One of our most generous poets, Amy Ludwig VanDerwater, is hosting the gathering this week at The Poem Farm.
Whenever I make the Poetry Friday rounds, I end up with books on my wish list. Sometimes I buy them long after I can remember who recommended a particular book or author.
If you recommended First Words by Minnesota Poet Laureate Joyce Sutphen, raise your hand in the comments so I can thank you properly. If you were close enough, I would probably hug you. If you recommended the poet but not this particular book, that’s fine too — I’m grateful for every part of the path that connected me with her poetry.
Please savor “The Kingdom of Summer” here.
Then reminisce with “The Last Things I’ll Remember.” Maybe craft a poem about your beloved childhood places?
Here is what I have enjoyed about her work: she captures the beauty and fragility of life by crafting deceptively simple poems about her childhood on a farm, her aging father, watching her children grow. Poems of life and loss, reality blurred by time, and the extraordinary wonder of everyday life.
Her poems are comforting to me. Not only because I can identify with her subjects, but because she reminds me that as a writer, I don’t have to live an exotic life or travel to far-off destinations to discover poems. They’re everywhere around me, within me, waiting to be coaxed onto the page. This book came to me at the perfect time.
Want to learn more about Joyce Sutphen?
Her website has a couple of poems. (Note: I’m delighted with the lack of pretentiousness in her website and the very few videos I found on YouTube.)
Read a brief bio at The Poetry Foundation.
Read “At the Moment” here.
The Writer’s Almanac has a lovely interview.
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Friends, my father will soon be 80 and has been placed on hospice though my mother insists he’s doing quite well in spite of Parkinson’s, congestive heart failure, and diabetes. I suspect I will be absent from our usual Friday gatherings for a bit, but, as usual, you have already been serving as my mentor text as you navigate this particular life experience, so I hope to persist with faith and grace as the future unfolds. Thank you for making this community a warm and supportive family.
What a gorgeous, gorgeous wordsmith Joyce Sutphen is! I am not the one who pointed you her way, but I did share this poem by her in 2009: http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/index.php?date=2009/07/23
As you know, I am right there, holding your hand as you do what needs to be done, Keri. I am sure faith and grace will take you far in this, and forgiveness (of others, and yourself) will take you the rest of the way.
Thanks so much, Tabatha! Yes, Joyce is top notch! “Soundings” is gorgeous and a perfect example of how she freezes a normal moment in time and makes it sublime.
This, Keri, is such a beautiful post. Thank you for sending me on a thoughtful morning journey and too, for this book I must now own.
Much love to you at this sad time.
xo
Thanks, Amy! You will love it, I promise, especially since you are a farm woman!
I have only read a few of Joyce’s poems, so I’m grateful you’ve spotlighted First Words here, so I can add it to my TBR list.
Love and Hugs to you and your family during this difficult time. Having just recently experienced a parent in hospice, my heart goes out to you, Keri.
Thank you, Jama! I thought of you and your lovely posts about your mother. You are always an inspiration!
Thank you for continuing the connection to Sutphen’s poetry, Keri! Sending serenity vibes to you and your family. =)
Thanks! “Tranquil” was my one word last year, and serenity is close.
I’m sorry that you need to make this journey, Keri, but blessings go with you along the way. It isn’t an easy one, but it sounds like you are finding support in special ways, like these lovely poems. Hugs to you, and thank you for the lovely post.
Thanks for your encouragement, Linda!
Keri, I didn’t know Joyce Sutphen’s work until today. Thank you so very much for showing me her beautiful, simple poetry. Blessings for your journey with your dad, and mom, too. It will not be easy, but I wish all involved a gentle peace.
Thanks, Joyce, and I hope you can read more of Sutphen’s work. 🙂
Keri, I’m sorry to be so late to your post. Thank you for sharing Joyce Sutphen’s beautiful words. Love is winging its way to you as I write this.
Hi, Keri. I’ll be thinking of you and your family. This is a beautiful poem about memory and loss. Take good care of yourself, too.