“I write entirely to find out what I'm thinking, what I'm looking at, what I see and what it means. What I want and what I fear.” – Joan Didion
I count
my
steps
admire the flowers
feel for
the rain
that won’t fall today
the ominous clouds
quicken
my
pace
I lose track of
my
thoughts
lose track of the day
lazy day Saturday
with a book
my favorite way to be
still
quiet
windows open
breeze flowing through
nearing the edge
of summer
the final third
soon
it will be
too cold
I note my progress aloud
to remember when I’m feeling down
how far I’ve come, how I’ve changed
in the ways over the years.
Little mantras silence my inner critic
with evidence to back it up, I slowly
learn the process of being kind to myself.
I change my thoughts, I fight old patterns,
I inhale and exhale, reminding myself to be
grateful in moments of frustration.
The more I settle into my feelings
instead of bolting away from them into
numbness, the more I can process them
and understand the parts of me that
aren’t all the pretty. Doing the internal
work to be a more present, mindful, and
better person of myself is difficult
but it’s very much worth it.
I watch satellites follow
each other like fish in the sea.
The magic of the milky way
comes alive before my eyes.
I look up.
I feel small on the dock.
I always do when I’m confronted with
unknown of the vast universe above.
A part of this reminds me of the ocean,
the unknown feelings they leave in
my stomach sometimes
remind me to be grateful
and other times remind me of how
insignificant my life is in the grand
scheme of history.
Tonight I am grateful
and inspired to write this poem.
To capture a feeling
I can’t quite convey
but I try to anyway.
gray clouds roll along the coast
then stay longer than wanted
I find color amongst the flowers
they bring me happiness
finding gems in the ordinary days
I am my grandmother’s granddaughter
a different perspective
to see my life
from the outside
watching the water
now watching the land
the height of summer
the perfect temperature
sea-bands work being out
on the ocean catching lobster
on the water feeling waves
pretty lucky this is my day
with family in the place
that’s always felt like home
now is mine
this story changed the trajectory of my life
because of this story, I am a writer.
because of this story, I found magic in poetry.
one summer sent me on a path I have been
navigating ever since.
being a writer means being motivated
by what scares me
what empowers me to write
stories like Patti and Robert’s, one of young
artists discovering their way through life
together, creating, exploring, believing
in themselves and each other.
their story has inspired me over the
last decade, every time i look at
the blue star on my ankle
i smile.
Summer comes in muggy and hot.
My clothes stick to my skin
each time I leave my apartment.
Days float together and time
stops making sense.
Each time I walk outside
I feel like I’m sinking into
a warm swimming pool
that I didn’t choose to
float in but here I am,
floating away down the lazy river
of days of this wildly weird summer.
the sound of fireworks
echoes beyond the shores
traveling inland at
the speed of light
crowds marvel at the sight
oohs and ahhs at each
colorful pattern
dancing about the summer night sky
street lights out
eyes adjust
to appreciate the gathering
celebrating another year
on these shores
the freedom to be
whoever you choose
to believe in a brighter tomorrow
I posted my first ever blog post. I never imagined that ten years later I would still be blogging. I am so grateful for the people who continue to read my poems every week.
Writing has allowed me to find a voice I never knew I had. I am continuously grateful and thankful for the power of writing and poetry. It has shaped me into the woman I am today. I am a better writer and reader than I was a decade ago. My voice has changed and my style has morphed into many different versions of me along the way.
One thing I always try to do is share positivity with people and remind everyone to slow down. Enjoy the moment you’re in. Be present and excited for the possibilities of each new day.
There’s so much magic and meaning in writing. A reader can come back to something they love. I know I return to my favorite stories again and again for comfort, wisdom, and guidance.
I hope to be still blogging ten years from now. As long as I continue to find inspiration to share, you can always find me here.
Thanks for an incredible decade. Cheers to the next!
The light hits the water in midday causing the deep blue surface to contrast the cloudless sky lounging on the dock. I hold a book over my eyes to block out the sun the gentle sounds of summer soothes my energy. A much needed getaway from the hustle of everyday. Evening cold keeps the bugs away as I admire the pinkish sky on the dock. It feels more like September than June but I’ll take being here in any weather without complaining. This is where I go to think and dream always being inspired by the water and being present.
Kelly Severseike 