Yes I live in the State of Arizona- in the Sonoran Desert- currently we are in a beautiful bit of comfort. It is beginning though. Mornings are perfect and last until mid afternoon. The heat is starting
Earlier every day and the heat is lasting longer every night. My body can’t take the cold. The dry air and barometric pressure stays about the same here. But when the heat gets extreme it is hard on my body. I do my best to hang on to days like these. Even when I’m in pain. I always have to look from something to be grateful for, even when it hurts.
As for anxiety- yes crippling? Not as much as before. I have a gotten used to the mix of 2 meds which help. Still there are days I don’t leave my home - from either anxiety, pain or both.
The trembling lip could be quenched with a mango lassi and cool drink of barley water to nourish your next poems that capture the sultry heat vapors rising from red parched earth. I would like to send you cool rain from mountain tops to ease the water crises. I await a new poem knowing you have quenched your thirst for seeing life as it is with a view from the Himalayan mountains.
I love your poem, Anagha. I can see, feel, and smell those rotting mangoes in the blistering heat. The idea that it’s already 100 F in Bangalore…it’s chilling. Like waking up in a pool of sweat. I’m not sure what to say about the climate anxiety except that you are definitely not alone, and that your writing is deeply appreciated.
Thank you so much. That was one of those whose subject matter was something light and simple and ordinary, but I did put a lot of work into the sound of it. It feels so good to have that recognized!
I never knew of this T.S. Elliot poem when I wrote a blog post calling March the cruellest month. I guess depends on where one is located. For me, it's March, not April.
One can see that in this poem April is indeed the cruelest month. It is a good mental exercise to try to visualize what's going on in the poem; it makes the poem more alive. Good read!
By the way, I invite you to read my poetry. If you like some, please, subscribe.
I'm a (now retired) biologist, and feel desperate and despondent about climate change, as well as frustrated and infuriated with the tokenism and lip-service of the governments which could alleviate it. One of my poems about it is here: https://tedholzman.substack.com/p/a-poem-of-mythic-disaster?r=37q7gf
“Sometimes, this is what the poetry of the everyday is about: Ordinary things and extraordinary fears.“
As beautiful as that is, Anagha, I fear in all circumstances the word “ordinary“ may be on the endangered species list. It made me sad to read this, but you did get across nature, no matter what, always returns to itself, and in some fashion or form renourishes.
Nature will survive all of this.
This morning, I saw a few children playing in the park, and I couldn’t help but think what pure hell they are going to face in their lifetime… and it saddened me.
I experience the same sadness when I think of what lies ahead for my generation. It's frightening and it's difficult to grieve something that was already broken by the time you were born. Thanks for reading and commenting <3
That’s really well put. It makes me want to write a song. I wrote a song from one of Paul Wittenberg‘s poems, he should be posting it today or tomorrow. Yes to be born into hell without a fighting chance, it’s a sad thing.
This is beautiful, and strange for me as I sit looking out at the swiftly melting snow from an April Nor’easter. Big storms aren’t out of the ordinary here and snow in April is not uncommon, but the intensity is increasing: more wind, more water, more damage. It’s brave of you to write about this anxiety we all feel. Thank you.
Thanks for this comment Tara. And it's difficult to fathom sometimes; the worsening extremes of weather and where it's all going to lead. Thank you for reading <3
Hello from New Delhi! It's hilarious how the world floats to you what you speak of most. It's sooooo hot here in the city and just yesterday I wrote about climate change due to fast fashion, and tonight I found your lovely poem 🧿 April could be cruel but I feel May will be worse! Here's hoping we get some rain soon!! And for spring to stay 🌧️
Yes I live in the State of Arizona- in the Sonoran Desert- currently we are in a beautiful bit of comfort. It is beginning though. Mornings are perfect and last until mid afternoon. The heat is starting
Earlier every day and the heat is lasting longer every night. My body can’t take the cold. The dry air and barometric pressure stays about the same here. But when the heat gets extreme it is hard on my body. I do my best to hang on to days like these. Even when I’m in pain. I always have to look from something to be grateful for, even when it hurts.
