Today, I took a walk by myself. I packed a windbreaker, a stocking cap, water, grapes, my notebook and pen. Everything I needed for a walk and a break at a favorite picnic tree.
I started writing in the style I learned from Kim Stafford early in January, each day writing: “the date, a diary (boring prose of the day), an aphorism, and a poem.” So, I wrote the date and a couple paragraphs about my mundane day yesterday, and then I needed a quote or aphorism. I went to my email, and saw Trish Emerson’s Wednesday post. I read it, always inspired by her beautiful prose. Then I found the poem she mentions “This Too Shall Pass.” It is a dynamic and important word from Kim Addonizio. I searched for more from her, and found a video of Addonizio answering questions about her book in 2021. In the video, she described the world as “our beleaguered, compromised, beautiful world.” It struck me as so humble and true. I used that as my striking line to write today’s poem in honor of all you Slicers and what our writing does for each of us, each other, and the world.
A World Longing for Hope
Our Love and writing will salvage
beleaguered dreams and
compromised liberties. Our
beautiful solace in a
world longing for hope.
Kim Addonizio gives that striking line in this Q&A video created during the pandemic.