~Bruce W. Holsinger
My uncanny, well-read daughter Ariana sent me this poem on a postcard.
Chinese Foot Chart
by Kay Ryan
Every part of us
alerts another part.
Press a spot in
the tender arch and
feel the scalp
twitch. We are no
match for ourselves
but our own release...
read the rest here
(If you haven't heard of reflexology, would you still get this poem?)
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* The postcard arrived right after my heart had an odd knock...A rib injury over my heart made me feel like my heart had rather literally cracked open. I did some speedy healing and am much better now.
My Juicy Little Universe has the Poetry Friday round-up. Thanks, Heidi!
Oh dear, Tabatha. Your rib injury sounds painful. (Great description.💔) Very happy to hear you a feeling much better. xx
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of the body being 'a musical microcosm' based on the heart. Thanks for sharing the 'Chinese Foot Chart' poem and the information on reflexology. I'm intrigued and will look over it more carefully. Yay for 'speedy healing', Tabatha! Glad you are feeling much better. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're better after your 'heart surprise', Tabatha. I don't know much about reflexology yet the poem touches every part of our bodies with conviction, doesn't it? What a wonderful postcard to receive.
ReplyDeleteI love Kay Ryan so much. When I was looking for cat pictures from 2008, I ran across photos of a poetry reading of hers and I just had to sit a minute and enjoy those memories! She is one of my mentor poets, doing so much with so few words. And that quote. Perfect pairing. Glad you're healing!
ReplyDeleteI love that your daughter sends you poetry on postcards. And that this postcard arrived with perfect timing. I also love the lines "Each touch/uncatches some/remote lock." So glad to hear you're healing well!
ReplyDelete"boats of mercy" -- isn't that fabulous? Glad you're healed up, Tabatha!
ReplyDeleteThat line with "the boats of mercy"! Beautiful. This poem is a good reminder for me to read more work by Kay Ryan.
ReplyDeleteIt's been too long since I've read Kay Ryan. I love her brevity and intensity. I read once, that she writes poems on a yellow pad while sitting in bed. I love that. I think I would get the poem if I hadn't heard of reflexology. But, it adds a layer of understanding because I have. My goodness...no more surprises, eh? Let's have a nice boring September.
ReplyDeleteI think reflexology is fascinating, and what a wonderful poem Ariana sent to you. I love those, "boats of mercy" embarking "from our heart." Glad you are feeling better, Tabatha, I felt a pain as you described your own, thanks.
ReplyDeleteA lovely poem - and how wonderful to share poems back and forth with your family. May your recovery continue speedy and trouble-free.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if reflexology works, but it is definitely true that every part of us (physically, emotionally, spiritually) is connected to every other part. Sometimes in surprising ways.
ReplyDelete(Sorry about your injury!)
ReplyDeleteGood morning–I’m late this weekend for Good Reasons! All went well, and I'm glad to hear that all is going well with your healing, Tabatha. Ouch. Every time I read a Kay Ryan poem I think, "That's a doozy. Wish I'd written that." I wonder if a person who tends toward verbosity prefers the writer who knows how to distill and compact. Ariana's handwriting is charming--thanks to the both of you!
ReplyDeleteTabatha, I don't know anything officially about reflexology, but I did understand the poem. I have experienced, unofficially, "Every part of us / alerts another part."
ReplyDeleteLovely post card from your daughter!