Abbey of the Arts Poetry Party!

Poetry is a mirror which makes beautiful that which is distorted. 

~ Percy Shelley

T

ime for another Poetry Party at Abbey of the Arts. 

This time Christine V. Paintner has chosen community as her inspiration.  To join in the fun, take a look at the photo and write a poem about community.  When I hear the word community, I think of close friends, neighbors, who form a warm and supportive circle around me ~ a circle which I participate it ~ giving and taking.  Sometimes I give more, sometimes I take more.  In a real community, no one keeps an account. 

Or at least, we shouldn’t.

For some, community may mean stifling, adverse peer pressure, keeping up with the rich neighbors.  But that’s not a community at all ~ that’s just strangers living in proximity of each other, or loved ones living like strangers.

Here is my contribution:

The push and pull

Of flesh and blood

Never lets up.

Like a security blanket

Outgrown –

Tattered and thin.

It can still choke

The life breath

Out of creativity.

Oremus pro invicem,

~ Mikaela

What does community mean to you?

Abbey of the Arts 60th Poetry Party!

Poetry is nearer to vital truth than history. 
~ Plato

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hristine over at the Abbey of the Arts is hosting her 60^th Poetry Party!

Here are the rules: Christine chooses a photo, we write a poem inspired by it, and post it in the comments on her blog.  This party’s theme is Silence and Solitude.  More information here.   Come party with us!



© 2012 Christine V. Paintner

Below is my contribution.

Oremus pro invicem,

~ Mikaela

Silencio
Silence
Is sometimes golden

or so I hear.

Today it only brings me
the parry and thrust
of endless inner voices
Taunting.

To do lists,
Appointments
Visits
I should make
Conflicts I want to avoid

Life.

Still,
when the rare moment comes
and all is hushed
within and without,
there is forgetfulness
and peace –

And blessed nothing.

To do,
To say,
To hope
To feel,
To repress,
or address.

Just me and the silver of quiet.
© 2012 Mikaela D’Eigh

Abbey of the Art Poetry Party #59: The Threshold of Summer!

Poets are soldiers that liberate words from the steadfast possession of definition. 
~ Eli Khamarov
Note: I usually post my writerly thoughts on Mondays, but I just returned from vacation and a bad bout with food poisoning.  So I’m a day late.  Sorry for the delay! ~ MD

 

C

hristine Valters Painter continues her Poetry Party from her new nest in Vienna, Austria. This month’s theme: the threshold of summer. You are invited to write a poem and then post the image below (with a link back to Abbey of the Arts) and an invitation on your blog, Facebook page, and Twitter.

My contribution coming soon.

Oremus pro invicem,

~ Mikaela

Even if you’ve never written poetry, be not afraid to try; there are no mistakes, only creative play.

Poetry Party #58

Poetry is a packsack of invisible keepsakes. 

~ Carl Sandburg

 

A

 bbey of the Arts is hosting another Poetry Party!  Christine inspires us with a beautiful photo and words of encouragement:

“…we are entering the season of summer – a time of ripeness and illumination. Write a poem this week in celebration of summer's glories and gifts.  Let's savor and relish the world's fullness together through the written word.”

What does this picture inspire in you?  Write your thoughts and feelings and memories of summer in a poem and paste it in the comment section over at the Abbey!  I’ll be writing one of my own this week.

Oremus pro invicem,

~ Mikaela

Abbey's 57th Poetry Party!

Poetry is just the evidence of life.  If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash. 

~ Leonard Cohen

I

 t’s another Poetry Party at Abbey of the Arts! This month’s theme: the center and the edges. You are invited to write a poem and then post the image below (with a link back to Abbey of the Arts) and an invitation on your blog, Facebook page, and Twitter.

(C) Christine Valters Painter

Can’t wait to see you at the party!

My contribution below ~ a little dark, I’ll admit.  It was one of those days.

Oremus pro invicem,

Mikaela

So often I’ve come to the door seeking sanctuary,

a place to shut out the silence

of pain;

and to forget

the utter loneliness

Of being human

and other.

“Knock and it shall be opened.”

But the door is locked

By some unseen part of my past --

Unmet needs

Hurts unhealed

Unloved lesions left by

Hearts unfeeling.

Does it really matter?

The door remains shut

Dark, cold,

And silent.

Outside, unimpeded,

The rain berates my shivering skin.

If only another would raise

The unyielding iron

And gain access;

Or shout for the inside to open up.

I’ve screamed until my lungs bled

And the chords shattered on shards

Of despair.

But only my pain thunders

back to me

As tears streak the windows.

©30 April 2012 – M. D’Eigh

You're Invited to Abbey's 54th Poetry Party!

Poetry is what gets lost in translation. 

~ Robert Frost

Christine over at Abbey of the Arts is hosting her 54th Poetry Party!  This party’s inspiration: the bare trees of winter. We are invited to write a poem and then post the image below (with a link back to Abbey of the Arts) and an invitation on our blogs, Facebook pages, and Twitter.

Invite your friends to the party!

My contribution to the party:

The Naked Tree

Alone and forgotten

She stands straight.

Each gust of wind bends her back -

Bends but doesn’t break.

She stretches her limbs

Up, up

Toward the pale sun

And touches his warmth

In a fleeting embrace.

As the days wane

And the nights trace

Her outline by the moonglow,

She is transparent,

Vulnerable –

Stripped naked.

Still, none can see

The hope of spring

Hidden

Deep, deep

In her hibernating heart.

Oremus pro invicem,

Mikaela

Going Home: 53rd Abbey of the Arts Poetry Party

Poetry is a packsack of invisible keepsakes. 

~ Carl Sandburg

Christine Valters Painter over at Abbey of the Arts is hosting her 53rd Poetry Party!  Here’s how it works:

Christine picks an image, suggests a theme and title and you write a poem or poetic reflection in response.  If you have a blog, post it on your blog and then post the link at the Poetry Party.  On September 25, Christine will pick a random name and that lucky poet will win a space for her online retreat: Honoring Saints & Ancestors: Peering through the Veil

The theme for this party is Going Home.  I wrote the poem below back in May, when my father was in the hospital and we thought we were going to lose him. What poetry or poetic thoughts come to mind when you hear the phrase “going home?”

Oremus pro invicem,

~ Mikaela

-----------------------------------------------------

The Old Maple

© Mikaela D’Eigh 2011

The tree stands tall

And old –

had already sunk its roots deep into the heart

when we arrived thirty odd years ago.

Who knows

how long

it stood watch over lilac, pine, barn and cow,

its trunk full of secrets and memories.

How it comforted

            brothers –

one blue, one gray, lying beneath its shade,

leaving only bullets and bones behind.

And the rain

            silent, sad

that mingled with mother’s tears

when Flanders’ fields kept back her sons.

Then, ah peace!

A child, small

there found Austen and Bilbo

among the wide and changing leaves.

And solved mysteries

            with Nancy

and the Twins and the Boxcar Children

while cradled in its strong and loving arms.

I stand now before it

            a woman grown –

my life thick with experience and history

my heart full of secrets and memories.

This tree, this land

            strong, solid --

brings the comfort as of old friends,

and keeps me grounded and alive.