Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group discussion

Lessons by Pat Schneider (emphasis below is mine)

I have learned
that life goes on,
or doesn't.
That days are measured out
in tiny increments
as a woman in a kitchen
measures teaspoons
of cinnamon, vanilla,
or half a cup of sugar
into a bowl.

I have learned
that moments are as precious as nutmeg,
and it has occurred to me
that busy interruptions
are like tiny grain moths,
or mice.
They nibble, pee, and poop,
or make their little worms and webs
until you have to throw out the good stuff
with the bad.

It took two deaths
and coming close myself
for me to learn
that there is not an infinite supply
of good things in the pantry.

"Lessons" by Pat Schneider from _Another River: New and Selected Poems_. © Amherst Writers and Artists Press, 2005.



NOTE: I found this poem at writersalmanac.com for 11/3/08. I had heard it read by Garrison Keillor on WAMC, Public Radio, the same day.

Love this, thanks for sharing Joy!
I have a book I checked out of the library named "Good Poems" by Garrison Kellor. The poems he shares in this book are wonderful. He is a great guy isn't he?

Oh, yes, Cindy. I'm secretly in love with Garrison Keillor. (grin) I'd love to have him around all day. Yes, he chooses poems that resonate with me so many times. I didn't know there was a book like the one you mentioned.

I just found two book-cover-links: ===>




I'll have to put them on our bookshelf.


I also love his wry humor. I enjoy his Guy Noir skits on radio. Look! I found the following audios:




This is great. I hope I live long enough to read or listen to all this stuff. (g)

Right now, I have the 'blue' poetry book.

Perhaps when you get time, you might post one of the poems from the book, as an excerpt, giving the book as the source of the poem and including the attribution. Please post it in the Poetry section, of course, as a new topic.

Thank you so much, Candy, for your contributions to this group! As I said to Don at this group today (in the Kurt Vonnegut post), The Post-Star newspaper interviewed me about this group and I'm told that the article will appear in next Saturday's newspaper. . :)

That is great! Can I ask how do you place the picture and link to the book on your discussions? I have never figured that out!

That is great! Can I ask how do you place the picture and link to the book on your discussions? I have never figured that out!

Cindy wrote: "That is great! Can I ask how do you place the picture and link to the book on your discussions? I have never figured that out! "

Cindy - It's a bit hard to explain. You can ask that question at the contact page below:
http://www.goodreads.com/about/contac...

(The contact link is at the bottom of each Goodreads webpage.)

I'm sure they can explain it much better than I can. They probably have form letters already set up which explains it very clearly.

They are very good about replying, even though it may take a few days.

If you have a problem with it, ask me again and I'll try to explain it. But I'm sure they'll do a better job than I can. Good luck.

Like everything else, it's easy when you know how.

HINT: Click on "add book/author" which is near this comment box. I see it above. It used to be at the side, but now they've made changes and I see it above.

Oooh, look, they've even added a check box below which says: "Email me when People reply". These are all very new changes. Goodreads gets better all the time!!! :)

The poem, "Lessons" (see Message #1 above) is included in a discussion at the Constant Reader group. Below is the link to the discussion:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...

The discussion includes the idea of time and special moments.
See the lines in the poem in Message #1 above:
=======================================
"I have learned
that moments are as precious as nutmeg,"
=======================================

That poem could have been written by me; if only I was that poet. It is so meaningful; full of meaning and truth. nina

Yes, Nina, it's a very wise poem.