Last month I invited Poetry Friday peeps to participate in a photo exchange, “More than Meets the Eye,” in which we’d send a photograph from our own geographic area for our exchange partner to write a poem about. Please take some time to read other posts by clicking the Inlinkz at the bottom of this post.
I exchanged photos with Molly Hogan. She sent me photos from a tidal pond in Maine. I selected the photo of Greater Yellowlegs, a breed of sandpiper. Here is Molly’s email explaining the setting:
Choosing is hard! I thought at first, I’d choose from one of my favorite places, but I changed my mind and am sending two from a new discovery. I often drive down to visit Popham Beach in Phippsburg, Maine. Driving back from walking there last weekend, I noticed a beautiful small pond? lake? off to the side. I don’t know why I hadn’t noticed it before! At any rate, there was a small paved area I could pull into, and I did so. Then I noticed a trail and saw the signs: Spirit Pond Preserve and McDonald Preserve. It was such a misty, ethereal morning, that the name Spirit Pond seemed…well….heaven sent!
I did a little research at home to discover that Spirit Pond is a tidal pond fed by the Morse River. The small paved area I had used is to provide access to the pond for local clammers. As I checked a spelling this morning before sending this, I found an entire new rabbit hole of information about some runes that were reportedly discovered at Spirit Pond in the 1970s that were considered as possible evidence of Nordic activity. Then, there was some mention of those runes having possibly been brought to Maine by the Knights Templar along with the Holy Grail! Yikes!
Allaboutbirds.com describes the Greater Yellowlegs, “A common, tall, long-legged shorebird of freshwater ponds and tidal marshes, the Greater Yellowlegs frequently announces its presence by its piercing alarm calls.”
With this information and a prompt from Poets & Writers to write a love poem that uses animal behavior as a lesson in how we interact as humans, I wrote my first ever sonnet.
A Sonnet for Sandpipers
If I should hear alarming calls from you
within this holy place where we find rest,
I’d come to you like two birds often do;
We’d dance in water pools; close-by we’d nest.From Nordic days, your charm & elegance
will lead a waltz across this Spirit Pond.
Where Knights themselves discovered sacred dance,
you kiss the sunlight at the break of dawn.We’ll wade along a shore in misty haze
and build a nest on hummock safe & high.
In Maine, where nights are cool, we’ll spend our days
aloft on air uplifting wings to fly.No fear how high or far away I roam
I know without a doubt, you are my home.
–Margaret Simon, all rights reserved
[…] Thanks, Margaret, for creating a wonderful challenge, and for the inspiration for a golden shovel. I’ve so enjoyed this journey! Thanks also for hosting the Poetry Friday Roundup this week. To see what photos I sent to Margaret and how she responded, or to check out a plethora of photo poetry and more, go visit Reflections on the Teche. […]
Margaret, your sonnet is simply stunning. I’m full of admiration for how effortlessly you wove together so much information to create a rich, lyrical poem. I feel like you’ve elevated my photo to a higher realm! That ending couplet is perfect. Thanks so much for organizing this challenge and for hosting this week’s Roundup.
Margaret, double thanks today for hosting Poetry Friday and the “More than Meets the Eye” writing challenge. I found Kay, my writing partner and were serendipitously paired. As you read our topics you will see why. The photo/poem project gave me the opportunity to research an area that was so different from the one I provided Kay but yet still centering on a familiar topic. I tried to challenge myself and see that you have risen to new heights with your challenge. Your sonnet comes from deeply observing the photo about birds while moving beyond the animal world to that of human behavior. It is a beautiful poem to linger over.
Lovely sonnet Margaret, it rhythmically moves through the lines as if floating across the water. I too like the last couplet in your poem and especially the last line, for where else should our home be but with who we love,
“I know without a doubt, you are my home.” Thanks for this rich poem and also for hosting the Poetry Friday Roundup. I look forward to viewing more of the “More than Meets the Eye,” photo-poetry exchanges.
Your sonnet is charming, Margaret. Thank you for sharing all of this! The photo, the sonnet, the writing challenge…all are so alluring. I can’t wait to read more!
I enjoyed this challenge, and I think we should do it again soon. Thanks for hosting, and for your lovely sonnet! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
[…] Simon is hosting the Roundup at Reflections on the Teche. Be sure to check out the full menu of poetic goodness being served up in the blogosphere this […]
I am also full of thanks for you hosting Poetry Friday this week and admiration for your sonnet sills. The whole story of how the poem came into being is pretty special. that last line is so complete and such a gentle resolution–it’s prayerful in a way. This week, I am sharing my photo-swap journey. I have two photos from Kim Douillard and responses. The photo-poem swap was really fun. I’d love to participate again.
https://awordedgewiselindamitchell.blogspot.com/
Beautiful sonnet! Thanks for hosting this week. Have a good holiday weekend.
Love this poetic post up and down, Margaret – so many layers! (And Molly’s photo is just magical.) Apologies for missing the challenge – aack! A little out-of-town equals a lot of “misses” on my end, I’m afraid. But I’m delighted to discover now and will enjoy the creative fruits from so many! Thanks for hosting.
It is a gorgeous sonnet, Margaret, so loving, so true for those who love! Have a great weekend, and thanks for hosting!
