Welcome to Poetry Friday, this week hosted by the talented poet and children’s author Kat Apel, who hails from Australia, HERE. Thank you for hosting! I look forward to seeing what’s new down under.
I got lost in enjoying the summer here in Central New York. So I allowed myself enjoy being outside and contemplate my writing ambitions. But in September, feeling a bit out of it, I was glad to attend a small Zoom meeting with Jone McCullough and a few other poetry friends.
It was awesome seeing everyone! We talked about the market and, yes, the difficulties therein, but also just enjoyed chatting and laughing. I need to get on-line more regularly because I miss seeing friends, hearing of submission opportunities, getting book recommendations and especially showing support for the kid-lit community.
So now I’m renewing my engagement in poetry. I discovered this 2021 craft book, HOW TO WRITE A FORM POEM, by Tania Runyan. There are many placed to learn about forms, but this is an excellent book, covering the nuts and bolts and a form might be useful.
So, I chose to write a Villanelle this week. Runyan suggested that waiting for something, anything, might bring to mind a villanelle. So I wrote about waiting to say goodbye to a loved one who lives far away.
BACK TO THE WEST COAST Phil is going to leave today, Sometime, perhaps around two, Exactly when, he didn’t say. Grown-up offspring cannot stay— of course, that’s nothing new. Philip’s going to leave today, return to California, far away, with all its stunning views. When he’ll return he doesn’t say. Outside the sky is gray, though our family seems renewed— yes, he’s going to leave today. I hide twinges of dismay, hug him as we always do. When he’ll return he couldn't say. Someone is waiting; he can’t delay whatever he must do. He said he’s going to leave today. When he’ll return he didn’t say. © Janice Scully 2022
Thanks for sharing Janice! Community is so critical to creatives. I’m glad to hear that you were able to connect with your poetry peers for some community time.
Thanks, Tim. Yes it is!
This is such a relatable villanelle – and I like that prompt of writing to goodbye. You’ve done so well with this. I too have been feeling the renewal of writing community. It is so important to journey – feeding our creative souls.
Nice to read about your fun zoom, Janice, and getting back in the swing of things. The villanelle form fits your topic so wonderfully, that repeating of emotion shows the truth when saying goodbye. The feeling does stay for a long while, doesn’t it? Have a great weekend!
You’re right, it doesn’t. Just a brief bittersweet time when your kids leave.
Janice, this line resonates with me: I hide twinges of dismay. It is difficult to live far away from a loved one. We felt those twinges when living in Long Island and missing vital points in my granddaughters’ lives. That is a big reason why we moved to Virginia. I enjoy being in the company of others. Have fun renewing your love of poetry.
Yes, that is a good reason to leave. I hope you are very happy in Virginia. There is so much natural beauty there an amazing Springs I remember when I lived there in the Eighties.
Well done! Your craft shines through, as do the mixed emotions of farewell.
Thank you! I think I’ll write more of this single form and see what I learn.
Lovely and poignant. Thanks, too, for the heads up about Runyan’s book.
Saying good-bye is so hard, especially when it’s our grown children! Your poem is lovely and captures the emotions I feel every time I have to say good-bye to a loved one. Thank you for sharing it!
I’ve been away from blogging all summer too. I’m trying to get back to it! : )
Oh, Janice. It’s night and it’s dark, and tears are on my cheeks. We just saw our younger daughter in Edinburgh, when she flew in to meet up with us for a weekend. She lives in Cyprus, so far away, and we don’t know when we’ll next see her. So this poem was just an arrow to my heart. Hugs.
It was so fun to meet up Janice. I love our community. I like your renewing. Plus your Villanelle captures such a poignant moment. I especially loved the line, “I hide twinges of dismay,”
Wow does this post resonate with me. I’ve had recent bouts of ‘why do I even do this writing thing?’ And, getting back into any projects after a summer of catching up with life seems kinda meh. But, I keep plugging away at it anyway. Your villanelle has so great rhythm to it. And, what a great topic for this kind of repetition. Keep writing, kiddo. You’re pretty good!