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I gave the Poetry Sisters this month’s challenge. We brainstormed our year of challenges in January, just after I began reading a poem a day from Jane Hirshfield’s newish (2023) book THE ASKING: NEW AND SELECTED POEMS. “Two Versions” is on page 9, but can’t be found in its entirety anywhere on line, making it tricky for you to discover the ways her poem inspired our writing. Lucky for you, though, I used the structure of Hirschfield’s poem for mine. So…my poem might give you some hints, in the event that you don’t own her book (which you should, so get to an independent bookstore this weekend and help that small business survive the One Big Store that would weed out all the little stores…in a poignant analogy to my very poem).
I realized, when I was combing through the blog correcting my misspelling of Hirshfield (not sch, just sh), that I also wrote about the oak seedling murders back in May. The guilt is strong enough for two poems, apparently.
I’m not sure who’s in for this month’s challenge, but here are the Poetry Sister links just in case:
Liz @ Liz Garton Scanlon
Laura @ Laura Purdie Salas
Sara @ Read Write Believe
Tricia @ The Miss Rumphius Effect
And here’s Tanita @ {fiction, instead of lies} who has this week’s Poetry Friday roundup!
Next week is December and it will be time to queue up for roundup host positions January-June 2025. Watch for the call!
A(nother) Year of Reading 
I connect to your thoughts, and poem, Mary Lee, from my call in the spring to leave the dandelions, the first food for bees! Yet, I see people digging, and digging more! I do wonder of our missteps, no knowledge or ignoring knowledge, all the same brought us to our lives, yes, “irrelevant”! I like that you created the poem connection to your lost oak trees.
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oh, wow….this poem is lovely and devastating all at once. I can picture your endless pulling….and the “ghost forest” of oaks that might’ve grown. Beautifully done, Mary Lee.
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I fully understand guilt enough for two poems! I love the uneasy balance depicted betwixt irrelevance and survival. …I don’t understand why I never simply use the mentor poem FORM. This is such a great cause-and-effect meditation, and the structure suits it perfectly.
Next time, perhaps…
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That last line…spot on. I get the guilt of murdering the baby trees popping up in the wrong places of the garden.
Yay for getting ready to signup for the first 6 months of 2025 (how can that be?)
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Oh, Mary Lee…the layers. Because every no to one thing is a yes to something else. I believe that strongly. So thought I might mourn the oak forest, I probably also find joy in the creatures, plants, and people who are thriving there instead. I think it’s the careless “no”s that are dangerous. Thanks for the reminder that I need to be thoughtful!
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Oh, tears sprang to my throat, Mary Lee. I have pulled some of those sprouted acorns myself, and you express this so well. (Those trillium!!!) I think you and I rode the same emotional wave out of Hirshfield’s poem…
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When the grandkids were here earlier this month (or last), we found an oak seedling and planted it. The kids were so excited to be digging in dirt, saving a tree. It died. I found it withered and brown. So sad. I feel your poem to my very core. Thanks for sharing this weekend. I’m too overwhelmed with family to participate, but in so many ways, this is the best excuse.
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Mary Lee, this is so gorgeous and powerful! You know what they say: “you’re not a gardener if you’re not killing plants.” Murder is part of it. But oh it hurts! xo
p.s. SO GREAT sharing a bit of time at NCTE!
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I’m so glad I’m not the only one who used the structure of Hirshfield’s poem. I wasn’t sure how else to tackle this. The second version is so moving, and the last line packs a gut punch. I love this.
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Mary Lee, we are driving home from a dear friend’s funeral followed by service and luncheon. VA to NY is a long ride. Your last line is a powerhouse of word choice. I am still trying to get my ideas down. Thanks for opening the new year with PF hosting choices.
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”mother oak lies fallen” such a powerfully sad line, makes your heart drop, though especially now your presence and our collective voice and presence are important!
Thanks for your poem and for your Peace post from last week! I’m with you on fewer social posts.
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Mary Lee, this is amazing. It somehow reminds me of the novel North Woods — the endurance of the apple tree, the cabin, the land that hosts one iteration after another of humanity. Thanks for this.
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