This month, I’m starting the journey of writing through 60 cards from Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones, introduced by my writing group sister Barb Edler of Iowa. Last month, our small group of Stafford Challenge writers (Denise Krebs, Glenda Funk, Barb Edler and I) wrote using one of the cards, and this month – just last night on our Zoom writing call – we wrote using the prompt on another one. Today, the prompt is simply What I’m Looking At. I used those words to get started and let them meet me exactly where I was in that moment.
I’m looking at
the swirl of the birdbath
each drop from the roof
plunking in, rippling the surface
each morning breeze
casting dance shadows
with rain and wind
bringing the promise
of the changing seasons
a respite from the heat
to the cool, healing waters
just feet from where I sit
so close
I can almost touch it
Common Threads 
What a fun way to continuously grow as a writer!
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Thank you, Jessica!
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Kim, your poem is “pure August” with “respite” and the “promise of fall.” I never turn the calendar (or notice the new month on my phone) without that acknowledgement that the summer has changed into becoming fall – even in these parts where school does not start again until September for students!
Lovely – and your group of writers is pure inspiration as well
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Thank you, Anita. I really look forward to meeting with them each month and having that time to write together. There is power in that. Thanks for reading and commenting! I’m counting the days until Fall.
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Kim,
This is lovely. I could stare at that bird-bath for hours. It’s mesmerizing. It’s amazing how three little words can give birth to a poem. Every image creates calm: the ripple, the drops, the cool breeze. It’s all lovely. I love our little group and the love I feel from and for you all is a warm hug in an often unkind world.
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Glenda, thank you so much! Those cards prompt me to find something to write about within a few feet. I loved watching the ripples. I am grateful for our small group of writers!
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Oh Kim – what a wonderful group to be part of! I took an online course with Natalie Goldberg a number of years ago now. I need to go back and repeat some of those exercises. Thanks for the reminder! I love your poem – it is cool and healing – just like water. Wishing you calm and peace this August.
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Joanne, I would love to take that class! What a unique experience to have worked with her on writing. I enjoyed your post today. Prayers for Sylvia!
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This box of prompts is waiting in my cart at Amazon. I love how simply you turn to what’s around you to find poetry for daily living. Our birdbath doesn’t have a pump but I wonder about how to get one. I’d love to hear the sound of it and know it was hope and health for the birds.
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Margaret, this was a cheap solar powered pump that I bought for maybe $12 on Amazon. It works pretty well, even though I need to give it a good unclogging.
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Beautiful!! What a beautiful practice and I wanted SO to touch the birdbath. . . . Nicely done!
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Thank you! I could have dived right in and dog paddled in the cool shallows.
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Love your poem! You are so good with words – finding the ones that fit the mood and moment. I hope you share more from your writing group!
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Thank you, Linda! It’s a great group and they always inspire me. Safe travels to you as you explore those National Parks!
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what a special community you have built and supported with writing and connection. Thanks for sharing this little poem. Love the shape of it too, rippling down the page.
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Thank you so much! Yes, I do love the writing communities that I invest in – what a blessing these writers all are, and so encouraging. Thank you for your kind comments.
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What a wonderful way to grow with your writing. I love the idea of a small zoom group with the motivating card topics. Your descriptive poem drew me in, making me feel like I was sitting right there, too.
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Thank you, Debbie! I look forward all month to the times of small group writing.
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