I Stop Writing the Poem

I Stop Writing the Poem
By Tess Gallagher
From They Say This Poetry East #47, 48, De Paul University.

to fold the clothes. No matter who lives
or who dies, I'm still a woman.
I'll always have plenty to do.
I bring the arms of his shirt
together. Nothing can stop
our tenderness. I'll get back
to the poem. I'll get back to being
a woman. But for now
there's a shirt, a giant shirt
in my hands, and somewhere a small girl
standing next to her mother
watching to see how it's done.

I aim for the spine. I want you to feel a little chill when you finish a poem of mine.
~ Tess Gallagher

And I did, Ms. Gallagher. Because what I miss most about being at home is the ability to do my laundry. My power is back on now and my washing machine calls to me. My husband insists that we stay at the hotel till the tree is off the house. I am tired of this hotel - even though it's the Hilton, one of the nicest in Jackson. Then I feel guilty because I hear stories downstairs - on my way to a job that I still have - about families who are staying here because they just don't have anywhere else to go and don't really know what else to do about the two dogs and the two kids and grandma. Pets given away because there's no way they could get those shots every week now. Hushed conversations on cell phones, away from the children, about when the credit card will finally reach its limit. Where can they send the bill after all? No mail delivery.

Kids swimming in the fancy pool in clothes because they, of course, did not bring any bathing suits. Middle-aged men sitting on gilded chairs in the lobby at 8 a.m., staring at their laptops, because they still have an odd sense they should be at work somewhere. In spirit, at least.

And it hit me, folks. It's time to get back to the poetry. I almost can't watch TV anymore because we're all trying to figure out whose fault it is that New Orleans drowned like a shipmate in the night that no one could see to save. Fix it first - that's all I have to say. It's a burning plane. Save the crash victims before you spend anytime analyzing the black box.

Save the survivors. And let's get back to the poetry. Let something good come from all of this rubble. To start us all off, I will write a poem, on the topic of your choice, for anyone who donates $50 or more to any of the organizations that are collecting monies or donates four hours of your time to any of the organizations. Just e-mail the organization that you are helping, tell me whether you've donated time or money and what you want your poem to be about to shawn.lea@gmail.com.

I am no Tess Gallagher. I am just an average, everyday person who's ready for the poetry to come back now. The poems will be collected and published in your name at http://everythingandnothing.typepad.com/katrinapoetry.

I Stop Writing the Poem
By Tess Gallagher
From They Say This Poetry East #47, 48, De Paul University.

to fold the clothes. No matter who lives
or who dies, I'm still a woman.
I'll always have plenty to do.
I bring the arms of his shirt
together. Nothing can stop
our tenderness. I'll get back
to the poem. I'll get back to being
a woman. But for now
there's a shirt, a giant shirt
in my hands, and somewhere a small girl
standing next to her mother
watching to see how it's done.

I aim for the spine. I want you to feel a little chill when you finish a poem of mine.
~ Tess Gallagher

And I did, Ms. Gallagher. Because what I miss most about being at home is the ability to do my laundry. My power is back on now and my washing machine calls to me. My husband insists that we stay at the hotel till the tree is off the house. I am tired of this hotel - even though it's the Hilton, one of the nicest in Jackson. Then I feel guilty because I hear stories downstairs - on my way to a job that I still have - about families who are staying here because they just don't have anywhere else to go and don't really know what else to do about the two dogs and the two kids and grandma. Pets given away because there's no way they could get those shots every week now. Hushed conversations on cell phones, away from the children, about when the credit card will finally reach its limit. Where can they send the bill after all? No mail delivery.

Kids swimming in the fancy pool in clothes because they, of course, did not bring any bathing suits. Middle-aged men sitting on gilded chairs in the lobby at 8 a.m., staring at their laptops, because they still have an odd sense they should be at work somewhere. In spirit, at least.

And it hit me, folks. It's time to get back to the poetry. I almost can't watch TV anymore because we're all trying to figure out whose fault it is that New Orleans drowned like a shipmate in the night that no one could see to save. Fix it first - that's all I have to say. It's a burning plane. Save the crash victims before you spend anytime analyzing the black box.

Save the survivors. And let's get back to the poetry. Let something good come from all of this rubble. To start us all off, I will write a poem, on the topic of your choice, for anyone who donates $50 or more to any of the organizations that are collecting monies or donates four hours of your time to any of the organizations. Just e-mail the organization that you are helping, tell me whether you've donated time or money and what you want your poem to be about to shawn.lea@gmail.com.

I am no Tess Gallagher. I am just an average, everyday person who's ready for the poetry to come back now. The poems will be collected and published in your name at http://everythingandnothing.typepad.com/katrinapoetry.

Comments

[Ana Monnar]

Looking for Writers of All Ages from Around the World
Uplifting Poetry, Lyrics, Short Stories

Express Yourself 101

For Your Eyes Only

VOLUME 2 and future volumes...

Looking for Writers of All Ages from Around the World

Please submit poems, lyrics and/or short stories written in the English language.

Literary pieces may be on any topic as long as it is geared to all ages.

Up to three original poems, a picture of the poet and a biography (one to two paragraphs) sent via e-mail. You may wish to include your Web site information and/or titles of published books if applicable. It will give you exposure and the readers can view who's who in the world of literacy.

Submitting work that is not yours is against the law and it is plagiarism. By submitting poems, short stories, lyrics, pictures and information about the author; you are agreeing that Readers Are Leaders U.S.A. may reproduce in print and/or post on the Web sites.

