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This post is serving dual purposes. Since it is Friday, it serves as my Poetry Friday post, an original poem I wrote this week after a typical trip to the grocery store. The second purpose is for Spiritual Journey Thursday. Holly started this blog roundup a few months ago. Her theme this week is wonder and awe. I was filled with wonder and awe at this sunburst in the sky. Holly’s post is about her mission trip to the Czech Republic. It is worth a read.
Yesterday was a wonderfully busy day filled with school orientation, seeing my students, and our anniversary. Jeff and I danced the night away to our favorite zydeco band, Geno Delafose and the French Rockin Boogie. Thirty-two years and we’re still having fun! (Sorry, Holly, for ignoring your tweets, but I was a little dizzy busy.)
Chasing the Horizon
Driving from an evening grocery stop,
I chase the dramatic horizon
drawing me home.The cats look forlorn
at my passing car,
oblivious to the sun I seek.I drive to the cul-de-sac
snapping images with my phone
that fail to capture
the brilliance.Setting sun peers over
white-tipped clouds
bursting with blue water.I stop my car,
jump out to the field
as to pursue an escaped kite.The only bystander watches her dog
as he marks every bush and cluster of weeds.
She talks loudly on her cell phone.I want to shout, “Look up at the glorious sky!”
But I stay silent,
climb back into my car,
turn toward home,
satisfied that God
just handed me
a daisy.— Margaret Simon
Images informing writing: Join the photo-a-day challenge.
I love the ending, “God just handed me a daisy.” So beautiful!!! Margaret, I am crying. This poem really touched me this morning. Thank you for writing and sharing it today!!
I love that you combined the two posts and am so glad you had fun celebrating a milestone with your hubby. 🙂 Perfect poem for both link-ups!! I liked when you wanted to shout to the bystander, “Look up at the glorious sky!”
I know, I often want to shout at the moms going by on their cell phones, pushing a stroller. I wish they’d talk to the toddler instead. And it’s tough to get that picture come out as we see it. Luckily, I also get to read your words (thoughts), Margaret. Wonderful response to that horizon!
I, too, am a chaser of sunsets and rainbows!
Congratulations on your anniversary! Enjoyed the movement of your poem, the journey and its rewards.
“snapping images with my phone
that fail to capture
the brilliance.”
I absolutely know the feeling of seeing something wonderful, snapping a photo, then checking the results and they aren’t anything like I saw. At times like that one does exactly what you did – say a little prayer of thanks for the actual moment–fleeting though it was. Thanks for sharing this snapshot of your life.
I love the brilliance in this poem – such radiant light, your words shimmer. 🙂
“your words shimmer,” Thanks for that gift!
Love thinking of you dizzy. 🙂 And the poem is a lovely capture of a moment that will never be quite the same moment again… which is one reason why poetry is NECESSARY, yes? Thank you for sharing! xo
Irene, this is exactly what I’ve been thinking about as I prepare for this school year. If I give my students poetry, they will have the lifelong tool for capturing a moment in time. Thanks for solidifying this thinking for me.
“I want to shout, ‘Look up at the glorious sky!'” I think this line at least once a day! Thanks for sharing. = )