Poetry Friday: When Everything Converges
When Everything Converges
I’ve reached that time in the year when all things are happening at once. My novel-in-verse revision is due next week. I just started taking a college class on local history. I have book fair at my school starting next week. And I have all of the end-of-the-year library admin to do (inventory, ordering, rounding up all of the books).
I’m tired. Really tired. But I’m excited too. I’m excited about the revision I’ve done. I’m very intrigued by the local history class and the projects that are ahead for the summer. I’m looking forward to having book fair and sending kids off for the summer with books in hand. And cleaning up the library and getting organized is a lot of work, but it feels good when it’s done.
I don’t know about you, but when I’m overwhelmed with all of the things I need to do, I tend to clean closets. A former colleague of mine used to say that when everything else in your life is in total chaos, it feels good to clean a closet. It gives you a sense of control.
With all of these things on my plate, I pulled everything out of my closet in my office and unearthed my three tubs of research and drafts for my novel-in-verse. This doesn’t even hold the three shelves of books I have on the subject. I’ve been working on this book on and off for years, and those three tubs are visible proof of the journey thus far.
With the closet clean, I’m thinking clearer. Now, that I’ve tamed the closet, it’s time to get to everything else on the to-do list.
Haiku of the Week
welcome wildflowers
catch the breeze of passersby
give them a surprise
Photo Taken: April 8, 2023 at a rest stop on I-95
Haiku Written: April 13, 2023
What I’m Reading
by Mary Oliver
What I’m Noticing
I’m still enjoying the peonies as they burst into bloom every few days.
21 Comments
PATRICIA J FRANZ
OMG— DYING about cleaning closets! I just wrote in my Morning Pages exercise (Ten Tiny Changes): Clean out my closet! And I’m literally looking forward to doing it. Definitely my metaphor for brain-drain! Took my first long hike of the season with my pup this morning and caught a glimpse of our mountain wildflowers pushing through soaking duff. It’s almost spring here! 🙂
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Yes! Clean out the closets! And yay for wildflowers!
Rose Cappelli
Beautiful wildflowers, Marcie! Good luck on all of your projects! I get what you mean about cleaning out closets. For me, it’s drawers.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Yes, drawers! Last May, I did that at work. My assistant was out on medical leave and my oldest was graduating from high school. Things were busy! My to-do list was a mile long, and you know what I did? I cleaned every single drawer in my library. 🙂 Ha! But then I felt better.
Mary Lee
If only the urge to clean closets actually came to fruition for me!! Same with washing windows…
I remember that “everything converges” feeling at the end of the school year. Good luck with all that, keep powering through (while keeping an eye out on the flowers along the way)!!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
I washed some windows this week too–not something I currently have time to do. LOL
Linda Baie
I don’t do the closet cleaning but my ‘go-to’ is cleaning files from a ‘very full’ file cabinet & shredding! We’ve had lots of rain, unlike the usual dry, & flowers are everywhere, though late, and as you wrote, giving us all surprises! Best wishes these final days, Marcie! Thanks for the advice!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Oh yes! Cleaning files. I did that last weekend too.
Margaret Simon
Marcie, I am going through some tough stuff and think cleaning a closet may be the answer I am looking for. Control over one thing would feel great right now, but I have to rest–forced by cataract surgery to not lift anything over 10 pounds, but when I’m finished with restrictions, watch out closets! Your little wildflower haiku is a raindrop of hope. Thanks!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
No lifting for you! Take good care. Those closets can wait!
Susan Thomsen
I like that haiku, Marcie. And the accompanying photo. My go-to cleaning destination is the refrigerator. Inevitably I find a few items worthy of science experiments. I look forward to reading the verse novel!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Yes, the refrigerator. Something I definitely need to do!
Lou Piccolo
I never thought of it that way before – cleaning when overwhelmed is about gaining a sense of control. That explains a lot to me given that I’m not an habitual cleaner but given to frenzies when things are rough. You sound like you have a lot of your plate, but it’s good stuff and, even though that can be stressful too, I’m glad it’s the good stuff!
Your wildflower poem is lovely. It made me smile and want to wave at them.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Yes, I think Gretchen Rubin refers to it as “outer order, inner calm.” Or at least a false sense of calm. 🙂
Linda Mitchell
Marcie, I’m wishing you a few breaths of peace and some moments of clarity. You continue to inspire me with your productiveness. Hang in there. It’s all for the good.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
It is all good. The good news is that the end is in sight. It’s definitely not a permanent state. 🙂
Laura Purdie Salas
My favorite kind of surprise!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Yes! Thank you, Laura!
Carol Varsalona
Marcie, as we prepared for my Uncle’s funeral in Central New York, I started cleaning up my garage by organizing the new organizer shelves. It was so healing an experience. I totally understand the happiness you must feel after your library organization process. Today’s haiku reminds me of the surprise of flowering weeds and wildflowers of our creekside walk. Your poem brings spring wishes. I am excited to hear more about your new novel-in-verse and the local history class.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thanks, Carol.
Karen Edmisten
Closet cleaning? {raises hand, looks slightly sheepish} Umm, yes. I can usually be found cleaning a closet or a filing cabinet when I have a big project due. The organizing settles my mind. (Or, maybe I’m just procrastinating. Whatever. :D)
Thanks for the bits of beauty in your photo and haiku!