Margaret gave the Inklings their challenge for this month: “Choose a quote that speaks to you. Write a poem that responds to the quote. The words can be used as a golden shovel or throughout the poem or as an epigraph.”
I cheated just a little. I found a poem that I wrote back in June of 2021, just after retirement, and then went looking for a quote that fit with it as an epigraph.
Here’s how the rest of the Inklings interpreted Margaret’s challenge:
Linda@A Word Edgewise
Heidi @my juicy little universe
Molly@Nix the Comfort Zone
Catherine@Reading to the Core
Margaret@Reflections on the Teche
Kat has this week’s Poetry Friday Roundup at Kathryn Apel.
The photo for today’s post is via Unsplash.
A(nother) Year of Reading 
Twain’s quote and your poem are words to live by, Mary Lee.
(If only I could get over my blooming love of puns…regret me not. 😉 )
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ooooh! I love it when you cheat. I cheated too 🙂 I had a quote all picked out and the new poem just wouldn’t come to me. I think my brain is on overload. So, I found an old poem from last summer and matched it up with a quote. I love how short this poem is but covers so much from tender detail of cats in the morning to the span of a life. It does make me smile … and want to copy the idea of this. Thanks for the inspiration!
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Never have I seen someone embrace retirement like you have, Mary Lee. No regrets, indeed. (Also, no challenge left unmet, I am thinking.)
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You are such an inspiration to all. Love your poem + quote. Thank you!!
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I love the idea of checking in on a future self and how wonderful if we were to feel no regrets in the end. Lots to think about. To me, a somber but hopeful poem.
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I found the comments on the left sidebar per posts!
Such joy as I read your words and a tug at my heart. A good reminder to celebrate it all big and small.
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I love the quote you found to match just right with this poem.
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Oh, Mary Lee–I love this entire poem. The bit about basements and gardens made me smile, and that ending! So powerful.
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Mary Lee, what a no regrets poem you wrote when you retired. I wonder if you can answer some of those questions yet. You have chosen a great epigraph to go with it. Blessings as you continue your lovely retirement.
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A poem with lots of pondering and a great lead in provided by the Mark Twain quote. You have oh so neatly put things together, Mary Lee.
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Mary Lee, the quote you chose to accompany your poem is a wonderful match. I did not expect the last line. So many friends have passed away in the past few years.
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I love the combination of the epigraph and the poem of questions. So fabulous!
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Does not matter if you wrote first and then found a quote… the poem is perfect – and made me smile!
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I like the thought about regrets circling between Twain’s quote and your poem, love the Twain quote, and would like to ponder into writing on” my future self,” thanks.
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Twain’s quote and your thought-provoking poem are a perfect pair!
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Regret is something I’ve spent a fair amount of time pondering lately and trying to avoid. I love how you tweaked the prompt guidelines to fit your needs/wants. No regrets, right? Also, this is a great form!
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This poem takes on a different flavor with the quote and knowing that you wrote it last year to a future RETIRED self. Still a winner, but more filled with active possibility.
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If this is what happens when you cheat, cheat away. 🙂
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