Students - Two evenings ago, at my knitting group, Gretchen brought out a few jackets and other things that she wished to give away. Katie brought a couple of tablecloths to rehome, Tanya brought pumpkin bread, and Emily brought a baby sweater pattern and pumpkin pie. Once again it felt so good and warm to share with friends. Such sharing is a regular occurance with this group of friends, offering each other items we no longer use but which still have lots of life left, passing baked goods and tea across the table. I was grateful to come home wearing this cozy autumn jacket, and yes...it is the jacket in the photo above, a great match to the pin oak trees in our yard.
Today's poem came to me as I wrote in my notebook yesterday, reflecting on this simple and happy moment with friends. I hadn't planned to write a poem about it, but I was notebooking along, knew I had a poem to write for today, and this one showed up. I am again reminded of the importance of regular writing, of writing not because I am inspired but because it is delightful to see which words and stories and wonderings appear on the page when I set myself to work.
Remember this - you don't a great idea to get started. Just get started.
And if you want to try what I tried, remember something you have been given and write about that. Perhaps it was a gift, or a hand-me-down, a piece of advice, or a bit of food. When we pay attention to what we have been given, we feed our sense of gratitude. You may even wish to make a list of things you have been given in your own notebook. Actually...I think I will do that too.
Ahead of me will be a bit of mending on this cuff. I have a couple of old flowery suitcases full of fabric and will choose a perfect patch. Perhaps I will write about it. Perhaps not!
In unhelpful cat assistant news, I bring you Winnie (otherwise known as Winnie Woo or Winnie Walenda). She was happy to join me yesterday in my outdoor writing session...
Carol is hosting this week's Poetry Friday roundup over at Beyond Literacy Link with the theme of "Autumn's Abundant Gifts." Each Friday, all are invited to share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship in this open and welcoming poetry community.
May you be given delights and may you give delights to others this week.
xo,
Amy
Amy, what a warm, giving community you enjoy! You’ve inspired me to look for some items to share at book club next month. I’m smiling at the thought of skipping like an oak leaf!
ReplyDelete"of writing not because I am inspired but because it is delightful to see which words and stories and wonderings appear on the page when I set myself to work." -- Yes! Such a good lesson about writing and about life. Showing up is more than half of getting beautiful results.
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of poems showing up. I sometimes stress about what I will post on Friday, but something usually shows up. I just need to be patient. Thank you for sharing the advice, the poem, the lovely thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI hope this post is shared among the many students whose teachers drop by. I love that we can lift up the gifting and sharing of things in our lives. The poem is icing on the top!
ReplyDeleteWhat treasure--a new/used jacket. It had a poem inside it. Lucky you! I think that small hole in the cuff would make a fine thumb hole to keep the cuff snug and warm over your wrist as the weather gets colder.
ReplyDeleteOh, for a group of friends like that!
ReplyDeleteI love this so much. I just finished reading a book on climate change -- it was a hard read, of course -- and her simplest and more resonant take-away was simply "use less, share more"...
ReplyDeleteAmy, what a beautiful post highlighting Autumn leaves in an outdoor ambiance. Your stance on kindness and gratitude shines. It must be delightful having friends with a common passion. Tea Party nights are perfect during fall.
ReplyDeleteThank you for hte reminder to just get started!! :) And that color is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteYou'll have to share the fabric you choose for mending. I've been coat-obsessed for two weeks, heading up the gathering of coats for western NC from our church congregation. We had 96 total and then my doorbell rang a few moments ago with 7 more, bringing our two week collection total to 103 cozy coats for our friends to the west..
ReplyDeleteAmy, I always feel refreshed by a visit here. Your view of the world is a delight.
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