It’s Poetry Friday!
Curl up with some poetry goodness this weekend! Tabatha at The Opposite of Indifference has the round-up.
Do you know Mindful Poetry Moments? I stumbled into this space during the pandemic and found it to be a wonderful place for pause, meditation, and for listening to and writing poetry.
In our February, one-hour virtual gathering, we reflected on hope. Yes, everyone’s favorite Emily, feathers, and soul…
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
But also Alberto Rios’ hope:
Together, we are a tribe of eyes that look upward,
Even as we stand on uncertain ground.
Read more…
Here is my response:
To celebrate 2023 National Poetry Month, Mindful Poetry Moments will be looking at four poems, one each week. Response poems will then be submitted and considered for their 2023 Mindful Poetry Moments anthology. You can find out more here or sign up to attend by clicking on any of the links below:
April 5, 2023, 4-5 pm EST
“My First Memory (Of Librarians)” by Nikki Giovanni
Facilitated by Yalie Saweda Kamara & Samantha Weiss
April 12, 2023, 4-5 pm EST
“Pronunciation” by Leora Kava
Facilitated by Rimel Kamran & Brooke Thomas
April 19, 2023, 4-5 pm EST
“Possible” by Carlina Duan
Facilitated by Samyak Shertok & Stacy Sims
April 26, 2023, 4-5 pm EST
“Remember” by Joy Harjo
Facilitated by Sheila McMullin & Haleh Liza Gafori
Patricia Franz writes picture books and poetry. She believes children, dogs, and sourdough have a lot to teach us about life, joy, and wonder. She has raised two boys, four dogs, and holds a master’s degree in Theology with a focus on children’s spirituality. Patricia, her husband, her Bernese Mountain dog, Bonny, and her sourdough starter split their time between the Arizona desert and the Sierra Nevada mountains. 
I like the sensation of movement, and of helping one another move. How much can hope carry? Everything.
Yes, hope is.
I ADORE that Alberto Rios poem – we read it aloud during the pandemic for an online performance and I got to chat with him briefly about the poem when seeking permission to use it. Your hope matches beautifully with his – thanks for sharing it.
I would love to meet Rios!
Patricia, thank you for sharing Alberto Rios poem. I haven’t read his poetry before. I love his poem and I love your poem! I love how you begin the poem with the different meanings. This line “freighted dreams we link together” gives me a great image. The line can be sad or hopeful. Love the last line on a positive note. Well done! Thank you for also sharing the Mindful Poetry Moments and the whole site is so interesting? I’m going to mark the virtual poetry moments on my calendar. Thanks for all of your shares.
See you in The Well!
I love Rios’ poetry, and this: “The sky is our common home”, Patricia. I’ve not heard of Mindful Poetry Moments. Thanks for that information. And your poem feels timely because of the E. Palestine disaster, love your cry of “from here to there”.
Just need a freight train now.
That last stanza is perfect. I love your photography illustrating your blog and poem…it’s just right. And, I am thrilled to learn about another poetry source. Thank you!
Thank you, Linda.
Patricia, your post took me down a rabbit hole, a good pathway to sink into poetry). Thank you for this momentary journey where hope is a soulful moment of peace. I think the free events will be soothing to me. See you in hopeful clouds.
I also want to tell you that your poem took me from here to there. Love the image you shared as well.
<3
Hope to see you at The Well!
I love your response in poetry. The repetition and movement carry us along in hope
Thank you, Kay.
Patricia, thank you for your beautiful hope poem. There are some magical phrases here: “freighted dreams” “my fears / your tears” “loco motif”
Thank you for sharing the links to the April poems with responses to write. I hope I will remember to check these out! 🙂
Yes, April will be a busy month for poetry!
Train of hope. Very nice, Patricia.
Patricia, I love “freighted dreams.” ❤️ And I didn’t know about Mindful Poetry Moments but now want to thoroughly investigate it. Thank you!