Welcome to Poetry Friday, this week hosted by Linda Mitchel at her blog HERE. Thank you, Linda, for hosting!
If you would like to know what Poetry Friday is, find out from poet, Renee LaTulippe, HERE.
I’m using the above image to express how I feel after this week’s violence in Buffalo and now in a Texas School. Am I the only one who feels insane hearing explanations about why gun control is impossible? A conservative Texas lawmaker was asked why 18 year olds should be sold weapons. He said that since eighteen year old boys bear arms in the military, they should be able to bear arms outside the military.
I thought about that. I tried to understand that from my own experience. When my brother, 20, was in Vietnam, he was trained how to use a weapon and when he was discharged, he didn’t come home with a machine gun, not that I can recall. He didn’t walk the streets of our small town carrying a gun and I never heard him complain about the lack of it, rather was glad to be free of it and the war.
In the new anthology IMPERFECT ll, edited by Tabatha Yeatts, there is a perfect poem to express how I feel this week and will for quite a while. (Tabatha gave me permission to share it.)
UPSIDE-DOWN by Robert Schechter Don't tell me that I'm upside-down! My top's where it should be! If you're convinced I'm flipped around, then blame yourself, not me. This kingdom isn't yours to rule. You wear no monarch's crown. Why can't you see I'm right-side-up? It's you who's upside down.
I hope, because I have to, that through reason and compassion, the U.S. can get its priorities straight.
Thank you, Linda, for hosting. I love to share one of my own poems, but I don’t have anything new. But I have this one that I shared previously from Janet Wong and Sylvia Vardell’s book, THINGS WE DO, which celebrates an everyday joy of childhood.
KICK By Janice Scully Brass shaker worm waker Hi popper cloud topper Ball smasher goal crasher Tie breaker score maker Watch me KICK!
Have a good weekend.
Janice
Yes, things do feel upside down!! It’s interesting to me that David Hogg, a young activist from Parkland, says that he thinks change is possible this time. I hope he’s right — I am SO ready!
Let’s hope things start to change!
A law that has been proven (time and again) to put so many (innocent) lives at risk, cannot be defended. I sincerely hope and pray that Americans are able to draw strength from unity, and push for the change your country so desperately needs. And deserves. It does not always have to be this way! ❤️🩹
Janice, the Poetry Friday icon is one that many of us must feel-upside and worn out. Thanks for that and your thoughts on gun violence-AMEN! I am glad that you had permission to copy the poem from Imperfect II. Your original poem is delightful with great voice.
The facts are damming…and still the politicians defend what’s wrong. I’m sorry for our loss and sense of hopelessness right now. Thank you for ‘Upside Down’ and ‘Kick.’ Truly, it’s a sense of normalcy and fun that kids seem to be craving right now–even if some push back against it. I’m concerned that kids turned loose for the summer won’t heal. But, one challenge at a time is all I can handle. Right now, it’s getting to the end of this school year.
Thank you for sharing both poems, Janice. An upside-down feeling is something I think most of us share right now. “Kick” is full of energy and delight. Even in sadness, It’s hard not to smile while reading that one.
Hi Janice, and thank you for your thoughts and poems. I love all those rhymes in your kicking poem especially. Brava! xo
Thank you , Irene. Best wishes yo you. Xo
UGH! I hope you don’t get this twice. Anyway, I appreciate the upside-down poem you shared from Imperfect II, Janice! It is so appropriate. And, I’ve always loved your KICK poem. I think it is one of my favorites from that anthology! It’s always good to share the poems we love! Thank you!
Upside Down and Kick feel right for this week’s poems. So much emotion! I hope with you, Janice, and also understand that my hope must become action…
The contrast between those senseless deaths and the burst of spring life continues to jar my senses. Everything does feel upside down.
It feels like a good time to turn upside down and put our heads in the sand–but NO! Let’s KICK! Nice post, Janice.
I’m right there with you, Janice. Up is down and sideways all at the same time. Schechter’s poem describes this insane feeling perfectly. And your KICK poem – scores!