Poem of the Day: Brigit Pegeen Kelly

by | Apr 7, 2020 | Poem of the Day Series, Reading

DOING LAUNDRY ON SUNDAY

So this is the Sabbath, the stillness
in the garden, magnolias
drying damp bells, petticoats,

over the porch rail, while bicycle
wheels thrum and the full-breasted tulips
open their pink blouses

for the hands that pressed them first
as bulbs into the earth.
Bread, too, cools on the sill,

and finches scatter bees
by the Shell Station where a boy
in blue denim watches oil

spread in phosphorescent scarves
over the cement. He dips
his brush into a bucket and begins

to scrub, makng slow circles
and stopping to splash water on the children
who, hours before it opens,

juggle bean bags outside Gantsy’s
Ice Cream Parlor,
while they wait for color to drench their tongues,

as I wait for water to bloom
behind me—white foam, as of magnolias,
as of green and yellow

birds bathing in leaves—wait,
as always, for the day, like bread, to rise,
and, with movement

imperceptible, accomplish everything.

—appears on Poetry Foundation here

&

Join My Free Facebook Group

For writers who are writing but struggling to publish their work, this group is 100% open to you. Every week, I’ll share tips for self-publishing and marketing a successful book, how to grow a successful following of readers, as well as writing tips, motivation, and how to break through writer’s block. Interested? We have our first free challenge, with tips you can take to start growing a readership the same day, on April 8.

Sign Up for My Free Monthly Newsletter

I’m finally going to get my newsletter off the group, starting May 1st. It features exclusive content with the latest books and reviews, author features who are involved in my Book Strategist business, highlights from my “Successfully Published Writers” Facebook group, among other cool things you won’t find on my blog or social media channels! [newsletter]

Subscribe to My Blog

Never miss regular blog posts, including Book Reviews and the Poem of the Day Series, among other features!

[jetpack_subscription_form show_only_email_and_button=”true” custom_background_button_color=”undefined” custom_text_button_color=”undefined” submit_button_text=”Subscribe” submit_button_classes=”undefined” show_subscribers_total=”true” ]