Ann, I love your reading of this one. It feels like a spell. I love love love the refrain. Those long O sounds, somewhere between lament and longing: toad, oak, slow, snow, alone, robes.
Melanie, I played with so many different forms of this, finally wanting it to be Toad's voice. Longing and lament really expresses that well. I'm such a novice but love to play with sounds and syllables. Thanks again for reading today. It was so good to be with you.
Thanks Kimberly! Toads do seem to be pretty pleased with themselves most of the time. I hope all the little ones in the forest are tucked-in warm tonight.
You make such a safe and welcoming space for us all, Lisa. What a way to encourage mutual growth! The work you're doing for the poetry community here, is a reflection of your care and taking time to listen to each person. Such a gift you have.
Thank you so much, Ann! Every direction I turn, I seem to bump into generosity, so it feels natural to want to give that back in whatever little ways I can. It seems like that's what we're all trying to do around here (around here being the Substack poetry world, not the political world, sadly).
This small corner of Substack feels like a little world unto itself. One that runs on mutual support and keeping each other's creative fires lit. What a blessing.
I love this poem! It reaches down to elemental truths if the reader takes that deep dive. And your reading this afternoon was like the topping on a perfect scoop of ice cream.
Oh, I agree, Teyani. Toads show us what patience looks like. Maybe especially when times are difficult. They are a fine example of how to relax into a difficult season and wait hopefully.
What a gift you have, Ann, for giving loving, detailed attention to one creature after another. And now it's Mr. Toad's turn! Perhaps he'll sing you a Sun Antiphon as well, later in the year.
So kind, LeeAnn. I felt a little tangled up the process of writing this. I kept paring it down hoping to keep the essential feeling of a small toad being unconditionally loved. I'm glad you like it. Thanks again for making us all feel so comfortable and welcomed today.
While I have a frog phobia (so didn't love the image🤣) I do love your poem. The line that most moved me is 'hearer of a heartbeat drum'. Well done Ann!
Oh, Donna, thank you. I read that their hearts can slow down to one beat per minute, as they enter a state of suspended animation, as deep as 9 feet below ground in the winter. A very slow drumbeat indeed. I'm touched that you would think kindly despite your very understandable phobia. Thank you for reading this one. 💛
Oh for sure. James is one of those people with a brilliant mind who can also put others at ease. His natural generosity and kindness here is much appreciated.
I loved hearing you read this poem during the reading, Ann. It felt like a lullaby. Such beautiful music in the rhythm and repetition. Many moons ago, my mother read the Frog and Toad stories to me and this poem felt familiar in a lovely way.
Ellen, thank you for listening. I used Arnold Lobel's books years ago to teach my children how to read. Such simple language can convey subtle, tender emotion. And often, the stories are also hilarious. I think he was a genius. Ellen, you have given me the dearest compliment. Thank you!
Well, maybe we have a small place inside ourselves . . . a sacred place where no one else can go. I always liked the way John O'Donohue described it as a small, warm hearth.
💚💫💚💫💚
Thank you, Katharine! I'm glad you like this one. I think we interrupted breakfast, but this toad was very chill about it.
Ann, I love your reading of this one. It feels like a spell. I love love love the refrain. Those long O sounds, somewhere between lament and longing: toad, oak, slow, snow, alone, robes.
Melanie, I played with so many different forms of this, finally wanting it to be Toad's voice. Longing and lament really expresses that well. I'm such a novice but love to play with sounds and syllables. Thanks again for reading today. It was so good to be with you.
It was lovely to hear it live in the zoom and wonderful to see it here, with audio, photo and calligraphy. ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you Rosemary. I really appreciate your support both here and over at Poetry on Tape. Your poem was fantastic 💛🔥
The music of this poem is hypnotizing Ann! The rhythm and rhyming and patterned phrasing. Toad must feel chuffed.
Thanks Kimberly! Toads do seem to be pretty pleased with themselves most of the time. I hope all the little ones in the forest are tucked-in warm tonight.
I loved getting to hear this gorgeous and tender poem today, Ann, and I’m so glad others will get to delight in it now too!
You make such a safe and welcoming space for us all, Lisa. What a way to encourage mutual growth! The work you're doing for the poetry community here, is a reflection of your care and taking time to listen to each person. Such a gift you have.
Thank you so much, Ann! Every direction I turn, I seem to bump into generosity, so it feels natural to want to give that back in whatever little ways I can. It seems like that's what we're all trying to do around here (around here being the Substack poetry world, not the political world, sadly).
This small corner of Substack feels like a little world unto itself. One that runs on mutual support and keeping each other's creative fires lit. What a blessing.
This is so well put - and you are such a generous and active fire tender!
I love this poem! It reaches down to elemental truths if the reader takes that deep dive. And your reading this afternoon was like the topping on a perfect scoop of ice cream.
You are so kind. The power outage here had me off my game trying to Zoom on my phone—but totally worth it.
This feels like an homage to a sacred animal, who awaits the frozen lake’s return to water for his nightly swim. I love it.
Oh, I agree, Teyani. Toads show us what patience looks like. Maybe especially when times are difficult. They are a fine example of how to relax into a difficult season and wait hopefully.
What a gift you have, Ann, for giving loving, detailed attention to one creature after another. And now it's Mr. Toad's turn! Perhaps he'll sing you a Sun Antiphon as well, later in the year.
Such a joy to hear you read this afternoon...!
A mutual joy to be with you today, Elizabeth! I like the summer idea! Maybe there is an anchoress across the forest …?!
I’m so happy to read it now and savor the words!
So kind, LeeAnn. I felt a little tangled up the process of writing this. I kept paring it down hoping to keep the essential feeling of a small toad being unconditionally loved. I'm glad you like it. Thanks again for making us all feel so comfortable and welcomed today.
I’ve fallen in love with toads now.
☺️💛
While I have a frog phobia (so didn't love the image🤣) I do love your poem. The line that most moved me is 'hearer of a heartbeat drum'. Well done Ann!
Oh, Donna, thank you. I read that their hearts can slow down to one beat per minute, as they enter a state of suspended animation, as deep as 9 feet below ground in the winter. A very slow drumbeat indeed. I'm touched that you would think kindly despite your very understandable phobia. Thank you for reading this one. 💛
Wow, one beat a minute! Nature is astounding.
Lovely, Ann. I'm glad to see James as one of the inspirations for this, he has a way of motivating people!
Oh for sure. James is one of those people with a brilliant mind who can also put others at ease. His natural generosity and kindness here is much appreciated.
So many healing words here, Ann.
I'm so thankful for your reading, my friend.💛
Ann, this is lovely. So gentle, so sweet.
Thank you, Rob, that's what I was hoping would come through. I'm grateful you took the time to let me know. 💛
I loved hearing you read this poem during the reading, Ann. It felt like a lullaby. Such beautiful music in the rhythm and repetition. Many moons ago, my mother read the Frog and Toad stories to me and this poem felt familiar in a lovely way.
Ellen, thank you for listening. I used Arnold Lobel's books years ago to teach my children how to read. Such simple language can convey subtle, tender emotion. And often, the stories are also hilarious. I think he was a genius. Ellen, you have given me the dearest compliment. Thank you!
I sometimes feel I need a small chapel for one! Glad to have the company of a toad, though!
Well, maybe we have a small place inside ourselves . . . a sacred place where no one else can go. I always liked the way John O'Donohue described it as a small, warm hearth.
I love the musicality of this poem, Ann. I felt my heartbeat slow.
Ah, so glad it made a resting space for you, dear one.