(to be read from the roots up)
into a fresh spring breeze.
pump pollen
and
on bare branches
wriggle
will
catkins and new green leaves
Soon
roots and shoots.
branches,
slender
resilient
and
stubborn
spread
storm,
by a
over
bowled
toppled,
having
trunks,
Crumbling
Kim M. Russell, 2017
Jennifer Vranes – “New Beginnings”
My response to dVerse Poets Pub Poetics: New Beginnings, also linked to earthweal open link weekend #51
Mish is the host for the first Poetics for 2017. She says that the New Year has a way of restoring our hopes and aspirations, nudging us to set new goals, follow new dreams and create ‘new beginnings’. Mish is inspiring us visually with the help of eight artists. Although the titles of their work may be very similar, each piece is an example of their very unique styles. ALL artists were contacted via email and have kindly given permission for us to use these specific images for our prompt today. All we have to do is choose the piece that speaks to us and let the words flow. We may be moved by more than one.
I chose a piece by Jennifer Vranes, who is “best known for her large and vibrant paintings of Aspen Forests and European Landscapes. Her trademarked technique of using a pallete knife to ‘sculpt’ in thick textures has become a favorite among collectors and Art Galleries world-wide.” ~ For more about the Jennifer Vranes, go to jensart.com
Can almost be read both ways, but a very clever and playful way to engage with the imagery in this poem. The catkins wriggling on the branches appealed to me most!
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😊
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I do love this.. the short lines gives a breathless wonder of spring… a great reminder of that energy that is hibernating underneath.
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Thank you, Bjorn.
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Such a savvy masterpieces 🌹🌹🌹
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🌞
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Like Spring, this poem is a slender fecund shoot waiting to push forth out of dark soil, searching for sun; very nice work.
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Thank you, Glenn 😊
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This is simply phenomenal.
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Thank you!
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What a fresh, wonderful take on the prompt, Kim. I loved this.
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Thank you, De!
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I love reading it up and down Kim ~ A creative approach to the gorgeous painting ~
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Thank you, Grace. I’m immersing myself in poetry to try take my mind off everything else. I
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Reading from the roots up makes it come back to life. That’s very creative!
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Thank you, Walter!
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🙂
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This is so creative. Excellent title/concept/delivery.
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Thank you for reading and for your comments!
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Lovely and refreshing . . . new life!
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Thank you!
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Yes, the catkins…this painting flows upward like your poem..your poem is like a new flower! I think the winter break gave you inspiration.
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Thank you, Kathy!
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wow! this was my first thought when i read your poem (read it downwards first) and then wow again on the way back up.. really beautiful
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Thank you for reading and for your kind comments.
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It didn’t work top-down. Love it!
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🙂 It has to be read from the roots up! Thanks!
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love how the words shoot up towards Spring….beautiful…new beginnings indeed…
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Thank you, Sumana 🙂
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The combination of “to be read from the roots up” and the title referring to the phoenix who rises from the ashes is brilliant. And, you engage the reader with your parenthesis directions and we follow your lead. This is just excellent! 🙂
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Thank you, Lillian!
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A beautiful process, as words build and rise in renewal and hope. Lovely, Kim!
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Thank you, Mish!
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A clever way to write it 🙂
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Thanks!
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Love the form! Something new to me.
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It just seemed to fit the poem!
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kaykuala
Yes, Reading from bottom to top makes it very readable. Very innovative take Kim!
Hank
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Thanks Hank!
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Wow! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it from the ‘roots up’ 😀 This is fantastic!
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Thank you! I’m delighted you enjoyed it. 🙂
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It sprouts into being. Nice touch.
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Thanks Paul!
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I read this top —> down being hard of hearing where instructions are concerned, and I liked the effect! It made me think of a magnetic poem, and the way a tree might speak, flowing though not grammatical. I think I prefer the down version to the up!
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I re-read it after all that time and agree that it’s like a magnetic poem and, read aloud, it does sound like a tree might! I’m currently looking at the willow with its last few leaves sparkling in the winter sun, thinking it would speak like that.
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I’m sure they have a self-assurance about the spring coming. They must be able to feel it even as they lose the last of their old leaves.
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The trees contain all the world and its cycles within them. The way you’ve structured the words reinforces the feeling. (K)
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Thank you, Kerfe, and a happy New Year!
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happy new year Kim!
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I like reading from the roots up.
Cheers and Happy New Year!
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Thank you, Yvonne, and a happy New Year to you!
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I love the artwork and the tree-like poem which you’ve crafted from it. A great poem for the start of a New Year. Happy New Year to you!
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Thank you, Ingrid. Happy New Year!
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Oh, this poem is so clever. Delightful!
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Thank you, Sherry, and happy New Year!
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What a fresh idea. I don’t normally like form poems like these (is that what they’re called?) but this has such a sure and lifting arch to reading ground up. So much depends on how we see and sing!
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Thank you, Brendan.
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I enjoyed this experimental poem a great deal.
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Thank you, Suzanne.
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Nice, Kim! It’s an encouraging thought that the trees out back that have fallen will sprout new roots and shoots. Very inventive and reflective to read from roots up!
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Thank you, Lisa! Happy New Year!
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You’re very welcome and Happy New Year back ❤
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Loved reading from the roots up Kim – so cleverly done.
Anna :o]
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Thanks Anna, and a happy New Year!
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Oh I love that Kim! Happy New Year!
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Thank you, Kim, and a happy New Year to you!
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