Ode to Spring and to the Final Day of National Poetry Month
“Let it be still, and it will gradually become clear.” ~ Lao Tzu
Hi friends,
April 30 marks the final day of National Poetry Month, an annual event that celebrates poets and poetry, one of my favorite times of the year. I celebrate (mostly) privately by reading and observing life and nature. But, occasionally, I write something that makes me feel like my words are worth sharing, and today’s poem, Ode to Spring (below), is that cache of words. I didn’t intend to write this poem (or share), but if I’m honest, and I’m leaning into that part of writing (the honest part) so much more now, thanks to a few things: age and the wisdom that comes with living into the sixth decade, less fear, which comes from a recent traumatic health issue, and also thanks to
in the fantastic Substack writing community, Writing in the Dark, and specifically, her latest conversation with the prolific and admirable novelist Rene Denfeld.Here’s what Denfeld writes about advice to writers: “…however you pursue writing, the focus needs to be on you. You are the conduit. You are the truth teller. Focus on what helps grow you as a writer. If something doesn't help you grow, if it poisons your spirit or interferes with your voice, you don't need to do it.”
Well, this poem is the complete opposite of poison, which is also why I decided to share. My hope is that you will take a minute to slow down and observe your surroundings after you read this, or later today or tomorrow, next week, when you have a minute to breathe, etc.
When I wrote this poem, I felt the words might befit someone who has never experienced a walk in the woods in western Kentucky during Spring. As my dear friend and spiritual intuitive Kathy Pacey (follow her for all the good vibes on Substack at Choosing Joy with Kathleen Pacey) mentioned to me a few weeks ago when I was talking about dipping back into a photography/poetry/coffee table book about living in western KY, “You light up when you talk about this project.”
Below the poem, I share a few additional poetry resources if that’s your jam. Please drop your favorite poets in the comments or reply to this letter. As always, I love hearing from you.
XO
Maureen
Ode to Spring
Walk with me
into the woods
Where mayapples pop up from the blanket of winter's decaying forest floor — broad umbrella-like canopies where elusive white flowers blossom underneath into edible tropical-scented yellow fruits
If you're lucky.
Where dogwood blossoms stretch and beckon like lanterns in the shadows.
Where swallowtail butterflies flutter drunkenly,
and squirrels scamper up hickory tree trunks to their dens, their tiny claws scritch, scritch, scritch on the shaggy bark.
Where black snakes slither from holes in the red clay dirt to forage on eggs and warm their scales on the trees painted by the morning sun.
Then
overhead,
overhead,
the tree canopy is a symphony —
a Baltimore Oriole trills a bright happy song, and American robins, cardinals and warblers, red-eyed vireos, chickadees, and goldfinches sing the verse, while a grackle keeps a steady beat like a snare drum.
Then a red-shouldered hawk screeches, an explosive response.
Silence.
Until a murder of crows announces their arrival on the scene for the finale.
Lush leaves and limbs dance — a lift, a dip, and then a wave.
A swift wind scatters pollen far away to hills and valleys and rivers and streams.
Against the rock-white sky
pregnant with low clouds
The sigh of a storm brews
and I
Welcome the clap of thunder.
Poetry Resources for your reading and listening pleasure:
The SlowDown podcast, a poem and a moment of reflection every weekday.
Anything and everything, Mary Oliver has written.
Billy Collins, former United States Poet Laureate and New York Times bestselling author of Aimless Love, an absolutely charming collection of poems.
Wendell Berry, essayist, poet, farmer, novelist, and all-around amazing human (we’re not related, but I have a cute antidote about our connecting at an author’s lunch at the Kentucky Book Festival 2017. Ask me about it.)
Have a poetic day! xo
pARTakers. I’m still in the midst of the Wild African Adventures in Art exhibition. If you’re in the western Kentucky area, please drop by. The show runs through May 16 at the Anne P. Baker Gallery at the Glema Mahr Center for the Arts, Monday through Friday, 9-4.
Stay curious. Stay safe. Make an impact.
Another one of your many talents. Very nice, my friend ! ❤️
What a lovely, rich poem. Thank you for sharing, I feel like I need to go outside now and soak in the beautiful outdoors.