your poems, too, are gifts of heart
beyond gifting. And I see earth’s poems
on the other side of catastrophe,
a loving heart that doesn’t end.
For Sumana's prompt "Home Made" at What's Going On?
"And now
ReplyDeleteI know your poems, too, are gifts of heart
beyond gifting."...These are our words to you too, Susan. It's beautiful how you've chosen your path different from others and you are thriving making a difference. Love your Mom's photo.
Thank you!
DeleteOh, Susan, the love in this poem lifts my heart, especially your closing lines about Mother Earth's undying love, even as we make her ill. And the thought of that future date, when she will begin to heal. Such a beautiful poem - these poems are gifts of the heart - to others' hearts. I love that you wrote that. This is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteSusan, I prefer gifts with heart, whatever they are. These lines really resonated with me:
ReplyDelete‘I don’t know if anyone read them.
But I persisted. I felt the heart
in the other homemade items
and was thrilled to put my heart in mine’
and
‘what did it matter if others lost the gifts
in piles of papers and bookshelves?
These framed poems were gifts to me as well.’
Thank you!
DeleteMy family couldn't give two sh*ts about my writing, which bothered me for the longest time, but I don't care about their ambition, materialism, golf, religion, conservatism, etc, so there it is and there it stays. Keep writing, Susan, your voice is a strong one, and your words lift the spirit.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteIndeed there is heart in the handmade things that your family meant, and it is nice that you could feel it. It is too bad that more family members could not appreciate your poetry and all the heart that went into writing them. I think you are right on when you say that your poems were gifts to you too. That is what I feel about my poems. They are first and foremost gifts to me. And I DO appreciate YOUR poems and consider them very special gifts.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteI am "anonymous" unless I take the time to put my name in. This poem is so personal that I am extra grateful for all of your encouragement.
ReplyDeleteThis poem is completely healing. I tried giving gifts of my poetry too...chapbooks, print outs ..I don't know how many appreciated them or even read them, must be in the recycle heap somewhere...but they are also gifts to myself, I see that now. What a wonderful observation, Susan, thank you for this...something I need to process more in the coming days. Your poetry is a joy and reading your book was such a gift. Thank you for them....
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for yours!
DeleteWhat a wonderful thought - that our gifts to the world exist in some form and that what we receive from the world in return is also a gift - wonderful!
ReplyDeleteLovely photo of your Mom...gosh that rug is gorgeous. Our poems are our gifts and they do mean something to others, in so many different ways ..and in my opinion more effectively than prose. Poetry is magical, mysterious powerful and healing.. Loved this poem
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed that. Thanks for the Picture of family caring and giving.
ReplyDeleteKeep giving your gift of poetry. I love what Nathan Brown says, "Keep reading poetry. It's a little bit of sanity in a world gone mad." So keep writing, and we will keep reading it.
ReplyDeleteOh you are a master poet to me I always feel like an imposter when joining you guys. oh and what a beautiful line 'And I see earth’s poems
ReplyDeleteon the other side of catastrophe,
a loving heart that doesn’t end.'
I love this one, I feel like it helps me get to know you better! (this is Theresa)
ReplyDelete