This is the poem with which I concluded my reading on public radio affiliate, KAXE, in Bemidji, MN, on April 11th: https://beta.prx.org/stories/118548
It was a wonderful evening in a very cool venue: http://www.railriverfolkschool.org/
I enjoyed meeting and hearing the other poets, and those who are doing such wonderful work in promoting poetry here in Minnesota. I graduated from Bemidji State in what now seems like another lifetime, so it was a coming home of sorts, home to a town I still love, a place that in many ways has brought me full circle. I am so grateful for the experience.
I have added the link to the original post on my poetry blog, as well: http://teresaevangelinespoetry.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-world-and-everything-in-it.html
The photograph, of the lighthouse at Cape Elizabeth, is mine.
Beautiful poem, well-delivered. Reminds me of conversations with my children when they were small, telling them the world is huge and they'd get to play in all of it. They're working on it.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. It was nice of you to take the time to listen and comment. It's very much appreciated. I'm glad your children are exploring the world. It's a beautiful place.
DeleteVery nice Teresa and so true! Shades of Woody Guthrie here.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Rubye Jack! :)
DeleteVery nice as always and oh so true. People love Bemidji! Great photo too.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tom! Bemidji is a great town ... it was so nice to be back there, even for an evening.
DeleteI remember the poem from your original post and I still like it! It's something we all need to know!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Montucky!
DeleteSo very, very nice to hear your voice melodically reciting this poem. True music to my ears Teresa, pure unadulterated word tunes.
ReplyDeleteWow, thank you so much for this very sweet and thoughtful comment, Bill. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteComing home full circle. I often wonder what meanings are tied up in those words. What is it about a place that was your "long ago" home that is so satisfying to settle there in latter life. Is there a book on this subject? If there is I would like to read it as so many folks seem to use those words in describing why they move back to their "long ago" home. -- barbara
ReplyDeleteAlthough Bemidji isn't technically my hometown, it is in the area in which I grew up. I can't answer that for anyone else, but many do return. Perhaps it depends on the memories and feelings one has about it, and I have good memories around my past. Sometimes I miss the SW, but there are tradeoffs sometimes in life and one must weight them in deciding.
DeleteThanks Teresa -- You mention a some good points. I have known many folks that have gone off from their home place for decades and then returned to their home place in their third phase. This return event has always intrigued me as to what motivated a return. It's rather like a homing of birds that eventually always return to their home place. I find this subject all very interesting. This return disproves Thomas Wolfe's book, "You Can't Go Home Again." -- barbara
DeleteIt is interesting ... Yes, it's as though a circle wants to be completed, I think, so much of life is concentric, throughout nature you see it ... that circle of life. I question my decision and then look around me and remember ... and , yes, something oddly comforting about it. I wrote a blog post about that Wolfe quote and I think it all depends on what you bring back with you .... a life well-lived helps ... and I feel I have had that in spades. Speaking of spades, the yard work is calling ... :)
DeleteThis is a really fine poem, Teresa, and beautifully delivered. I enjoyed it immensely, and, more importantly, was moved deeply by it.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, George. I'm very grateful for your comment. It's good to see you again.
DeleteLovely. :-)
ReplyDeleteWelcome back.
Pearl
Hey Pearl, thanks.
DeleteVery nice. Love the photo too.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! Glad you stopped by ... :)
DeleteNice sensitive reading of an excellent poem.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tony.
DeleteDear Teresa, I wondered after listening to you read your poem about the world being ours if the lighthouse in your photograph was the one from the poem. I'm glad you identified it for us at the end of your posting. Is it in Minnesota where I saw a lighthouse on the North Shore?
ReplyDeleteI loved hearing your voice as you shared your poem with us. Your voice is filled not only with life and vitality and a underlying good-will, but there is a deepness to it that hints at the thoughts within your mind--long thoughts, bottomless thoughts as you wander through the labyrinth to the "essence" of being as the man who introduced you said. Peace.
The lighthouse is in Maine and is the earliest lighthouse in the U.S. I continue to seek the essence in all of life, including, I suppose, myself. Thank you so much, Dee. I was just thinking of you this morning and the thoughtful way you approach life ...
DeleteHej Teresa
ReplyDeleteIt is such a special experience to hear you reading up this beautiful poem. You have got such a good voice. I enjoy to listen to you. And it is a poem which tells me so much.
I love the photo of the magnificent horses too. It makes me feel that I want to go out now - to one of the places with those golden horses in the warm sunshine.
Thank you for the poem, Teresa.
Cheers to you and sweet Buddy.
Grethe ´)
Grethe! How wonderful to hear from you ... you've been on my mind often ... Thank you for those kind words about my poem, and my reading.
DeleteYou take such beautiful photographs of horses .. I always love seeing them in their pastures ...
Buddy says wroof! :)