I’m using my daily writing practice to participate in Write Out 2023. You can click on any of the links below for a taste of poetry from my week of writing outdoors
Day 1: “like water” – an object poem
Day 2: “Days Like This” – a haiku
Day 5: A found poem (see below)
And if you have time, check out this powerful gathering of poets who explored the intersection of poetry, prose, and place through a partnership with the National Parks and the Birmingham Civil Rights Monument.
I wrote the following found poem as a response. My takeaway:
Engage in the creative process. Observe. Draw lessons from the land. Listen.
poetry + prose + place = hope
a found poem
imagine …
if you were to become the love you want in this world
after which, nothing was the same
we are each other’s harvest
a cherry blossom may live only a few days
we have a hand in the blossoming and the blooming
we were never meant to survive
line 1: Duraba Ahmed: “Phase One”
line 2: Camile Dungy: “Trophic Cascade”
line 3: Gwendolyn Brooks: “Paul Robeson” Lorde “A Litany for Survival”
line 4: Sarah Dowdy: “How Do You Hold the Memory of a Cherry Blossom in Your Hand?”
line 5: conversation from WriteOut “Intersection of Poetry, Prose, and Place”
line 6: Audrey Lorde: “A Litany of Survival”
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. 
Beautiful, powerful poetry, Patricia. By searching for these seeds and planting them together, you have grown a new garden!
Lovely and thought provoking!
All of your poems are wonders, Patricia. I especially liked your six word story. I had intentions of participating in this event, but it’s been haphazard. I applaud your consistency.
Love all of your poems, Patricia, especially the six-word story. I had intentions of participating, but it’s been haphazard. Thanks for sharing.
Oooh, next year I’ll have to try Write-Out. It definitely sounds like something I’d enjoy. Love your cento here, Patricia! I look forward to reading the others in the series, too.
Thanks, Susan. Outside right now – in the peak of autumn is a joy!
Fascinating collection of poems, Patricia. I was especially taken with the haiku and the new leaf in your life. So poignant. Thank you for sharing this wonder and beauty.
You are certainly out and about, Patricia. Your writing well informed by different poetry forms, helps to keep the vitality of your writing at the top of its game. Breathe deeply and continue into the fresh, clean air. Your process here is most illuminating. Thanks for sharing this.
Patricia, thanks for sharing the video and lo and behold my friend Kevin Hodgson was hosting. I plan on watching the whole video later. Today, my 3rd granddaughter is being baptized during an evening mass. It is a blessed day. Love this line: we are each other’s harvest. That is a standout and it might pop up in different poems I write-maybe for Spiritual Journey. Also, I want to thank you for inspiring me to create my first Canva slideshow for my Destination: Summer’s End Gallery. Your two poems are placed there also.
Carol, how beautiful for your family that your granddaughter will be welcomed into a community of believers. I’ll look forward to further reflecting next month on our SJ.
What a clever idea, Patricia!
Patricia what a wonderful collection of source poems and your product in the form of a found poem was thought provoking. Thank you.
Such powerful lines that become a new kind of powerful in the way you put them together!
Thank you, Mary Lee.
“we are each others’ harvest”
Patricia, not only does this ping my heart, it’s timely & topical:
[I expect to send an email note about our Nov. food-coordinated posting]
I appreciate your creative work from this packed & lyrical week. You are on good-fire, like your maple leaf of autumn woods.
Just to reiterate: those words were found, not mine 😉
Looking forward to our poem exchange!
Wow, Patricia. “become the love you want in this world” – yes!
Just to reiterate: those words were found, not mine 🙂
But yes, I agree – powerful!
Strong mix of emotions and imagining, and powerful sources, thanks Patricia
I love the arrangement of your lines in this found poem are powerful. Thank you for sharing all of your beautiful treasures.
Thank YOU, Gail, for taking the time to read them!