PAD challenge #1 For Poetic Asides Chapbook Challenge
http://blog.writersdigest.com/poeticasides/
For today’s prompt, I want poets to take one step back and write a “closing the door” or “turning the page” poem. Feel encouraged to get creative with today’s prompt (and the other 29 prompts–for that matter), but here’s how I interpret this prompt: a poem that looks at where a person (or animal or thing) was and finds resolution with the fact that things won’t be that way again.
Rhythms of Beginnings
sounds so final, an ending, where
I only want a beginning. Yet, to start
calls heart to let go, step out, carrying
doubt in a knapsack tossed over shoulder,
small boulder needing release for ease
to continue.
Perhaps not a boulder, pebbles
but too many to count, mounting
in number with concentration.
Can I?
Should I?
Will I finish?
For what reason?
How? And then, when
is the season right for taking flight,
for finally leaving? And just what
is being left behind? Can I really go
forward, before knowing that?
Far too many questions.
Open the sack, tumble it over, let
all those misshapen pebbles fall,
one at a time, onto the ground,
making a mound, like some ancient
altar that marks this place of beginnings.
With no more than paper and pen,
take first step of intention, the next
will follow. As some man said, that’s
why we own two legs, first move one,
then the other.
But, where am I going, how will I know
when I get there? Promptly hear whispering
at inner ear, “You know, have always
known, it is forever in the movement.
Just begin.”
Elizabeth Crawford 11/1/10
Soul's Music 
Really nice….just begin. I like it very much.
Thank you Annell, why are beginnings so hard to get to when they really are so simple?
Elizabeth
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Ah yes, the forever question….where is one going and how will one know when one gets there? One would think we’d have answers for these questions by now. LOL.
Lol, I agree Mary. Maybe it’s because we are supposed to eventually learn that it doesn’t really matter as long as we stay on the journey? Thanks for taking the time to take a look,
Elizabeth
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Elizabeth,
These are questions I have asked for a long time.
Nice. It is so great to see you over at PAD.
Pamela
Thank you Pamela. I feel a bit like a fish out of water, but then I suppose that will change as I continue. I wish you all the best on this one as well,
Elizabeth
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Nice nice nice. I’m being brief tonight (my turn now, and again, to change myself aswell). Your questions/statements are so appropriate to the process. Every change contains doubts. Some rocks, some pebbles, oh yes. But here, the poem, the expression becomes the agent or wheels of the intention. Well expressed. (How I often feel about poems in general.) Thanks Elizabeth!
And thank you Neil. Hope you are back safely and enjoyed yourself. This poem came easily to mind, not so easily to words, if that makes sense. New place, people, project makes from some amount of hesitancy. I’m sure it will get better as I relax,
Elizabeth
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Such insistent and probing questions Elizabeth, love the tone of your poem.
Thank you Uma, not sure I’d call them probing, but insistent is more than correct. I call it dithering around. Always happens when I begin anything. That first step is usually the biggest one of all. And thanks for your kind words.
Elizabeth
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I read both your poems and I found that my time was well spent.
I enjoy the way you write poetry. You have a talent that seems to be
lost in others (at least to my eyes). I will check back often.
I have not decided whether to post my book but I am leaning heavily in that direction. The next time I drop by I’ll leave a link if I go that way.
GS, that’s a wonderful compliment, and I’d curtsy but probably wouldn’t be able to get back up, again lol. I would very much like to read what you are writing, and do hope you let me know. Thank you very much for taking a look and leaving your kind words,
Elizabeth
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Boulders versus pebbles? Both seem very hard to carry. But hang in there, YOU can do it!
Lol, am so glad someone has faith in me. I figure pebbles are easier to unload than one solid boulder. Breaking the boulder down to smaller pieces is only the beginning. Thanks Diane,
Elizabeth
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