Monday, May 1, 2017

DAY #29 - Moving Ahead into May

National Poetry Month is officially over now, but we have an entire month left at LEA 4.  So, a couple of things to announce for the last 30 days of Poetry of the Planets:

1. As of May 1st we will also accept micro-fiction ... so for those of you who are intimidated by poetry, prose is your friend!

2. Look for Jupiter to open this week, the final planet!

It has been so terrific to see wonderful poems come in from people who I didn't know wrote poetry.  I am more familiar with Kayden Oconnell's short stories and his delightful appreciation for all things - stories and essays - Minnesotan.  Yet today's featured poem for Saturn is another example of his skill with moving words that I am excited to share.




If I Forget
By Kayden Oconnell

If I forget to pick up bread on the way home,
we can have cereal.
If I forget the name of my nephew’s son,
he will remind me.
If I forget the sweet bouquet of mown alfalfa in June,
there will be other Junes,
but if I forget how the sun dances across your face in the morning
or the laughter in your voice as you call me
or that day in September when the air was crisp and bright with our promises to each other,
never forget
that I am still here.
I am here in the world we knew
and in the people we touched
and in that providential memory that you have kept.
That is our shared memory
and while you breathe,
I will be there.
Our lives are measured in days
and bound by flimsy hopes that there will be another day as good as this one.
Hold this one close
and keep it warm for that day that may come when you will treasure it,
if I forget.

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Poems can be submitted at the drop boxes on LEA 4, or by emailing them to caledoniaskytower at g mail (dot) com.


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