Welcome to Poetry Friday, this week hosted by Susan at Chicken Spaghetti Here. Thank you, Susan, for hosting!
Several things.
First of all, I received the proof pages of my poems from the diligent Carol Labuzzetta. She is composing an anthology of ekphrastic nature poems. I sent three photos and poem and was thrilled to see them dressed up and on the page! She improved on the clarity of my three photos and made my poems look good. I am so grateful.
I also received New Years postcards from Marcie and Linda M. this week. Marcie sent an amazing winter photo accompanied by a haiku. The postcard shines brighter than my photo of it. I love the idea of these red berries as frosted ornaments.
Overnight cold
leafless bushes become
frosted ornaments
Marcie Flinchum Atkins 2023
Linda sent this collage postcard with a wonky, sweet hand-fashioned paper clip attached, accompanied by a poem about peace:
Peace Four Ways 2024
by Linda Mitchell
How to write a peace poem
when our world knows only war?
Millions wander with no home
How to wrote a peace poem?
as bomb-dropping drones
pollute our skies and more?
How to write a peace poem?
when our world knows only war?
Peace
quiet covers
this warring world
we fight
ourselves
this peace at twilight
this refuge from day's worries
a breath for this world
In 2024, let
us remake the world for peace
Let us take a moment to begin
again the notion that with
a new year there's no war for you or me.
Since I received Linda’s poem, I watched the New Hampshire primary where the victor insulted his female opponent’s dress. Not fancy enough. He insulted her as a creepy predator would. I may not be a Republican, but she deserves respect and admiration for her talent and courage to run for president.
I saw on TV three young college women, voting for the first time in New Hampshire, declared they will vote against her and for a sexual predator. Really?
Here’s a response to Linda’s poem.
HOW DO I WRITE A PEACE POEM? (after a poem by Linda Mitchell) when I live in a country where voters would throw away freedom for a strong man? How do I write a peace poem when America is lying on its side, bleeding like an injured bear and needs to stand strong because the forest is on fire? How do I write a peace poem to inspire the world to value and love a whole future's-worth of children? © Janice Scully 2024 (draft)
All I know is that I want my children and grandchildren to live in a free society like I did, where they can read what they want, say what they want and live in safety.
It’s a good time to remember George Washington. Several years ago I wrote a series of “Presidential Haiku and Tanka” about each American President. It still sits on my computer.
GEORGE WASHINGTON Indispensable! He patched together ragged, hungry men, and won! This clever man was a star. Crown and throne? Thank you, but no. © Janice Scully 2022
Have a great weekend! I want to thank those who recommended the novel “Bright and Remarkable Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt.” I listened to it on audiobooks and loved the story. It’s really heart warming!