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February 23, 2017

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Photography, Poetry

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The Split

blooming goldenrod

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.

poetry-friday-logo-300x205

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:

In a Walt Whitman Novel, Lost for 165 Years, Clues to ‘Leaves of Grass’
A digital sleuth has discovered an anonymously published 1852 serial novel by the poet, which survived in only a single copy of an obscure newspaper.
NYTIMES.COM

49 thoughts on “The Split”

  10. 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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  11. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

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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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      Reply

  15. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

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