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Molly challenged the Inklings to write luc bats in November, and it’s a good thing I started playing with the form early on, because my November kind of evaporated starting with NCTE. Not only did I write a luc bat for the burr oak across the street and her “burr oak buffet” which feeds the neighborhood deer, squirrels, and groundhogs, I wrote one in response to the news
and a stubbornly optimistic one in response to the Albert Rios poem, “A House Called Tomorrow”
It’s definitely a tricky form, but I loved the puzzle of the syllable-counting and the weaving of the rhymes.
Here’s how the other Inklings met Molly’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
Anastasia has this week’s Poetry Friday Roundup at Small Poems.
A(nother) Year of Reading 
Mary Lee! Thank you for “blow the fresh breeze of hope” !! I need this more than ever!
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I am intrigued by this form and can’t wait to give it a try. I especially like how you addressed the oak tree in your first poem. Thank you for this gift today.
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The grandmother oak blessing is a beautiful response to the prompt. I envy the enjambment that works so well.
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“a blanket brown and gold” — I love this image, Mary Lee!
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Kudos, Mary Lee! I have to say that I became absorbed in your words and forgot that I was reading luc bat poems. Your use of the form seems so natural.
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Wow, Mary Lee! What a gift–a trifecta of luc bats! Your poems, with their natural flowing rhyme, confirm my appreciation of this form and the power of interwoven internal rhyme. I think I’m most partial to the first with its powerful use of enjambment. I love the idea of leaves “set free” in fall and all those acorns fattening up the deer, etc.
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I just read Irene Latham’s ‘Gratitude’ ode to students yesterday. This reminds me very much of that poem. Trees are so much like people to me. I’ve become such a tree hugger…more and more each year. Those deer…I can see them. I can hear them.
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Even for those of us who were not sick, November seemed to evaporate! The luc bat is definitely a very welcoming form in the sense of allowing all kinds of tones and sentiments–what a range you have here! I’m especially enamored of Grandmother Oak, the wonderful unfolding of her blanket. And strewn and boon! Yes!
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Each one a gem, a hymn, Mary Lee. I have no oak trees near, wishing I did. I am daily amazed at the hate among us, in our world, wishing it was not true. Thanks for every thoughtful poem.
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Why can’t we freeze the hate–indeed! Powerful. I love this form!
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Mary Lee, you put many of my own thoughts/hopes into such beautiful poems! The war/disbelief one especially talks to me, maybe because I’ve got a draft of a war-related poem going…
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You know I love your ode to Grandmother Oak, but your two other luc bats are amazing, Mary Lee! Yes to a “fresh breeze of hope” and yes to “good will prevail.” Hope you’re feeling better.
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Mary Lee, “Why can’t we freeze the hate?” is such a powerful question that has not been solved throughout the centuries. Not one but three amazing poems are a symbol of persistence and commitment to writing. Have a wonderful December week.
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Yes, it is tricky but your aced it! I have to try this form… one day. Instead, today I have to wrangle over several sticky town issues. Sigh… But, at the end, I’ll still read some good poetry and try my hand. Best to you!
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Yes, luc bat looks like a very tricky form, but all three of your poems make it look easy. I especially love the final word, defiant tone in your last one: “Good will prevail. No trope. Just truth.” Booyah!
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“A House Called Tomorrow” such a powerful poem–and here’s to that house and bringing “ourselves.” And to “Grandmother Oak,” and no more wars.
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