Poetry Friday May 13, 2022: Community
This week’s host for Poetry Friday is Rose Capelli. Hop over to her blog to see the Poetry Friday roundup. More on Rose (and some other poetic friends) below.
Community
When I picked out my words for the year, I chose NATURE AND NURTURE. It was really what I needed to be reminded of for this year. Three years into this pandemic and I’m really still struggling with nurturing myself. I joked with a poetry friend the other day that I should have chosen the word POETRY. So far in 2022, I have really leaned into poetry more than ever. I’ve been building some poetic habits for awhile now, but I realized I have jumped in with both feet more than ever before.
I’ve been taking classes this year offered by poets. I’m a #1 Learner in my Strengths Finders profile. Sometimes for me that shows up as me trying to learn as much as I can about something. In the past few months, I’ve taken classes by Rebecca Kai Dotlich and Georgia Heard, one by Irene Latham, I hosted and attended a workshop by Irene Latham and Charles Waters, and this past weekend I attended an Anthologies 101 class with Janet Wong and Sylvia Vardell.
I’m a big water-logged in the picture because I’d been at my daughter’s crew competition in the rain. But I was determined to figure out a way to attend this lovely class of poets. It was well worth my time! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed becoming more involved in communities of poets.
Nevermores
I’m also not afraid of a challenge (though I’ll admit, sometimes I take on too many). When a call went out on the Inked Voices community to form a small group of writers who wanted to write a poem a week, I jumped at the chance. Our fearless leader, Ryan, named us the Nevermores (a hat tip to Poe). Our Poetry Friday host, Rose, is also part of the group. Patricia (also a Poetry Friday regular) is too. I have learned so much from this group of poets. They have pushed me to write more poetry. They have forced me to stretch my skills.
Even though I wished I’d chosen POETRY as my word of the year, I realized that it already connects to my 2 words. Writing a haiku a day has forced me to get out in NATURE and pay attention more. And all of this involvement in the poetry community has been very NURTURING! Just what I needed!
Haiku of the Week
fuzzy diner
bumbles on barely bloomed bells
upside down
–Photo and Haiku © Marcie Flinchum Atkins, 2022
What I’m Reading
by Philip Gerard
I just finished leading a book study on CREATIVE NONFICTION in the Inked Voices community. It doesn’t talk about poetry at all, but it really was a good deep dive for me as I think about my writing. I write a lot of lyrical nonfiction and nonfiction poetry, so it was a good craft book for me to read while still keeping poetry, unique structures, and lyricism in mind for my own work.
18 Comments
Catherine Flynn
Love the image of your “fuzzy diner!” Your thoughts about being part of a writing community is so true. I’m so thankful for this supportive poetry community!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you, Catherine!
PATRICIA J FRANZ
Marcie, you inspire me! Doesn’t matter what words you picked for 2022! You have offered beautiful haiku each week, so many incredible books to read, and you show up every week with an incredibly well-crafted poem for our NEVERMORES. And now, ANTHOLOGIES! I am so so lucky to have connected with you in our kidlitverse!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
The feeling is mutual, Patricia. So glad we’ve connected. So thrilled to be sharing poetry together!
Linda Mitchell
I love your zest for a challenge. I love to jump into a challenge too–even though I’m scared at the beginning. The feeling of growing is so worth it! What great words you chose for 2022. I definitely could use some nurturing! Soon, soon, school will be on break. Then, it’s all nurture for 7 weeks.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
We definitely need some nurturing!
Also, some cool stuff coming up at the LOC that I’ve been cooking up. Hoping you’ll be able to join. More information coming very soon!
Rose Cappelli
“Fuzzy diner” is such a great phrase for the bee and I love the use of “bumbles.” A wonderful haiku! I, too, am grateful for the introduction to the Nevermore’s. The challenge each week has really stretched me. And now I see you and Patricia and I are part of Anthologies 201!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Yes to anthologies! And I’m so grateful for the Nevermores!
Mary Lee
Fantastic photo and haiku! My bluebells bloomed when it was still too cold for the bees (or else they were there and I totally missed them!)
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
I took so many pictures before finally catching this bee “in the act.” These bluebells were so pale compared to the others.
Linda
Both the poem and photo sing spring! Thank you for sharing them!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Oh I love the idea of “singing spring.” To spring! Hurray!
Anastasia Suen
Wow! What an amazing photo and haiku! Nature and nurture indeed.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you, Anastasia!
Michelle Kogan
Love your funny and whimsy filled haiku Marcie, still smiling from it—the image is marvelous too! Wish my where still blooming but the petals have just about all fallen off, thanks.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Oh yes, these are long gone. They were at peak in April.
Carol Varsalona
Love the thought of nature and nurturing as one little words. I use the words nurturing and nature many times also. I thought you might like my summer gallery, “Nurturing Our Summer Souls”, at https://beyondliteracylink.blogspot.com/2021/10/nurturing-our-summer-souls-gallery.html. Your photos are always so fresh and detailed. I like the blur in the back letting viewers focus on what is in front.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thanks so much, Carol!