Please make sure you sign and mail permission agreement once you are selected. Your rights will go back to you. Readers Are Leaders U.S.A., Inc. will donate some books to school media centers, public libraries and other organizations from around the world.

Readers Are Leaders U.S.A., Inc. has the right to revise the rules...

Subject:

Submit your poetry or short story for consideration to publication in print.

Name:

Readers Are Leaders U.S.A., Inc.

Email:

analovestoread@msn.com

Website:

http://www.ReadersAreLeadersUSA.net

Message:

Readers Are Leaders U.S.A., Inc. has the right to revise the rules...

You may wish to submit your poetry, lyrics or short story for consideration to publication in print.

Publish your poetry or short story in an anthology

• If your work is selected…

• Provide contact information to readers (Brief Biography, Web site URL, Title(s) of previously published book(s), (self-published, print on demand, traditional, or if not applicable leave blank)

• FREE – Your copyrights revert back to you

• You earn no royalties, just recognition and a chance to see your work in print

• Your submission must be your own original work

• You must be 18 or over, or have parent sign a consent agreement

• I hereby certify that the above poems/short stories are my original work and that all rights to the literary pieces are mine.

• I understand that my poem and/or short story if selected will be published in an anthology as my original work and under my own copyright by Readers Are Leaders U.S.A.

Title(s) ______________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

Print Name____________________________________________

Signature______________________________________________

Parent’s signature if under 18______________________________

Date of birth___________________________________________

email_________________________________________________

Address_______________________________________________

___________________________________

If not from the U.S.A. please include country___________________________________

Please mail release form to:

Readers Are Leaders U.S.A.

P.O. Box 451107

Miami, FL 33245-1107

Check items completed if you wish to be considered. Incomplete submissions will be disregarded.

_____ About the Author

_____ Author's Picture

_____ Up to three Uplifting Poems, Lyrics, and/or Short Stories via e-mail to...

analovestoread@msn.com

_____ Release form (Signed and Completed) mailed to...

Readers Are Leaders U.S.A.

P.O. Box 451107

Miami, FL 33245-1107

[Ana Monnar]

Topics to be considered, but not limited to the ones mentioned...

Life, birth, adoption, birth mothers, adoptive parents, twins, triplets, single births, siblings, foster child/children, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, actions, emotions

Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa's smile, eyes, beauty,

Love, puppy love, love gone bad, "as long as it is suitable for all ages,"

Eyes, green eyes, blue eyes, amber eyes, beautiful eyes, sad eyes, eyes that tell a story

Teachers, dentist, lawyers, doctors, engineers, coaches,

Sports, basketball, cross-country, track and field, baseball, volleyball, swimming,

Nature, roses, orchids, gardenias, forest, animals, sea, lakes, mountains, weather,

Hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes

Countries, islands, states, continents...

Literary pieces that are offensive towards any age, race, creed or color will not be considered.

Express Yourself 101

For Your Eyes Only

VOLUME 2

Please submit poems written in the English language.

Poems may be on any topic as long as it is geared to all ages.

Up to three original poems, a picture of the poet and a biography (one to two paragraphs) sent via e-mail. Submitting work that is not yours is against the law and it is plagiarism. By submitting poems, short stories, lyrics, pictures and information about the author; you are agreeing that Readers Are Leaders U.S.A. may reproduce in print and/or post on the Web site. Please make sure you sign and mail permission agreement once you are selected. Your rights will go back to you.

Readers Are Leaders U.S.A., Inc. has the right to revise the rules...

You may wish to submit your poetry or short story for consideration to publication in print.

Publish your poetry or short story in an anthology

• If your work is selected…

• Provide contact information to readers (Brief Biography, Web site URL, Title(s) of previously published book(s), (self-published, print on demand, traditional, or if not applicable leave blank)

• FREE – Your copyrights revert back to you

• You earn no royalties, just recognition and a chance to see your work in print

• Your submission must be your own original work

• You must be 18 or over, or have parent sign a consent agreement

• I hereby certify that the above poems/short stories are my original work and that all rights to the literary pieces are mine.

• I understand that my poem and/or short story if selected will be published in an anthology as my original work and under my own copyright by Readers Are Leaders U.S.A.

analovestoread@msn.com

[Poetry]

24 JUne 2007 (even tide)

A study of Sun Rays (Crespuscular)

Running to find the end of the rainbow.

Running to find that shaft glory--to be bathed in light.

Bearing the soul to the divine.

Seeking rest, surcease and cleansing all at once.

Faith like a waterfall--full, abundant and never ceasing.

25 June 2007

Faith like a dream.

Steadfast like a rock among the rapids.

Quickly before the moment has passed

Look into the water and see the gathering malestrom in the deep.

Faith like a million droplets in a summer storm.

Take delight in the rain.

Move and have your being in it.

"Be still and know that I am God."

26 June 2007

Clouds on glass.

[exsmoker]

Hello Everyone,
My wife was finally able to kick the habit before she got pregnant with our now first born beautiful baby gilr, so I tought I'll share the resource that she has used to help her quit the smoking habit with as many people as I can.
She was a heavy smoker for about ten years and just a couple of weeks after finding out about the program that I have researched online, she was able to quit smoking permanently and now can't stop telling people about how she had kicked the habit for good.
Anyway if you want to check it out, here is the site that my wife has used to help her quit smoking; http://endthehabitnow.com

[Imalscyclopay]

I am final, I am sorry, it at all does not approach me. Thanks for the help.