Monday, February 22
I read Judith Viorst’s poem late last night and, rare for me, wrote 3 poetic lines that the poet’s cadence teased out of some wellspring in my memory.
“Sometimes a poet has to cut the reader loose so she can run wild
and light the whole world with fountains of laughter,
even on a work day Monday morning”
Best to read this cluster of poetry out loud, with pauses. Have a blest work week.
john sj
Post #1: Wild Thing
I went for a walk in the sun without wearing my sunscreen.
I went out of town without making a reservation.
I placed my mouth directly upon a public drinking fountain, and took a sip.
I didn’t bother flossing my teeth before bedtime.
I pumped my own gasoline at a self-service station.
I ate the deviled egg instead of the cauliflower with low-fat yoghurt dip.
I bought, without reading Consumer Reports, a new dryer.
I left my checking account unreconciled.
I know that the consequences could be dire
But sometimes a woman simply has to run wild.
Judith Viorst
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judith_Viorst
Post #2: The Return of the King
In the wizard’s face he saw at first
only lines of care and sorrow;
though as he looked more intently
he perceived that under all there was a great joy:
a fountain of mirth enough to set a kingdom laughing
were it to gush forth.
J. R. R. Tolkien
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._R._R._Tolkien