Poetry Friday: Searching For Light

Many of you warned me about a “crash” following our return home after caring for my dad and traveling to the Caribbean. I figured out that we’ve been away from home for 19 weeks between last June (2024) and mid-March. No wonder we’re tired! Luckily, I regret none of the time away.

But this week, I crashed. After a lovely long-weekend visit with our middle son, Matt, both my husband and I have been ill. He has a respiratory illness, and I have stomach issues, which is mostly discomfort – luckily, no vomiting or diarrhea. (Sorry, that might be too much information. It is a common mistake we make in a healthcare career household).

Therefore, I have had trouble being productive. I’ve transitioned my Etsy shop to include my mom’s vintage glassware and jewelry, which includes a rebrand from the name Carol’s Jewelry Orchard to Vintage Glass N Jewelry. I do have some of those vintage items listed now. So that is something.

We are still going through the “piles” of things we brought back from Dad’s. These are things he specifically left us, as well as treasures we uncovered.

Besides the glassware and jewelry, I got many things of my Dad’s during his brief stint in the US Air Force in the late 1950s. Photographs mean a lot to me, so I was able to bring many black and white family pictures back – including one of my great-grandparents’ wedding photos, both of my grandparents’ wedding photos, and my parents’ high school, college, air force, and wedding photos. There are also many photographs of my sister and me as infants and young girls in the early 1960s, too.

The photos take me back to earlier days and make me smile.

Unfortunately, the pictures were kept in the basement (finished but damp) and have a decidedly mildew smell to them – I am trying a deodorizing fix of letting them sit in a box with an open container of baking soda to absorb the smell. I’ll let you know if it works or not.

The photographs and recent experiences with family have led me to a lot of reflection. Most precious of all are the memories. Although the treasures are nice, it’s the memories and what I know I’ve received as intangible gifts (talents and traits) from my parents that mean the most to me.

In searching for an inspiring poem about reflection on upbringing or family relationships related to memories and foundations, I found this by the late Nikki Giovanni (1943 – 2024).

Bay Leaves
By Nikki Giovanni

I watched Mommy
Cook
Though I cooked
With Grandmother

With Grandmother I learned
To pluck chickens
Peel carrots
Turn chittlins inside out
Scrub pig feet…

You can read the rest here.

The links provided go to the poem and the poet’s bio on the corresponding Poetry Foundation pages.

More Poetry News

I’ve been reading The Atlantic magazine, as I subscribed last fall, after the election. It is filled with wonderful essays, written by people talented with words. As you all know, the publication and its editor were in the news this week!

Thus, I receive the hard copy magazine as well as the digital daily copy through their app. Aside from informing me on the political issues of the day, they also provide some “lighter or cultural” articles, such as one they provided on poetry this week, named The Best American Poetry of the 21st Century (so far). I think it’s worth a look if you have access beyond the paywall.

And, finally, I’ve had no word from my student regarding her “I am From Poem.” Honestly, I’m not surprised and think it’s fine that she wants to remain private. I’ll let you know if this changes. I told her that I do not want her to jeopardize her privacy or safety in any way by sharing, even if it remains anonymous.

Poetry Friday is hosted this week by Marcie Flinchum Atkins on her website. I bought Marcie’s latest book, One Step Forward (2025), but sadly have not had time to start it yet. She is offering a chance to order a signed copy on her website (link provided).

Marcie is multi-talented. I’ve loved her tour of indie bookstores and also love how her website it set up. Be sure to stop by today for more poetry goodness. Thanks for hosting, Marcie.

Post Script: The turtle photo I used for my featured image/avatar this week is a photo of a green sea turtle my husband took while we snorkeled off the coast of St. John in Maho Bay. All Rights Reserved.