Poetry Friday: Walk and Talks
Today’s Poetry Friday roundup is over at Poetry for Children.
I’m a big routine person. I know a lot of creatives who don’t write or create every day, but I tend to do better if I do. I noticed a few months ago that I loved my weekday routines, but my weekend routines needed some sprucing up. I wanted to still do creative things on the weekend, but I didn’t need such a regimented routine. I also needed practices that would fill the well. One of the things I’ve been trying to do is a nature walk on Sunday afternoons.
While I’m walking, I might practice productive meditation where I try to hold an idea in my mind and brainstorm something or write something while walking. I sometimes take photos. One of the occasional things I started doing during the early parts of the pandemic was to chat with a writing friend about writing. While walking, we talked about our WIPs, asked each other questions, brainstormed, and pushed each other or encouraged each other in this creative life. This photograph was taken while I was doing a “walk and talk.” I didn’t write the poem until a few days later, but as I was talking I noticed some interesting details in the park. I tend to hone in on smaller details instead of larger landscapes.
What I’m Reading
I’m finishing up A POETRY HANDBOOK by Mary Oliver. This is a book study I’m doing with a group of people at Inked Voices, and I am really enjoying diving into the craft of poetry. I’ve owned this book for ages, but this is the first time I’ve studied it diligently.
28 Comments
Irene Latham
A walking writing practice! I love it, Marcie. And those “tufts.” Beautiful! I also find exploring books as a group to be a nourishing practice. You are living your poem!! xo
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you so much, Irene!
Bridget Magee
Your poem and book study just proves you’re a “road scholar”, Marcie. I, too, love the “tuft”. 😉
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Aww, thanks! I’d love to be a “road scholar.” 🙂
Linda Baie
Beautiful capture of that moment, Marcie, in words & photo. I like the idea of your walk and talk about what’s going on with writing.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thanks, Linda! The walk and talks were so valuable in staying connected during lockdown. We have just continued them as needed. Great to get “writing” done while moving our bodies.
Carol J. Labuzzetta
Hi Marcie, I have a walk and talk each week with a friend – on Wednesday afternoon. We’ve been at it for years. Instead of working on writing (I write and she still works as a chemist) we catch up and also try to solve the world’s bigger problems. It is good for both of us. I love taking photos on solo nature walks and frequently use them as inspiration for my writing – both poetry and prose. I also like routine. I will look forward to more of your posts. Thanks for sharing!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
I love that you have a standing walk-and-talk time on Wednesdays. Ours is more of an ad hoc thing–whenever one of us needs to talk through some writing stuff. But I love the idea of a routine. Maybe when our kids aren’t so busy with activities we can make it a regular thing.
PATRICIA J FRANZ
I love to walk and wonder, Marcie; and like you, I see the little things… the tufts of snow in broken branches; and hear the faint sounds… winter snow settling. How blessed that you can walk and talk through WIPs! I’m so happy we’ve connected via our poetry!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thanks, Patricia! I’m also so grateful we’ve connected.
Carol Varsalona
Marcie, your image poem is a beautiful composition with a single focus that encompasses important details. Wonderful!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you, Carol!
Linda Mitchell
Truly, it’s the little things that make poetry large for us. Love that catch of snow on a broken branch. It’s something to think on.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Linda, what a beautiful thought “the little things that make poetry large.” That is SO true!
Elisabeth
I read that book earlier this year! I think it’s one of those that I want to revisit periodically, because I think I will absorb something new each time.
Thanks for sharing your photo and poem – they are both invitations to slow down and be more mindful as we pass through our daily lives.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you so much, Elisabeth! Yes, I have owned A POETRY HANDBOOK for years and I just read it fully. I think I will revisit it.
Mary Lee Hahn
I love the contrast in your poem between the rawness of the break and the tenderness of the tuft of snow! Lovely!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thanks so much, Mary Lee!
Sylvia Vardell
Great to meet you, Marcie! I admire your discipline and I love the paradox of having routines for creativity! Thanks for joining our Poetry Friday gathering this week!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thanks, Sylvia! I’m looking forward to the anthologies classes (I signed up for May!).
Laura Purdie Salas
I love this, Marcie–those gorgeous snowflakes are almost like a nature ointment on the broken branch. Beauty even in a broken state. Thank you!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you, Laura! I love how others see things I didn’t see. What a beautiful observation!
Margaret Simon
I love the immediacy of haiku, how it forces us to look at small things, like those tufts of snow. Are you interested in participating in the Kidlit Progressive Poem? There are a few dates left. https://reflectionsontheteche.com/2022/02/17/kidlit-progressive-poem-sign-up/
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Awesome! I signed up. Thanks for the reminder!
Rose Cappelli
Glad I stopped by, Marcie! I love your “walk and talks.” Like you, I tend to be more routine-oriented during the week, with a looser structure on the weekends – to me it kind of mirrors the time before retirement when there was a definite difference on weekends. Those “tufts of snow” could almost be flowers, you captured them well in words and picture.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you so much! Perhaps it’s the fact that school is so structured that I tend to do more with structure and routine. Who knows. 🙂 But it works for me in this particular season of my life.
Catherine Flynn
I love that a broken branch inspired your lovely haiku. I also find great inspiration on my walks. Yesterday there were about 50 robins in one of the fields I pass on by. Talk about inspiration! Thank you for giving us a peek into your process.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you, Catherine! I’m amazed at the daily inspiration from walks (even doing the same walk brings new noticings).