O come, all ye faithful,
believers that the best is yet to come…
Wherein lies hope, faith?
In the belief that your work is worth the wait.
My Nevermores poetry partners crafted “field guide” poems last week, inspired by Marcie Flinchum Atkins’ reading of April Pulley Sayre’s UNFOLD YOUR BRAIN. One of the activities in the book is called “Tracking You.” After considering the trail of stuff that seems to follow one of my sons, I played a bit more and composed this field guide for finding hope.
Advent Haiku
snow-ladened bough waits
busy squirrels prepare burrows
who is more faithful?
May this season of hope and waiting be filled with poetry!
The wonderful poet and author, Irene Latham is our host for this week’s Poetry Friday round-up.
And, come back next week when I host the final 2022 Poetry Friday round-up!
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, this is a lovely field guide for finding hope! I especially like “do you dare begin alone?” To which I say, “Yes!”
It always begins with one, doesn’t it?
Love the flock of wishes! I was burning a balsam candle today to “breathe in the hope of evergreen” (scent is one thing our permanent tree lacks) so your last stanza really resonated. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family, especially that new grandson!
Ah, yes, I miss the smell of a fresh tree, too – but then I go outside!
I am in love with the idea of “field guide” poems! Yours contains such truths — the scent of evergreen is indeed hopeful!
We have Marcie to thank for the mentor poem!
oooooh! A fieldguide poem. I’m intrigued…and want to write one. How wonderful your opening is…”believers that the best is yet to come.” I’m swooning over “star-keepers…sweeten the balsam…and, breathe in the hope of evergreen.” Wonderful post!
I’ve been playing with a number of field guide poems since Marcie introduced them to us.
When I work in my garden, I often squeeze some of the pine needles to smell on my fingers. Your poem reminded me of the calm that can be found among trees, Patricia. I, like the others, love the idea of a Field Guide. You’ve given us a lovely mentor poem. Happy Holidays!
Marcie is to credit for the prompt! Glad you enjoyed it!
I commented & then the words disappeared, Patricia. The scent of balsam is something special, as your poem suggests. When I’m in my yard, I often squeeze some of the pine’s needles between my fingers, to get that special pine scent. I love your idea of a Field Guide, this time a needed one of hope, leaning on trees. Happy Holidays to you and yours!
“breathe in/ the hope of evergreen/ take it home” is lovely and lingers on, thanks for this inviting scent-filled poem which is so soothing! Happy Holidays Patricia!
Thank you, Michelle!
Patricia, this is gorgeous! I love field guide language, and maps, and woods. Thank you!
Thank you, Irene!
What a lovely and inspiring field guide! I love the idea of keeping watch over a flock of wishes. ❤️ Happy holidays to you, Patricia!
Thank you, Karen. Blessings and good wishes for you, too.
What a wonderful field guide you’ve created! I love the concept and how you chose to map the way to hope– “breathe in/the hope of evergreen/take it home.” Just gorgeous!
Thanks, but truly, it was Marcie’s inspirational prompt!
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Patricia, I’m a bit late for last week but tracing back to your post provides hope for the new year. Your field guide poem is wonderful and the photos are gorgeous. I have the scent of pine and balsam around my house, snow globes to enjoy, and the thoughts of snow in NYS providing the allusion of a snow-captured scene. I will see you tonight with my last Poetry Friday entry for this year.
Thank you for stopping by, Carol!
Lovely, Patricia. I like that this is a kind of advice poem, but so deeply rooted in nature. The snow coating those tree-limbs feels comforting.
Our property has a lot of manzanita on it. The snow just about flattens these hardwoods, yet they bounce back every spring when the snow melts. If that isn’t hope…