Welcome Poetry Friday visitors! Thanks for stopping by the ridge today. Another exciting round-up is happening over at Tara's space, A Teaching Life, where you'll find lots more poetry fun! The dictionary defines fortitude as "strength in the face of adversity or difficulty." People described as having fortitude are often admired for their courage, which is why fortitude comes from the Latin word fortitudo, meaning "strength". I thought it was such a great word for so many different reasons. I guess you could say, I fell in love with the word, as writers often do. Not only did I like how powerful the way the word sounded when I said it out loud, but it also made me think about how much I would like to be regarded as someone who embodies fortitude. This poem is my attempt to find fortitude through the simple act of listening and surrendering to all of nature's teachings. Invitation to Write:There are some words that naturally have a way of sticking with us all the time. As writers, we keep list upon list of these words we hold dear. Think about some of your favorite words. What makes them special to you? Study the meaning(s) of the words. What do they mean to you? Try putting a few of these words together. Write whatever comes. You're sure to find what you were looking for. Words have a way of finding their way onto the page and into your heart.
9 Comments
5/12/2017 06:28:40 am
I love that you found words for each of those in nature, Kiesha. Your poem makes a good conversation.
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5/12/2017 06:52:24 am
Fortitude is such a great word. I love how you draw strength from nature in so many ways through this poem.
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5/12/2017 09:09:06 am
We so often think that as human beings we are masters of the natural realm and superior to everything in it, but in fact we have so much to learn from the creatures we share our home with!
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Mary Lee Hahn
5/13/2017 03:37:32 am
Yes, fortitude is a good word and a good goal. Especially these days and these times. Your poem reminds me so much of this one by J Patrick Lewis: http://www.yourdailypoem.com/listpoem.jsp?poem_id=1814
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5/14/2017 08:31:30 am
Keisha, this might be my favorite poem of yours yet. The personification of Fortitude and meeting Fortitude in the forest. Well, it's magical. There's an arthurian vibe going on here with the bended knee and all. This is a beauty. I'd love to see where this goes in the world. Thanks for the inspiration. I will be thinking of some words I am in love with.....because I do have lists and lists of words.
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5/14/2017 09:42:11 pm
Beautiful tribute to living with nature Keisha via finding fortitude, thanks!
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4/24/2018 02:25:20 pm
Your poem affected life?! Yes, you can share your lovely poem and its great "after story" with the world... Submit now on LifePoemsProject.com
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AuthorWelcome! I'm Kiesha Shepard, and I have a love for writing and the teaching of writing. Whispers From the Ridge is a place where I can share my words and ideas for teaching writing. It's also a place for you to find inspiration for writing the words inside of you. I invite you into my world of writing as I capture the whispers from the ridge. Follow by Email
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