Poetry for the Soul

What is it about poetry that intrigues us?  Reading it, writing it, collecting it.  Fills our soul.

Poetry has been around as long as there has been speech.  There are famous poets whose words have touched us deeply, whose lines we memorize and often use for metaphors in life.

I was thinking about poetry after a conversation with a dear friend, and wondering how it might fit in with the New Pioneer blog.  Perhaps it is the slower pace of my lifestyle, the rhythmic flow of my relationship with nature.

I wonder if the lives of the masses have gotten too busy for poetry, if civilization has become too hardened by stresses and struggles to be able to appreciate the gentleness of poetry.

I have written verse and essays all my life, since I was six years old and reading Winnie the Pooh.  I especially love journaling and working things out on paper.

My first published piece was in a teachers magazine when I was around eleven, I think.  My English teacher was very supportive of my writing.

All through my teenage years I wrote poetry, mostly sorrowful and love-struck verse.  I wrote some poems for my newborn son in my late twenties.

But all in all I don't think I really took it seriously, it was always just a hobby and a much needed outlet to express myself.

Now in my midlife, I find myself returning to it.  Reading it, writing it, seeing it in my landscape.

Through a bizarre set of circumstances recently, (there are no accidents!), I was lead to read some of Mary Oliver's work, and I am surprised I never read her work before.  Divine!  It's all about nature.

I never thought about including my endless relationships with wildlife in my poetry - what a gift!

So I'm thinking from time to time I will include a poem or two here on New Pioneer and perhaps an accompanying photo -if the wildlife will stop long enough for a pose or two.

Meanwhile I will close this post with one I just wrote last week.  Untitled as yet.

The birds

welcome me

into their

sacred space

If I will

but be

like them

Gentle and peaceful

at one with all

Unsuspecting

and grateful

Friends

with the earth

and sky

Rejoicing

in the mystery

of that

which they call

home

Redefining a New Pioneer

I've had a change of heart. 

I have decided to keep the New Pioneer blog up and running!

I think with a few tweaks of topics and a side step into lifestyle, I can keep things going here.

Not to mention all the support I have received from followers and friends, I love you all!!

While the remodeling and renovating have come to a slow crawl, there are still things that need to be done here, like replace the front steps and document the rare bird sightings.

But just as important as the daily tasks and projects, is the lifestyle of the New Pioneer.  Apart from the city, cell phone service, and commercial television.

While some people can't imagine life without these amenities, I find most folks actually admire it, respect it, even.

I think it does take a little more courage to stand out - or stand up - for ones beliefs and choices, especially when they vary from the crowd.  A willingness to detach from the masses and blaze a new trail.

So I think I'll stick around a while longer with this blog, rewrite my description page, or create a mission statement.

Stay tuned for more posts on the New Pioneer lifestyle!  If you like it here, I invite you to visit and follow my sisters blog at Absurd Outlook , where she enjoys a country lifestyle on a river.

Thank you for being here!  More coming soon.