What I Picked for the Journey

Sarah Russell

My poem “What I Picked for the Journey” was published today by the wonderful Writing in a Woman’s Voice. My thanks to editor Beate Sigriddaughter.

What I Picked for the Journey

A strong walking stick that fits my grasp. 
Oatmeal raisin cookies.
A few favorite poems.
A heart-shaped pebble for my pocket.

I’ll leave on a day that promises sun 
and breeze and animal-shaped clouds. 
I’ll find wild blueberries and spring water
pure as a child’s wonder.

I’ll pass the hours remembering
forsythia in April, the softness 
of a baby’s skin, campfires, the smell 
of bread fresh from the oven. I’ll sleep 
where the milky way tumbles 
through the night sky and trees whisper 
to the wind.

14 thoughts on “What I Picked for the Journey”

    1. Thanks, Rajani. I’m getting some of your poems ready for a workshop for my Colorado poetry group. Email me if there are any special ones you want me to include. We usually study 7-10 poems.

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  6. Hope this reaches you. I haven’t been able to log into most blogs any more. I have lots 5 email addresses and different passwords, and they always assume none of them work.

    But I so loved your poem today that I had to try again. I’ve had a few rough days of illness and your uplifting words lifted me out of the trench I was digging. Thank you!

    Alarie Tennille alariepoet.com

    https://www.alariepoet.com

    >

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      1. Thanks, Sarah. I’m considerably better than yesterday, but this problem (which I believe is hypoglycemia) keeps coming back anywhere between a month and two minutes. As usual, my bloodwork looks pretty normal, but my doctor decides I don’t need any help based on that, so I’m bugging all the medical professionals I know. On the first attack, I walked upstairs, felt light headed, and grabbed hold of the landing rail, feet spread wide. My husband came out of the bathroom and said, “Alarie?” No response, so he patted my arm. “You passed out,” he said.

        “No, I didn’t,” I said. For me it was only the blink of an eye. So fortunate I didn’t break my neck, but I’m probably too short to topple over the rail.

        Sounds like life around your grandkids is pretty wonderful.

        Happy Halloween and Thanksgiving!

        Alarie Tennille alariepoet.com

        https://www.alariepoet.com

        >

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