Happy Poetry Friday! Thanks for visiting the ridge. This week, Margaret is hosting the round-up at her space, Reflections on the Teche. I can't wait to read all the poetry offerings there! 

The poem I am sharing today has been revised to fit my intended audience, YOU! When I read the original poem in my notebook, I realized that if it were to come out of my notebook for publication, I would need to consider my audience and design the poem based on my desired purpose. In my revision, I decided that I needed to consider my content and word choice to appeal to an audience of all ages. Safe inside the notebook, the original poem will always be written for me. It's one of the gifts of the notebook that I cherish. The fact that it's a place to collect whatever comes from my mind. The notebook is for ME. I think. I dream. I notice. I write whatever comes. And when or if I'm ready to share it with the world, it comes out to be revised for my audience. Just like the one I'm sharing with you now!  

Think about your design and revision process. How would you describe it? At what points do you turn your attention to audience? It's very interesting to hear how other writers tackle revision. As writers, we can learn so much from each other!  

Happy Poetry Friday! Thanks for stopping by this week. After your visit here on the ridge, be sure to make Jama's Alphabet Soup your next stop on the Poetry Friday trail!

It's hard to believe another school year is coming to an end. The month of May has a way of sweeping in unexpectedly. It closes out the school season and opens the door to another.

Soon, I will open the door to a summer season filled with writing and rewriting. I can't help but look forward to the many blissful hours I will spend on the ridge, just listening to the whispers. So many whispers have found their way into my notebook since I began my writing journey in this place I call home. I am so grateful to have this space to write and rewrite these whispers in my writing life.

I remember introducing my writing space here on the ridge during my very first blog post. I am including the poem from that first blog entry below. So much time has passed since it was written. And there is much that is still left unwritten. I am certain that more whispers will find their way into my writing life, but until they do, there are those that magically seek to be rewritten. They whisper to my mind, and I begin to write.

Rewriting can be a beautiful thing. Just like rereading, we tend to notice things that we didn't pick up on the first time around. Writing about topics we love over and over again is like reading our favorite books over and over again. Our writing becomes well worn and loved, just like our most treasured stories. 

Happy Poetry Friday! It is so good to be back with all my poetry friends. I am so very grateful to be a part of such an incredible community of poetry enthusiasts! All are welcome to join in the round-up at any time. This week, the poetry festivities are happening at Catherine's space, Reading to the Core.

Last week, I took a step outside to take a deep breath and write some poetry. I do this often, not just to find inspiration for writing, but especially before I take on the work of revision. I realize that when I take a step away from a draft for a period of time, I gain a sense of clarity and purpose for my work. Then when I am ready, I am eager to awake my resting draft and reread it with a renewed lens of attention. This "step out" strategy really has helped me approach the revising process with excitement and initiative.

Today, I am sharing a poem which came to life only because I chose to step out and away from my draft for a moment before returning to the real revision work with fresh eyes.     

Sometimes taking a step out or away from our normal routines can help refresh our thinking and help us to make sense of our world. As a writer, I have used this strategy often. Often times, a physical step out into nature or an emotional step out of my comfort zone, is just what I need to inspire new ideas. Other times, a step out and away from a first or second draft, allows me the time to consider my work with a fresh pair of eyes.

I invite you to take some time to think of how a step out or away from your current work might help you as a writer. Take your current work or a working draft, and let it rest in a quiet space for as long as you feel necessary. Then, give yourself permission to step out for awhile. When the time is right, take out your piece. Give yourself a nudge, and begin again.