I ... entered the poem of life, whose purpose is ... simply to witness the beauties of the world, to discover the many forms that love can take. (Barabara Blackman in 'Glass After Glass')

These poems are works in progress and may be updated without notice. Nevertheless copyright applies to all writings here and all photos (which are either my own or used with permission). Thank you for your comments. I read and appreciate them all, and reply here to specific points that seem to need it — or as I have the leisure. Otherwise I reciprocate by reading and commenting on your blog posts as much as possible.

14 October 2015

Re-collected


Big thunder. Pelting, pounding rain. 
I think again 
of an old fire 
leaping higher 

as we crowded around it, all, 
to sit or sprawl 
in family 
community.

Outside, both rain and thunder roared, 
which we ignored. 
That warm safety 
floods back to me.


For Poets United's Midweek Motif: Fire

(The form is a minute poem, i.e. 60 syllables, which I found at Poetic Asides too late to use it in the competition there, but I wanted to try it anyway.)

25 comments:

  1. May the memory always mean safety and warmth to you. I felt it, too, from this form transformed with your peaceful tone.

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  2. Oh how lovely a memory - reminds me of sitting in my grandma's back room, both of us enjoying the thunder. Sigh.

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  3. the poem reveals the magic of warmth, unity and love....

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  4. Yes, I love the form of this poem and of course the memory it engenders of that comfortable feeling of being inside in the warm cuddled with someone you love while the rain tips down outside.

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  5. Ah yes.. one of the many comforts that fire has to provide to mankind is warmth and a feeling of safety. Such a beautifully emotive poem :D

    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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  6. Well I think you have written a winner regardless - i love the crisp sense of thought..as distilled as the finest rain shower and as welcoming as joining friends around a fire...(ps love the photo of you in the hat still ;)

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  7. Love the warm feeling of safety -- some memories are warming even in their recollection! An interesting form, Rosemary.

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  8. The warmth of the family fire. Indeed so comforting.

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  9. the fire of the hearth, the warmth of family how lovely;

    have a good Wednesday

    much love...

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  10. This is lovely, Rosemary. I'll have to check out the form.

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  11. Outside, both rain and thunder roared,
    which we ignored.

    Yes, it is good to filter off the irritants from affecting us and work ourselves to be better prepared for eventualities!

    Hank

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  12. Old fires never die. They just tuck themselves away in our memories.

    Holy Fire

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  13. Ideal family gives the sense of warmth...makes us feel warm and secured. And the spark never dies...:)
    Beautifully penned, Rosemary!

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  14. This is wonderful - I like the idea of a minute poem. Forces action!

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    1. This one is called a minute poem because it has 60 syllables. There is also the allegro, which has eight lines, and must be timed and written within a minute! I think that's more what you had in mind, :) Described here: http://withrealtoads.blogspot.com.au/2011/09/word-with-laurie.html

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  15. Fire like this can be so uniting...I love the longer and shorter lines...like the flames flickering. :)

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  16. Cosy poem reflecting the firelight. L.

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  17. A lovely, comforting memory of safety and community. You used the form so nicely. (Though I'm no judge of form.) I liked this so much.

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  18. The cozy place with parents hiding from the storm.

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  19. No matter what happens "out there" we can always find comfort with family and a big blaze (even the memories are warming). Perfect for fall Rosemary

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    1. Thanks, Leslie. Spring here Down Under, but still cool and wet enough some days to spark (!) such recollections.

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  20. I really felt the warmth and safety of that fire in your lines ~ great work!

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  21. Good to feel that warmth of fire Rosemary ~

    Grace

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  22. Rosemary,

    We both attributed our thoughts of fire, to a memorable gathering in the light of a warming fireside. Love the flickering and the glows!!
    Eileen

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  23. What a wonderful image, Rosemary, harking back to primal times where cavepeople huddled together around the fire and felt, warm, safe and comfortable...

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