On Sunday

My heart is so small
it's almost invisible.
How can You place
such big sorrows in it?

"Look," He answered,
"Your eyes are even smaller,
yet they behold the world."

- Rumi



Thankful Thursday: Sniffle, Snuffle, Whine

Sometimes it's hard to show up.

The good thing about Thankful Thursday is that I find myself very aware of the people, places and things that bring me joy. The bad thing is that I've set up a structure that requires my participation and sometimes, like this week, I'm not feeling very grateful.

I know, it's not nice to feel this way, and even worse to admit. It makes me petty and small and full of whine. I have a good life, filled with loving family and friends. Still, despite a multitude of reasons to feel grateful, I am cranky with a cold that has left me lazy and leaden.

My steps were heavy yesterday as I greeted the 9 and 10-year-olds for Happy Hour for Young Readers & Writers.  As usual, they bounded into the room eager to share their words and worlds. The smallest girl rushed in with a whirl, her hands stretched to give me her latest artwork.

For you, she said, though we both knew it was not really for me but something she had made to fill a spare moment between homework and happy hour. Sometimes you just take the gift, not as intended but as needed. I took her art; I needed the love.

After we shared our latest favorite words, we did a quick freewrite. One wrote about Halloween and her pirate costume. Another wrote a list of everything she wants to do, which includes traveling to France, playing a board game (instead of writing), and eating whip cream. Another wrote about the stormy weather.

Inspired by the gift of a word, I wrote about love. I am thankful for the smile that spread across the young girl's face when she realized that her action had created a positive reaction. Her simple gift stirred feelings that created a poem, that lifted a heart, that felt love.

Yes

Some days it's so easy to give love.
Others, the space between minutes is days long.
My eyes avoid yours. My voice trails, swallows itself.
The phone rings forever. I am never near.

Some days, a minute is a moment.
Your smile lights and spreads.
You offer me paper love, a vivid gift.
All I have to say is yes,
a word stronger than love,
and easier, too.

Gratitude. Appreciation. Praise. It's Thankful Thursday, a weekly pause to appreciate people, places & things. What are you thankful for today?


The Artful Blend

I love art & word collaborations. And I'm loving the rise of animated poetry. Lately, I'm drawn to the beautiful blends at Motion Poems.

In 2008, an artist hears a poem and wants to share it with others. The artist, Angella Kassube, and the poet, Todd Boss, pool their talents and create short films involving poets, animators, illustrators and musicians. Here's a taste: 

This poem and more can be read, viewed and savored at motionpoems.com.

Want even more? The Poetry Foundation, a pioneer in animated poetry, now has a YouTube Channel for its Poetry Everywhere video project. Immerse yourself here.

Winner Announced!

Following a highly unscientific but honest drawing — my unbiased husband closed his eyes and picked a name from my special edition Women Writers Box — I am happy to announce the winner of the just-published, spine-fresh, crisp-paged book of poems Letters from the Emily Dickinson Room by Kelli Russell Agodon.

And the winner is . . .

Carol Berg!

Carol, your blog-comment skill has earned you a FREE copy of the much-praised book. Please provide me  (via email or in the comment section) with your mailing address so Kelli Russell Agodon, bless her generous poet heart, can mail the book to you.

Thanks to all for playing, reading, writing and inviting words to infuse & enthuse your lives.

And don't let the poetry love end with this drawing. Purchase Letters from the Emily Dickinson Room here.

Thankful Thursday

small things

the world is full of glass

unpack slowly

shake petals

serve tea

give wide starts

live among psalms

pull thin light

stand tall

give thanks

- drew myron 

Gratitude. Appreciation. Praise. It's Thankful Thursday, a weekly pause to appreciate people, places & things. Do you do Thankful Thursday?  If so, let me know. I'd love to link to your blog. If not, get grateful here and now.

What are you thankful for today?