Thanks for the fun challenge, Margaret! Not only are you rounding us up, but you paired us up! It will be so fun to see what photos everyone got and what they wrote from them. Huzzah for your first sonnet — it’s all kinds of lovely!
I’m sorry I spaced on the exchange. Maybe next time. Your poem is simply lovely.
Your first sonnet? Wow! It is lovely and moving, Margaret. Final couplet brings it home in every way.
Thank you, Katherine. I’ve written another one for a manuscript I am working on. I wish I had tried this years ago, but maybe it’s just right that I am trying them now. I’ve been intimidated by the form.
[…] to the letter “i”, but blooming. Happy Poetry Friday and thanks to Margaret Simon at Reflections on the Teche for hosting. A bonus daffodil poem […]
You’ve honored that gorgeous photograph with an exquisite sonnet, Margaret! I love to see you stretch yourself more and more with poetry forms. I look forward to reading many others on my rounds. Thanks so much for hosting!
Lovely sonnet, Margaret, and thanks for hosting. I love the ending note, calling it home. I had wanted to do the exchange, but I was knee-deep in novel revision and I couldn’t take the time. 😦 Another time, though. XOXO
Beautiful sonnet, Margaret – especially for a first-time! You have some lovely imagery here, but I especially love “nest on hummock safe & high”…so musical. Thanks for hosting!
Margaret, your sonnet is truly lovely. You have woven history, natural history and bird behavior to create an image that is so sweet and gentle. Kudos to Molly for the beautiful image. I love this line- “build a nest on hummock safe & high.” It’s a beautiful love poem.
Margaret, your sonnet is so lovely — it’s hard to believe that’s your first! I didn’t get in on the exchange, but can’t wait to poke around and see what you all have done. 🙂
What a lovely sonnet! I love how it combines so much–science and history and love, of course! Thank you for organizing the photo exchange. It’s been such fun to see photos from a different part of the country and write in response to it.
Who would guess that this is your first ever sonnet! It is splendid. My favorite: your ending couplet. It wrapped itself around my heart. I also love Molly’s backstory of the photo. Thank you so much for setting up the photo/poem sway … it has been fun. And thanks for hosting the roundup this last Friday of May.
Thank you for hosting Margaret. Your sonnet has an ethereal quality to it and is possessed of gentleness. You have just broken the sonnet barrier! Sorry I missed the photo exchange challenge for it sounded like something I would have enjoyed.
[…] Poetry Friday Roundup is being hosted by my friend Margaret Simon at Reflections on the Teche. About a month ago, Margaret invited Poetry Friday regulars to participate in “More Than […]
[…] complete, unfettered, unabridged, and unbelievable Poetry Friday roundup, visit Margaret Simon at Reflections on the Teche…where you’ll find all of today’s poetry links a well as a beautiful sandpiper […]
[…] for Poetry Friday I am participating in a poetry photo exchange, arranged by this week’s host, Margaret @ Reflections on the Teche. She is calling it “More Than Meets the […]
That’s lovely. Happy Friday! Thanks for hosting!
Hi Margaret! Thanks for hosting and for creating the photo swap — it was fun (as you will see when you read my post — I got carried away!). Congrats on writing your first sonnet! I still haven’t done that yet. 🙂
Your sonnet is graceful and lovely, and it is perfect with this beautiful photograph. Thank you for this offering as here in NY the world has turned green and bird-magical! Happy Poetry Friday, friend! xxxx
Your answer to the question about your favorite form led me to this poem. Thanks for pushing me forward in such a gentle and encouraging way.
[…] Poetry Friday, everyone! Margaret at Reflections on the Teche is our hostess this week. Last month she invited us to participate in her “More than Meets […]
Your first sonnet! Margaret, may there be many more! I am a sucker for a love poem, and this one is lovely… also, it’s the year of the bird, so quite fitting. Thank you for rounding up… and for being you! xo
Thank you for hosting! I really enjoyed the sonnet.
[…] month Margaret at Reflections on the Teche invited her readers to participate in “More than Meets the Eye” photo exchange. I eagerly […]
I haven’t written a sonnet since I wrote one in high school. Yours is absolutely breathtaking! I love how you wove in the historical information that Molly shared (which I read after reading the poem). Thanks for hosting today’s gathering. I’m looking forward to reading more of the photo exchange poems.
Thank you, thank you, Margaret, for hosting today and for coming up with the brilliant idea for this challenge. Your sonnet is stunning! I love how you’ve captured so much of the history and mystery of the location in your poem. Well done!
First off, Margaret, many thanks for hosting today and for organizing this fun exchange! Watch out for those rabbit holes. They are so easy to fall down, aren’t they? I love how you mined Molly’s excursion for your sonnet. I instantly fell for Spirit Pond! My roots are in Maine, and yet I didn’t know about the Nordic connection. Fascinating!
Margaret — the last six lines of your sonnet took my breath away. Beautiful pairing with Michelle’s photograph. Thanks for hosting this week.
Thank you for hosting Poetry Friday. I loved the “More than Meets the Eye” challenge. It was exciting to get photos and write a poem. I love Michelle’s photo and your sonnet is stunning. The beginning, ” If I should hear…” drew me in.
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