Ever since Sara Teasdale’s poem “There Will Come Soft Rains” was the Poem of the Day this past week on Poets.org, I’ve been going back to it over and over again, working to memorize it. Sara T. and I go way back. My fourth graders and I memorized “Barter” my first year of teaching. I wish I had memorized a poem a year with every class. Just think of the library of words and images I’d have at my beck and call.
The turn in the middle of “There Will Come Soft Rains” comes as a gut punch. Especially now. I know that Nature wouldn’t miss humankind, but I desperately want her to know that I am mourning all that humans have destroyed, all that the current administration is determined to destroy. I want to bear witness to her ordinary miracles (cue Sarah McLachlan) and celebrate the life force that makes and heals our planet.
Margaret gave the Inklings this month’s challenge to write a poem using the word “becoming” somewhere in it. You might be able to feel the influence of Sara T. in my writing.
Here’s how the rest of the Inklings met this month’s challenge:
Catherine @Reading to the Core
Heidi @my juicy little universe
Margaret @Reflections on the Teche
Molly @Nix the Comfort Zone
Linda @A Word Edgewise
Karen has this week’s Poetry Friday roundup at Karen Edmisten*.
A(nother) Year of Reading 
Mary Lee, thank you for this poem that casts a spell against becoming bitter. Love it all, especially the variation of “with daily pledges” and “with ordinary pledges.” I am bookmarking this! Thank you!
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This is stunning in its simple words–but oh, the meaning in today’s world. That oak…and comforting girth. Well done, Mary Lee. Sara Teasdale is a good friend to have for a long time. You’ve been a good friend to her in this poem.
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I love the bookending in your poem, Mary Lee. “to witness every living wonder/to treasure precious Earth” – sigh!
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Here’s to staying soft as moss (love!). And that Sara Teasdale poem is a special one for sure. xo
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Special thoughts for our dear earth, Mary Lee, and I can imagine you saying this aloud, with its exquisite rhythm. All kinds of actions endear us to our earth!
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Love this poem (and Sara Teasdale’s “There Will Come Soft Rains”). Appreciate your life affirming words and commitment to “Stay as soft as moss,” despite the destruction all around us. More challenging than ever but worth every bit of effort.
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Oh, wow, I can definitely hear that Teasdale influence in the cadence but the delightful vocabulary is all you. Here’s to the lovely ordinary pledge of softness and presence.
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I did not know the “Barter” poem & love Sara Teasdale’s ”one shining hour of peace,’ imagining the ardent surgers of hope in so many places at this moment for peace from war, anxiety & overreaching. I’m feeling your “Barter” students are out there, remembering it, many of them having already shared it. You done SO good in your creative career.
“Becoming” is a mighty fine word for Margaret to offer…
Mary Lee, I can’t imagine you bitter, but creating this incantation [Annie Finch should read this…] is mojo magic for not only you, but me. man appreciations, with hugs.
jan
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I, too, wonder-hope that those long-ago kids still hear Teasdale’s words when they’re at the ocean: “blue waves whitened on a cliff,” or adoring their grandchildren (it’s been that long…they’d be in their 50’s…gasp!) “children’s faces looking up / holding wonder like a cup.” If you didn’t already know “Barter,” I’m glad it lives in YOUR heart now, too!
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Mary Lee, this beautiful poem (yes, I can hear the Teasdale echo!!) combines determination and hopeful optimism in the face of hard things (to say the least.) Thanks for this.
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Sarah Teasdale’s poems are lovey and I can see her influence in your own poem. I like how the narrator of your poem makes a vow to not be better despite the circumstance. Much like we are all trying to do. 🙂
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This is a beautiful call for us to all remain less bitter and stay as soft as moss. Thank you for this.
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Love the poem and the sentiment (although our current climate make this a challenge…) and I think the way the ending echoes the opening is brilliant.
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Ah, yes — daily little pledges will keep us moving forward.
Thank you, Mary Lee — and for sharing Teadale’s poem.
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A pledge and an embrace of simple pleasures is a delightful way to focus your energies, Mary Lee. I so get where you are coming from.
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I love so much in this poem, but “I vow to stay as soft as moss”… wow!
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That is the challenge, to stay as soft as moss, with daily little ordinary tougher-than-they-look pledges. You made me go learn more about moss: “They stabilise the soil surface and retain water, helping new plants to grow.” I keep wanting to be a sunflower, but maybe I’m a moss. I love the surprise of the edge/pledge rhyme.
https://www.kew.org/read-and-watch/moss
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If you really want to learn more about moss, you need to read Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book GATHERING MOSS. You’ll never look at it the same way!
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excellent!
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Oh, Mary Lee, my friend, I’m going to memorize your poem. I love the becoming and what you are not becoming in this poem. The soft rising, cavorting, bending, watching, witnessing. So much goodness. And the change from ordinary pledges to daily pledges is inspiring me this difficult day.
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What an honor that my words will live on in your memory!
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As soft as moss. Ah, what a nice image, Mary Lee. Lucky you to spot a crocus, too. I’ll have to look around the yard tomorrow and see if ours are around.
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Mary Lee, your poem expresses my feeling exactly. It’s quite challenging, though, to “stay as soft as moss.” Thank you for this lovely reminder to try.
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Oh, Mary Lee. This is a most excellent pledge, indeed. It flows beautifully and as I read it, it softens me, too. If only we recited this in classrooms across our country every morning…
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“daily little pledges” yes! Today I spent time clearing some of the leaves in my garden, perhaps a daily pledge. Snow may still come but the ground was crying for some light. Thanks for all the treasures you shared with us in your post Mary Lee, especially Sara Teasdale!
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