This is just to say…
Thank you, Earth
that held tight trees
bent to their knees
in hurricane winds and
that imprints time itself
on gorges, stone and shelf,
in the language of fossil hieroglyphics.
Thank you, Stones
that, in stillness, filter clean
water in openings between
tiny stones and soil
yet still cup oceans and rivers,
reflect clouds in shining slivers,
and remember dinosaurs and glaciers.
Thank you, Soil
that warms bulbs and seeds
of flowers, trees and weeds
through the long, white winter
and mothers green shoots
gently soothes new roots
with tender hands, black, moist and fragrant.
Copyright 2016 Brenda Davis Harsham
Notes: October 6, 2016 is UK National Poetry Day, and I am happy to chime in from across the Pond. If you have a message to the Earth or for any of its creatures, feel free to add your voice.
Pop over to Violet Nesdoly’s blog to join Poetry Friday. Thanks for hosting, Violet!
52 thoughts on “Happy National Poetry Day”
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Friendly Fairy Tales 
Hi would love for you to check some of my poetry out 🙂 you have great work!
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Thans for the follow! Please note that my blog has moved to jadicampbell.com!
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Amen
A beautiful poem
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Thank you!
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very nice poem
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Thanks, Kenny!
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welcome
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It is a lovely poem, dear and earnest. TY, Brenda.
Are you okay, away from Matthew the hurricane? Much love! Resa
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I’m far away from the hurricane. It’s not supposed to hit New England, unless something’s changed a lot. Thanks for asking. XOXO
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A truly awesome tree–you’ve captured both through your photo and poem. Happy National Poetry Day, two days late!
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Thanks, Diane. I did start from the photo. I do that too often.
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This is just to say, thank you, Brenda, for a poem that reminds us to honor the beauty and miracle of the earth that sustains us.
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It is a beautiful and mysterious place. Thanks for stopping by.
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This is gorgeous, Brenda! I especially love the idea of imprinting time–your photo shows that so well. Thanks for another beauty of a poem!
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Thanks, Molly!
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I’m in awe of all God’s gorgeous creation – but I’ve got to give the rain some love. 🙂
Thank-you Rain
that washes sky-blue clean;
kisses colours crisp and clear;
as gorges gorge and gush
to rush
like rivers.
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A wonderful addition!
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Lovely, Brenda!
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Thank you!
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Nice, Brenda! I especially like this line about stones; “reflect clouds in shining slivers,”
This would make a wonderful poem for Earth Day as well.
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Thanks, Violet. Earth Day, now that’s a good thought.
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Brenda, this is sensational. This so reminds me of Mary Oliver’s work. I can’t wait to send you a copy of “Evidence” soon! Thanks for visiting Amy’s Sharing our Notebooks page and for leaving your thoughtful comment!
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I love Mary Oliver. I’m trying to really plumb the depths of what I’m trying to say. Her poetry is helping me figure out how. My pleasure to read about you and Amy. Are you sending me a copy of “Evidence?” Yay!
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Absolutely gorgeous. I’m going to print this out and put it in my folder of “inspiring poems found on the web!”
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Yay! That’s very nice of you.
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Every day should be national poetry day! Such a beautiful celebration of the earth, thank you for sharing with us.
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Thanks, Jane! I agree, and for me, poetry is an everyday happy.
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So beautiful, Brenda!
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Thanks, Jama.
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That picture is fantastic. Here in Maine we always see things like that. I have to stop and wonder who is caring for whom. Right? Loved your poem.
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Thank you, and yes, that tree and boulder were very singular. I was happy the picture showed the symbiosis.
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Happy National Poetry Day, Brenda. What a lovely way to celebrate! I love the way this poem sounds, and especially “and mothers green shoots/gently soothes new roots”, just perfect.
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Thanks, Linda! I had so much gratitude, it was hard to pare it down to a few stanzas. 🙂
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The Earth is something we should celebrate every day. I’d love to hear this poem read aloud.
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I should know how to do that. Why don’t I? Perhaps I will try to add that. And thank you!
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Gorgeous. I’d like to thank the sea:
Thank you sea
for rolling, roiling
wavily toiling
Along the shore.
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Yes! For the dolphins, the whales, the teeming life and endless motion.
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
EVEN THE ROCKS AND TREES PROCLAIM PRAISE—POETICALLY!
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Thanks, Jonathan!
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❤ Beautiful.
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Thanks!
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beautiful and nature is poetry in itself. you write about it so beautifully.
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Thanks, Beth. I do wish I could get outside in it more. 🙂
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Trees are rock breakers and earth makers…
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True, they hold it all together, purity the air and shade us from the sun. I love trees. Thanks for stopping by, Grandpa. 🙂
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Happy National Poetry Day! 🙂
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Yay! A great day for poets. 🙂
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Beautiful. 🙂
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Thank you!
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Such a fantastic poem. 🌹
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Thank you!
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