It’s Poetry Friday!
Want to know more? Click here.
Thank you to this week’s host, Jan at BookSeedStudio, for hosting the round up!
Coming Soon!
MINDFUL MOMENTS POETRY 2023
I am delighted to have two poems included in this year’s Mindful Poetry Moments anthology, created and produced by The Well, a community that nourishes the connection between the arts and wellness.
Over the four weeks of National Poetry Month (April 2023), we were inspired by readings and meditation with poems by Nikki Giovanni, Leora Kava, Freya Manfred, Caroline Duan and Joy Harjo.
The collection features poets as young as 5 and as old as gorgeously mature.
To celebrate the August 9th launch, The Well will host an in-person and virtual live stream of selected readings. While I won’t be able to travel to Ohio, I was invited to send a video recording reading both poems. If you’re interested, you can register (it’s free!) here.
One of my poems was inspired by Joy Harjo’s “Remember.”
Remember the sky that you were born under,
know each of the star’s stories.
Remember the moon, know who she is.
Remember the sun’s birth at dawn…
“Remember” invites listeners to pause and reflect on the wonder of the world around them. To remember our oneness with all that is.
But I took her poem in a different direction. As I meditated on the word “remember”, I began to hear it as “re-MEMBER” which led me to consider how something might be transformed for connection in a new way; revised, reorganized, recognizing membership in a new context.
The Well is introducing a new poetry event, Summer Salon: Words of Resistance and Resilience.
On August 6th from 2:00 – 4:00pm EST, The Well alongside 2023 Wellspring Fellow & poet Elena Estella Green will host an open mic-style salon both in person & virtually, focused on themes of resistance & resilience.
They are also seeking poems, presenters and meditation offerers for the Fall 2023 and Winter 2024 sessions — and a $50 stipend. You can submit/apply here.
Patricia Franz is a kidlit writer and published poet. 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. 
Patricia, that is absolutely lovely!
Beautiful sentiments, Patricia! You truly think and feel deeply about the people and events in your life.
Beautiful and so touching, Patricia!
Hi hiker Patricia,
I hope you enjoyed a cool foot journey & returned renewed from the Natural World.
Your transforming re-Member poem is kind & mindful ~ I love especially the gentle line about the gold band. The image is touching.
I didn’t remember that Joy Harjo poem. Appreciations for leading us to it. I’m in awe of her line about all people being living poetry.
More thanks.
So beautiful, Patricia, Harjo’s and you’re pulling your own beautiful sentiments from hers. It brings my own re-member times with love. Thank you!
How wonderful! Your poem is beautiful and I’m thrilled that you are in this anthology.
Wow! Congratulations! I’m so happy for you!
Patricia, thank you for the information. I enjoyed reading Harjo’s poem. A book I’m reading now is echoing it–Healer of the Water Monster. Your use of “Re-member” as a way to re-envision membership is stunning. I just signed up to go to the book launch. Thank you for sharing all the opportunities.