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When a Poem’s from South Africa

By L.L. Barkat 6 Comments

One of the things I love about doing Every Day Poems is the way it brings various parts of my life together.

This morning, Claire Burge wrote to thank me for running her photo with today’s poem, and I wrote back, “Thank YOU for letting me use it.”

Claire is our photo editor for The High Calling, but she was first a friend. And now I feel like we are creative collaborators, simply by virtue of her willingness to let me say, “I’ve got this poem. I wonder, have you got a photo?”

Since Claire is originally from South Africa, and I had a poem set there, of course I had to ask, “Claire, do you happen to…” She did. I had a hard time choosing from the selections she sent. Somehow this one seemed perfect for a poem called “The Looking.” Don’t you think?

South Africa

_____

Post by L.L. Barkat.

Subscribe to Every Day Poems— Read a poem a day, become a better poet. In July we’ll be exploring sestinas.

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L.L. Barkat
L.L. Barkat
L.L. Barkat is the Managing Editor of Tweetspeak Poetry and the author of six books for grown-ups and four for children, including the popular 'Rumors of Water: Thoughts on Creativity & Writing.' Her poetry has appeared on the BBC and at NPR, VQR, and The Best American Poetry.
L.L. Barkat
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Filed Under: Every Day Poems

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About L.L. Barkat

L.L. Barkat is the Managing Editor of Tweetspeak Poetry and the author of six books for grown-ups and four for children, including the popular 'Rumors of Water: Thoughts on Creativity & Writing.' Her poetry has appeared on the BBC and at NPR, VQR, and The Best American Poetry.

Comments

  1. Maureen Doallas says

    July 15, 2011 at 11:20 am

    The trip I made to South Africa in 1997 remains one of most memorable. I found beauty everywhere, along with much that also broke my heart. From the safari to the top of Table Mountain. . . I’ll never forget it.

    Wonderful sestina in EDP today. It’s contemporary and romantic, and seems so effortlessly written.

    Reply
  2. L. L. Barkat says

    July 15, 2011 at 12:33 pm

    Maureen, thank you for sharing that about South Africa. Got any poems from the experience? 🙂

    Maybe first love is always effortless to write…

    Reply
  3. Charity Singleton says

    July 15, 2011 at 7:16 pm

    Claire’s photo, Linda’s sestina. This was one of my favorite editions of Every Day Poems.

    Reply
  4. Connie@raise your eyes says

    July 16, 2011 at 11:58 am

    Echoing Charity’s comment…beautiful match leaving a heart rending impression.

    Reply
  5. L. L. Barkat says

    July 16, 2011 at 12:01 pm

    Charity and Connie, thanks so much. It is such a joy to do this kind of work, and to have it be a joy to others.

    Reply
  6. Monica Sharman says

    July 16, 2011 at 1:07 pm

    So much contained in those beautiful words: “but she was first a friend.”
    And now, because of that, I feel a poem coming on…

    Reply

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