In The Moon When Lakes Start To Freeze, We Drive To Door County by Mary Jo Balistreri

Mary Jo Balistreri was a concert pianist for most of her life, but in 2005 she began writing poetry after the death of her seven-year-old grandson. Poetry gradually helped her transform her grief into something resembling acceptance. Mary Jo’s award-winning work is widely published and she is the author of four collections: Still, gathering the harvest, Best Brothers, and Joy in the Morning. In 2014, Mary Jo began writing haiku and haibun and, since then, has turned almost entirely to Japanese forms. Mary Jo lives in Wisconsin; learn more about her at http://maryjobalistreripoet.com/.

Donna Pflueger:
Jo, your poem entered my heart and I will keep it there as I carry these images with me on my journey. Thank you.
Posted 11/22/2012 08:35 AM

Elizabeth :
The beauty of nature as you drive to Door county -so often we do not take the time to appreciate the little things in life. And everyday life takes us through the joy as well as the grief. What a journey you are on Jo. Thank you for sharing your wonderful poetry with us!
Posted 11/21/2012 07:54 PM

citizentrain:
I feel these images and sounds quietly going to work on me even as I am doing other things.
Posted 11/21/2012 03:54 PM

becky evans:
An exquisite, poignant poem of thanksgiving as well as grief and loss, from Mary Joâs beautiful new book. The harvest we gather moves us forward along with the memory of those we have dearly loved and lost. Inspiring! Thank you! -- Becky
Posted 11/21/2012 01:52 PM

transitions:
the grief, beautifully expressed, breaks your heart...but then the hope, at the end, heals it. Thank you again, Jo, for your timeless vision...namaste, Judy
Posted 11/21/2012 01:01 PM

Anjie:
One of my favorites of yours, Jo! This poem is timeless!
Posted 11/21/2012 12:32 PM

Gail Goepfert:
So beautiful, Jo. I love its flight on the page.
Posted 11/21/2012 11:11 AM

gailcomorat:
The white space in this poem goes even beyond the words. Lovely, just lovely, Jo!
Posted 11/21/2012 10:07 AM

Marilyn L Taylor:
Lovely. All I can say is thank you for writing this, Jo.
Posted 11/21/2012 09:27 AM

vscholtz:
This beautiful and bitter-sweet poem shows Mary Jo's true artistry. The experience of a new level of grief when memories begin to fade is so well-stated. "We carry them forward even as they vanish into the blur of distance"
Posted 11/21/2012 09:19 AM

peninsulapoet:
Heartbreaking and beautiful. What more can one ask from a poem? Donna Hilbert
Posted 11/21/2012 08:53 AM

Janet Leahy:
This poem stirs memories of the people who have left our holiday tables. A poignant journey through nature and memory, the closing poem in Mary Jo's beautiful new book.
Posted 11/21/2012 08:12 AM

Wilda Morris:
A beautiful poem. I love the descriptions. The "two small boys" broke my heart - they brought me back to the drowning death of two young brothers I had cared for in the church nursery. You packed a lot into this poem, Mary Jo.
Posted 11/21/2012 07:48 AM

tannerlynne:
and I heard the grief! thank you for this poem.
Posted 11/21/2012 07:41 AM

tiddles:
Words of color, words of longing used to so beautifully describe places before us and places within us. Thank you, Mary Jo. Marilyn Zelke-Windau
Posted 11/21/2012 06:51 AM

TheSilverOne:
How beautiful this Autumn morning! Sparks the imagination.~~Doris
Posted 11/21/2012 06:10 AM