Happy Poetry Friday! It seems the weeks are flying by. Soon this year will end and a new one will begin. It's definitely the time of year to celebrate memories with family and friends. You can also find lots to celebrate this week in the world of poetry by stopping at Tabatha's space The Opposite of Indifference. Thanks for the warm welcome, Tabatha!
This time of year I find myself walking the woods alone quite often. As I walk, I tend to lose myself in the flood of memories that return in the stillness of the winter landscape. I think back to my childhood and loved ones lost along the way. I think of others who also lament for family and friends who have gone away. I find that walking has a way of easing me as these thoughts swirl around in my mind. As I walk, I write. I write in memoriam of people and moments that have passed. This week, I am sharing a poem inspired by one of my spiritual walks this month. 
Invitation to Write:
Memories have a way of finding their way into our notebooks all the time. Take a moment to reflect on your memories from this past year. You might make a list of these memories by starting with the stem, In memoriam of...which means "in memory of" or "to the memory of.." This list might include people, places, or even objects you can remember and recall. Read through your list and choose a few to write from. Take that memory with you as you go for a long walk. I truly believe that walking can sharpen the mind and comfort the soul.
10 Comments
12/16/2016 05:47:32 am
Your words "I write in memoriam of people and moments that have passed." resonate with me. In the act of writing and then later in the reading of my own words, I feel the heartbeats of my life. Thank you for your invitation to write. 12/16/2016 03:01:45 pm
Lovely, Keisha. I have a woods walk...at a cabin where family gathers. The cabin is at a new site. When I visit I walk into the woods to the old site...pre-cabin days when all we had was a fire pit and lawn chairs. The ghosts are friendly there and they welcome me back to the circle every time. Wonderful memories stirred by your words. Thank you. 12/16/2016 09:12:05 pm
With all your noticings, I feel the ache of loss, the wishing that you could have one of those you miss along with you, and in a way, they are, but still not the same, is it? Beautifully done, Kiesha. 12/17/2016 03:59:56 am
Poetry is a safe place for memories or fear. Your words brought back my own losses, in a sweet and tender way. I also feel close to the "invisible" in the woods. It's a good place to remember love.
Mary Lee Hahn
12/17/2016 04:51:52 am
Lovely (and filled with love).
Diane Mayr
12/17/2016 02:23:43 pm
"who crystals the trees with shards of glass"--perfect! 12/18/2016 11:16:57 pm
Dear Kiesha, thanks for your authenticity and for sharing your poetic musings as you do your long walks in the woods. Very moving. Leave a Reply. |
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. 
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2 Laura at Laura Shovan 9 Margaret at Reflections on the Teche 16 Molly at Nix the Comfort Zone 23 Kat at Kathryn Apel 30 Becky at Sloth Reads August 6 Mary Lee at A(nother) Year of Reading 13 Christie at Wondering and Wandering 20 Carol at The Apples in My Orchard 27 Elisabeth at Unexpected Intersections September 3 Heidi at my juicy little universe 10 Tricia at The Miss Rumphius Effect 17 Denise at Dare to Care 24 Laura at Laura Purdie Salas October 1 Catherine at Reading to the Core 8 Irene at Live Your Poem 15 Bridget at wee words for wee ones 22 Jama at Jama's Alphabet Soup 29 Linda at TeacherDance November 5 Tabatha at The Opposite of Indifference 12 Matt at Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme 19 Carol at Beyond LiteracyLink 26 Ruth at there is no such thing as a God-forsaken town December 3 Michelle at Michelle Kogan 10 Cathy at Merely Day by Day 17 Jone at Jone Rush MacCulloch 24 Buffy at Buffy Silverman 31 Carol at Carol's Corner |
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