I've thought of you often and read many of your posts over the last month. Unfortunately, I've struggled mightily to create my own poetry these last several weeks. With everything going on, I can't seem to find the right few words in the right order. I am writing in my journal. It's helping me to process my feelings and deal with this very new world we're living in.
We have a robin nesting in the corner of our front porch. So, today I'm sharing the poem, Spring Welcome, from Deborah Rudell's collection, A WHIFF OF PINE, A HINT OF SKUNK: A FOREST OF POEMS.
SPRING WELCOME
A million arms in woody sleeves
wave a zillion brand-new leaves,
inviting wrens to be their guests,
the orioles to build their nests,
and calling all the chickadees
to stay and raise their families.
Deborah's book introduces several forest animals and their happenings throughout the four seasons. The poems are beautifully crafted and paired with Joan Rankin's whimsical illustrations.
I know some parts of the country are still seeing a bit of snow, but hopefully, we'll all be enjoying beautiful spring weather soon! Thanks for stopping by.
Oh, thanks for this joyful celebration of Spring! We've been leafed out with buckets of blowing pollen and treetops full of twitterpated birds for a while now, here in the South. Good medicine, these wonderful words and art you've shared today - what a delightful book! :0)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Robyn. I'm glad you enjoyed it :)
DeleteI love the whimsy in this book--it's on my shelf and I pull it out often. How fun to have a robin on your porch! Years ago, when we lived in Illinois, I wrote a story for Ladybug about the robin on our porch. I share your feelings about writing these days--I've been trying to dip my toe back into some poetry, but it's a challenge.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Buffy, and I didn't know you were at one time in Illinois, too! I'm enjoying my porch nested robin and several others that like to hang out in our tree. I have a perfect view from my office chair :)
DeleteWhat a joyous spring welcome. I love the image of a million arms waving that welcome. And I hear you on the not being able to write much. I want to create, but it is happening very slowly this year, and I've decided just to go with that and instead spend time doing other comforting things - walking, reading, gardening, and trust that the words will come again.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sally, and yes, hopefully those words will start trickling in again for me soon. I miss them.
DeleteI've found writing to be hit or miss this month. To be honest, I was pretty overwhelmed when I suddenly realized it was my turn to host Poetry Friday and I had to come up with something! I don't know the book you shared, but I immediately loved the title and then the poem you selected. It's a gem! Whimsical and welcoming--I love that first line! Take care and, as Sally said, "trust that the words will come again."
ReplyDeleteThank you, Molly.
DeleteOh those woody sleeves! Nice! Thank you for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it, Irene:)
DeleteWhat a lovely welcome to spring. And thank you for sharing the book--it's new to me, but looks delightful. I love the title.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kay. This collection is one of my favorites.
DeleteI'm glad you shared this beautiful book, one new to me & the poem is just right to help us celebrate April, Kimberly. We did have quite a bit of snow yesterday, but it's going to warm up & spring green will come very soon. Happy Friday!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the poem, Linda. We had a bit of snow yesterday, but it's back into the 50s tomorrow :)
DeleteThanks for the introduction to this book. And thanks for sharing your struggles with finding words in these surreal times. Reading other's words is great way to find solace. :)
ReplyDeleteSo true, Bridget. Thank you.
DeleteAw, Kimberly, it can be so hard to focus and create in times of uncertainty, can't it? Hang in there, and keep trying. It will come:>) I love Deborah's book--thanks for sharing it today!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Laura.
DeleteKim, I do like the poem you shared and totally understand about mixed feelings. It is difficult to concentrate here in Long Island where we are bombarded with quarantine talk. Being homebound is not as difficult on me as it is on my husband. He loves to be free. Thanks for sharing the book.
ReplyDeleteThat title is the BEST! I love the stanza too--the woody sleeves waving with all those leaves. I'm glad you are journaling through. It's important work to write things down now.
ReplyDeleteI love Deborah's poetry! The title by itself is enough to make me swoon. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a charming poem! Love it. Don't worry about just journaling, Kimberly. Journaling is important work, too!
ReplyDeleteDelightful poem, I love it, and the art too. Thanks for sharing it Kimberly, it's very uplifting!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love Spring Welcome! Have popped it into my Amazon cart, as my Kindergarten naturalists/poets will love it! Thank you for sharing, Kimberly.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the spring joy and loveliness this week. I need to get a copy of Deborah's book. Sounds delightful!
ReplyDeleteKimberley... I've felt the same thing. It takes time to process everything that is happening, and that's okay. Love this poem... thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete