Happy Poetry Friday!
I’m happy to have a watercolor painting in the Illinois Watercolor Society: 22nd Annual Members Show, I included my painting above. This year for the first time it’s being held at the Evanston Art Center, where I teach. The show is open now and runs through August 22nd, 2021. There is an Opening Reception this Sunday, July 25th, from 1 – 4 pm., I’ll be dropping in sometime…
My poem below began from a poetry workshop with the poet and polyvocality sound artist Krishan Mistry, via the Poetry Foundation. The workshop was all about borrowing texts in different ways. After giving us the writing prompts, Krishan played a variety of music. For my poem we were reviewing sections of a book by Bhanu Kapil, called The Vertical Interrogation of Strangers (Kelsey Street Press, 2001). The writings were gathered text that she collected when asking women to respond to different questions. Krishan asked us to choose a question and write from it. The question I wrote from was: Describe a morning you woke without fear.
NIGHT JOURNEY
Breathe with me—
Bring nighttime’s
breath
untethered
relaxed
sleeping through
legs light
calm body
breathe s-l-o-w-l-y
deep, full, breaths
without effort…
Bring me
refreshed to
morning’s rise
ready to carry
rhythm
into day
with
confidence
and
challenge
and
invitation
for
what
comes
next
© 2021 Michelle Kogan
Kat Apel, a dynamic, Downunder, Australian Children’s writer and poet is hosting this week’s Poetry Friday Roundup at her Blog Kathryn Apel, thanks Kat! She’s sharing lots of pet poems this week, so be sure to drop by to fill your poetry palette!
Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting, & Writing 
You have certainly carried rhythm into your poem, Michelle. This was a gentle breath in and out. Lovely detail on your rockmelon – and your mango makes me want to pluck it off the screen and … YUM!
The way you have placed this poem on the page gives a breath between each word, a calming prayer-like verse.
Congratulations on having a spot in the Illinois Watercolor Society: 22nd Annual Members Show, Michelle. I can see why your painting was chosen. The colors and details are so vibrant. I am glad I read your poem before bedtime. I hope to have a sweet restful night’s sleep after this.
Your poem is so spare yet lovely. Thanks for the music too and thank you for sharing!
“bring me to morning’s rise” is really beautiful. Someday, I’d love to see one of your shows in person. Your art is beautiful. I love the melon and mangoes in this piece.
I need to memorize your poem and repeat it on those nights when sleep won’t come, or the early mornings when it won’t come back! Your word choice and the placement of the words on the page are so relaxing.
Michelle, your poem and Ella Fitzgerald are reminding me to breathe and dream right now. Louis Armstrong is easy to listen to, as well. I like the line lengths in your poem, which had me going slowly and thinking of each word or phrase. So beautiful. Congratulations on the water color painting being in the art show. Enjoy the open house.
That is so exciting! I always love seeing your watercolor paintings. And your poem here is great – love how the structure reflects the relaxing nature of the poem.
Oh, lovely! I especially love the sounds in:
Bring nighttime’s
breath
untethered
relaxed