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January 4, 2019

Poetry Friday--A Whole Lotta Nothin'

It's 2019 and I'm looking forward to some kind of change. The last year basically rung me out and left me in a heap. I even missed two weeks of Poetry Friday in December--something I don't think I've done since I started this blog nearly ten years ago. As far as writing is concerned--I've been going through the paces, but I don't have much of anything from the last three months of the year. I wasn't even tempted to participate in #haikuforhope. I thank those who had enough hope stored away to share.

So, what about going forward? I'm seriously considering bowing out of Poetry Fridays since I contribute little to all those who take the time to read and comment. I'll probably make a decision in the near future. I'm also planning on retiring within the next six months, so I've got a lot of chaos to look forward to.

For today I had a whole lotta nothin'. So, I hit the files to see what I wrote over the past decade during the first week of January. It will have to do...

A small poem written January 1, 2010:
How Lovely

Cat sleeps
and sleeps and sleeps
and sleeps, not knowing,
or caring, that time
is passing.

Cat wakes
to str-e-t-c-hhh,
drink, eat, excrete
play, groom, prowl.
Then back

she goes
to circle round and round
until finally tucking
her head into her
chest, she closes

her eyes.
Cat sleeps and sleeps
and sleeps. How
lovely to be
a cat.

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

In January 2, 2011 I wrote this senryu:
online calendar
gone is the satisfaction
of discarding a year

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

Just so you know, I was never able to adjust to online calendars. Paper's fine for me. (I may have gone a bit overboard though, next to my computer, in 2018, I had three small calendars! I discarded 2018 three times!)

This next one was puzzle to me when I found it, because I had no idea what inspired it. Then I came across a post about the The OEDILF. My limerick was written January 1, 2012:
A charta, also known as a patch,
is paper to which drugs are attached.
Then attached to you
And kept out of view
Your ailment is simply dispatched.

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

On January 3, 2013, I wrote a tanka:
cat on the sill
nuthatch upside down
through the glass
that separates their
simultaneous complaints

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

For many years I participated in the 15 Words of Less challenges on Laura Salas' page and this one came on January 2, 2014. I have no idea what the photo was that we used that day to inspire this poem:
With God on Their Side

They embraced the myth,
approached the native
species sword in hand
and declared themselves
dragon-slayers.

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

January 4, 2015, Margaret Simon posted on Facebook about resurrection ferns. I was totally unfamiliar with the fern, so I looked it up and then wrote this:


Text:

Resurrection Fern

The live oak
living up to
its name
provides
resurrection
& life--
through air
not bread,
water
not wine,
and it does
it in less
than a day.

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

It must have rained on January 6, 2016:
pop-up storm
the gurgle of rain
through a rusted grate

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

And on January 1, 2017, the sun was shining brightly:


Text:

January 1
a songbird hedge alive
in the sun

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

And yet another weather-related haiku for January 4, 2018:
quick moving storm
chicken barley soup
fogs the panes

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

Actually, my mood has improved considerably after reading through some of my older stuff. I hope your mood has been improved, too!

Sylvia is hosting the first Round-Up of 2019! Stop by Poetry for Children where the New Year's party continues.

24 comments:

  1. I love this journey through Januarys past! Diane, I love reading your words and hope you will continue Poetry Fridays... though I understand sometimes the phoenix must burn everything to rise again... please know we are all with you and wishing you the best as you move through these transitions! xo

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  2. I have loved Random Noodling, Diane. New Years are always times for reflection. The last year has been challenging for me as well, but poetry has brought me through. Thank you for being part of that. Wishing you the best and hoping to continue hearing your voice. Retirement is a wonderful thing!

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    1. New Year's coincides with winter blues, that half the problem.

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  3. All the gems you shared today are reasons for hoping you stick with Poetry Friday, Diane...although I totally understand the need for a break, too. How wonderful to be planning for retirement!

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    1. I've been vicariously enjoying retirement through you, Tara!

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  4. I went back to see that post about the OEDILF, Diane, in 2012 and there we all are, with you! Some days it is hard to find something that I might share. I do understand that, but hope you will not leave. You've taught me (us) and entertained on your every post. As for retirement, change is good, but I won't lie, it's been a transition to "new". Best wishes to you at this time in your life.

