Change {a #poem} and my word for the year

Or, how a word can mean eleventy different things

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Change-

Noun, verb, intransitive

to make different in some particular, to give a

different position, course, or direction to

As in musical keys,

modulating line by line,

rearranging the voice’s direction.

As in coins jangling pocket-deep,

finding home in a piggy bank

or the server’s till after closing.

As in God’s barometer in the Heavens,

nudging our eyes ever upward

to plan for weather—impossible-

grounded again in the truth,

surrendered. We cannot

change the weather, only prepare.

As in leaves slowly curling,

brittle-tinged before they drop

from empty limbs, offer a bed

of hope for the future’s new

growth. Birth from decay-

life from death.

As in change of clothes,

that conjuring behind stage

or in full view, to apparel our

fine selves with a new covering

neverseen, neverworn.

As in tumbling over time

eroding all sharp edges

polished, small held,

a gemstone

transformation

alteration

time-taking

me-making

change.

polished rocks, Moonlight Beach, Encinitas, CA

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Thank you to fellow poets Megan Willome and Callie Feyen here on Substack for their encouragement to pen an ‘As In’ poem based on our word for the year; you can read the genesis of how I happened upon ‘change’ HERE.

You’re Invited

The first Mining the Bright Birds (virtual) Book Club convenes on Monday January 29th and three successive Mondays thereafter. To find out more details and how to sign up, click HERE. It would be a joy to have you!