Thank you for your lovely comment! I am sorry to hear you have had issues with substack and hope that’s all ok now. So pleased to know the artwork has arrived safely, many thanks again. Yes Berry!
Thank you! I have read Louise Gluck in the past and liked her collections - I think I am going back to the 90’s, so I would be very interested to read your suggestion.
Cathy, your posts are such rich food for thought. ‘Nature’ speaks to me, as does ‘a childhood that might not have existed’. I often wonder how accurate distant memories really are. But even if they’re embellished, it seems to me that they’ve shaped who we are. I’m going to go and find my first three words… it’s an exercise I really enjoy, just like the word jar. Thank you, Cathy
Thank you Claudine for such a thoughtful and welcome response to this post. I hope you find ways to enjoy words and what you see, as and when ideas come along.
I don’t often sit down to write a poem, rather walk in nature and allow poetic vision to conjure up the words for me. Although these poems don’t often make it onto the page, I imagine a soft leather bound blank book embossed with the simple title ‘Read My Mind’. That is where I save them. 😉
Thank you Janet, your comment is written here and might become a poem one day! I appreciate your kind support and comments always. Yes, to just spend time looking and contemplating is so worthwhile
Your entire poem pleased me, Cathy, but these last two lines -- the consonance and truth-telling -- really struck a chord. And I appreciate your sound poetry writing suggestions.
Thank you Helen for your thoughtful responses to this month’s poetry salon. I am pleased you are finding the poetry jar an interesting idea and hope you find some interesting threes - especially as you find yourself in different landscapes.
Loved this post, Cathy...you have a way with words. I love your sweet "poetry corner" and your nudge to look at nature. I try to do this every day, and writing poetry has been a real lifesaver for me in the last few years.
Today's three things in nature... outside my door.
a propagated hydrangea's first bloom, Vicky is gone, but her gift to me lives on
five Maurice Utrillo roses, so full of brushstrokes of colour, and all vying for attention
a tiny dahlia pushing up through the soil, we thought we had lost it in the move
I will sit with these for now, and possibly write more deeply soon
For my 100 day project this year, I wrote 100 haikus. For me, it was a document of my day, and really had me seeing more, feeling more, writing more. I needed it.
I haven’t written poetry in decades…thank you for this invitation.
I stepped softly into the blistering heat of the day and looked around.
These are my three things:
A marigold growing through cracked pavement.
Wild grasses feeding more than bees.
A tiny rabbit trusting the shade of a tree.
I look forward to sitting with these a while longer…
Great! Thanks for sharing your three things. Keep looking and noting.
I immediately thought of Wendell Berry (https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/wendell-berry), and then I spent two days trying to get logged in on Substack so I could post a comment.
Also I wanted to tell you, Cathy, that I received the art piece and it was perfect and beautiful. Thanks again.
Thank you for your lovely comment! I am sorry to hear you have had issues with substack and hope that’s all ok now. So pleased to know the artwork has arrived safely, many thanks again. Yes Berry!
Love Louise Gluck The wild iris, poems written from the perspective of flowers
Thank you! I have read Louise Gluck in the past and liked her collections - I think I am going back to the 90’s, so I would be very interested to read your suggestion.
Cathy, your posts are such rich food for thought. ‘Nature’ speaks to me, as does ‘a childhood that might not have existed’. I often wonder how accurate distant memories really are. But even if they’re embellished, it seems to me that they’ve shaped who we are. I’m going to go and find my first three words… it’s an exercise I really enjoy, just like the word jar. Thank you, Cathy
Thank you Claudine for such a thoughtful and welcome response to this post. I hope you find ways to enjoy words and what you see, as and when ideas come along.
I don’t often sit down to write a poem, rather walk in nature and allow poetic vision to conjure up the words for me. Although these poems don’t often make it onto the page, I imagine a soft leather bound blank book embossed with the simple title ‘Read My Mind’. That is where I save them. 😉
Thank you Janet, your comment is written here and might become a poem one day! I appreciate your kind support and comments always. Yes, to just spend time looking and contemplating is so worthwhile
"Better water words wisely,
conserve, not bottle-up."
Your entire poem pleased me, Cathy, but these last two lines -- the consonance and truth-telling -- really struck a chord. And I appreciate your sound poetry writing suggestions.
Thank you Kim, much appreciated - and thanks also for restacking. I appreciate your thoughtfulness
I'm late!
We, in our tiny home on wheels, are parked overlooking a vista of rural Pembrokeshire. Down below us, my husband's childhood home.
There are a multitude of three words to be seen here! but....
Ravens. Buzzard. Rosebay Willowherb.
I shall use the rest in my Nature poem.
In school, we studied the romantics, and I wasn't introduced to Haiku until I was in my 30s. I fell in love, and wrote prolifically for some time.
Most of my poems are short, and I seem to only be able to write Nature poems.
Thank you for your Poetry Salon. I continue to add to my Poetry Jar, which brings a simple joy, and now, Three Words will become a daily practice.
I love your poem about writing a poem, and your collages.
Hoping you and your loved ones are well.
H x
Thank you Helen for your thoughtful responses to this month’s poetry salon. I am pleased you are finding the poetry jar an interesting idea and hope you find some interesting threes - especially as you find yourself in different landscapes.
Brilliant.
Thank you kindly
Inspiring, Cathy! I haven’t written poetry in years…💕
Thank you Sheila! I think sometimes a poem will just appear in your own handwriting and that might just happen at any time
I believe you! 💕
This popped up moments before I read your August Poetry Salon. I wish I had words to express myself. https://www.instagram.com/p/DbfS3A9jjR2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== Be well Cathy. With kindness, Michele
Thank you Michele, I appreciate your kind response and sharing of a haiku
Mary Oliver!
Loved this post, Cathy...you have a way with words. I love your sweet "poetry corner" and your nudge to look at nature. I try to do this every day, and writing poetry has been a real lifesaver for me in the last few years.
Today's three things in nature... outside my door.
a propagated hydrangea's first bloom, Vicky is gone, but her gift to me lives on
five Maurice Utrillo roses, so full of brushstrokes of colour, and all vying for attention
a tiny dahlia pushing up through the soil, we thought we had lost it in the move
I will sit with these for now, and possibly write more deeply soon
For my 100 day project this year, I wrote 100 haikus. For me, it was a document of my day, and really had me seeing more, feeling more, writing more. I needed it.