Hello and Happy Poetry Friday! Be sure to visit Jama's Alphabet Soup for what's sure to be a delicious Roundup.
Attention Picture Book writers! There's an incredible retreat happening in January with an outstanding faculty including R. Gregory Christie, Sally M. Kim, Melissa Manlove, Katrina Moore, and the unstoppable Lola M. Schaefer! It's called New Year, Renewed in Writing. I wish I could attend, but DH and I have our annual trip to the Florida Keys in January. Fingers crossed the timing works with YOUR schedule.
So, I've been going through some difficult stuff lately—an old business partnership dissolving. I was "done dirty," and the best thing, the only thing to do was cut ties and move on.
No doubt it's from that space where this week's ArtSpeak: PICASSO poem started. The portrait is of one of Picasso's mistresses, Dora Maar. Picasso sees what he sees, but what's she thinking, really? She may be sad, but she also looks like a woman who may be thinking of ways to save herself.
You Can't Take from Me
you can't take from me
the mountains
you can't take from me
the breeze swaying pines
and when the sky
fills with proclamations—
impossible! impossible!
you can't take from me
that ripening voice inside
murmuring
maybe
- Irene Latham
It's difficult to cut ties, but sometimes we need to do it. Your poem is so empowering and hopeful. You've got this! xo
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of "that ripening voice", Irene. Wishing that for every woman! Sorry for your trouble, yet it seems you've handled it well! Wishing you a lovely weekend!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the tough times, cutting ties is never easy. Your poem is defiant and hopeful, reclaiming your power. Love it!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry for the tough things you are going through. I love this woman's inner strength and wisdom. She knows inside what is truth, despite what another feels is impossible. Trust your judgement and go forward with confidence and hope.
ReplyDeleteA poem of possibilities and hope. Thank you, Irene.
ReplyDeleteHere's wishing you happier times. I love this poem. It has such a strong, hopeful voice.
ReplyDeleteooof. I feel the gut punch in your measured words. I'm sorry you've had to deal with that. What you describe can take a long time to heal from even if you've moved on. I'm wishing you gentleness in spirit as you work through it. The "me" in this poem has such resilience. Women seem to have to...and the unfairness of that stings. That maybe carries so much hope.
ReplyDeleteCutting ties is so difficult but sometimes our peace demands it! Love every word of your uplifting poem! thanks!
ReplyDeleteIrene, I am sorry that you were "done dirty" and had to cut the ties and move on. You did the right thing and I think you must have been thinking about this while writing your ArtSpeak poem. The woman in the poem also needs to cut the ties that bind her. Yes for Woman Power! I'm glad that you and Dora are fearless and ready to move the sadness to clear new paths.
ReplyDeleteYes to cutting ties and moving on. We (especially women, I think) need to do this more freely. Love your poem!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about the difficult parting, Irene! Your poem is so full of grit and hope that I know you'll come out on top and all the better for it all!
ReplyDeleteI’m sorry for the troubles, but the poem that came from that mind space is wonderful. Maybe, maybe, maybe needs to be my mantra this week.
ReplyDelete