RUG HOOKING BLOG

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I'm a mother of four grandmother of seven and great grandmother of three. I live with my husband in the house that we built with the help of my brothers and will have been married for 57 years this February.

Friday, July 7, 2017

WATER, A GIFT, A RIGHT, A COMMODITY

I've been complaining about the rainy weather lately. It reminded  me of a poem I wrote on November 18, 2005.  All this rain has played havoc with our hay harvest and we are not alone. Many of my outdoor plans had to be put on hold until the rain stopped. While we have frequent rain, somewhere on our beautiful planet, there are places where it has not rain for a long time.  Thursday was sunny and dry with a beautiful breeze,  and today is starting out sunny as well but we're supposed to get showers and a severe thunder storm so I got a lot of yard work done already this morning...

In November 2005, I was at a retreat at Villa Madonna Retreat House in St John N.B. and I was looking for some guidance from my spiritual advisor at our first one on one meeting. I had some expectations even though I can't remember what they were at the time, but instead she told me to write a poem on water.

Prior to the meeting we had a presentation on the misuse of water and the selling of bottled water. Big companies are reaping huge profit from selling water. I wasn't prepared to write a poem. I wanted something more earth shattering. None the less,  I reluctantly obeyed and retreated to a rather small bedroom which had a single bed, a chair, a desk with lamp and a sink.  There was a crucifix on the wall  and a window.  No distraction there so I took pen to paper and one word came at a time. Just like a slow drip, drip, drip. I was trying to think of anything that had to do with water, more like brain storming...

I wasn't impressed in the least. When it was time to meet with my spiritual advisor again I said downheartedly,  I'm sorry but I just couldn't come up with much.
She asked me to read it to her anyway. So I started to read. After a little while I look up to read the expression on her face and I saw that she had her eyes closed and her hand was flowing in rhythm to her heart, taking it all in. I felt a bit more encouraged. I had never written a poem like this before so it was all new to me. I'll share it with you today for those who have oo much rain and those who don't have any.

WATER, A GIFT, A RIGHT, A COMMODITY
Oceans, seas, lakes, rivers and streams
Babbling brooks, water falls, puddles, wells and pools
Geysers, clouds and rain torrents
Currents and waves, drip, drip, drip
Glaciers and ponds, hot springs, cool springs, juices, ice

Who will give me water for my tears?
Who will provide water for my precious cargo? Dehydrated womb
Who will provide water for my blistered hands and feet?
My tongue is cleaving to my palate. Thirst

Who will provide water for my pused pimples, for my sweat?

Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink
Contaminated, dehydrated, salty, dirty, mineral
Gurgles, spittle
Who hears my cry? I have no tears left.

Lines and lines of bottled water,
Profit margin, stocks and bonds, truck loads
Warehouses full.
Soft and hard, clear and fresh. Who will buy my water?

Soaked, drenched, down pour
Going under, swimming
How will I get across?
Where will I go for a cruise?
Mirror image, glass full or half empty

Water, a gift, a right, a commodity

Baptism, Holy, shared and poured
Come bathe in my pool.
Come and get the water of Life, refresh yourself
Pool of miracles, well of salvation

Here, let me wash your feet

Millions of snowflakes falling, glistening and not two the same
Snow angels, foot print to follow, season of hope
Frozen breath, storms, ice pellets and snow banks, slippery, thawed
Smiles on children's faces, skating, sliding, building snowmen
Curses from grumpy old folks, chilled to the bones

Flushed down, sewers, gutters, lagoons
Muddy trenches, face down, drowning, sinking down below
Foggy night, sandy deserts
Dams, submerged land once fertile
Obstruction in my path, lack of water

Open the flood gate, widen the canal, built a power plant
Irrigation, heavy water, nuclear waste
Floating, drifting, message in a bottle, tossed over board
Lost at sea, watery grave, tidal wave
Boat wrecks, desperate family waiting, hoping

Parched land, cracked, wilted green
Merciful gift from heaven, drizzle, rain, coming down
Renewing, refreshing, life giving
Renewed resources millions of years old
Thankful hearts, dancing, quenched

Drunken stupor, bloated, swollen
Caffeinated, decaffeinated, coolers
Spirited water, tea, Coca Cola
Can I offer you something to drink?
Something hot, something cold?

Water fountains, washing machines
Golden faucets, whirlpool bath, hot shower, sauna
Which one to choose,? Water bills, hydro bills
Which one to pay?

Luxurious eau de toilette, bubble bath, dish water
Soapy water, boiled, distilled, potable, deep shallow
Come fill your bucket, come fill your jar
All this for you at no cost
Gift from the creator, oasis, clear blue

Douse the fire, put out the flame
Rinse your hair, sprinkle the kids
Cool your drink, hose down the lawn
Bucket empty, well dried up
Desperation, smelly armpits


Water, a gift, a right, a commodity

By Julia Bourque
November, 18, 2005





26 comments:

  1. I think that what you came up with is A LOT! There are so many truths in your words, Julia. Well, done.
    When we were young we took our kids to Northern BC to a Young Life camp called Malibu Club. It was way up in the Princess Louisa Inlet and the beauty was indescribable. It rained and rained and rained. We carried on with camp, activities, boat regattas, sailing, EVERYTHING in the rain. I have such sweet memories of smoky wood fires in the cabin as I listened to more rain fall on the roof. I love Canada more because of those sweet summers so long ago.
    Thanks for reminding me.
    You have such a fresh heart, friend.

