This week's Poem of the Week is the wonderful Love Garden by Lynn Hahn. "Thanks for selecting my poem, it means so much to me" said a delighted Lynn when we contacted her to offer our congratulations.  Here are the answers she gave us to a few questions we had for her about her work as a poet:

What got you into writing poetry?

My mother was a writer. Writing has been a vehicle for me to discover myself and others since I was very young. Poetry sums things up quickly for me. Much can be said in few words. 

How long have you been writing?

I started getting attention for writing when I was in first grade. School was not my strong point writing being the exception. I think that's what kept me from driving my teachers crazy. All other subjects left much to be desired. 

Do you go to any open-mic nights?

Yes I have done open-mic nights. Glad you asked. I want to do more. There are not many venues that offer open-mic to poets in my area. Comedians hold that honor. 

What's your favorite poet/poem?

My favorite poet is Emily Dickinson. It's hard to pick a favorite of hers. "I'm Nobody! Who are you?" is a fun one. So simple yet expresses my need to fail at being an actress. Loved the art hated the attention. 

You're cast away on a desert island. What's your luxury?

Waking to the breeze and smell of simplicity a desert island offers would be my luxury. No need to explain what my thoughts are going to be for the day. No bad news for it could not reach me. A chance to regroup on a desert island would be divine. 

...thanks Lynn, we can all read more of her thoughts at Lynn's blog and in the mean time here is Write Out Loud's Poem of the Week:

 

Love Garden by Lynn Hahn

 

He says he loves you when

in fact

wants to own you

 

He is

 

invasive

like bambo

 

crawls up you

like ivy

 

chokes you out

like clover

 

Part of you wants 

it over

 

But

 

The other part wants to 

work hard

to clean up the garden

 

and

 

pray for flowers

to bloom