My poet-friend and writing group partner, Molly Hogan, is a fine art photographer in her spare time. She lives in Maine and posts amazing photos on her blog and Facebook page. Sometimes her photos inspire me to respond in poetry.
Dawn on the Marsh
Dawn on the marsh glows
like embers, like the final flash of a torch
lighting the tiny particles of fog
rising ghost-like and dreamy.High in the sky
geese line up
to honk their way southIn the distance, deer graze,
tentatively perk their ears
to your sound.You do not feel the cold
that numbs your fingers and toes
as you click the lens of your camerawhispering a prayer of thanks.
Margaret Simon, draft 2019
Reflections on the Teche 
mother natures gifts
Beautiful photo and poem!!
Gorgeous, Margaret. I would not feel the cold, either. I do love when Molly shares her pictures and love how you’ve responded!
What a beautiful response to Molly’s gorgeous photo. I especially like how your words followed my observation of the details – I saw dawn and fog, then geese, then deer – and how that last line starts to explain the way the photo lingers.
Molly’s photo is stunning and I can see why it inspired you to create a poem.. The last line is a wonderful one for this month of gratitude.
Margaret, I love that my photo inspired you. Your poem is lovely! I was absolutely whispering words of thanks as I took this photo and many others. It was a dazzling sight.
Delightful! Molly’s photos tell the most marvelous stories. I love her work. I love where this poem notes that you do not feel the cold…there is so much more going on than the peskiness of cold. I whisper thanks, too.
Methinks you and Molly have a good partnership going! I love that you inspire each other and that you both inspire the rest of us.
“like embers, like the final flash of a torch
lighting the tiny particles of fog”
Such perfection with that photo. Thanks to both you and Molly.
Margaret, your poem captures the beauty of Molly’s stunning photo perfectly. I love every word of your poem, especially these lines:
“Dawn on the marsh glows/
like embers, like the final flash of a torch.”
That photo is gorgeous – like the sun is on fire – beautiful poem too! Thank you!
That’s really lovely Margaret
Lovely! We should have a photo/poem exchange again. Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com