there is the shade of the willow tree
the stone gnome sleeping peacefully
the deer that chew its healing leaves
the green light shifting in a gentle breeze
the piebald magpie with its chatter
about things that do not really matter
the cat that climbs its crooked branches
the scraps of sun in rays and patches
and the solitary white plastic chair
where I sip tea and forget to despair
Kim M. Russell, 17th June 2020
My response to Poets and Storytellers United Weekly Scribblings #24: When All Else Fails…
Magaly is here today with an inspirational prompt based on something she heard while waiting to get tested for Covid-19 which, despite the serious background, made me laugh too: “When all else fails, I look up and hope not to get a face full of pigeon shit.” I love the way it brought strangers together while observing social distancing.
Magaly has invited us to write poetry or prose where speakers or characters fill in the blank in the phrase “When all else fails, I _____”. We are not required to make the actual words/phrase part of our contribution. Our new poems or prose pieces should be about what happens right after all else fails, funny or serious.
writing in north norfolk 
What a lovely poem, if I were in despair today, journeying through this poem would certainly lift my spirits
much love…
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Thank you, Gillena!
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Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh…Respite
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🙂
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Yes in a crisis like the present one it is good to escape from reality and write, and dream of the future.
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This is absolutely breathtaking, Kim! 💝 Your poem gives me solace 🙂 especially love; “the green light shifting in a gentle breeze/the piebald magpie with its chatter.”
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Thank you, Sanaa!❤
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Kim, this one touched my heart. I love the listing of wonders, the reminding of how much we have left… even when it might feel that all has failed.
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If only you could grow a willow tree in your balcony!😊
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If only!
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🙂
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They all sound like wonderful things to bring balm to one’s soul.
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😊
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We all have our refuge. (K)
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😊
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Lots of sighs and ahhhh yesses from me!
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Thank you, Helen!
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I feel like I have been pulled out of a moment and that I am enjoying a cup of tea while admiring the wonders that surround me. That “stop” in time can really help.
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No tea under the willow tomorrow, the forecast is for storms.
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I’ve drunk up similar simple joys along with my morning tea on my back porch. Though simple seems to be a rather inadequate word when I think of the profound peace that a little time reconnecting with nature can bring. Thank goodness nature is there for us to take comfort in.
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Even when we just had a balcony,, it was my little place of calm.
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Making do what you have. Dare I call you Ms. Excitment??
..
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I can’t cope with excitement these days. it’s the quiet life for me, Jim. ;0
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Looks like a beautiful place of escape
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It is, Susie, a green haven..
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