Hello All
Life has been in full blown transition for me of late and things continue to change at a rapid pace (all for the good I might add) as I move forward in my life. Writing for the last three weeks has been very limited for me as a result and so when it came time to address this prompt there was only one subject I could turn to really.
Change.
Here are two of my favorite poets talking about this very subject.
For a New Beginning
In out-of-the-way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.
For a long time it has watched your desire,
Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on,
Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.
It watched you play with the seduction of safety
And the gray promises that sameness whispered,
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,
Wondered would you always live like this.
Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
And out you stepped onto new ground,
Your eyes young again with energy and dream,
A path of plenitude opening before you.
Though your destination is not yet clear
You can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
That is at one with your life’s desire.
Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.
John O’Donohue
THE WAY IT IS
There’s a thread you follow. It goes among
things that change. But it doesn’t change.
People wonder about what you are pursuing.
You have to explain about the thread.
But it is hard for others to see.
While you hold it you can’t get lost.
Tragedies happen; people get hurt
or die; and you suffer and get old.
Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding.
You don’t ever let go of the thread.
~ William Stafford
So the task ahead of you this evening is very simple. Write a poem about change and link up below.
Please drop in on the other poets and leave a comment or two. Everyone loves a visit.
Here’s a beautiful song about change to set us off along the road.
Good evening my fellow poets. Tis a chilly night here in Scotland and so the only way to bring warmth is with fine poetry and good whisky. A range of fine single malts available at the bar with hot fruit punch for those of a fairer disposition. Looking forward to your takes on change.
Please bring me a good Islay …
Coming right up sir. A classic Laphraoig for this evening I think.
That sounds splendid… the smokier the better.
It doesn’t get much smokier than this little beauty.
Might there be enough of that for me, too?
Of course. One coming right up.
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Lovely to have you hosting this evening, sir, and my pleasure to see y’all drifting in to claim a spot at the bar. Ch-ch-changes…
Cheers!
That was my second choice of tuneage. Welcome to the bar Jilly.
Thank you!
But blues…. always and ever blues.
Change is part of our lives and you gave two beautiful poems on change Paul ~
Thank you for hosting ~ Happy Tuesday ~
My pleasure Grace. It’s been hard to find the time of late. I’m looking forward to an evening of good reading.
Hi Paul! It’s chilly down here too but my husband David will be up near Aberdeen tomorrow. He’s staying for a couple of days and I’ve made him pack some warm clothes. Some punch would be nice but I’m still on antibiotics, so a hot chocolate will do for now. 🙂 My poem is short and sweet today as I’ve been busy catching up. But I’m looking forward to some reading and commenting.
Hot Chocolate coming right up. Marshmallows and cream?
Straight, please!
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Hello all… working every day with change I sometimes wish that there were a few things that just remained as they are.
Evening Bjorn. As I mention in my own poem, Change itself is the only constant.
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Good evening all and thank you for hosting this lovely prompt tonight Paul and sharing these two beautiful poems and the wonderful song by Blind Melon I had not heard before! It is very cold here too and I would love a Laphraoig if you still have some! I have linked a haibun I posted earlier today and will swing by in a moment to read :o)
One Laphraoig coming right up. Glad you liked both poems and the song.
Thank you Paul, they are all a real treat!
Yes–Blind Melon–my favorite band! (I think I may have mentioned that before.)
I do believe you did 😉
Hello All! Happy Tuesday! Thank you Paul for hosting this prompt. Yesterday I asked what are your plans for Haibun Monday…and posted quite a few changes in my life. Excellent – mujo….Japanese for change
Bjorn or Paul….I posted the wrong link on Mr. Linky and it needs to be removed. I have the correct link marked. thank you.
I only see the correct link so assume Bjorn beat me to it.
Cool. He is quick on the draw today! Thank you Bjorn!
Thanks for hosting, Paul! I liked the Stafford poem about the constant thread guiding one through change.
Thanks Frank. It’s one of my all time favourite poems.
It really is a great poem Paul.
Stepping out for an hour. Back soon. Keep em coming.
These beautiful paper bills, posted, portraits. Light and fluttering in the sunshine, to dingy disks of metal turned. Dumped in a jug at the days end, six thousand to the gallon, three years to fill.
Such an enigmatic comment. A poem in itself.
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Sorry’ had a little trouble posting with mr linky
No worries. Which one is the keeper?
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Hi! Great prompt! Great poems and song. I’ve a meager offering tonight. Busy working on other poems and… well, the poem will speak for itself, I hope. I look forward to browsing among the poems!
I’m sure even meager is wonderful from you Charley.Welcome to the bar.
Thank you, Paul!
Happy Tuesday everyone! I’d like some mulled wine when you’ve the time, Paul. Thanks for hosting and the wonderful prompt. I did a double-duty post and wrote a habun for Toni that is about change as well as being a Samurai of words 🙂
Will get to reading as usual in the early AM wtih a steaming cup of coffee…mulled wine now will make me comfy on this cold Boston night.
Mulled wine on the way Lil. Loved your Haibun.
Thanks for the inspiring prompt Paul. Have linked mine (on swimming) and look forward to the usual riches reading everyone’s posts.
You are most welcome Peter. I’ll get round to reading shortly.
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‘Evening, all! Thanks for the prompt, Paul. How about one of those Laphraoig? 🙂
Last pour of the evening Frank. Enjoy.
Thanks, Paul!
OK folks…pooped…will get back and finish up reading on the morrow. Thanks for all the beauty this evening.
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Thanks for the word
You are welcome Maureen.
DJ Scribbles! What a great prompt. It’s hooked me too but you may have said it best: In out-of-the-way places of the heart, Where your thoughts never think to wander, This beginning has been quietly forming, Waiting until you were ready to emerge.- I feel I’ve been ready but there may be a few more miles ahead. Poetry helps make the trip bearable. ✌🏾
Look forward to reading your words E.
How can quit my job and write full time? There’s a change I’d love to ponder! 😉
There’s more than one way to skin a cat they say 😉
What’s a good Scottish drink? I’m a lightweight.
Whisky is really the only Scottish drink. That or Iron Bru 😉
My 3 brothers did right by me and taught me to drink whiskey without making a face. I’ll have to google Iron Bru.
It’s a fizzy pop thing.
Fizzy pop sounds good!
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Wonderful indeed, and thanks for sharing that. Greetings!
Greetings.
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Hi All…lost most of today to van troubles…I’ll get to reading and commenting the rest of the poems later on tonight.
All caught up. Thanks to everyone who wrote. Fabulous reading. See you soon. x
Girna few hours late to wrote for the prompt. Here is my entry –
https://ladynimue.wordpress.com/2017/12/01/transitions-2/
Both poems are great, but the second one really spoke to me. Thank you for sharing it and opening my eyes a little bit more!
You are welcome. This is an old prompt. I’ll be hosting a prompt tonight here at the Bar. Why not submit a poem. Bar opens in just over 3 hours.
I’ll look for it! Thanks.
❤