July 9th – You can learn a lot at camp. Skills and crafts, survival and leadership. Write about leadership. The virtue, or some person you consider a leader. You could write about being lead or following a leader. Put your best foot forward and we’ll be right behind you.
STAYING ON THE TRAIL
July 6 – HELLO MUDDAH, HELLO FADDAH
July 4 – NIGHT LIGHTS OVER THE LAKE
POETIC BLOOMINGS 
Responses
In the Lead
He sat, slightly slumped
in his chair while others
listened to the laughter
in his voice, eyes never
leaving his.
His was the mind and task
to move us all to where
our abilities were needed
in university style, eyes never
leaving his.
He set the workshops while
using our suggestions for
methods and practices;
never doubting, our eyes never
leaving his.
Tearful goodbyes as we took turns
shaking hands, holding scrolls,
even as he rolled across stage,
our pride shone, our eyes never
leaving his.
An unexpected kind of leadership: good poem!
Indeed so
Thanks, Viv. Soirry, but it was a summer graduation and the first thing that popped into my head. It was also around midnight when I wrote it.
I love the leader, the refrain, the surprise–and your leader being your contemporary (I’m assuming) A powerful memory!
Yes, it is. He was quadriplegic and the sweetest person one could know. Diving accident in high school. He made the most of everything around and within him, encouraging the rest of us to do the same. He also headed the university group of which I was a part–The Student Leadership Development Board. It was one of the best things I did at university.
I’m glad you liked it, Darlene. Thank you.
The depiction in this piece really works well. Nice writing, Claudsy!
Ah, thanks, Misky. Glad you liked it.
You lead with your heart
and give my life direction
I will follow you
Oh, the heart of leadership in those 17 syllables
Yes
Wonderful, Walt, and so true.
Few choice words to convey many feelings.
Beautiful, Clauds, Lovely, Walt!!
Aw, thanks, Hen.
🙂 !!
My first instinct was rebellious:
Follow my leader? No thanks –
I’d rather dree my ain weird,
choose my own route,
lose myself if I must
but do it my way.
but Claudsy’s lovely poem gave me a better idea, which I will try and write this afternoon.
We’ve all felt this way
I love this one, Viv. I think we all have this impulse sooner or later. And if I gave you a good idea, I’m happy about that, too.
Looks like you and I were on the same wavelength.
WORKING CLASS FATHER:
A TRUE LEADER
My father never missed a day of work
in all his years of labor: from dishwasher
when he was a teenager new to this land
to welder at the Curtiss-Wright plant
in Woodridge where daily he inhaled
the noxious fumes that in the end proved
the cause of his sad passing.
We sons and daughters learned from his example:
Pretend we were too sick to go to school?
Why, we wouldn’t dare!
He was a fine man of principle who refused
to follow the work antics of the sheepish crowd.
“I do what’s right,” he’d say. “To hell with
who likes, who doesn’t like! Remember this:
give an honest day’s work for an honest
day’s pay. Don’t look to fool the boss.
He’s a worker too. You want him to be fair?
Then you be fair with him!”
My father conducted his life strictly
by the rules. Into his 80s, he still walked
straight as a soldier, his head lifted high.
That man was unafraid to stare life in the eye.
He taught us there’s no shame in hard honest work;
Still, he encouraged us to go to college
so we would earn more, working with our minds.
“In your success,” he’d tell us, “never look down
on those who work with their hands. We workers
built this country!” and you could hear the emotion,
the pride, choking in his throat.
His voice would tremble when he’d say,
“In the walls of every tunnel,
down in the dark subways, all those miles
across every single bridge,
you’ll find a piece of us. God bless the working class!
We made America what she is today.”
#
Love this!
Amen
Amen and hear hear. Lovely to see the pride you have in your father.
Hear! Hear! Your father sounds much like my own, Sal. They would have been great friends, I think. I learned the same lessons growing up and still today encourage those who want to go into the trades to do just that. Without them, none of us would have the life we live.
Great tribute, Sal. And your pride of place and family shines through like a beacon.
A loving tribute!
Your father sounds like a wonderful role model, and Dad.
Oh, I wish I had a father like that. . . what a loving tribute
What, isn’t it form Wednesday? And I have to assume that we have a lot of people on the other side of the Atlantic (or perhaps even as far away as Australia and Asia) to have so many poems written by 8:30 AM EST.
