Friday, July 6, 2018

In the Middle

Today is officially Poetry Friday, hosted by Patricia Stohr-Hunt at The Miss Rumphius Effect . First Spiritual Thursday, hosted by Doraine Bennett at Dori Reads, was yesterday.  I am late for both.  Our topic here in the middle of the year is "looking back/looking forward".

Oh, my word...
I wrote so much garbage for this day.  I wrote, read, edited, wrote more, cut lots, read again...you know the process.  And then I decided to cut most ALL of it and stick with the poem that was in the MIDDLE and add an acrostic poem.

It's all about the middle anyway. Behave as if you were in the middle, no matter where your life bubble is.  I don't spend much time looking back and assessing my progress.   Maybe I should.  But I mostly start from where I am each day and keep moving.  I think I used to set more goals for the forward motion than I do now.  At this point in my life I've tapped about every stone I could get my toe on.  I like where I've been, and have no real regrets, so it makes life easier to deal with each day.

My goal
In life before my
Demise: to garner
Delight in the
Light of your
Eyes.

by Donna JT Smith

My journey lately has been mostly clawing uphill, but there have been ledges of rest along the way, and I am grateful for them, and for the fact that I don't journey alone - though I will be glad when the journey goes more smoothly and levels off again.  But how can there be a mountain top if there are no valleys?  I've been in valleys before.  Just start climbing slow, steady and straight.  Plow to the post: you'll get there quicker.

An Acrostic: 

Beginning, Middle, Ending

Before has not been
Eventually is later
Good times are
In store in
New days
Not yet happened
In time
Nor space
Get ready to race -
 _________________

Messy life
In a muddle
Delightful
Desserts combined with
Life's lessons -
Events dealt and disbursed.
__________________

Eventually comes,
Nevermore happens;
Despite our dreams and
Inward wishes;
No looking back for
"Got away" fishes.

by Donna JT Smith


I had a cold this week while my grandchildren were visiting.  Twice my 6 year old grandson said to me "I hope you don't die before my birthday, because you are sick and you are old."
I hope I don't either.  I only have to make it to the middle of August... lol!  NyQuil and Mucinex are working miracles.  I think I'll be at the party.  But I guess you never know.  I AM old...with a cold.

Joyful Journey

Here my path lies,
Here the journey,
But the way
Is not the end;
There are others
Following footprints
Be they family
Or friend.
As I reach
that firm foundation
Weathered storms
lie just behind,
New storms quietly
awaiting
But I look for
silver-lined.

by Donna JT Smith 

This still feels a lot disjointed to me.  Sorry.  I have a cold.

13 comments:

  1. I hope you make it PAST the middle of August, to be honest.

    Looking for silver-lined keeps the journey joyful for sure! Nice job, Donna. I especially enjoyed the three-parter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! I'm planning to make it! Though a summer cold can make you wonder!

      Delete
  2. Love them all, but my favorite is the first. Lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love how you used poetry to weave a middle of the year reflection. Glad you've had a few ledges of rest in a year of steady climbing. I love the saying: "Plow to the post." It's a new one for me.
    Get over your cold and hang in there for August. Parties are worth the wait, especially with six year old grandchildren!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's been quite a year so far. It could quiet down any time now, and I would not complain. Looking forward to the party in August!

      Delete
  4. I hope you're feeling better, Donna. Summer colds can be brutal! I really liked the rhythm and message of your first poem.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I couldn't believe I got this. First my son, then my husband...it was inevitable, I guess!

      Delete
  5. Donna, despite your cold you came up with an array of wonderful poetry. That is a feat when you feel lousy and your head is swimming in muck. What your grandchild said is so funny. I remember the Art Linkletter quote: Kids say the darndest things!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I must say though that I'm glad I reread and recognized how awful it was, and deleted much of it!
      Just wait till your little one starts talking! Sweetest stuff!

      Delete
  6. Hooray for ledges, mucinex, and precocious grandchildren! I enjoyed the middle poems. Hope you're feeling better soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I'm trying to stay quiet and recoup energy so I can get back out and ride. I am happy for those ledges, the Mucinex and especially grandchildren...all of them keep me going!

      Delete
  7. I'm finally reading your post now that I'm home from my trip. I hope your cold is now a distant memory! Thanks for your cheerful attitude and your fun acrostics!

    ReplyDelete

Drop some breadcrumbs! Let me know you were here!

October

Poetry Friday... Go enjoy some great poetry by clicking links on Poetry Friday's host Matt Forrest Esenwine's page : My poem for Oct...