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  2. That is a poem that makes you think about so many things. Well done, I think it is great.

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  3. My grandfather had many saying about water but I think you said it all and very true
    cathy

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  4. I don't know much about poetry but I know I like your poem about water.
    The writer retreat last weekend here was mosiabot how to write ficbut two of the sessions were on writing poetry. I decided to attend both. They both were intubation the second which discussed poetry in prose was one of the best sessions I attended.
    R

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  5. Julia, when you said you couldn't come up with much I'm thinking just a paragraph or something short. Man, your juices were flowing, or should I say overflowing. Thats a very deep poem, like Inger said, it makes you think about a lot of things. Well written! I hope you came back from your retreat filling fulfilled.
    Have a great weekend
    Saimi

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  6. Hello, Julia, That's some poem for not being able to come up with much . . . Thanks for the visit to my blog and your kind comments. I am always astounded by your energy and strength, both physical and mental. Peter is doing well. He, too, has a great attitude and appreciation for life, just like you. Am so p[leased you continue to read my posts despite my long absence. Best, Sarah

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  7. Wow, I'd say too, that's a lot! Water. We need it, we don't have enough, we have too much. I hope your haying season improves!!

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  8. The poem says a lot, really admirable and well written, could have been written today as it shines a light on issues that are very relevant. Warm greetings!

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  9. I don't read poems normally, but I read it.

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  10. Wow, my friend. There is so much here. I love the way that is ebbs and flows, just as water itself does. I do think it is universal, too...again, much as water is. Well done; really well done. Wow. HUGS.

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  11. Well done. I think you have a great way of communicating with your poem.

    Sending hugs for hay season.
    Carla

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  12. And you said you weren't happy with this??????? That is an Amazing powerful poem! Oh my, it really is! You have really put into words what water is and the huge variety of ways it impacts our life! I feel like it could be set to music for some kind of environmental anthem! I really feel like I want to share it with everyone! Also, because plastic bottles are just being chucked in the bin Willynilly once that water has been drink. We had a missionary from Beirut at church yesterday and he was saying their water just gets so polluted because they have no rubbish management or recycling and things just get dumped. They are running a competition for children in Beirut to write an essay about recycling. I might, with your permission, share your poem with him!
    Thank you for your Amazing inspiration and gift to us with this poem!

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  13. Oh Julia.
    So powerful! Being a water baby, I felt that deeply. So watery good! I could unpack that for a really long time and get something fresh for my soul again and again.
    Thanks for sharing this treasure with us!
    You are such a gem,
    Jennifer

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  14. Sweet Julia, that is an amazing poem...you have covered water very well. I fear there are so many that do not understand how precious water is to us. Without it we could not survive...no living thing could. We have not done well by all the water. I really enjoyed your poem...your talent and abilities just puts me in awe. Hugs

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  15. Lovely Julia,
    I love your poetry. Living in a place that only gets 7 inches of rain in a wet year, I love reading your words and making me think about life if I lived somewhere else. I would love to have rain. I like your words and how you make me think. Thank you.

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  16. I think you came up with quite a bit about water and managed to make it beautiful too! Good job! We've had a lot of rain in the past week and I think the weekend is suppose to be nice. I never complain about rain because, like you said, some don't have enough. I know farmers are so dependent on the weather so I hope it all works out good for your place. Take care!

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  17. Just popping over to say Hi! Thank you for saying I could use your beautiful poem. I will do so thank you. And whatever difficulties or hardships in your life, including your loss of your lovely daughter, may God bless you.xx

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  18. Awesome. You must have been locked in there for 24 hours to get that wealth of a poem. Either that or the words just gushed out like a flood. Fantastic!

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  19. You are so talented. What can't you do?
    Hugs :)
    Lauren

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  20. I have just read your poem on the amazing Kezzie's blog and I am really touched by it. People take water for granted, but it is much more precious than any gold on earth! Well done, a very beautiful poem!
    DenisesPlanet.com

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  21. Hi, Kezzie featured your wonderful poem on her blog ... so I'm just popping in to say hello, and hope to visit your blog again soon.
    Thank you.

    All the best Jan

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  22. Wow, that poem was so powerful & truly insightful! I'm hydrophobic but have always respected water, just not wanting to be in it. I was born & raised with three of the five great lakes around me & knowing it to be the largest fresh water source in the world, the water had power. Niagara Falls terrified me! After the 2015 Hurricane Arthur & not having water for 6 days. Yes, water is a precious commodity. Your poem is powerful Julia. This was an interesting visit with you! Your so insightful to so many things. Life is enriched with you in it! I'll look at the beautiful Miramichi Bay water & smile as the tide comes in & the tide goes out. It feels like home here for me.
    Thank you for sharing your poem.
    Hugs,
    Cynthia

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  23. Wow, that's some poem! I'm very impressed. I'm a Baptist and never even though about the connection between water and Baptism!

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  24. Wow, that's some poem! I'm very impressed. I'm a Baptist and never even though about the connection between water and Baptism!

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  25. Well done. I think you have a great way of communicating with your poem.


    ทางบ้าน

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  26. Hi Julia, thanks for sharing your very impressive and inspiration poem. Well done.

    God Blessed you and family.
    Amelia

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