As for anxiety- yes crippling? Not as much as before. I have a gotten used to the mix of 2 meds which help. Still there are days I don’t leave my home - from either anxiety, pain or both.
Sending you love Pamela <3 thanks for sharing.
Thank you - sending healing 🙏🏼and most of all don’t give up!
The trembling lip could be quenched with a mango lassi and cool drink of barley water to nourish your next poems that capture the sultry heat vapors rising from red parched earth. I would like to send you cool rain from mountain tops to ease the water crises. I await a new poem knowing you have quenched your thirst for seeing life as it is with a view from the Himalayan mountains.
I love your poem, Anagha. I can see, feel, and smell those rotting mangoes in the blistering heat. The idea that it’s already 100 F in Bangalore…it’s chilling. Like waking up in a pool of sweat. I’m not sure what to say about the climate anxiety except that you are definitely not alone, and that your writing is deeply appreciated.
And wow, thanks for pointing folks to my piece!
I loved your March poem! And I'm so glad the imagery came alive for you Mike, that means a lot. Cheers to not being alone!
Thank you so much. That was one of those whose subject matter was something light and simple and ordinary, but I did put a lot of work into the sound of it. It feels so good to have that recognized!
I loved Mike's barbecue poem, too!
I never knew of this T.S. Elliot poem when I wrote a blog post calling March the cruellest month. I guess depends on where one is located. For me, it's March, not April.
Haha! Looks like you added an unintended layer of intertextuality, love it when that happens :)
Nice sensual poem – well done – thanks!
Thank you ET!
One can see that in this poem April is indeed the cruelest month. It is a good mental exercise to try to visualize what's going on in the poem; it makes the poem more alive. Good read!
By the way, I invite you to read my poetry. If you like some, please, subscribe.
Thank you Luis! I'm glad the poem came alive for you and I'll be happy to take a look.
I'm a (now retired) biologist, and feel desperate and despondent about climate change, as well as frustrated and infuriated with the tokenism and lip-service of the governments which could alleviate it. One of my poems about it is here: https://tedholzman.substack.com/p/a-poem-of-mythic-disaster?r=37q7gf
Desperate and despondent is exactly how it feels Ted; and thank you for the link to your poem! I'll be sure to check it out.
“Sometimes, this is what the poetry of the everyday is about: Ordinary things and extraordinary fears.“
As beautiful as that is, Anagha, I fear in all circumstances the word “ordinary“ may be on the endangered species list. It made me sad to read this, but you did get across nature, no matter what, always returns to itself, and in some fashion or form renourishes.
Nature will survive all of this.
This morning, I saw a few children playing in the park, and I couldn’t help but think what pure hell they are going to face in their lifetime… and it saddened me.
A powerful poem. ❤️
I experience the same sadness when I think of what lies ahead for my generation. It's frightening and it's difficult to grieve something that was already broken by the time you were born. Thanks for reading and commenting <3
That’s really well put. It makes me want to write a song. I wrote a song from one of Paul Wittenberg‘s poems, he should be posting it today or tomorrow. Yes to be born into hell without a fighting chance, it’s a sad thing.
Climate angst gets into nature poems that I write. You wrote a poem that isn't preaching and is filled with luscious images. It's a beautiful poem.
Thank you Karen! I'm glad you liked it
You really evoked the slow energy of the sapping heat, Anagha.
<3 Thanks for reading, I appreciate you.
This is beautiful, and strange for me as I sit looking out at the swiftly melting snow from an April Nor’easter. Big storms aren’t out of the ordinary here and snow in April is not uncommon, but the intensity is increasing: more wind, more water, more damage. It’s brave of you to write about this anxiety we all feel. Thank you.
Thanks for this comment Tara. And it's difficult to fathom sometimes; the worsening extremes of weather and where it's all going to lead. Thank you for reading <3
Hello from New Delhi! It's hilarious how the world floats to you what you speak of most. It's sooooo hot here in the city and just yesterday I wrote about climate change due to fast fashion, and tonight I found your lovely poem 🧿 April could be cruel but I feel May will be worse! Here's hoping we get some rain soon!! And for spring to stay 🌧️
I wrote a blog post in March calling it the cruellest month.