I’m sharing a poem that I composed earlier this week, the thoughts are reflections for the people who’ve all been affected by hurricane Harvey. I’m posting this from my phone while on a mini college visit with my daughter in NYC. (Image: viewing Chicago from the dunes restoration in Rogers Park.)
OATMEAL
Making oatmeal,
not quick oats or
instant oats
the 12-15 minute oatmeal,
the pool of history
oatmeal that
stirs up
memories
emotions,
the oatmeal
an arms distance
from the stove
you stood and
cooked and
focused or
traveled
pools of childhood
experiences,
the pot–
old, thin,
hot,
even it’s shape
bumped out here
and there,
that pot alone
had personality,
but what d’you
get from making
oatmeal–
that’s the real
treasure,
love
understanding
compassion
community
and,
how can you
bring up
money with
oatmeal?
but some
need money
because all is
gone–
share oatmeal
with those
who have
lost
all.
© 2017 Michelle Kogan
The Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted this week by Kathryn Apel, thanks Kat! Stop by her blog https://katswhiskers.wordpress.com/for more poetry! (Hope this link takes you there.)
Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting, & Writing 
Such a different angle – but that stodgy warm and filling porridge is feeling just right, in striking a chord of connection and compassion. Beautifully done, Michelle.
Thanks Kat, sometimes the ordinary fits very well.
The thought of so many people losing everything they have just breaks my heart. It’s been such a terrible year for so many – my own region has been ravaged by wild fires, just as other places have been submerged by rain. They will need all the love and compassion we can send.
Hi Jane, yes I agree. If I can move topics for a moment, I want to congratulate you on your forthcoming book “Wild One,” it looks and sounds marvelous! I’m having a problem commenting on your blog again and I was wondering if you are on Facebook or linked in if you would connect with me, I could probably comment on either of those, or perhaps send me your email via mine, here it is: mkogan@mdandmk.com Thanks.
All the love in that pot with personality is what we have to give. You’ve written it beautifully, Michelle.
Thanks Linda!
Love this, Michelle. My post this week following the destruction of Hurricane Harvey stems from this very idea. Thank you for this beautiful message.
Thanks Kiesha, I’m slowly working my way around the posts this week and look forward to reading yours.
Lovely–the pot, the oatmeal, the ritual..
Thanks Buffy.
Comfort. So much is needed. My favorite part of your poem is the “bumped out here/and there” description…. Thanks for sharing, Michelle, and best wishes on your trip.
Thanks Robyn–peculiarities add personality and become important.
Oatmeal does offer the ultimate comfort and pools of memory for me as well. I love how you so skillfully connected it to a broader community and compassion. Enjoy your time with your daughter.
Thanks Molly–Community, so much can be found there in importance
Such comfort offered in your poem and in a bowl of oatmeal cooked with love and shared with a generous heart.
Thanks Kay.
What a wonderful metaphor. I love it…..how can one bring up money with oatmeal?
Thanks Linda–the financial playing field–the haves and have not, is so far apart and fevast
I love all the connections to the oatmeal. Have fun with your daughter! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
Thanks Ruth, yes it presented many journeys!
From such an ordinary act, love flows and memories are stirred, Michelle. What a lovely poem and your collection of art and poetry for Robyn is a colorful treasure.
Small gestures (and pots of oatmeal) are part of the healing.
Amazing how the most ordinary things, like oatmeal, hold the biggest life truths. You’ve captured that perfectly here.
Thank you for this lovely poem reminding us of the real treasure: “love/understanding /compassion /community.” Without them, we have nothing.
Comfort. So many in need of it. Nothing epitomizes comfort like a bowl of hot, steaming oatmeal. “but what d’you get from making oatmeal–that’s the real treasure…”
This poem is so effective because you’ve sneaked into the heart of the situation from a surprising entry point: oatmeal. It’s so true that oatmeal = comfort. Occasionally, I make a big pot of the old fashioned kind for my family instead of dinner and it’s always a hit. Thanks, Michelle. I hope you enjoyed your time in NYC!
The hurricane and it’s affects continues to be ever present on my min–I’m glad the poem is making a connection, and has made a connection for you too. NYC went wonderfully well!
Oatmeal hits the spot. Sharing, that is key.
Thanks Brenda, it’s a beginning!