I placed my indoor plants outside so they too could feel cool rain upon their tender leaves, to taste clouds within their soil, to feel the breeze brush their necks and teach their roots how to dance with Earth. How had I denied them these moments of life, and for so long? What else have I withheld from those I love? Their lives held captive by my desires -- without understanding the subtle difference between existing and living may simply be feeling sunlight on our faces the moment a storm passes.
Troy, your poem is gentle and powerful at the same time, beautifully capturing the difference between just existing and really living. The image of taking indoor plants outside to feel the rain and breeze is such a wonderful metaphor for offering those we love the freedom to truly experience life.
Thank you for this thoughtful and moving poetic reflection - it inspires me to love and enjoy all those small, life-giving moments and nurture the connections around me with greater care. Bravo!
Thank you again, Deborah. Sometimes we love what we love to death, limiting what their own needs may be for the satisfaction of having them close to us.
Thank you so much. I needed this - your poem resonates within me on so many levels💙
I am keeping a diary with a poem for each week of the year - you’re now rubbing shoulders with the likes of Tony Morrison, Lucile Clifton and Alice Oswald 🙏🏿✨
Thank you for reflecting that part back for us. It is absolutely a call to make changes in our circles of influence. I hope our ripples can bring peace.
Thank you again for this, Jonathan! I absolutely love what you've created here! The hope of what the lightening bolt brings is everything in this moment.
This poem is timely as I transition my hibiscus outdoors after wintering in the kitchen. It’s a delicate process, monitoring the weather to ensure spring has truly settled and nighttime temperatures won’t dip too low. Your poem’s reflection on withholding life’s moments from loved ones mirrors this care. It’s not just about placing them in the open; it’s a gradual, patient journey to nurture their growth, much like helping them feel the sunlight after a storm.
Troy, your poem is gentle and powerful at the same time, beautifully capturing the difference between just existing and really living. The image of taking indoor plants outside to feel the rain and breeze is such a wonderful metaphor for offering those we love the freedom to truly experience life.
Thank you for this thoughtful and moving poetic reflection - it inspires me to love and enjoy all those small, life-giving moments and nurture the connections around me with greater care. Bravo!
Thank you again, Deborah. Sometimes we love what we love to death, limiting what their own needs may be for the satisfaction of having them close to us.
Thank you so much. I needed this - your poem resonates within me on so many levels💙
I am keeping a diary with a poem for each week of the year - you’re now rubbing shoulders with the likes of Tony Morrison, Lucile Clifton and Alice Oswald 🙏🏿✨
Maria! These names... I cannot rub shoulders with these giants, for I'm too busy worshiping the ground they walk upon. Thank you for your kindness.
What else have I denied? A call to turn our lens inward, thank you Troy.
Thank you for reflecting that part back for us. It is absolutely a call to make changes in our circles of influence. I hope our ripples can bring peace.
Me too!
simply beautiful.
Thank you, Maia! I hope you're healthy and happy!
This is lovely 💚🌷
Thank you so much!
It’s not just the writing, it’s the heart. Susie put it perfectly, beautiful always ❤️
Thank you, Jonathan. You and your writing have shined a great deal of light onto this person, so I'm entirely grateful to you. I hope you're great.
Beautiful always...
"the subtle difference
between existing and living
may simply be feeling
sunlight on our faces
the moment a storm passes."
Yes, definitely yes Troy!
Thank you, Susie! Your kindness and support mean so much to me! I hope you're well!
I felt this Troy as if I was one of your indoor plants. Just beautiful. Thank you.
Thank you, Jo! May you feel the sunshine on your face and may the rains replenish your soul.
I especially like these lines, Troy:
"and teach their roots
how to dance with Earth."
As I wrote this, part of me looking guiltily over at my 9 spider plants.
Thanks again, Neil! As I said on your repost, those spider plants know how to reclaim their lives. Magical beings!
Wonderful words.
Thank you, Ralph. Wishing you peace.
Beautiful. Love your writing
Thank you, Alix! You're the best!
To letting our roots learn to dance with earth and feeling sunlight on our faces after storms.
What a gorgeous poem, Troy.
Thank you again, Holly! May today be a beautiful and peaceful day for you.
My spinoff, written in the form of a Fourfold Hexastich:
-
The Moment
-
I placed my indoor plants outside
so they too could feel cool rain
upon their tender leaves,
to taste clouds within their soil,
to feel the breeze brush their necks
and teach their roots how to dance with Earth.
-
And then I vowed to do the same
for myself and for those I love
now and in the future
until the sky opens up
to reveal the sun rising
on a new Age of Aquarius
-
that prompts a photosynthesis
of all that is good in the world
greening and burgeoning
in this new dawning springtime
deep in the DNA of
humanity’s cultivated soil
-
as a wonderful mutation
engendered by a lightning bolt
we slept through in the storm
last night spreads across the green
hillsides of our standing still
preparing for love’s revolution.
Thank you again for this, Jonathan! I absolutely love what you've created here! The hope of what the lightening bolt brings is everything in this moment.
Really, lovely gentle writing Troy. Love the wisdom and how it ends.
Thank you! We have so much to reflect on in our lives, as we are such powerful beings.
Yes, and yes, we had forgotten, we are remembering…
This poem is timely as I transition my hibiscus outdoors after wintering in the kitchen. It’s a delicate process, monitoring the weather to ensure spring has truly settled and nighttime temperatures won’t dip too low. Your poem’s reflection on withholding life’s moments from loved ones mirrors this care. It’s not just about placing them in the open; it’s a gradual, patient journey to nurture their growth, much like helping them feel the sunlight after a storm.
I appreciate the tenderness of your care. The rewards of that kind of appreciation are endless. 🌺
I like how you compared care of plants to care of humans you love. Metaphors for love, perhaps?
Absolutely! The more we love all the beings around us, the better a world we will have.
We write on similar topics. I'm basically a nature poet on Poetry-Going Off the Rails.
I look forward to reading your work!