Sorry for the delay folks – it was a late night and my prep time vanished faster than expected. Happy Belated Poem in Your Pocket Day!! How did you celebrate? What did you carry? I’d love to know.
Poem in Your Pocket Day was initiated in April 2002 by the Office of the Mayor in New York City, in partnership with the city’s Departments of Cultural Affairs and Education. In 2008, the Academy of American Poets took the initiative to all fifty United States, encouraging individuals around the country to participate. In 2016, the League of Canadian Poets extended Poem in Your Pocket Day to Canada.
This is what I’m carrying, thanks to Jenny for sharing this with me.
“The sky is never …”
The sky is never
the same shade twice
and neither is your heart.
The moon has never apologised
for hiding some nights
and neither should you.
The stars have never stopped shining
because someone wanted them to
and neither should you.
The earth has never stopped
moving, growing, evolving for anyone
and neither should you.
~ Nikita Gill
And two old favorites …
Dust
Someone spoke to me last night,
told me the truth. Just a few words,
but I recognized it.
I knew I should make myself get up,
write it down, but it was late,
and I was exhausted from working
all day in the garden, moving rocks.
Now, I remember only the flavor —
not like food, sweet or sharp.
More like a fine powder, like dust.
And I wasn’t elated or frightened,
but simply rapt, aware.
That’s how it is sometimes —
God comes to your window,
all bright light and black wings,
and you’re just too tired to open it.
~ Dorianne Laux
Evil
Looks like what drives me crazy
don’t have no effect on you-
but I’m gonna keep on at it
till it drives you crazy, too.
– Langston Hughes