Poetry / Writing

Poetry Friday: It’s Summer!

Catherine Flynn9 Comments

Life throws us curve balls all the time. Some are minor upsets that we deal with and move on. Some completely upset the balance of our lives and take longer to recover from. Over the past year, two big curve balls have kept me from writing and posting regularly. Last year, after working as the literacy specialist in my school for 17 years, my assignment was changed to middle school language arts. I did my best to rise to this challenge. Then, last November, my mother fell ill and required round-the-clock care. This meant finding a nursing home, selling her house and all the headaches that went along with that. At first, it seemed like Mom was doing okay and we were prepared to settle into a new normal. Sadly, though, she took a turn for the worse and passed away in February. In addition to dealing with grief, there were now a myriad of other details to attend to, some of which are still unresolved. Through all of this, there were still lessons that were completely new to me to prepare and papers to grade. I had nothing left for poetry.

What I did make time and space for was my family, especially my grandchildren. They have buoyed me up when I needed it most. They never fail to make me smile, and they inspired this poem.

At the Creek–a nonet

Screams
of joy
erupt as
kids plunge into
a rain-swollen creek.
Jumping, laughing, splashing;
sprays of water cascade through
the air. Everyone is drenched.
Teeth chatter; campfire and s’mores await.

© Catherine Flynn, 2025

I’ve missed you all and am working on getting back to writing and blogging more often. Please be sure to visit Carol at The Apples In My Orchard for the Poetry Friday Roundup.

9 thoughts on “Poetry Friday: It’s Summer!”

  2. As you know I am in that strange space now. I’m happy to see you on the other side, in summer, where you can turn to the joy of your grandchildren. I love this nonet that places me right there in the scene feeling the cool water and laughing along with the children.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. Hi- I feel for you and have missed your posts and regular “doses” of poetry. I hope you get back to posting regularly soon. For better or worse, only time really helps with your pile of challenges. Hang in there. Alice Horning (a faithful reader)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. Catherine, Welcome back. I am so sorry for the loss of your Mother. It is a lot to handle. My dad also passed away in February after a long illness and there is a lot to handle. Fortunately, I was no longer working. It must have been very stressful for you and can totally understand having an empty tank – not enough to draw on for poetry. Are you returning to middle school language arts this fall? Your nonet is joyful – a wonderful start to getting back to writing poetry and sharing with us. Thanks.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. Your poem and photo make me want to splash with joy in that creek, Catherine. 🙂

    I’m so sorry about the loss of your mother. I sympathize with all the details that need to be handled after we lose a loved one. My mother passed in March of 2024 and it took months and months to get everything handled, even when things seemed straightforward. Sending you hugs.

    I’m glad you’re back!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. The nonet is the perfect form for expressing your joy and that of your grandkids, Catherine. It builds and builds until it bursts. I’m so sorry for your loss and the turmoil of the past year. Hopefully poetry will help you continue to heal.
    Welcome back!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment