Pink Roses Foster Avenue Beach, © 2019 Michelle Kogan, WIP, watercolor and watercolor pencil.
My gosh what a week… My head has been in a whirl from the two mass shootings of last week in Ohio and Texas–My heart heavy, and frustration for change constant.
Then we all heard of the passing of Toni Morrison.
And today I heard of the passing of Lee Bennett Hopkins–although I never personally met him, he felt like an old friend. I’ve been collecting his poetry books and anthologies for years.
So here it is Poetry Friday again… I’m composing this post late, as I was at the
Plant Medicine: Multi-Species Wellness in a Global City exhibit opening tonight. I posted on this exhibit last week and included my painting Summer Milkweed that is part of the exhibit–
First I’m sharing with you a poem that I wrote in 2015 called Toady, for a challenge by Lee Bennett Hopkins, who at that time was the Spotlight on featured interview at Michelle Heidenrich Barnes blog Today’s Little Ditty.
Lee challenged us to write a ME poem, which asks us to recall “one simple moment” in our childhood. I loved the challenge, and my heart sang with his response to my poem. Sending you thanks again Lee, xo.
TOADY
Toady,
sure wish
I left you
where you
belong…
But you fit
perfectly
in my small,
cupped,
hand
you felt squishy,
and warm,
and wet,
all at
once
and your breath
poked
around
inside my
pocket
but,
my heart broke
when your
breath drifted
away…
Our
ceremony
in your
memory
helped,
but the
lump in my
throat
felt like
forever…
© 2015 Michelle Kogan
I also wrote a poem reflecting on the mass shootings of last week, and the epidemic gun problem we have in the U.S.A. I didn’t know if I wanted to share it after hearing about Lee Bennett Hopkins passing. And then I remembered that Lee had been posting his outrage at political views and mishaps in leadership on FB for quite a while–and I thought he might appreciate it.
BLOOD STAINED HUMANITY
We’re riding on the wings of monarchs
teetering on the edge of an irreversible history…
In a time of abundant knowledge and technological advances–
In a time of misguided leadership and inhumane violence.
An eye for an eye won’t answer this epidemic gun addiction.
Middle ground, emerge from the tsunami of waves flooding our U.S.A.
Demand change for the sea of lives lost from guns–
Demand change for decrying human dignity.
Keep ever vigilant and keep complaisance at bay–
Reconnect with nature, reconnect with humanity,
find an inner place to hear a different voice,
and begin to mend our blood stained humanity.
© 2019 Michelle Kogan
Molly Hogan at her blog Nix the comfort zone is hosting this weeks Poetry Friday Roundup. She’s offering us a dreamy and beautiful poem about being Lost in the Milky Way, and a poem that inspired her title by the same name. Thanks for hosting Molly! She also has a poem by Lee Bennett Hopkins.
Visit Renée LaTulippe’s site No Water River to find out more about what Poetry Friday is.
Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting, & Writing 
I remember your ‘Toady’ from that challenge, Michelle, a memory that stings just as it did yesterday when I read of Lee gone. Such a terrible week it has been. Our demands feel as if they’re flung into the air only to disappear with no response. Thank you for that poem, too, keeping on, not giving up.
Toady captures some of the grief we’re all feeling. It’s perfect for today. I wish Blood Stained Humanity wasn’t perfect for today, but sadly, it is. I pray positive change comes next November, and I hope his damage is limited in the meantime. There is so much wrong that needs to be righted, and I hope it doesn’t take a lifetime to accomplish. Thanks for sharing both, Michelle.
What a strong ending to poem #2 and poem #1 is a delight. How wonderful that you received accolades for this piece of writing from the literary luminary Lee Bennett Hopkins, Michelle. I read that post and left a comment for Michelle H. Barnes.
Thanks Carol, yes I was and still am very taken by Lee’s comments!
Oh Toadie, I’m so sorry that happened. The mass shootings were on my mind as well as grieving for poets lost this week. Did you know we have had 12 mass shootings since August 1? Unbelievable.
No I didn’t know that-but I feel very strongly this needs to change.
I can hardly believe that was four years ago, Michelle! It feels like yesterday. I also remember Lee’s comment so clearly and how happy I felt for you to receive it. 🙂 He will be sorely missed.
Yes, he will be vastly missed, and I was hoping to meet him one day…
You’ve captured it all here — Lee’s generosity in encouraging all poets, his political activism, and where we’re at in our world. Your first line is at once so hopeful (I have 8 monarch Js and one chrysalis on my counter right now!!) and yet so fragile.
Thanks Mary Lee, I’ll remember him often and hope that his poetry will continue to trickle through to us through 🌟 dust, along with his many works we have.
It has been a difficult week. I am grateful for community and connections and poetry in the midst of it all.
Yes, the poetry community is an invisible supportive blanket in difficult times.
I love that Toady poem, Michelle. It puts me in mind of the Lilian Moore (I think?) poem about the narrator who brings home a rock from the river or beach and then discovers it’s dull and lifeless outside its natural habitat. Beautifully written.
Hi Laura, thanks, the Moore poem sounds enchanting. I’ve been looking for it, but haven’t found it yet, so I may just check out some poetry books of hers at the library.