Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance. — Carl Sandburg
Welcome to National Poetry Month! April has become my absolute favorite month and it is the perfect time to immerse yourself in poetry. That is just what I am going to do this month thanks to the genius of Kym who asked Bonny and I if we would like to have a bit of fun with poetry this month! I could not say YES fast enough and we will all be sharing some thoughts about poetry along with some poems that we hope you will enjoy!
There are so many different kinds of poetry and I am closing in on 40 days of poetry writing for Lent. It has been an incredible process that I have enjoyed tremendously. Three lines a day has not always been easy, but it has always been inspiring. And I think that most often poetry inspires us and it certainly inspires me!
But!!
That is not always the case. Sometimes poetry makes you think in a completely different way… it makes you see things in a new light…it changes your perspective entirely like this poem by Sally Fisher and I think it is the perfect poem to ease us into the holiday weekend. I think most people are aware of the 23rd Psalm, but have you ever considered the Psalm from the sheep’s perspective? This poem hooked me from the first lines and I hope you find the different perspective enlightening!
“Here In The Psalm”
I am a sheep
and I like it
because the grass
I lie down in
feels good and the still
waters are restful and right
there if I’m thirsty
and though some valleys
are very chilly there is a long
rod that prods me so I
direct my hooves
the right way
though today
I’m trying hard
to sit at a table
because it’s expected
required really
and my enemies—
it turns out I have enemies—
are watching me eat and
spill my drink
but I don’t worry because
all my enemies do
is watch and I know
I’m safe if I will
just do my best
as I sit on this chair
that wobbles a bit
in the grass
on the side of a hill.
May your weekend have some inspiration, and maybe even a change in perspective! See you all back here on Monday!
That poem provides a wonderful change of perspective, Kat! I’ve read it about three times this morning and enjoy it more with each reading. I’m very happy to join you in this journey through National Poetry Month, and hope I can direct my hooves the right way through today. Just perfect!
What a great poem!! Thank you for sharing and I’m looking forward to reading what you, Bonny and Kym have in store for us. Thanks!!
What a great your hobby. Nice poetry
How I love that poem! I look forward to what you, Bonny, & Kym will share this month!
That’s a terrific poem for Easter weekend. Thank you.
The Poetry Foundation has an Apple app (not sure about Android) that I have been using for several years to start my day with a poem.
What a fun poem, Kat! So clever! Thanks for sharing it — and here’s to wonderful month of poetry ahead. XO
That is such a lovely flip of perspective, and a joyful one, too, considering the 23rd Psalm is something I’ve typically heard recited at funerals.
Have a wonderful Easter weekend!
All this poetry has been a lovely respite from all the April Fools Day jokes going on in my house! Thank you. Looking forward to the month of treasures.
That’s beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
Poetry and metaphor are indeed a way to see things from a different perspective or a new way. I look forward to your poetry celebration.
Love the perspective from the sheep. Thanks for sharing.