Thursday, October 22, 2009

Trees Are Blushing "No"

towering pines

Pokey.

That's the word Linda left out.

She made a pool, a stack, a pile. She fished, sorted, pulled, picked. And pokey got left behind (Are we surprised? Pokey is always fifty steps back, where we're likely to forget about it.)

When I saw the poem Linda made, without pokey, I commented that it would have been quite a different piece if she'd used that word.

It's a wonder, isn't it, how words have personalities?

This week, caught on the parkway, I sat thinking about the word hibernate. After all, winter is coming; trees are blushing "no" and weeping, but winter is coming. The word hibernate is one way to think about the nature of this change...

"Coming"

I like
the word
hibernate.

It is not
a killing word,
a crisis

word a
trauma word.
It is

a tender deep
warm primal
lay me

down to sleep
word, a nestle
into rest

word that
touches darkness,
unafraid.

Photo: Towering Pines at rehab center (yes, we've been spending many hours visiting Grandma since her knee surgery); photo by L.L. Barkat.

POETRY FRIDAY:
HighCallingBlogs Parking-Lot Poetry
Prairie Chick’s Just Breathe
Laura’s Trains
Linda’s A Stroll
Mom2Six’s Brakes
Glynn’s Slowing at the Faulkner Bookhouse
Monica’s Calligraphy Slows
Sarah’s The Dawn
Kelly’s escape
Bina’s Celebration of Slowing
nAncY’s book
Maureen’s Not a Rush
Marcus's The Price of Renewal

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16 Comments:

Blogger Bina said...

So how does one get in on these lovely writing sessions? I know you contacted me a bit about Mary, but I think my post went up after you were finished...

Talk to me, my friend! :)

Bina

PS - your words always leave me in awe, wanting to push mine a little harder to paint an even better picture. Thanks for taking the time...you make me smile, as always.

3:36 PM  
Blogger Bina said...

Am sorry to use up your comment space with this, but don't know how else to get you :)

Do I do as Linda did...make up my own words...or are they assigned? I know, I know...I think I missed something along the way that explains it all :)

Patience, my friend, with me...
Bina

4:14 PM  
Anonymous Maureen said...

Here's my just-written contribution:
http://writingwithoutpaper.blogspot.com/2009/10/not-rush-poem.html

4:21 PM  
Blogger Bina said...

Finally...a REAL comment...I know your heart is smiling and thinking how cute I am...and if it wasn't, it is now! :)

My contribution, fresh off the presses:
http://binaspace.blogspot.com/2009/10/celebration-of-slowing.html

Many hugs to you!

4:47 PM  
Blogger Glynn said...

"The trees are blushing." Love that. That's what trees do in the fall.

4:55 PM  
Blogger Linda said...

I think "pokey" dates me a little bit L.L. :-)
After I read your comment I kept trying to think of a way to incorporate that word from my childhood into a poem. Perhaps another day.
I like the word hibernate too. Right now I wish I could just crawl into a little space for just a little while a shut out all the cares of life. I know the Father didn't mean for us to live that way, but I am feeling a bit weary in spirit these days.
We have spent many hours at a rehab center too (actually it is also a nursing home and filled with such dear sad people). We think perhaps just one more week. My Dad is doing lots better :-)
I pray your grandmother does well too.
I love your hibernate poem. Actually, I am quite taken with all your poems and writings. You bless.

4:57 PM  
Blogger L.L. Barkat said...

Linda, thanks for your well wishes. I guess I should qualify... it's my kids' grandma. Funny how we fall into calling each other the names our kids call people. :) So, it's actually my mom-in-law.

5:05 PM  
Blogger Bina said...

Now that I have stilled my crazed desire to be involved (...which really stems from my LOVE of prompts...I enjoy seeing where my mind can go...) I would like to add these points:
1 - Linda ~ I also enjoy the word "pokey"...it makes me smile.
2 - L.L. ~ This line got me to stop and re-read a couple of times: "It is a tender deep warm primal lay me down to sleep word."
Last comment...I promise.
:) Bina

5:38 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

just squeaking in by the hair on my chinny, chin, chin... =D

http://prairieprologue.blogspot.com/2009/10/just-breathe.html

6:17 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

"word that
touches darkness,
unafraid."

Phrase that touches me deeply, your words always do. I agree with Bina, "Thanks for taking the time."

8:30 PM  
Blogger Cynthia said...

You have made me hungry to re-explore my poet side. I haven't done so for years!

How wonderful to have discovered you and all the blessed and talented poets who frequent here

11:41 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

hi l.l. :-)
well, it's only 9:00 pm my time so maybe it counts as not being late.
guess i'm just a little pokey.

http://justsaytheword.wordpress.com/2009/10/22/food/

12:13 AM  
Blogger Jean said...

"touches darkness unafraid"

It is against the beauty of the dark that the light seems most magnificent.

Jean
http://www.jeanmatthewhall.blogspot.com

8:41 AM  
Blogger Monica Sharman said...

Just wanted to express how I am quietly thrilled at how your words can TOTALLY make my day (speaking also of today's Parking-Lot Poetry at HCB).
Monica

10:10 AM  
Anonymous Ann Kroeker/Not So Fast said...

Oh, if only I could embrace winter with the same contented, restful spirit...

Your rhythm and line breaks paced the reading.

You slowed me down and made me pause.

Ponder.

I will try to reach toward the darkness of winter with less dread.

I will try to think: "hibernate."

8:43 PM  
Blogger Kelly Sauer said...

I am such an amateur poet, but even I can see this poem breathes. Absolutely incredible. An instant favorite.

8:44 AM  

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