Many Muses This Muse Day

  • Post published:05/01/2011
  • Post comments:2 Comments

Under new leaves

my daughter’s daughter – newborn

crying in my arms

That she may walk the Woman’s Trail unafraid

I name her Rising Moon.

by Carol Purington    #41 in The Trees Bleed Sweetness: A Tanka Narrative

This poem by my friend Carol Purington is from her book of tanka written in the voice of a Native American woman who might have lived in these hills where her family has farmed for more than 200 years.  I chose it because it is spring, a time of new beginnings and the poem has a grandmother making a prayer of what she wishes for her new granddaughter.

MorningSong: Poems for New Parents

This poem is an especially appropriate choice this weekend because Carol, along with her good friend Susan Todd (who served as teacher to Carol’s nephews years ago) held a publication party at the Purington farm to celebrate a book of poetry that they edited for new parents. Morning Song includes poems across time and cultures, some of which are old favorites like Christopher Robin Is Saying His Prayers by A.A. Milne and some of which will be new to many readers. Authors included are as famous as Richard Wilbur and as skilled and talented as our local Amy Dryansky and Susie Patlove.

The intent of the book is to take parents through the whole sequence of a child’s life from conception on  in a way that will give them hope and encouragement to persevere through all the doubts that parents inevitably suffer.

I have used several of Carol’s poems for Muse Day and I have written about her here. Celebrating a different kind of Muse Day with her, her family, and others who were instrumental in the making of this book was a great joy and honor. I mentioned to Carol that because our friendship is so new I had nothing to do with the creation of this wonderful book, but she sighed and said, “But you walked through the publication process with us.”  That is true and it has certainly been an instructive walk through the publishing world.

Carol will have signed the copies of the book that Susan will bring and be signing at The World Eye Bookshop on Wednesday, May 4 from 4 t0 6 pm. Don’t you know a new parent who will need and enjoy this book?

To see what other Muses are abroad visit carolyngail at sweethomeandgardenchicago.

For

This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Rose

    What a lovely poem! This sounds like the perfect gift for new parents.

  2. Pat

    Rose – I hope you will have occasion to give this gift. You will enjoy it before you pass it on.

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