This Photo Wants to be a Poem is a low pressure, quick writing prompt I post each week. Consider joining in the playful poetry today. Leave a comment with 15 words or less structured as a poem. Write encouraging comments on other responses. That’s it. No judgement. Just be present.
Speaking of being present, a group of poet dabblers are writing a poem of presence each day of May on Twitter using the hashtag #PoemsofPresence. This grew out of my Ditty of the Month interview. You can also write a poem of presence on the padlet that Michelle is curating.
Today’s photo was taken last week when we were out on a family walk with Leo, who is 17 months today. He is learning about mischief, and he took Baby Thomas’s hat from his stroller and put it on and ran. It was all such a fun game. I was lucky to capture this shot in the multitude of photos I took.
photo by Margaret Simon
Let me run
Margaret Simon, draft
in the sun.
Hat askew,
can’t catch you.
Reflections on the Teche 
fast legs! warm sun!
a small shadow
elephant
trumpets his joy
I love how you captured the moment of joy. Thanks for joining us today!
Yes! The joy just bursts out of the photo. It’s almost as good as a hug.
I love your use of an elephant trumpeting his joy as your metaphor, Steve. I feel the happiness.
“Trumpets his joy” is perfect!
What a beautiful pic of this beautiful little boy. Gosh, the picture just bursts with all the great things of toddler…I can almost feel and smell my sons at this age. Gosh, I miss that joy (not the work part). I do love the “can’t catch you” at the end of your lines. That’s just IT for kids at this age.
Run
Run faster
Run faster, faster
in a circle
until your shadow
is in second place. (draft!)
The sun, the crispness of the photo, the face on Margaret’s Leo, oh my it is a poem in itself. Your poem reminds me of one by Rebecca Kai Dotlitch. A Circle of Sun. All brightness and energy and fun. Captures the moment for sure.
Until you shadow is in second place! Love that!
I also love that “second place ” shadow.
Innocence and Joy at 17 months
Outrunning your shadow,
unaware of pandemic,
you’re about growing!
Gloriously knowing!
Verses of earth:
Sun-and-sky crowing!
@Janet Clare Fagal
Margaret,
I love, love, love his deliciously joyful face. Happiness and mirth. Such joyfulness.
Growing and Gloriously knowing captures that lovely innocence of a toddler.
what delicious phrases–Gloriously knowing, verses of earth, crowing. Love it.
Thanks, Linda. Nice to hear. Really.
This picture is just too adorable! Somehow I didn’t see the prompt this morning. Love that “hat askew/can’t catch you”!
Fairweather Friend
On sunny days
my shadow plays.
We race about together.
When raindrops pound,
he can’t be found.
He dislikes cloudy weather.
This is a great shadow poem for children.
Donna,
You are so great with your rhyme and rhythm these days, Donna. I love how you explain the delightful loss of one’s friendly shadow when the sun departs and the rain starts. And I agree with hat askew/ can’t catch you line of Margaret’s.!!!
Sweet big brother game
Baby seems unaware now
But waits for his turn
These two boys are cousins, but I’m sure the future holds much more mischief between them. Thanks for dropping off a poem.
We are living your poem with our 4 y 3 m granddaughter (who has never totally accepted being a big sister ie “the new brother is more of an invader”….) and our 21 mon grandson. We now Skype nightly and are able to watch some interesting interactions. Need I say more. He is the calmer one currently. But he totally has observed and gets it. Just waiting for them to embrace each other with more love!
Thank you, Margaret, for the lovely picture. What a joyful little boy. Here’s my poem:
Running
Belly laugh,
fists are clasped,
boy-shaped shadow
running fast.
In all day,
out at last!
© Janice Scully 2020
Janice,
Your poem captures that exuberance and delight. I like your rhymes! Freedom!!!
I love the rhymes and how this poem is a perfect description of the scene. Thanks for coming by.
Janice, I too noticed his sweet closed fists. That was so cute. The last thoughts sum it up, and something that captures the chapter we are in. Such a great way to put it–“In all day, out at last!” Nice rhyming too.