Join the Two Writing Teachers blog for the Slice of Life Challenge.
Find more celebration posts at Ruth’s blog.
From my window, I see a stately oak
and the bayou beyond
flanked by cypress knees
sticking up like toy soldiers.Sometimes, a heron happens by
stealthily stalking a wayward minnow.Sometimes, the sun beams down
in a spotlight directing my gaze
to the intricate design of trees.And some days, I don’t have time
to look, watch, or listen,
But I know my bayou
is always near
keeping me grounded,
showing me faithfulness,
bringing me solace.–Margaret Simon
This Slice/ Celebration idea came from Elsie. She wrote “Outside my Window” for her Day 2 Slice of Life.
I’ve been on break all week. Such a gift to be able to look outside, take walks with Charlie, and lunch with friends. I celebrate this time to look out the window.
Time to look out the window…I LOVE this! This will be a good reminder to me to take time to gaze out the window and take in the beauty. Thanks Margaret.
I love the idea of using all your senses to describe the view from your window. I think I’ll return to this for one of my slices this month 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
What a view you have! I would love to be able to observe a heron stalking minnows.
I loved the chance to look out of your window, Margaret – such serenity out there.
I envy your view, didn’t know you’ve had your break this week. Such a nice time during the year to rest and reflect, before spring, before the quick slide to the end.
Margaret, I love this format: looking out the window and finding a new lens to see with. Your poem speaks beautifully of your surroundings and what they offer you: grounding, faithfulness, solace. Peace be with you, Margaret.
Time to look out the window…in a couple of weeks when I am off for Spring Break, I hope to follow the inspiration from Elsie, and you, to see if poetry comes when I have more time to sit and look out the window.
What an incredible view! I stood at my kitchen window for at least 15 minutes this afternoon watching the birds at my feeder. Your last lines are truer than you know. In this weekend’s NYTimes Book Review, there’s a review of “Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative” by Florence Williams. It seems that scientists have accumulating evidence of how beneficial spending time outdoors really is. Here’s the link: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/02/books/review/nature-fix-florence-williams.html?_r=0
Thanks, Catherine. I am blessed that this is in my own backyard. But I really want to travel more to natural environments.
There is something about looking out a window that inspires writing and peace. Your poem reminds me of the little pieces of nature in my world. Something about water and green soothe the heart and mind.
Time to sit and look is so important and yet there is a part of us that makes it seem like it’s a luxury.