Curtain and Curtain Shadow
Photo by Amy LV
Students - Today I went out to my camper Betsy to do a little writing. I was feeling sad with the weight of a few things...but when I looked over at Betsy's bed, I saw the magical lace shadow that you see in the picture above. Even though I was feeling sad, something beautiful broke through my sadness and carried it away for a little bit. This is the power of paying attention...and too, the power of writing.
Today's poem is free verse, no rhyme or special meter, and you may notice that the title comes from a line in the poem. I like the line, If you let yourself, and I may use it again sometime. I welcome you to use it too!
When you are feeling sad, remember that writing and looking for spots of surprise and beauty can lift your heart for a little or a long time.
Ruth is hosting this week's Poetry Friday party over at There is no such thing as a God-forsaken town with poems and thoughts about parties, "the analog kind." We invite everybody to join in each Friday as we share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship. Check out my left sidebar to learn where to find this poetry goodness each week of the year.
Much love.
Much love.
Please share a comment below if you wish.day
Beautiful, Amy! You are so right, and I am so thankful for the moments of beauty that have penetrated the sadness recently. Thank you for sharing this one! I'm deeply glad you came to the party!
ReplyDelete"If you let yourself" is a line to steal and write from. I love the lace reflection on Betsy's bed and how just that simple sight became this poem to soothe the soul.
ReplyDeleteYour poem is "something beautiful (that) broke through my sadness and carried it away for a little bit", Amy. Thank you for seeing that shadow at that moment and writing this poem from the reprieve it gave you and through you, the world's reader. (I do love the idea of a poem entitled, If you let yourself... :)
ReplyDeleteSo, so beautiful. I have such a soft spot for antiques, anything handmade, I love to imagine the hands that made them, the lives they lived, and imagine that they now live on through me. <3
ReplyDeleteI feel the strength passed down through generations of women in this poem, Amy.
ReplyDeleteStaying present is so necessary. Thank you for the reminder, and the poem. (And the lace. I have a thing for lace. Did you know that once upon a time I knew how to make bobbin lace? I have a few small pieces as evidence. Maybe after retirement I'll take it back up...)
ReplyDeleteAren't reflections beautiful, I'm glad you captured some in your poem! I saw a beautiful evening reflection of silhouetted flowers on the sideboards of our house just yesterday. Lovely how you wove the women who wove the lacey curtains from long ago into your poem, and invited us to slow down and listen. Thanks Amy, hope your spirits have lifted.
ReplyDeleteAmy, that lace shadow IS magical, and so is your poem! Thank you for pointing out our like minds on our poems from this day... and I want to share also a link to another recent one that also points to the makers, as you do in this poem. https://irenelatham.blogspot.com/2020/07/artspeak-red-cave-painting-altamira-poem.html Our muses are dancing together, it seems.... xo
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