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This week’s round up is hosted Jone at Jone Rush MacCulloch.
Jone is in full-celebration mode for National Poetry Month with author interviews and poetry set to video by her students. Join us this weekend!
TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN
It began in earnest months ago. The Universe in Verse – a poetry-palooza for the cosmos – would take place in Austin, the night before the solar eclipse. We had visited Austin last spring. It was close enough to Dallas and one very dear college roommate and her effusive, extensive family. Why not!
We made plans for a whirlwind trip. We’d fly to Dallas. Drive to Austin together the next day. Revel in a night of poetry under the Austin stars. And enjoy a rare phenomenon. It’s what memories are made of, right? We booked our flights (in and out of Dallas). We booked a hotel room (in Austin). We would see the eclipse, then high tail it back to Dallas in time for a 7:30pm flight.
Mr. Mills was concerned about traffic. How flexible were our plans? I tend toward unconcern when it comes to travel. Totality would end at 1:44pm. There was plenty of time.
Yes, but what if you miss your flight. The Dallas media was doing its best to undermine Mr. Mills’ confidence in my unconcern. Fine. I placated him. We changed our flights to leave Tuesday morning instead.
Then we talked another roommate and her wife into joining us! They splurged! Full-fare flights to meet us in Austin! Whoop!
Then the text came from El: Why are we going to Austin for the eclipse where totality will be one minute long when we could sit on my front lawn for four-plus minutes of cosmic convergence?
Wait. Only one minute? I hadn’t even checked. I was mostly excited to attend The Universe in Verse. I mean how often do you get to listen to live poetry by the likes of Rebecca Solnit, Roxane Gay, Marie Howe, and Ellen Bass, among others??
But only one minute? And $300/per night rooms? And seven hours of driving? And Mr. Mills’ stress? I caved.
Thank goodness our third roomie’s tix were refundable (and that she loves us).
Thank goodness for livestreaming (not nearly as fun as being there, but dreamy nonetheless).
We made sandwiches. Schlepped lawn chairs, sunscreen, and protective glasses outside half a block from her house. Even the clouds cooperated.
Brian Eno played in the background. Day became gray. Crows departed. Street lamps turned on. The moon had its moment in the sun. And my heart skipped.
convergence
moon rushes past air-cooled bare arms
fourteen hundred miles per hour
steadfast in its path to prominence
a cloudy forecast notwithstanding
carrying a storm our way
the show must go on
if I stand before you face to face
I see a darkness
yet, we shine together
ages pass
indignant crows depart
a day gives in
to convergence
peace but a moment
if only always
so serene
©photo & draft, Patricia J. Franz
eclipse
sun
and moon’s slow synchrony
slips into place
ignites
brilliant chrome ring
gleams
a heart skips
in the darkness
©draft, Patricia J. Franz
partner to the sun
yield to the tiny, gentle moon
unequal, yet vital in their work
one shines from inner power
one loves when the other
is not available
©draft, Patricia J. Franz
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 love your beginnings and the way it all worked out, just in time to write three poems about your time! I love each one, and especially that title, “Partner to The Sun”- of course! I saw the one in 2017, then the annular eclipse last fall, now a partial here – all the nicest memories, and “if only always/so serene”!
I love these!!
Pat, I am so impressed that you got a great picture of the eclipse! All I got was a sun-blob. Love how your poem captured the moment. What a lot of prepping (and unprepping) to enjoy the eclipse! I am glad that you ended up with a great view.
Oops – Patricia! I don’t know why I always call you Pat!
Thank you for sharing your eclipse experience, Patricia. We didn’t get to see the eclipse in this part of the world, so I’m living vicariously through your poetry and photos. Love all three poems, but most especially the lines,
“peace but a moment
if only always” 🙂
Well, I love all of these and I love that you had such an adventure. My favorite line: “one loves when the other/is not available.” So much in that!!!!
Love the poems and wish we were there but yes this roomie loves y’all. Your poetry lets us be there!
Oooh, I love the lines “a heart skips / in the darkness.” Thank you for sharing your eclipse poetry!
Way to pivot to the gentler version of the adventure! I love
“if I stand before you face to face
I see a darkness
yet, we shine together”–
could be any of us talking.
I love your set up and the poems that resulted. I especially loved ‘sun
and moon’s slow synchrony
slips into place”
Thank you.
“a heart skips in the darkness” — love these, Patricia!
Patricia, the opening of your post is captivating. Right now I am in the middle of trying to plan a family trip and there is so much commotion about everything. I should take a cue from you and just go with the flow. I can see why you would like to go but it looks like your final outing was filled with fun and ideas for poems. You splashed wonderful poems across the page. Lines that are a favorite:
I see a darkness
yet, we shine together
What a wonderful thought of watching a phenomenon with others.
As I wrote my lines for the PP, I thought of you and the path you led us on. Many thanks.
I love the story about getting to the eclipse. And to be with friends and listen to poets. Your photo is incredible. This reminds me our eclipse in 2017 in the NW. How quiet the time was and the shimmering shadows.
Patricia, you capture so much here — I loved reading about the trip planning/changes, and the amazing experience of the day.
“a heart skips
in the darkness”
Shivers!