Welcome to National Poetry Month!
And once again, I am joining with Kym, Bonny, Sarah, and sending a huge welcome to Vera who is joining us this year! We will all be sharing some poetry on Thursday’s this month!
This week our focus is on poems that bring hope (because we all could use an extra ration of hope these day, right?)
My choice to share today comes from a Pennsylvanian poet, Barbara Crooker. Lots of her poems are filled with hope, but the one I have chosen is Promise. It was especially meaning for me this week as those first little dandelions began to bloom in my backyard!
Promise
by Barbara Crooker
This day is an open road
stretching out before you.
Roll down the windows.
Step into your life, as if it were a fast car.
Even in industrial parks,
trees are covered with white blossoms,
festive as brides, and the air is soft
as a well-washed shirt on your arms.
The grass has turned implausibly green.
Tomorrow, the world will begin again,
another fresh start. The blue sky stretches,
shakes out its tent of light. Even dandelions glitter
in the lawn, a handful of golden change.
Promise © 2005 Barbara Crooker.
You can read more about Barbara here on her website.
Make sure you visit Bonny today to find a bit more hope for your day!
And that is it for me this week! I will be back on Monday!
That’s lovely, Kat! And you’re so right . . . dandelions are a true sign of hope! (And I can’t wait to see them here in my own yard. Soon, I’m sure . . . )
I love that we both chose poems that feature dandelions — they are such a harbinger of hope at this time of year!
“A handful of golden change.” What a great description of dandelions. How funny/ironic that you and Sarah both chose poems about dandelions and Kym and I both chose poems from the same poet.
That is how I’ll think of dandelions now – as golden change! This is a wonderful and hopeful poem, and I thank you for sharing it and introducing me to a new-to-me poet. I can tell that poetry is going to help me make it through April, despite the news!
I’m glad you mentioned the dandelions. While an imported plant and disliked by suburban yard tenders, dandelions are now an important early source of nectar for emerging insects.
So many dandelions are popping up in my reader today. I just love it!
“Even in industrial parks,
trees are covered with white blossoms,”
what a fantastic reminder. I’m eagerly waiting for the blossoms and blooms to arrive in NH and am enjoying everyone else’s pictures while I wait. But of course – this hope is about more than the appearance of spring. There’s so much for us to hope for right now and this is a wonderful reminder that there are positive possibilities. Thank you!
Talk about living in the moment! something I strive for and yet get sidetracked by stuff. Lovely poem.
Love the poem…and that is from a fellow Pennsylvanian.
That is a lovely poem. I do enjoy Crooker’s work.