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The Cure: Inspirational Poets & Friends

2/21/2018

12 Comments

 
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It's so great to be back with the Poetry Friday community this week! I welcome your words here at the ridge today. For more of the round-up, Liz is hosting today at her space, HERE. 

A few weeks back, when I was home sick, I stumbled across a film documentary of the legendary poet Robert Frost. I was so inspired and intrigued by his words, that I quickly pulled for my notebook to document the experience in some way. 

It all began with this poem he recited. The word "retreat" tugs at heart each time I read this poem. In his commentary, Frost spoke of his purposeful decision to use the word retreat, despite the fact that it rhymes with defeat. There is no shame in retreat. We don't escape, we retreat for reasons that are ours alone. In doing so, we regain our strength and fortify ourselves to reach those places we've not been. Following Frost's poem is my own poem, which was inspired by this remarkable man and poet. And to my incredible friends, who give me strength in my retreat. They let me know, I'm not alone.

In winter in the woods alone
Against the trees I go.
I mark a maple for my own
And lay the maple low.

At four o'clock I shoulder ax
And in the afterglow
I link a line of shadowy tracks
Across the tinted snow.

​I see for Nature no defeat
In one tree's overthrow
Or for myself in my retreat
For yet another blow.

-Robert Frost
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​I would like to end with some of my favorite lines and speeches that Frost shared within the film. Perhaps some of the most cherished words I hung on, were his words on poetry.

"It starts with a mood. It's a curious state that takes over you...Every poem solved something for me in my life. Every poem is a momentary stay against the confusion of the world. Then so is making a basket or making a horseshoe. Giving anything form, gives you a confidence in the universe, that it has form. All you want to do is get a sense of form, makes you healthy and well, makes you feel like there is some sort of form to your business, your occupation."
-Robert Frost


I am often in awe of inspirational poets like Robert Frost, and I find that I have this same admiration for my dearest friends. I am grateful for courageous friends who challenge me every step of the way. I couldn't agree more with the words of Mr. Robert Frost, "The gamble of life takes bravery." I'm so glad to be able to boldly venture forward with my friends as we make our mark on this world.

Invitation to Write:

Think about the notion of retreating and finding form. Where do you retreat for strength? What sense of form do you seek? Who or what inspires you to retreat in search of this form? Write down your thoughts for safe keeping!
12 Comments
Amy Ludwig VanDerwater link
2/23/2018 04:15:20 am

"I pick an oak leaf for my own." So beautiful. This whole post at the ridge is a lovely word-retreat - thank you! I wish you the peace you need and the knowing that you are not alone. xx

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Molly Hogan link
2/23/2018 04:22:45 am

There's so much to consider and appreciate in your post. I've read the Frost poem and your poem each several times. So many lines touch me. I also was intrigued by what Frost said about giving form to our world. I love this: "Every poem is a momentary stay against the confusion of the world." My favorite lines from your post are these: "We don't escape, we retreat for reasons that are ours alone. In doing so, we regain our strength and fortify ourselves to reach those places we've not been." Thanks for your rich post and the invitation to write as well.

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Liz link
2/23/2018 05:05:50 am

I love all of this. I have long felt just this way about nature. Just this week I texted a friend to say I'm off to the healing woods. I would like to see that documentary and I love that it inspired you to write your own. Thanks for sharing this.

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Linda Baie link
2/23/2018 06:53:40 am

Frost has given us much for our lives. I shared one of his poems today, too! How wonderful that you found this film and then the poem that touched you, and finally wrote your own poem. I love the final line, Kiesha: "Too many hidden places I have not been."

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Alice Nine link
2/23/2018 07:00:04 am

I always lover reading your posts. I always enjoy Robert Frost, "The Cure" is lovely. The second line expresses how I feel so often... "And all at once, my heart does fill." I felt that heart-filling waking up to fresh snowfall several mornings this week -- from the warm windows of my home, from my chilly back porch, and from playing in our back yards where the trees dumped their snow as it began to melt.

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Kay McGriff link
2/23/2018 11:22:07 am

I hope you are feeling better after your retreat--and I'm glad you are back for PF! Robert Frost sounds like he kept you in good company. Your words (like usual) are wise today. We do need to know when and where and how to retreat so that we can regroup and regain our strength to move forward. For me, nature has been a place of retreat and rejuvenation. I love that line "I pick an oak leaf for my own."

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Linda Mitchell link
2/23/2018 04:36:42 pm

Keisha, it's good to see you back at your blog. I've missed. What a lovely, lovely poem Frost. I love this line, "it helps me know I'm not alone." Even in retreat neither you nor I or Frost was or, is ever alone. What comfort. Thank you for sharing that.

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Carol Varsalona link
2/23/2018 08:59:07 pm

Love this thought, Kiesha: "...we retreat for reasons that are ours alone. In doing so, we regain our strength and fortify ourselves to reach those places we've not been." Your poem is inspirational. Keep walking the woods to find the peace you need and then send it back to us.

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Christie Wyman link
2/24/2018 03:13:48 pm

I find time outdoors to be the most powerful retreat for me. Whether I'm looking for answers, inspiration, or wishing to disconnect, this seems to do the trick. Thank you for sharing a bit of Frostian wisdom with us and your gorgeous inspired poem.

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Ruth link
2/25/2018 02:25:17 am

"A momentary stay against the confusion of the world." Yes, that's perfect.

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Brenda link
2/27/2018 01:06:19 pm

Oak leaf... splintered field... too many hidden places... I wanted to cup a few words to savor.

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LifePoemsProject link
4/8/2018 06:40:36 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

Reply



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    Welcome! 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.

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