I need these instructions; maybe you do, too.
Instructions on Not Giving Up
Ada Limón
More than the fuchsia funnels breaking out
of the crabapple tree, more than the neighbor’s
almost obscene display of cherry limbs shoving
their cotton candy-colored blossoms to the slate
sky of Spring rains, it’s the greening of the trees
that really gets to me. When all the shock of white
and taffy, the world’s baubles and trinkets, leave
the pavement strewn with the confetti of aftermath,
the leaves come. Patient, plodding, a green skin
growing over whatever winter did to us, a return
to the strange idea of continuous living despite
the mess of us, the hurt, the empty. Fine then,
I’ll take it, the tree seems to say, a new slick leaf
unfurling like a fist to an open palm, I’ll take it all.
Copyright © 2017 by Ada Limón. Originally published in Poem-a-Day on May 15, 2017, by the Academy of American Poets.
This is a beautiful poem and captures some of my recent thoughts so well. As I've been out walking and seeing everything come back to life again, I've been thinking that it's kind of a miracle that despite everything -- global pandemic, global warming, pollution -- nature still manages to come back to life, just as it always has. So I guess the message here is that we should be like the leaves: tenacious, determined, patient.
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend, Bonny.
I had a moment last night where I felt completely defeated and ready to give up on this social distancing thing because I miss Jackie so much. Today I'm remembering why we are doing this. Thank you for the poem.
ReplyDeleteThat is a perfect poem for me to read, thank you for sharing it with us!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great poem Bonny! "unfurling like a fist to an open palm" - what a beautiful line! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteA lovely poem for a Friday, especially. I hope you have a nice weekend, Bonny. Hang in there while being hopeful and present, that's all we can do.
ReplyDeleteOh. That poem just takes my breath away! This . . . "Patient, plodding, a green skin growing over whatever winter did to us, a return to the strange idea of continuous living despite the mess of us, the hurt, the empty." Could anything be more perfect right now? Thank you for this gift of a poem. XO
ReplyDeleteI read that poem yesterday and it struck a chord with me as well! The title, the imagery, the message... just the balm I needed in these endless days of worry. Thank you for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful image those words paint. You and Kym may make me read poetry after all! Wishing you a sunny weekend Bonny!
ReplyDeleteOh I like this - thanks for sharing it!
ReplyDeletePoetry and April! and blossoms and hope especially this April
ReplyDeleteOh Bonny, this is perfect! JUST what I was thinking this week as so many of our trees leafed out. I miss the pretty pink blossoms, but those green leaves just scream strength to me. Thank you! (and happy weekend!)
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely poem. I have never seen it before so thank you. Yes - now is not the time to give up. I think it is a bit of a miracle that the COVID 19 is unfolding at the same time Spring is arriving. We need something hopeful to hang on to and I'm hanging my hat on Spring. Stay well.
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