Two Types of Leaders
Following the leader
could be delightful or dangerous
depending on the leader,
where he’s going
or what he’s about.
It’s such a joy
when the leader is going
where you’re going
and is gracious enough
to bring out the best in you
as he helps you to help him
reach the desired goal.
But a demanding dictator
headed the opposite direction you desire
is a tragedy
as deeply sorrowful
as a Shakespearean play.
For me, this emphasizes the need for the follower to know the leader. Love it.
Well said, Connie!
Indeed – look where following Hitler led his generation.
You speak to the truth in the heart of the matter, Connie. Well done. Leaders are remembered, good or bad, but the good ones are the ones revered and leave shining memories behind.
I want the first kind of leader
PARISH PRIEST
Father Duffy used to lead
by word of mouth and strength of deed;
`twas nothing that he could not do—
“If I can do it, so can you”—
and that became our very creed.
When I was young I used to read
of leaders who would sweat and bleed,
exhorting all to follow through.
Father Duffy
never had to cite a screed
or wheedle, cajole, or even plead;
he’d smile at all within each pew
and we knew his every word was true.
I think of kids today who need
Father Duffy.
copyright 2014, William Preston
A great example of a true leader.
Lovely, William. For whatever reason–and I’ve no clue why–I kept envisioning the John Wayne movie “The Quiet Man” when I read this. Isn’t that odd? Thoroughly enjoyed this.
You paint him vividly, William…yes, there’re many in need of a great leader.
Calling All Leaders
So very many have come and gone
Strong, wise, willing and captivating
Learned men and women in our history
Willing to give their all for one cause
America
They fought fearlessly on the battlefields
Worked tirelessly in the halls of justice
Served the people at all levels of government
And built the greatest nation on earth
America
Many fought fires and policed the streets
Taught our children and cared for the elderly
Preached love and compassion to the masses
All working together to keep freedom strong in
America
Inspired and driven by the one at the top
And those in DC all elected to lead
Though not at all like those in the past
They seem to be losing their number one goal
America
We need to put out the call for new leaders
Strong, wise, willing and captivating all
Learned men and women to write new history
Those willing once more to give up their all for
America
© 2014 Earl Parsons
Well said, indeed, Earl. You’ve hit a very big spike on the head. Perhaps some will hear and heed the call.
OUR TEAM LEADER
The way he looked at things
wholeheartedly
The way he spoke of wings
passionately
The way he strummed them strings
soulfully
The way he melted stings
whimsically
The way he made us think
emphatically
The way he he knew everything
intimately
We worshipped him like a king
Until —he had them drinks–!
Love this, Priti. The twist at the end was perfect! I kept waiting for Elvis to perform. And that really was my first thought. 🙂
Big smile here!
Showing no one is perfect!
HARMONY
Voices various
instruments melodious
blend harmonious
in chorus classical
conductor tyrannical
resultant canticle
beauty inexpressible
beauty inexpressible
I like this. It’s different, with sights and sounds to move the reader forward to the end. Lovely.
I agree with Claudsy. Wonderful.
Draws me back into my choral days. oh, how much I miss. . .
Me too. It has been a thread throughout my life until recently.
Your feminine rhymes have a harmonious sound all to themselves. I love this.
THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Worried and broke, unable to provide
My needs are met by my Lord, the Shepherd
I camp by cool waters, soft grass my bed
I follow His map, my Lord, the Shepherd
My natural cravings destroy my life
He remakes my heart, my Lord, the Shepherd
I walk through life’s darkest hours
While He holds my hand, my Lord, the Shepherd
Enemies attack and friends fall away
I wine and dine with my Lord, the Shepherd
Today and always, we walk hand in hand
My home’s in His land, my Lord, the Shepherd
Step by step and day by day He leads me
Yahweh Shamah, the Lord is my Shepherd
Absolutely lovely, Darlene. This could turn into a hymn, you know, and a fine one at that.
wow, what a tribute. Any musicians here! As in someone who can write a melody. 🙂
Talk to Walt about those melodies, Darlene. He’s a music man, you know. 🙂 Seriously.
The Good Shepherd is my one and only example and leader. He should be the example that everyone follows. One day He will be.
Amen!
Love this, Darlene
The repetitive phrase gives this the cadence of an old-timey spiritual; an “amen, brother” feel, in my opinion.
