One magical summer,
the grasses bend sideways
in a strong wind,
transforming field into ocean.
The green waves swallow
the poet completely.
She lays on her back,
seeing tales in the too bright sky:
dragons rise on shimmering clouds,
seeking heaven,
birds chant, tee wee, tee wee.
Stay with me, stay with me.
A dragonfly is lost, seeking its mate.
A legion of cicadas call, call, call.
The heart of the poet expands,
understanding all stories are a search,
a journey toward something missing,
and her heart splits. One half
seeks heaven;
the other half holds onto hope.
Copyright 2017 Brenda Davis Harsham
Notes: Taking a break from winter today. Happy Poetry Friday! Thanks to Karen Edmisten for hosting. Anyone going to the SCBWI-NE conference in April? I’m trying to decide whether or not to go. I hate leaving my kids.
This poem was inspired by Laura Shovan’s month-long daily poetry challenge, #10FoundWords. It was written on February 22, 2017 (Day 22) using these great words, together with their source:
Thanks to Catherine Wallian Flynn for selecting the found words for #10FoundWords:
tale
lost
transformed
discovery
simmering
bright
chanting
complete
magical
summer
bonus: poet
Source:
49 thoughts on “The Split”
Comments welcome!
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Friendly Fairy Tales 
Absolutely beautiful Brenda… floating away on summer! I love the idea of green waves swallowing the poet!! 😀 Won’t be long now… summer is round the corner!
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Yes, indeed. I snapped crocuses blooming yesterday. So much fun!
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Beautiful! I love
“all stories are a search,”
And so intriguing about Walt Whitman.
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Thanks, Karen. I love when they find old hidden papers by famous people. It feels like a story is unfolding.
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I don’t like summer, but I won’t say I don’t like this poem. Cause its another beautiful poem, you’ve composed!
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I’m honored!
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My pleasure.
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Such a wise poet. Love those last lines.
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Thanks, Dori!
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What a magical break from winter indeed! I love all of the imagery in your poems. Also, I heard about the recent Walt Whitman find…glad you posted the link to remind me to check it out!
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It’s been fun to do the #10FoundWords. It’s gotten me out of my usual comfort zone (read: rut). I love telling stories.
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What a beautiful poem, Brenda! Thank you for sharing it! Also, fascinating tidbit about a new Walt Whitman piece (a serial novel, nonetheless, and only one copy extant!) Amazing!
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I wonder how they found it. The world is fascinating. Thanks, BJ.
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BRENDA—Am moving my stuff to THE MARVELOUS MUMFORD, https://thenewcaz.wordpress.com/ for the time being. Come visit? Am keeping reblogs at BY THE MIGHTY MUMFORD.. Love the view of new goldenrod! and your poem!
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
GREAT POST!
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Brava.. 🌹
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Thanks, Dorna!
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Hi, Brenda. I missed this poem during the week! It’s so powerful. I used to (still do sometimes) climb up on the hill behind my parents house and lie back in the grass. Your words take me back there.
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Sounds like a good place to visit often. Thanks for running the challenge, it’s been fun participating. I hope your birthday was excellent!
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Oh, Brenda that is just beautiful. All stories are a search. I want to take that line and work that into a poem, myself. Someday, when you have your book ready for beta readers, I want to be on the list. I’m not free to offer a full book read now. I just want to know that it’s something I could do someday. Have a great week.
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The book isn’t in shape to read yet. I’m still figuring out which main character should be telling the story when. The characters are starting to come alive and be demanding. 🙂 That’s a super nice offer, though. XOXO
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Lovely, magical poem Brenda, I like your image too! Dragons are wonderful creatures . . . I was at an exhibit opening tonight at the Chinese American Museum in Chicago’s China Town. It was on fashion and many of the garments had wonderful dragons embroidered on them. I’m wondering what the meaning is here, I’ll have to look into it.
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Sounds like there’s a story there. For me, there’s a story everywhere. Perhaps the embroidered dragons come alive, translucent spirits of air and wind. 🙂
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“The heart of the poet expands” is what you have accomplished in this poem, Brenda. You have taken me away from winter and into a fanciful day where hope awaits. Thanks for the 2nd look at this lovely poem.
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Thanks for going on the journey with me, Carol.
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Hold onto hope … heavenly hope.
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We’d be lost without it.
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It is beautiful, Brenda, that “all stories are a search.” connects to everyone who has written or told a story.I love the lure of the words, taking us out to that field to experience what you have.
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Thanks, Linda. Sometimes the words and a moment of truth come together. It’s rare, but such magic when it happens.
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Beautiful! This poem evokes such peace with its images.
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Thanks, Kay. I wish the field weren’t soggy with melting snow right now. 🙂
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Oooh…that last verse! Beautifully crafted.
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Thanks, Tara! I found the ending in my own words. Everything I described was looking for something… It was an epiphany.
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Oh my goodness, I just read Alice Nine’s poem using the same 10 words. The two outcomes couldn’t be more different. Thanks for the detour into summer, complete with goldenrod. I needed that!
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I need a winter/politics break, too. The FB group is just as diverse in the results. But I am not getting enough done! 🙂
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If I had heard your second stanza when I was a child, I would have understood that I was a poet earlier. Beautiful.
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Some of us can’t help it. I was told I was a poet by so many people, but I had to come to believe it myself. It took too many years.
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Lovely! Going to take a “break” today. Inspired! 🙂
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Yay! You inspire me to lighten up every Wednesday!
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What lovely imagery — I like your winter break. 🙂
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Thanks, Jama!
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Nice, Brenda! I especially like “The heart of the poet expands, understanding all stories are a search”
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Thanks, Tabatha!
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there is always hope, even if it is just a glimmer. love this, brenda and how interesting about the lost whitman novel, too )
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It’s heartening to realize we can all sympathize with the feeling that something is missing. We are all in this together. XOXO
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Love break sweet Brenda. I’m taking a late lunch break looking at my reader. Lovely to see you! 🌼💛🦋🦋🦋
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The butterflies make me smile. I visited a butterfly garden today. Lovely to see your smiling face in my comments. XOXO
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Awe I always love your blog and you sweet words 🦋🦋🦋🌼💛
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Likewise, SuperMom!
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