A particular attention to detail -- in your explorations, your explanations and your diction -- is a hallmark of your unique role and voice in the world, Ann.
You pull in the reader and tease out a deeper understanding.
Thank you, Kim. This came from a shorter poem from last year. I wanted to expand and focus on the sacrifice of the Gall Gnat. I’ve also been thinking a lot lately about the paths we choose in life or that choose us. It means a lot to me that you enjoyed this one.
Ann, you always give me so much to think about and savor. I agree with Janie. It reads like poetry to me, too. Sometimes, I read your words out loud to enjoy them in another way. Nature's relationships are so fascinating. Love this.
Oh, yes. For me, Berry’s poem is a reflection on what love aspires to. A humbling surrender to the beauty and mystery of it. Thank you, Conny, for your poetic soul.
And yes, those plants! They aren't really common here, but as a kid I found them so fascinating. There was a Nat Geo special that showed what happened to the insects at the bottom. I always wondered how they got a camera down there.
I enjoyed the poem; the rhythm of it very much felt like an insect's descent. :)
It would be cool to look with an endoscopic sort of camera down inside the plant. On one hand, I’d love to see that. And on the other, in my imagination, I’d like to think of the gal gnat peacefully sinking in sweet nectar. Thanks for reading James!
A beautiful poem Ann and what an amazing plant. In the UK we have a very similar plant called a Cuckoo Pint which is also known as Jack in the Pulpit. Here it's heavily associated with Beltane/May Day traditions and fertility that encouraged lovers to go 'A-Maying' in the fields and woods and not return until the morning.
Cuckoo Pint—a bird’s ale cup! What a playful name! The Latin names of plants are beautiful, but the common names are so much fun. I always wonder who thought of them and how they endure all these years later… there’s so much folklore to be explored and savored. Reimagined in countless ways. Thank you, Lin 💛
Lovely poem. Beautiful image.
The two long paragraphs of explanation feel like they could be a prose poem. Sending you a message about that.
Thank you, Janie. I’m so looking forward to what you’ll hear speaking in your erasure poem.
June 11 - as always, I heard something unexpected. I hope you like it.
A particular attention to detail -- in your explorations, your explanations and your diction -- is a hallmark of your unique role and voice in the world, Ann.
You pull in the reader and tease out a deeper understanding.
So, so good.
I wholeheartedly agree!
Thank you, Kim. This came from a shorter poem from last year. I wanted to expand and focus on the sacrifice of the Gall Gnat. I’ve also been thinking a lot lately about the paths we choose in life or that choose us. It means a lot to me that you enjoyed this one.
Oh my. This is stunning! The insistence of life even to its own demise. Thank you for this delicious bit of knowledge and mystery and poetry Ann!
Thank you, Kimberly! I’m touched by your close reading. Rather than feeling sorry for the Gall Gnat, I wanted her sacrifice to be beautiful.
Ann, you always give me so much to think about and savor. I agree with Janie. It reads like poetry to me, too. Sometimes, I read your words out loud to enjoy them in another way. Nature's relationships are so fascinating. Love this.
Thank you, Roseanne. Your thoughts bring such a sense of happiness. I’m so glad you enjoyed this one.
Ann, I love how your poem echoes the suggestion in Wendell Berry's poem that true connection lies in yielding to what we cannot control.
Oh, yes. For me, Berry’s poem is a reflection on what love aspires to. A humbling surrender to the beauty and mystery of it. Thank you, Conny, for your poetic soul.
I'm a big fan of Wendell Berry also. :)
And yes, those plants! They aren't really common here, but as a kid I found them so fascinating. There was a Nat Geo special that showed what happened to the insects at the bottom. I always wondered how they got a camera down there.
I enjoyed the poem; the rhythm of it very much felt like an insect's descent. :)
It would be cool to look with an endoscopic sort of camera down inside the plant. On one hand, I’d love to see that. And on the other, in my imagination, I’d like to think of the gal gnat peacefully sinking in sweet nectar. Thanks for reading James!
From what I remember, that's exactly what it looked like!
💛
A beautiful poem Ann and what an amazing plant. In the UK we have a very similar plant called a Cuckoo Pint which is also known as Jack in the Pulpit. Here it's heavily associated with Beltane/May Day traditions and fertility that encouraged lovers to go 'A-Maying' in the fields and woods and not return until the morning.
Cuckoo Pint—a bird’s ale cup! What a playful name! The Latin names of plants are beautiful, but the common names are so much fun. I always wonder who thought of them and how they endure all these years later… there’s so much folklore to be explored and savored. Reimagined in countless ways. Thank you, Lin 💛
Ah, you recommended this Wendell Berry to me! I still need to read it. Very interesting about the flowers and lovely poem.
Berry’s poem is so rich. Its language and ideas always seem fresh to me. Thanks for reading mine.
Love this, Ann - thank you! 💖
I’m so blessed by your love this morning. Thank you Keith 💛💛💛
Brilliant. Tender. Unrelenting. All, in one. Oh. Do continue!
Thank you, Paul!