30 Comments
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Seajade's avatar

There’s some lovely imagery here Nora… particularly love the swallowed boots and the tilted scarecrow and the whole swings along like a half forgotten melody…sorry for the late feedback~I’m blaming the hormones 😵‍💫😘🙏

John Davis's avatar

Bethlehem, PA gave me a chuckle considering the relationship between Mary and Bethlehem, Israel. Oh how far Bethlehem's have come.

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Oh, good! That’s what I was hoping for!

David Rizzo's avatar

Nora, I love your imagery here. There’s a fantastic contrast between Dorothy and the Blessed Mother. I like how it took me some time before I understood that the boots are swallowed by the mud. And the last line about Bethlehem, PA has many textured meanings in its ordinariness.

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Thank you so much for reading and your kind comments, David! I’m so grateful

Paul Wittenberger's avatar

A little doubt and uncertainty along the way,

but enough confidence to make it to Bethlehem, PA.

Perfect, Nora

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Thank you so much, Paul! I appreciate that!

Gary L Taylor's avatar

That was a great poem. Nice ending too.

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Thanks so much, Gary!

School of Blue's avatar

Loved the ending, Nora. Love a surprise!

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Thank you kindly, Rchard!

Lily of Oz's avatar

Much enjoyed Nora. In my tired state, I can say the picture alone is fab. Hope your guardians are good company at least. Signs. Sometimes we have to make our own.

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Thank you, Lily! Totally agree on making our own signs. I moments of weakness, I still prospect for omens. :)

Lily of Oz's avatar

Prospecting for omens, do tell me more ☺️

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Ah! Just trying to see deeply into things, events, people for the tidings they may offer. I suppose it’s more about understanding than omens.

John Sheils's avatar

Great poem Nora, slouching to Bethlehem

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Thanks, John!

man of aran's avatar

Nice! Love how it ends.

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Thanks for reading and commenting, Man!

John Edward Keough's avatar

Lovely!

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Thank you, JEK!

Petra's avatar

Clever. I like the ending.Not clarity, just arrival. <3

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

That’s it exactly, Petra. Thank you!

Petra's avatar

You’re always welcome <3

Ray Sweatman's avatar

gotta keep pushin'...you'll get there. cool en ding

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Appreciate it, Ray!!

Gianluca Marras's avatar

"Non sapere che pesci pigliare", as we say in Italy, not knowing which fish to catch. The guardians are what got me, Dorothy and the Madonna right there, and still only cool dismissal. The ones who should point the way just watch you gnash for a bit of insight. Do you actually want the arrow, or is the muddy slog itself slowly becoming the answer?

A presto 🫂

Elizabeth Schmelzenbach's avatar

I love the swing of this. Open to direction - without limitation.

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Martin. This poem is about confusion and looking for anything to lead the way out of that spiral. Destination immaterial, so I chose those of the two figurines on my desk, Oz and Bethlehem, but made it Bethlehem in Pennsylvania to poke fun at myself.

Martin Mc Carthy's avatar

I'm not quite sure where you are in this poem, Nora, or where you're heading for, or why. Is it Bethlehem PA? And what's of interest there? Why are you making this little pilgrimage, with your guides perhaps asking the same question?