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    1. Thank you, Linda, for mentioning the transitioning portion of retirement.

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  5. I think your feelings are very valid; I know I've gone through them - not just with PoetryFriday, but with writing, too. And I think it's important that, if you feel you need the break, you take it. But know these things;
    1) It doesn't have to be forever - even if it feels like it will be, at the start.
    2) Your poetry is a breath of fresh air and always delights! (So glad it delighted you, too.) I have learnt so much from your poetry, because you have such a unique voice, and a powerful mastery of words.
    3) You'll always be the Chief Cherita Chef - and I am so thankful you've inspired and mentored me through your blog.
    Whatever shape 2019 takes, I hope you are revitalised and rewarded!

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    1. Thanks, Kat. I will not be abandoning Random Noodling, just Poetry Friday. It has become a burden and a source for guilt (visiting dozens of blogs and needing to comment--and not doing it).

      Nothing is written in stone.

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  6. All of the above and then some, Diane - I would SO miss your posts, even though I haven't gotten around to posts regularly in a few months myself. Your writing nurtures, prods, provokes, inspires... helps us see the world form that upside-down nuthatch's point of view when we need it. That said, take good care; I have another friend on the brink of retirement and so many questions opening up for him in his last year teaching. I wish you all the best as you navigate transitions and new adventures. (And, selfishly, I hope you'll share bits of all that poetically too! Also, maybe there's a crack of sunlight coming up over the horizon now??? Hmmm...)

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  7. Cool collection, Diane! I love that songbird hedge. I second what everyone else said and hope you will feel more rejuvenated in 2019. Current events can deplete us, but creativity and friendship are food for the spirit.

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    1. Creativity will always be with me. It's part of me.

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  8. This is a wonderful collection. You certainly have been sharing love and your talent with Poetry Friday for a long time. You know, there are seasons....you are approaching the season of retirement. It's ok to take time to take stock of one's priorities...to be quiet and/or reflective. I'm happy that you know to give yourself permission to change, be different, take a break. Your creativity and your words will not leave you...but we will miss them. I have found that going back through old writings reminds me of what I have done, what I do possess as a writer...that I have a foundation to return to after my low times. Bless you on your journey. There are so many of us that support you on your way.

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    1. Thank you, Linda. I like looking over the old stuff and I always surprise myself!

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  9. Your words bring such joy to all, Diane. I wish you well in the coming months. It sounds like you have many new adventures ahead of you.

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    1. New adventures will include another grandson. I'll be doing some care-taking when my daughter goes back to work in September. I may find I'll be too tired for even haiku!

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  10. NOOOoooo! Don't leave PF! You can (everyone can) participate when and how they are able. I've had missed weeks and I've had weeks when I couldn't do the commenting part of the "pact." But it's all good. We would (I would) miss your voice. Early congratulations on your retirement! Now that you've thrown 2018 away 3 times, I hope 2019 treats you (us) much better.

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    1. We can hope 2019 will be better. So far, not so much. When the garbage piles up in mountains on streets in front of D.C.'s national parks, we may begin to see some people wake up!

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  11. I enjoyed the journey through Januarys past. I hope you find more hope and a better 2019. The past couple of years have been exhausting. I hope you will drop in on Poetry Friday when you can. I (along with many others) would miss what you offer. Congratulations on your retirement and good luck with the chaos of transition. We are getting ready to go through our own chaos--but not quite time to retire yet!

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    1. I'm getting ready, which really means I haven't started. It may take me a while. ;-)

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  12. Diane, what a joy to see your resurrection fern poem again. I think you did what you needed to do to get through a slight slump. As others have said, we would miss your voice. Look, it's Monday and I'm just now reading your post. No worries. Congrats on your upcoming retirement.

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  13. Diane what a fantastic post, I do hope you will reconsider and visit occasionally I love all your postings and poetry. I love the poem and info you posted about the OEDILF"English Dictionary in Limerick Form" how wonderful that's going to be. Glad your sprits are a bit higher now-hope they stay there too, cheers!

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