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Too Long: Poems with an echo response

10/27/2017

7 Comments

 
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Poetry Friday is a dream this week! Be sure to visit Brenda at her fairyland space, Friendly Fairy Tales.

Dear friends, this week I have been thinking about how important it is to return to the people, places, and things we love. I do this a lot, especially when I start realizing how much I have missed. One evening, I was walking out in my yard by the old elm tree, and I suddenly noticed how much had changed. While I was off living in my own world, the natural world I love was changing and living its life as well. As I stood there gazing up at the branches, I was sad that I had passed by so many times without stopping. I missed the birds. I missed the trees. I missed the spiders and the crickets. So I imagined that they could hear me and that we could talk to each other. This poem is that conversation. I talked to my dear friends, and they answered, like a soft echo of the breeze through the trees.
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The old elm tree in my yard I call the "Dragonfly Tree." photo by Kiesha Shepard
Too Long
 
I miss the elm.
I miss the spider.
 
Too long, too long                  
                       you have passed us by.
 
I miss the wren.
I miss the cricket.
 
Too long, too long
                       
you have passed us by.
 
Too long, too long
I have passed you by,
dear earthly friends.
 
© Kiesha Shepard
​

Invitation to Write:

Try reading this poem with a friend. Partner A reads the narrator's statements. Partner B reads the nature's response echo in italics. Then switch. Try adding stanzas and response lines to my poem if you like, or better yet, have fun experimenting with your own call and response type poems.! 
7 Comments
Linda Mitchell link
10/27/2017 04:15:18 pm

What longing in this poem....in the repetition of too long. I'm so glad you shared this moment of recognition. It IS important to treasure our friends....and not every moment, when we can. I'm betting the elm and the critters are very forgiving and so glad you stopped by with your beautiful words.

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Mary Lee Hahn
10/28/2017 04:30:06 am

What a fun invitation and a good reminder to remain aware.

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Linda Baie link
10/28/2017 06:12:03 am

"Too long" we keep busy and pass so much without a thought. Your poem inspires to slow down for noticing, nature and people too! Thanks, Kiesha!

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Brenda link
10/29/2017 08:24:01 am

I like this conversation and the remind to look around us. It fits well with my poem this week.

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Kay Jernigan McGriff link
10/29/2017 03:37:30 pm

That repetition of too long is so haunting. I've had periods of time in my life where I forgot to notice the things around me. I'm trying to reform and pay better attention. Your poem is a good reminder.

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Amy Ludwig VanDerwater link
11/3/2017 02:52:56 am

This is a gentle lovely nudge...thank you, Kiesha. I needed that reminder too. xx

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Sally Murphy link
11/3/2017 09:48:55 pm

'Too long, too long'
What a poignant refrain.
i am in the UAE working present, and saw the moon just before sunrise this morning, low on the horizon. Big and bold!

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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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