I really ran out of steam at the end of last year, but I sure am glad to be back amongst you all. This month, my Poetry Sisters and I decided to try Overheard Poems — a kind of found poem built on the snippets of conversations we’d stumbled upon.
Eavesdropping — like so many other things — took a hit during the pandemic, what with us all holed up at home talking mostly to our dogs. So I was a bit worried. I needn’t have been.
Just yesterday, I walked up to my favorite outdoor coffee counter, and while I waited for my drink, I listened to two young women having a conversation at the table right behind me. One of the women was particularly insistent, and as soon as I heard her speak, I knew I had my poem.
Overheard, An Etheree
Liz Garton Scanlon
I
really
like to know
what to expect.
She shrugged. She meant it.
Nobody spoke. Or laughed.
Each breath stilled, doubt sat like stone.
Mercury has no atmosphere,
and this was like that – hope suspended –
but we wanted it to be possible.
Go read the other Overheard Poems here:
Tanita
Sara
Laura
Andi
Mary Lee
And Irene Latham is hosting Poetry Friday at Live Your Poem.
***As for next month, we’re going to try one or more Exquisite Corpse poems. We’re not sure exactly how we’re going to do them, and there’s a lot of wiggle room. Read about them, and then figure out how YOU’d like to use or be inspired by the game. We’ll share our poems on Feb. 25th, and you can, too! If you share on social media, use the hashtag #PoetryPals. We can’t wait to see what you (and we?) do with this! Be brave, have fun!
There we are, outside the cafe with you, and suddenly we’re breathless on Mercury. Yowza. (An etheree was a brilliant choice, too.) I’m glad you’re with us, Liz, today and every day.
I have to admit to not fully understanding what it is to have no atmosphere, but still. That’s what it felt like.
Liz, your etheree is both technically- and content-wonderful. How serendipitous your encounter at the coffee shop was. Love this line: Each breath stilled, doubt sat like stone. The Poetry Sisters challenge always make me ponder. I tried myhand at a found poem of winter sayings.
It delights me to no end that I can turn my eavesdropping into poetry 🙂 — No more feeling guilty!!
Oooh, what a great idea to use an etheree! And I love what she said, and how it was SUCH a statement of intensity that just hung in space that we were all convinced with her. And then you underscore it with an actual planet! It works so well.
Exactly. You put us all right in that coffeeshop, breathless. Wonderful poem! I’m glad you are with us!
Hope suspended…you capture that moment so perfectly in this gentle Etheree.
“Mercury has no atmosphere.” Wow. What a great line to put into this poem; i knew exactly what that coffee shop felt like when I read it.
Wow, a perfect verbal photograph! Brilliant capture of a profound moment.
Bless her heart, as she is sure to be disappointed. I feel like I was literally holding my breath as I read your poem, because there was a little gasp and big exhale at the end. It was an immersive experience in so few lines! You are masterful at etherees, Liz!
I think that poem was waiting for you in that coffee counter moment. Those 10 short lines/syllables come off with such ease but carry so much weight and thought, perfect breathless pic too, thanks Liz!
All this eavesdropping is delivering rich dividends, Liz. I love indulging in a bit of eavesdropping while frequenting cafes and other public spaces. Your Etheree poem is most impactful for me as a reader. I love the form and I love how you have applied it to capture not just the utterance, but the atmosphere it engendered. Well done you!
“doubt sat like a stone” might just be the most perfect line of poetry today. A wonderful “catch” of poetic conversation. Bravo
Brilliant. Your poem paired with Laura’s seems like the beginning of a collection “for these times!”
I think the focus on eavesdropping for this month was a brilliant reminder to really LISTEN to what’s going on around us. I am grateful for the reminder.
Ah, the yearning to know “what to expect” – it’s at the heart of everything, isn’t it? Overhearing this snippet is a great example of what is most personal is most universal. Your etheree demonstrates this perfectly. 🙂
Liz! I love “doubt sat like a stone.” But a stone as big as a planet. Oof. You captured this moment so well.
O hope suspended…I love Mercury in this poem. Thank you!
It feels like we’ve been living in-between lives for so long – not what they used to be, pivoting to online so some things are the same, but different. This really captured that feeling of longing to know when this will be over, so we can pace ourselves with our stamina.
Lovely poem that took me away to another planet! The whole idea of expecting things is interesting to think about.