Hmm. I was aiming for a Ghazal-type poem. But that’s 2 references to the musical feeling of the poem. An unintentional blessing, because few comments could please me more. Amen, for sure!
Effective leaders
Can never be developed
They are born that way
That is oh so true
Walking in Their Footsteps
I followed the leader
up a path of tumbling rocks,
I thought he was insane
his head full of blocks –
but he brought us to the peak
with a view that really talks!
I guess you must have faith,
for there were no lose screws,
just some doubting souls
wearing the ‘following’ shoes.
oh, how well that describes many of us, “just some doubting souls/wearing the ‘following’ shoes”
What a wonderful poem, especially that phrase, “following shoes.”
Wonderful, Michele. I love ‘the following shoes.’
Huck Finn’s Camp Etiquette
If camp is camp, I’m s’posed to learn
to think on my feet and survive,
to live among the taciturn,
to cherish what keeps me alive.
I don’t take much to “leadership”
of bossy kids from upscale homes,
their independence, mostly lip,
their faces grim as garden gnomes.
But put an azure butterfly
within my path and I am led
to follow it and by and by
discover wonders, nature-fed.
A creek leads me toward a lake;
blackberries lead me toward a pie;
I know a viper from a snake;
I’m led by water’s lullaby.
My guidebooks name the birds and flowers;
my senses stay on high alert.
I study wilderness for hours,
unafraid of bugs or dirt.
I follow beetles, tree frogs, bees.
I search for sassafras and springs.
I sit on moss under tall trees,
shipwrecked in brave imaginings.
I’d have to say I stay unled
though I’m obliged to take advice,
for sometimes I do miss a bed
and nature’s full of ticks and lice.
I love the cadence of this and all of the memorable bits and vivid pieces. Beautifully fused of Nature, Jane, much enjoyed!
This is not far removed from Huck’s own voice, even if he was not likely to say things like “led by water’s lullaby.” Such an enjoyable piece, with a bit of “sneaky fast” at the end.
Lovely poem, Jane.
[…] Creative Bloomings- GRANADA CAMP FOR WAYWARD POETS – FOLLOW THE LEADER […]
Little Brother Bear
Close on his heel we move forward almost as one.
I place my next footfall where his last one was
we exchange little in the way of dialogue,
on the mountain we prefer if this way
besides, our siblinghood defies customs –
makes void the need for constant conversation.
Lungs and heart begin to feel the effects of altitude
filled to bursting full of anticipation for the peak
and struggling to gain a full gulp of such thin air.
We finally pierce the lush layers of green forest
much gray granite must be mounted now,
I know he could surge in leaps and bounds
for he is practiced at trekking trails as these
but he leads patiently with skill and sense
and I follow his steps – grateful for his expertise.
The fresh-wind-riddled view,
the chain of turquoise ponds below,
seemingly touchable clouds
swirling by the craggy cliffs
and the unbreakable bond created,
(one built by footsteps shared) –
these are our most treasured rewards.
Copyright © Hannah Gosselin 2014
This memory/poem is of the event of my brother and me hiking Mount Katahdin. It was my second time up and I’m not sure how many that made it for him but he would go every weekend to the different mountains in Maine and hike so I definitely looked up to my little brother for his knowledge on these steep ridges. It’s a recollection that I cherish greatly. About my title: My brother’s Indian totem is the Bear.
Utterly magnificent.
Thank you, William!!
I like the concept of footsteps shared.
Thank you for telling me Sara…that part felt special to me as well.
(Poem w/image: http://lettheballoonssailmeaway.wordpress.com)
Contemplation
What would Jesus do?
We ponder this question when
We’ve lost our way through.
Marching Off The Grid
Leaders may march
in the right direction
which makes me want to march
in the opposite direction.
Yet, I have no desire
to be a leader, and have
people follow me,
because I only know
what is right for me (sometimes).
This reminds me of the conclusion of that old poem, Invictus: “I am the captain of my soul.”
Thanks, William.
You make me chuckle with your “sometimes, ” I often feel the very same! Nicely worded, Sara!!
Thank you, Hannah!
[…] for Creative Bloomings, Day 9: The […]
Sorry but my son is here for a visit, and he’s been living in Colombia for a year, so I’m trying to catch up on prompts! http://miskmask.wordpress.com/2014/07/10/campcide-tales-day-9-frontcide/