A POEM ABOUT IDEAS

Welcome to Poetry Friday, this week hosted by artist and poet Molly, here at Nix the Comfort Zone. Thank you, Molly, for hosting. I look forward to seeing what you will be sharing.

What a busy summer . . . as it always is, I suppose. One of highlights of mine is taking part in the Summer Swap, organized by Tabatha Yeatts. This week I received a handmade journal made from a Little Golden Book:

Handmade Journal created from a Golden book by Linda Mitchell

It’s a lovely journal that I think I will use to record books I’ve read, to organize my reading better, and better remember titles and authors. Linda also sent poetry. One of her poems, entitled INKLING, is about ideas which we all know are so mysterious.

INKLING

By Linda Mitchell

Inkling is a sand-colored word

spilling from fingers

onto the beach along a foamy waterline–

a hint, an idea in the millions of grains

from once just held.

One particle might–maybe, become poetry

if a speck of time or space

can be found away from

squealing sunbathers splashing

in a frigid surf.

Look down at your feet, bare and salty

as your birth day, watch

the particle swish out, wash in,

tumbling in wave rhythm,

syncopate with minuscule shells.

Muscle memory urges your fingers

to compose also in sea spray, cloud, and wind.

Arms outstretched, you write

across the sky until stars climb high

to read a chapter, and sing

you a goodnight song.

Linda’s poem reminded me of the beach in Pacifica, California, seen here in one of my sketches, where one finds a whole beach full of ideas.

Have a great weekend. Thank you, Molly for hosting.

14 thoughts on “A POEM ABOUT IDEAS”

  1. Oh, it looks good in its new home. Fill it up! I hope you paint in it and get great ideas from the pages. xo

  3. What a great gift! I am so sorry I missed the call this year for the summer swap. I really enjoy doing it. Ahhh – there’s always next year. Keep up that painting, Janice! I love it. I’m pulling out my watercolors this afternoon. It’s been too long! Thanks for sharing both Linda’s and your creativity!

  4. I was also the lucky recipient of a Golden Book junk journal. I recently bought a Golden Book to try to make one, too. Linda’s poem is inspiring and I love the illustration you made to echo her words.

  5. What a cool journal! I like how Linda runs with what an inkling can lead to. It starts so small and reaches…everywhere. Beautiful beach, Janice.

  6. I love the creativity that fills this post, from Linda’s gift journal and poem to your watercolor. It always amazes me how many talents lie within this group! Enjoy filling up your journal!

    1. Hi Molly! Thanks for hosting. I sometimes have trouble commenting on WordPress, and couldn’t today, but I enjoyed your poem. I love where the word “still” takes the reader. Enjoy August!

  7. Thank you for sharing Linda’s poem and your beautiful sketch, Janice. I’m inspired!

  8. Janice, thank you for sharing Linda’s creative poem and your artwork. The thought attached to it, “where one finds a whole beach full of ideas” reminds me of the path I took during my vacation in Long Beach, NY and now in Cape May, NJ. The beach is my go to place.

  9. Janice, I adore both Linda’s poem and your sketch. I especially loved these lines:

    Look down at your feet, bare and salty
    as your birth day, watch
    the particle swish out, wash in,
    tumbling in wave rhythm,

    They evoke that feeling that we are on the verge of creation.

  10. Janice, I am swooning over Linda’s Little Book and your watercolor!! So lovely and inspiring. Thank you! xo

  11. Janice, the swap is such a lovely idea. I loved that you shared the journal and Linda’s thoughtful poem. Who knew there was so much inspiration on the seashore?;)

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