JoAnn Early Macken

 

Jan 16, 2015 5:44 AM EST

This is truly beautiful, JoAnn. Wow. Wonderful metaphor, lovely images. I'm inspired!

- Renee LaTulippe (@ReneeMLaTulippe)

Jan 16, 2015 6:06 AM EST

Thank you, Renee! Joyce's poem--the whole, book, really--is wonderfully inspiring. I tried a couple other topics first, but as soon as I thought of rivers, I knew I had something to say.

- JoAnn Macken

Jan 16, 2015 6:43 AM EST

Lovely! You really seem to get in the soul of a river.

- Liz

Jan 16, 2015 6:58 AM EST

Thank you, Liz! We've taken a lot of canoe camping trips, mostly on the Wisconsin River. Water inspires me!

- JoAnn Macken

Jan 16, 2015 7:22 AM EST

So lovely, JoAnn! First stanza is my favorite -- "how to slip below" is brilliant :).

- jama

Jan 16, 2015 7:38 AM EST

Thank you, Jama! We've watched the Milwaukee River from several vantage points this winter--and it is icy!

- JoAnn Macken

Jan 16, 2015 9:14 AM EST

We can learn a lot from rivers! I can't pick just one favorite line. Beautiful job, JoAnn.

- Tabatha

Jan 16, 2015 10:12 AM EST

Thank you, Tabatha! Yes, rivers could certainly teach us about persistence!

- JoAnn Macken

Jan 16, 2015 12:04 PM EST

I'm so glad you were inspired by last week's post and Joyce's challenge, JoAnn! You've done a beautiful job with this. I especially take these two lines to heart: "Whatever happens, we still flow/We find—or make—a way to go." Since you didn't send the poem to me directly, I just want to make sure, is it okay if I post your poem on my blog?

- Michelle Heidenrich Barnes

Jan 16, 2015 12:46 PM EST

Ooh, I love "when ice forms, how to slip below." So lovely. I love rivers. Perfect for a wisdom poem. Thank you!

- Irene Latham

Jan 16, 2015 1:14 PM EST

Thank you, Michelle! I emailed the poem to you at TodaysLittleDitty this morning. It must be taking its time! So yes, feel free to post it.

Irene, thank you, too! If it weren't so cold out, I could watch the river slip below the ice all day!

- JoAnn Macken

Jan 18, 2015 6:29 AM EST

Love this! I'm inspired to try writing one!

- Mary Lee Hahn

Jan 18, 2015 1:18 PM EST

This is beautiful, JoAnn. I love the image of rivers carving "paths through rock, through snow." Thanks for sharing!

- Catherine @ readingtothecore

Jan 18, 2015 1:32 PM EST

Mary Lee, I hope you enjoy the process--I sure did!

Catherine, you're welcome--I'm glad you enjoyed it!

- JoAnn Macken

Jan 21, 2015 8:40 PM EST

How nice! I love the way the poems speak to each other! Rain and rivers. :)

- Myra from GatheringBooks